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Kiss the Wallflower #1
A Midsummer Kiss
Nachdem sie schon als junges Mädchen zur Waise geworden war, verbrachte Miss Louise Grant ihr Leben als Dienerin, um für ihre jüngeren Geschwister zu sorgen. Nun, da sie nicht mehr als Gesellschafterin der Herzogin gebraucht wird, hat Louise eine Anstellung in York gefunden. Doch in ihrer letzten Nacht in London wird Louises guter Ruf jäh zerstört, als der betrunkene und liederliche Marquis Graham Louises Zimmer mit dem seiner Geliebten verwechselt.
Luke, der Marquis Graham, ist fest entschlossen, sich nie wieder einer quälenden Liebe hinzugeben. Als er in das Zimmer von Miss Louise Grant stolpert, ist sein Junggesellendasein vorbei, denn er ist verpflichtet, sie zu heiraten. Doch der kalte und distanzierte Marquis weiß, dass sie nie eine glückliche Ehe führen werden; er darf nicht zulassen, dass seine neue und bezaubernde Frau die schützende Barriere um sein Herz einreißt.
In dem Versuch, das Beste aus einer schlechten Ehe zu machen, versucht Louise, die eisige Abwehrhaltung des Marquis zu durchbrechen. Auch als das Unglück zuschlägt und Luke zu seinem kalten, distanzierten früheren Ich zurückkehrt, ist Louise nicht bereit, die Liebe aufzugeben. Schließlich taut jedes noch so kalte Herz auf, wenn es von Wärme umgeben ist.
Luke, der Marquis Graham, ist fest entschlossen, sich nie wieder einer quälenden Liebe hinzugeben. Als er in das Zimmer von Miss Louise Grant stolpert, ist sein Junggesellendasein vorbei, denn er ist verpflichtet, sie zu heiraten. Doch der kalte und distanzierte Marquis weiß, dass sie nie eine glückliche Ehe führen werden; er darf nicht zulassen, dass seine neue und bezaubernde Frau die schützende Barriere um sein Herz einreißt.
In dem Versuch, das Beste aus einer schlechten Ehe zu machen, versucht Louise, die eisige Abwehrhaltung des Marquis zu durchbrechen. Auch als das Unglück zuschlägt und Luke zu seinem kalten, distanzierten früheren Ich zurückkehrt, ist Louise nicht bereit, die Liebe aufzugeben. Schließlich taut jedes noch so kalte Herz auf, wenn es von Wärme umgeben ist.
142 pages, Paperback
First published August 28, 2019
953 people are currently reading
645 people want to read
About the author
Tamara Gill
125 books1,011 followersTamara is an Australian author who grew up in an old mining town in country South Australia, where her love of history was founded. She loves to write romance novels in an array of genres, including regency, medieval, and time travel.
https://linktr.ee/tamaragillauthor
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https://www.tamaragill.com
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 203 reviews
June 8, 2021
2.5 stars
The H ruined the story with his fear of intimacy. The h was great. She was mature and strong. So basically, the author took a great h and ruined it with a bad H. He avoids the h like a plague. So there was no real romance. Their love comes out of nowhere.
I think some people will like this book, but it just wasn't for me.
The H ruined the story with his fear of intimacy. The h was great. She was mature and strong. So basically, the author took a great h and ruined it with a bad H. He avoids the h like a plague. So there was no real romance. Their love comes out of nowhere.
I think some people will like this book, but it just wasn't for me.
June 10, 2021
A very quick and short story about the insecurities of a Marquess.
The author tried her best to make every twist and turn look interesting but due to its fast pace the emotions somehow left far behind.
Hero is too insecure and coward to face the reality in front of him. Heroine is too stubborn to read behind the aloofness of the hero. A rather perfect match.
The beginning didn't feel rushed. But as the story began and reached climax almost everything was happening at the same time.
That's the biggest challenge in front of the author of a short novel, most of the time stories felt rushed.
Writing style : 3.5/5
Plot : 4/5
Character building : 3/5
Emotions involved : 2.5/5
The author tried her best to make every twist and turn look interesting but due to its fast pace the emotions somehow left far behind.
Hero is too insecure and coward to face the reality in front of him. Heroine is too stubborn to read behind the aloofness of the hero. A rather perfect match.
The beginning didn't feel rushed. But as the story began and reached climax almost everything was happening at the same time.
That's the biggest challenge in front of the author of a short novel, most of the time stories felt rushed.
Writing style : 3.5/5
Plot : 4/5
Character building : 3/5
Emotions involved : 2.5/5
October 30, 2020
I’ve always loved the wallflower catches the attention of the handsome Lord (or Duke, etc) trope and this book did not disappoint. If you need a few sighs, a spicy scene or two, Regency ambience and a happy ending, look no further.
June 7, 2021
Oh this book was so sweet and lovely I wasn’t expecting it to be so good.
Don’t you love a heroine that makes the hero run for his money. She didn’t tolerate no bullshit I loved it!
I mean how you gonna tell your wife that you expect fidelity from her, you will not be a cuckold, you will also not have sex with her or get her with child...and expect her to still be faithful...idiot. Baring in mind he still wants to live as a bachelor, fuking around (he doesn’t lol) And so our heroine puts him in his place. Considering the fact that HE was the one that ruined her (entirely his fault) he’s out here making such demands??? Idiot. So our heroine is like ‘ husband, you refuse to live with me, how would you know of my doings? If my husband refuses to warm my bed, I’ll have to replace him (she obviously doesn’t lol, but with an arrogant ass asking you for fidelity whilst you go round having other women??? I’d say the same damn thing too!)
So she goes and beautifies herself and goes round ‘flirting’ with gents and he’s like ‘😵🤯🤬🥵😳😡’ starts acting all possessive, moves in with her and starts acting like the husband he is supposed to be!
And to top it off, they have babies at the end, twins 😆😆😆 you see, I get so hyped up when characters birth twins, since they weren’t expected to survive such an ordeal. Makes it the more glorious does it not✌🏾
Don’t you love a heroine that makes the hero run for his money. She didn’t tolerate no bullshit I loved it!
I mean how you gonna tell your wife that you expect fidelity from her, you will not be a cuckold, you will also not have sex with her or get her with child...and expect her to still be faithful...idiot. Baring in mind he still wants to live as a bachelor, fuking around (he doesn’t lol) And so our heroine puts him in his place. Considering the fact that HE was the one that ruined her (entirely his fault) he’s out here making such demands??? Idiot. So our heroine is like ‘ husband, you refuse to live with me, how would you know of my doings? If my husband refuses to warm my bed, I’ll have to replace him (she obviously doesn’t lol, but with an arrogant ass asking you for fidelity whilst you go round having other women??? I’d say the same damn thing too!)
So she goes and beautifies herself and goes round ‘flirting’ with gents and he’s like ‘😵🤯🤬🥵😳😡’ starts acting all possessive, moves in with her and starts acting like the husband he is supposed to be!
And to top it off, they have babies at the end, twins 😆😆😆 you see, I get so hyped up when characters birth twins, since they weren’t expected to survive such an ordeal. Makes it the more glorious does it not✌🏾
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 1, 2022
Afraid to love
This was an excellent story about a Fake that stumbled into the wrong room and found a forever love. These type of romances are pretty much fantasy and it may have some spelling errors or history problems but it is pure entertainment to me! I have never read this author before that I can recall but I am excited to read more. The hero was pretty much a jerk at first but eventually turned to a besotted husband. She also had a twin brother and sister. I loved that. I have a twin brother too. So maybe that edged the rating up but it was a very good read for me. Faithful hero, sweet but strong heroine and ever after love. What more do you need.
This was an excellent story about a Fake that stumbled into the wrong room and found a forever love. These type of romances are pretty much fantasy and it may have some spelling errors or history problems but it is pure entertainment to me! I have never read this author before that I can recall but I am excited to read more. The hero was pretty much a jerk at first but eventually turned to a besotted husband. She also had a twin brother and sister. I loved that. I have a twin brother too. So maybe that edged the rating up but it was a very good read for me. Faithful hero, sweet but strong heroine and ever after love. What more do you need.
June 15, 2022
I didnt want this story to end!!
Louise Grant at age 8 becomes a childhood paid ccompanion to age 8 Lady Mary. The two young girls become best friends as they grow into young ladies. Mary gets married and Louise have found another job as governess. Louise uses her salary as Mary's companion to provide for her twin brother and sister. She is a wonderful, kind and intelligent young lady. The night before she is to leave for her new job she is compromised by the rich, powerful, handsome rogue Luke Ashby the Marquess of Graham.
He is told he has to marry Louise. He has ruined and innocent women reputation. They marry but Luke guards his heart. He was orphaned at a young age of 8, like Louise. But he loose his entire family in a carrage accident leaving him alone in the world. Luke never wants to experience this kind of hurt again. So he guards his heart refusing to fall in love. It is a joy to read how Louise's love, compassion and tender care breaks through the icy heart of Luke.
I loved the way each character in this story was written. The story moves fast and it is sensuous love story. There is a relationship built between Luke and Louise and her twin siblings that is believeable. They get a Great HEA!!
Louise Grant at age 8 becomes a childhood paid ccompanion to age 8 Lady Mary. The two young girls become best friends as they grow into young ladies. Mary gets married and Louise have found another job as governess. Louise uses her salary as Mary's companion to provide for her twin brother and sister. She is a wonderful, kind and intelligent young lady. The night before she is to leave for her new job she is compromised by the rich, powerful, handsome rogue Luke Ashby the Marquess of Graham.
He is told he has to marry Louise. He has ruined and innocent women reputation. They marry but Luke guards his heart. He was orphaned at a young age of 8, like Louise. But he loose his entire family in a carrage accident leaving him alone in the world. Luke never wants to experience this kind of hurt again. So he guards his heart refusing to fall in love. It is a joy to read how Louise's love, compassion and tender care breaks through the icy heart of Luke.
I loved the way each character in this story was written. The story moves fast and it is sensuous love story. There is a relationship built between Luke and Louise and her twin siblings that is believeable. They get a Great HEA!!
April 16, 2023
Nothing I haven’t read before.
March 9, 2020
.
I enjoyed this one overall, but found the second half had too much telling and not enough showing.
Louise and Luke are obliged to marry after he drunkenly stumbles into her room and feels her up.
It was a setup from a vindictive fling of Luke's. Do we hear from the jealous lady again? Nope.
So they marry and he promptly drops her off at his country estate and heads back to London.
She decides she doesn't want to rusticate while he makes her a laughing stock, and heads to London.
There's a fair bit of back and forth. I couldn't really grasp Luke's character. He was harsh one moment and then waffled as his guilty conscience struck, again and again. I would have prefered a more steady progress from harshly pushing her away, to viewing her as a person, to falling in love.
Instead, he came across as a bit cowardly and waffely.
There's a nasty debutante that takes jabs at Louise when Luke isn't there and when he is there. Luke doesn't have Louise's back, so I wanted to read about him setting the nasty chit down. But all I got was one sentence, "The night he'd put little Lady Clara in her place before Louise had been an exceptionally high point in their relationship."
I was also kinda expecting more to come from his heir (a second cousin's kid or something) but this person is never heard from.
So it felt kinda unfinished.
I did like Louise's character. She was strong yet not bitchy or too modern. I liked how she called a spade a spade and didn't turn the other cheek about double standards.
Safety is good
I enjoyed this one overall, but found the second half had too much telling and not enough showing.
Louise and Luke are obliged to marry after he drunkenly stumbles into her room and feels her up.
It was a setup from a vindictive fling of Luke's. Do we hear from the jealous lady again? Nope.
So they marry and he promptly drops her off at his country estate and heads back to London.
She decides she doesn't want to rusticate while he makes her a laughing stock, and heads to London.
There's a fair bit of back and forth. I couldn't really grasp Luke's character. He was harsh one moment and then waffled as his guilty conscience struck, again and again. I would have prefered a more steady progress from harshly pushing her away, to viewing her as a person, to falling in love.
Instead, he came across as a bit cowardly and waffely.
There's a nasty debutante that takes jabs at Louise when Luke isn't there and when he is there. Luke doesn't have Louise's back, so I wanted to read about him setting the nasty chit down. But all I got was one sentence, "The night he'd put little Lady Clara in her place before Louise had been an exceptionally high point in their relationship."
I was also kinda expecting more to come from his heir (a second cousin's kid or something) but this person is never heard from.
So it felt kinda unfinished.
I did like Louise's character. She was strong yet not bitchy or too modern. I liked how she called a spade a spade and didn't turn the other cheek about double standards.
Safety is good
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 4, 2021
Midsummer Kiss (Kiss the Wallflower bk #1) 1 star
A Kiss @ Mistletoe (Kiss the Wallflower bk #2) 3 stars
A Kiss in Spring (Kiss the Wallflower bk#3) 2 stars.
Regency.
Luke, a Marquess, dodged most responsibility except
Parliament. He acted like he was the only one who
grieved (3 family members). He went into a BR
to ravish a widow & friends/ others discovered him
w/ innocent, good girl Louise. Inebriated Luke had
the wrong BR.
Luke ran hot/cold in his: feelings, treatment of the
heroine & amorous attn to her. A snippy society girl
fresh from the schoolroom insulted Louise and he
didn't defend her. Louise rightly called him "spineless."
Not a hero to me, not believable. I first read of h in
book 2 and wanted her to get a good guy.
A Kiss @ Mistletoe (Kiss the Wallflower bk #2) 3 stars
A Kiss in Spring (Kiss the Wallflower bk#3) 2 stars.
Regency.
Luke, a Marquess, dodged most responsibility except
Parliament. He acted like he was the only one who
grieved (3 family members). He went into a BR
to ravish a widow & friends/ others discovered him
w/ innocent, good girl Louise. Inebriated Luke had
the wrong BR.
Luke ran hot/cold in his: feelings, treatment of the
heroine & amorous attn to her. A snippy society girl
fresh from the schoolroom insulted Louise and he
didn't defend her. Louise rightly called him "spineless."
Not a hero to me, not believable. I first read of h in
book 2 and wanted her to get a good guy.
October 17, 2020
Nice little story.
October 6, 2019
A Midsummer Kiss By Tamara Gill is book One in the Kiss the Wallflower Series. This is the story of Louise Grant and Luke, the Marquess Graham. Louise was a orphan who became a companion to her friend but now in their present day that friend is marrying so Louise has set to start a new adventure.
But one wrong door has lead Louise into a different path. Luke walks into the wrong room and that room is Louise's. Under pressure because he just ruin her reputation he has to marry her but nothing is going to melt his cold heart. Louise wanted a simple life and to have love in it but now that seems to be gone unless she can melt Luke's harden heart.
I am such a fan of Ms. Gill's writing loved it and this book. Great start to a new series.
But one wrong door has lead Louise into a different path. Luke walks into the wrong room and that room is Louise's. Under pressure because he just ruin her reputation he has to marry her but nothing is going to melt his cold heart. Louise wanted a simple life and to have love in it but now that seems to be gone unless she can melt Luke's harden heart.
I am such a fan of Ms. Gill's writing loved it and this book. Great start to a new series.
March 6, 2021
I enjoyed the short novel about a man who lost his family early in life and hesitates to love again. This was a bit of a mixed trope of rake who goes to the wrong room and is forced into marriage and his heart is made of ice. I have mixed feelings about the characters. The heroine is as sweet as can be and the hero is the typical never going to love again. She has a family that she has been supporting and he realizes how much he is missing. There are so sexy parts that occur while married. I rate this 3.5 Enjoyable book but its been done before.
September 2, 2019
A Midsummer Kiss
Kiss the Wallflower series #1
Tamara Gill
https://www.facebook.com/tamaragillro...
Release date 9/17/2019
Publisher auto-published
Blurb :
Orphaned at a tender age, Miss Louise Grant spent her life in servitude to care for her younger siblings. Now, no longer needed as a duchess' companion, Louise has procured employment in York. But on her last night in London, her reputation is shattered when the drunk and disorderly Marquess mistakes Louise's room for his lover's.Luke, the Marquess Graham is determined to never torment himself again by daring to love. Stumbling into Miss Louise Grant’s room destroys his days of bachelorhood when he is pressured into marrying her. However, the cold and distant Marquess knows they'll never have a happy marriage; his new and fetching wife will never crack the protective barrier around his heart.Trying to make the best of a bad marriage Louise attempts to break through the icy visage of the Marquess. But when misfortune strikes and Luke reverts to his cold, distant former self, Louise is not willing to give up on the possibility of love. After all, ice will melt when surrounded by warmth.
My review :
Will a marriage which began on the wrong foot get a chance when one of the party was determined to never ever marry.
I won’t praise again Mrs Tamara Gill writing talent, but I must say I am sold to any of her new release.
And this one did not let me down.
For two people whom suffered from the rather same trauma, each coped with it very differently.
Louise, after having lost her parents and her home at a very tender age, was sent immediately to work as a young lady companion. It ensured she was able to provide for her younger siblings.
But now that her charge is all grownup and married, she is little to less to do.
So she is in between two positions when a drunken rake barges in her bedchamber and compromises her in the eyes of the London society.
And as usual, she is the one put at fault.
And even when the said scoundrel marries her, she is still shunned by the some well named self-righteous.
I loved her young siblings, they stand by her side, and refuse to cover because certain do-gooders love to unleash their venom at those they think inferior to them.
Luke, the Marquess of Graham made an oath to never marry nor love anyone, refusing to live again the pain he felt when he lost his parents and sister. He is no bad man, but he lives a shallow of a life, avoiding any entanglement by fear to suffer from any loss life can bring at his doorstep. But life is made of gains and losses, why he appeared at quite a coward to me.
Worse, until he realized his unsuitable bride is so much better than many women from his past, he didn’t even supported her.
I loved how Mrs Gill set the pace of this moving story, it was no insta-Love nor a quick march. Louise and Luke took their time to get to know each other, they have their ups and downs and hits and misses.
5 stars for this very emotional tale of healing and accepting life’s challenges.
I have preordered this book and was granted an advanced copy to by the author. Here is my true and unbiased opinion.
https://www.facebook.com/429830134272...
Kiss the Wallflower series #1
Tamara Gill
https://www.facebook.com/tamaragillro...
Release date 9/17/2019
Publisher auto-published
Blurb :
Orphaned at a tender age, Miss Louise Grant spent her life in servitude to care for her younger siblings. Now, no longer needed as a duchess' companion, Louise has procured employment in York. But on her last night in London, her reputation is shattered when the drunk and disorderly Marquess mistakes Louise's room for his lover's.Luke, the Marquess Graham is determined to never torment himself again by daring to love. Stumbling into Miss Louise Grant’s room destroys his days of bachelorhood when he is pressured into marrying her. However, the cold and distant Marquess knows they'll never have a happy marriage; his new and fetching wife will never crack the protective barrier around his heart.Trying to make the best of a bad marriage Louise attempts to break through the icy visage of the Marquess. But when misfortune strikes and Luke reverts to his cold, distant former self, Louise is not willing to give up on the possibility of love. After all, ice will melt when surrounded by warmth.
My review :
Will a marriage which began on the wrong foot get a chance when one of the party was determined to never ever marry.
I won’t praise again Mrs Tamara Gill writing talent, but I must say I am sold to any of her new release.
And this one did not let me down.
For two people whom suffered from the rather same trauma, each coped with it very differently.
Louise, after having lost her parents and her home at a very tender age, was sent immediately to work as a young lady companion. It ensured she was able to provide for her younger siblings.
But now that her charge is all grownup and married, she is little to less to do.
So she is in between two positions when a drunken rake barges in her bedchamber and compromises her in the eyes of the London society.
And as usual, she is the one put at fault.
And even when the said scoundrel marries her, she is still shunned by the some well named self-righteous.
I loved her young siblings, they stand by her side, and refuse to cover because certain do-gooders love to unleash their venom at those they think inferior to them.
Luke, the Marquess of Graham made an oath to never marry nor love anyone, refusing to live again the pain he felt when he lost his parents and sister. He is no bad man, but he lives a shallow of a life, avoiding any entanglement by fear to suffer from any loss life can bring at his doorstep. But life is made of gains and losses, why he appeared at quite a coward to me.
Worse, until he realized his unsuitable bride is so much better than many women from his past, he didn’t even supported her.
I loved how Mrs Gill set the pace of this moving story, it was no insta-Love nor a quick march. Louise and Luke took their time to get to know each other, they have their ups and downs and hits and misses.
5 stars for this very emotional tale of healing and accepting life’s challenges.
I have preordered this book and was granted an advanced copy to by the author. Here is my true and unbiased opinion.
https://www.facebook.com/429830134272...
November 2, 2019
In a word - Frustrating
The story was predictable to the point of cliche. The characters were too one-dimensional. And the timeline didn't completely line up. For example, Louise came back to London, spent following day shopping with Mary, and talked about attending the viscount's ball the following week. At the ball, Luke's internal dialogue references Louise being in London for a month.
Not enough attention was paid to historical accuracy. For example, Luke spoke of an illness as potentially being just a virus. This story is set in the very early 1800's. Germ theory didn't emerge until the mid 1800's and viruses were not discovered until the late 1800's.
In addition to these issues, too much of the story was glossed over. My evidence here is the paragraph stating how pleased Louise was when Luke put Lady Clara in her place. We were TOLD the event happened, but considering the emphasis previously place on the Lady Clara issue, I was frustrated I didn't get to SEE what happened in a full scene.
The story was predictable to the point of cliche. The characters were too one-dimensional. And the timeline didn't completely line up. For example, Louise came back to London, spent following day shopping with Mary, and talked about attending the viscount's ball the following week. At the ball, Luke's internal dialogue references Louise being in London for a month.
Not enough attention was paid to historical accuracy. For example, Luke spoke of an illness as potentially being just a virus. This story is set in the very early 1800's. Germ theory didn't emerge until the mid 1800's and viruses were not discovered until the late 1800's.
In addition to these issues, too much of the story was glossed over. My evidence here is the paragraph stating how pleased Louise was when Luke put Lady Clara in her place. We were TOLD the event happened, but considering the emphasis previously place on the Lady Clara issue, I was frustrated I didn't get to SEE what happened in a full scene.
January 21, 2020
Orphaned at a tender age, Miss Louise Grant spent her life in servitude to care for her younger siblings. Now, no longer needed as a duchess' companion, Louise has procured employment in York. But on her last night in London, her reputation is shattered when the drunk and disorderly Marquess mistakes Louise's room for his lover's.
Luke, the Marquess Graham is determined to never torment himself again by daring to love. Stumbling into Miss Louise Grant’s room destroys his days of bachelorhood when he is pressured into marrying her. However, the cold and distant Marquess knows they'll never have a happy marriage; his new and fetching wife will never crack the protective barrier around his heart.
Trying to make the best of a bad marriage Louise attempts to break through the icy visage of the Marquess. But when misfortune strikes and Luke reverts to his cold, distant former self, Louise is not willing to give up on the possibility of love. After all, ice will melt when surrounded by warmth.
_____________________________
When this book started, oh boy, I really did not care for Luke. What a terrible hero for our story. He infuriated me by his actions both before and after his marriage.
Louise was quite passive at the beginning, despite showing some strength when preparing for her departure from her childhood friend for new employment and again when she initially refused to marry him. But after speaking her vows she really shrank back and sat by passively through all his poor treatment of her and her reputation amoung the ton as his marchioness.
With some prompting from both her sibllings and Mary she did begin a compaign to call him to account and stand up for herself. Putting him in his place, setting ultimatums, and giving him the cold shoulder when needed to make him realize what an arse he was being; I was really starting to like her character.
But in the end he does begin to see the fault in his ways and becomes a better husband, someone she can like and admire. I just feel like he hadn't fully redeemed himself though. It bothers me when the male lead character is able to act abominably because of emotional immaturity and an inability to grieve and the female character just forgives him with almost no effort on his part. Sigh.
A few detailed sex scenes, which seemed to be the main driving force of the plot. As sex was seemlingly the only reason they could contemplate being in one another's life. 'Just ignore the person and have sex' seemed to be the name of the game here.
Overall, the book was pretty okay, even though Luke disappointed me. It is very short, less than 200 pages and I was kind of invested in the story. I will be giving the next book in the series a try to see if it improves because there is the chance that Luke just got in the way of this one for me.
_____
I read this book with my Kindle Unlimited membership.
Luke, the Marquess Graham is determined to never torment himself again by daring to love. Stumbling into Miss Louise Grant’s room destroys his days of bachelorhood when he is pressured into marrying her. However, the cold and distant Marquess knows they'll never have a happy marriage; his new and fetching wife will never crack the protective barrier around his heart.
Trying to make the best of a bad marriage Louise attempts to break through the icy visage of the Marquess. But when misfortune strikes and Luke reverts to his cold, distant former self, Louise is not willing to give up on the possibility of love. After all, ice will melt when surrounded by warmth.
_____________________________
When this book started, oh boy, I really did not care for Luke. What a terrible hero for our story. He infuriated me by his actions both before and after his marriage.
Louise was quite passive at the beginning, despite showing some strength when preparing for her departure from her childhood friend for new employment and again when she initially refused to marry him. But after speaking her vows she really shrank back and sat by passively through all his poor treatment of her and her reputation amoung the ton as his marchioness.
With some prompting from both her sibllings and Mary she did begin a compaign to call him to account and stand up for herself. Putting him in his place, setting ultimatums, and giving him the cold shoulder when needed to make him realize what an arse he was being; I was really starting to like her character.
But in the end he does begin to see the fault in his ways and becomes a better husband, someone she can like and admire. I just feel like he hadn't fully redeemed himself though. It bothers me when the male lead character is able to act abominably because of emotional immaturity and an inability to grieve and the female character just forgives him with almost no effort on his part. Sigh.
A few detailed sex scenes, which seemed to be the main driving force of the plot. As sex was seemlingly the only reason they could contemplate being in one another's life. 'Just ignore the person and have sex' seemed to be the name of the game here.
Overall, the book was pretty okay, even though Luke disappointed me. It is very short, less than 200 pages and I was kind of invested in the story. I will be giving the next book in the series a try to see if it improves because there is the chance that Luke just got in the way of this one for me.
_____
I read this book with my Kindle Unlimited membership.
September 17, 2019
Miss Louise Grant had been a companion to Lady Mary Dalton for years, but upon Mary's wedding to the duke of Carlton, Louise must leave her post. She will be a governess to a family in York, as her brother Stephen, her sister Sophie, and their aunt need the money. But Louise never reached York.
At a ball in London, Luke Ashby, Marquess Graham, derailed all her plans. Luke was drunk, expecting to find the willing Lady Scarboro in a room, instead he stumbled upon Louise. He has ruined her, and so they were promptly married. Much to their chagrin. Louise is determined to make the most out of the situation, but Luke is not. He never wanted to marry, and wants them to lead separate lives, and Louise disagrees.
How I loved Louise! What a positive attitude she had! I loved that there was a mild attraction to begin with, but nothing more. It's a lovely slow burn, they do get to know each other better before Luke's icy façade begins to momentarily crumble. He is not always nice, he's a twit at times, but he doesn't mean any harm, and I think Tamara Gill navigated those treacherous waters most skilfully. I never hated him, although I would have slapped him once when he sided with an insufferable witch. And that's also when I fell a little in love with the marvellous Stephen! I hope he gets his book sometime in the future. There are a few steamy scenes, very apropos, and they propelled the story forward. But what a wonderful moment when Luke came to his senses! I was a little teary-eyed; it's very touching and I felt his honesty and his remorse for his callousness. Although short, A MIDSUMMER KISS is a complete story, with fully fleshed-out characters, no plot holes, and concludes with a lovely epilogue.
I give 4.5 stars
At a ball in London, Luke Ashby, Marquess Graham, derailed all her plans. Luke was drunk, expecting to find the willing Lady Scarboro in a room, instead he stumbled upon Louise. He has ruined her, and so they were promptly married. Much to their chagrin. Louise is determined to make the most out of the situation, but Luke is not. He never wanted to marry, and wants them to lead separate lives, and Louise disagrees.
How I loved Louise! What a positive attitude she had! I loved that there was a mild attraction to begin with, but nothing more. It's a lovely slow burn, they do get to know each other better before Luke's icy façade begins to momentarily crumble. He is not always nice, he's a twit at times, but he doesn't mean any harm, and I think Tamara Gill navigated those treacherous waters most skilfully. I never hated him, although I would have slapped him once when he sided with an insufferable witch. And that's also when I fell a little in love with the marvellous Stephen! I hope he gets his book sometime in the future. There are a few steamy scenes, very apropos, and they propelled the story forward. But what a wonderful moment when Luke came to his senses! I was a little teary-eyed; it's very touching and I felt his honesty and his remorse for his callousness. Although short, A MIDSUMMER KISS is a complete story, with fully fleshed-out characters, no plot holes, and concludes with a lovely epilogue.
I give 4.5 stars
September 7, 2019
4.5 Stars
Orphaned at a tender age, Miss Louise Grant spent her life in servitude in order to send money to her aunt who is caring for her younger twin siblings. Now, no longer needed as a duchess' companion, Louise has procured employment in York. But on her last night in London, her reputation is shattered when the drunk and disorderly Marquis of Graham mistakes Louise's room for his lover's.
Luke, Marquis Graham is determined to never torment himself again by daring to love. Stumbling into Miss Louise Grant’s room destroys his days of bachelorhood when he is pressured into marrying her. However, the cold and distant Marquis knows they'll never have a happy marriage; his new and fetching wife will never crack the protective barrier around his heart.
This is the first in a new series & a lovely read. Luke is the gorgeous aristocrat who is a rake with a heart of ice, he’s built the barrier around his heart since he was eight. Louise also suffered when she was eight but is loving, caring & giving. She gradually demolishes Luke’s aloofness until an event happens that threatens to take them back to square one but Louise is determined to reach Luke once & for all. The characters are very well portrayed & very likeable, I loved both Luke & Louise. The pace was very good & I read it in well under a day. I loved how their relationship developed also how Luke found satisfaction in teaching the twins to ride
My honest review is for a special copy I voluntarily read
Orphaned at a tender age, Miss Louise Grant spent her life in servitude in order to send money to her aunt who is caring for her younger twin siblings. Now, no longer needed as a duchess' companion, Louise has procured employment in York. But on her last night in London, her reputation is shattered when the drunk and disorderly Marquis of Graham mistakes Louise's room for his lover's.
Luke, Marquis Graham is determined to never torment himself again by daring to love. Stumbling into Miss Louise Grant’s room destroys his days of bachelorhood when he is pressured into marrying her. However, the cold and distant Marquis knows they'll never have a happy marriage; his new and fetching wife will never crack the protective barrier around his heart.
This is the first in a new series & a lovely read. Luke is the gorgeous aristocrat who is a rake with a heart of ice, he’s built the barrier around his heart since he was eight. Louise also suffered when she was eight but is loving, caring & giving. She gradually demolishes Luke’s aloofness until an event happens that threatens to take them back to square one but Louise is determined to reach Luke once & for all. The characters are very well portrayed & very likeable, I loved both Luke & Louise. The pace was very good & I read it in well under a day. I loved how their relationship developed also how Luke found satisfaction in teaching the twins to ride
My honest review is for a special copy I voluntarily read
July 23, 2020
I am so disappointed. It is not that it wasn't a nice story, it just had a lot of missing pieces and historically incorrect. The love between the characters was fast-paced, or maybe even nonexistent. As a reader, you didn't really have time to see them fall in love. They just announced it. Oh, yeah now Im in love.
I understand that a lot of the HR books have these unconventional female leaders that aren't at all like how females of the past were, and I love them for it, but there must be a line drawn. We all know that females didn't ride astride, and for Sophie to be taught so, or not to mention anything about it, it was just so wrong. Then for Luke to be part of the birth, wow, just, soooo incorrect.
Also another point that frustrated me from the beginning was that the house Louise is currently in, is supposed to be Marys, and they have lived there for so long, but then she's married, and that's the same house???
I don't know. I'm just so disappointed. A lot of people had left 5 star review so I really thought this was going to be something else.
I understand that a lot of the HR books have these unconventional female leaders that aren't at all like how females of the past were, and I love them for it, but there must be a line drawn. We all know that females didn't ride astride, and for Sophie to be taught so, or not to mention anything about it, it was just so wrong. Then for Luke to be part of the birth, wow, just, soooo incorrect.
Also another point that frustrated me from the beginning was that the house Louise is currently in, is supposed to be Marys, and they have lived there for so long, but then she's married, and that's the same house???
I don't know. I'm just so disappointed. A lot of people had left 5 star review so I really thought this was going to be something else.
August 31, 2019
This was such a captivating story. Louise was an endearing character, she had worked since the age of eight to support her siblings, after the death of her parents. The connection Louise and with her siblings and the way they stood up for Louise was engaging. Luke, Marquess Graham needed to grow up. He had everything he wanted, money, prestige, good looks and tended to take things for granted. Due to his actions, Luke and Louise were forced to marry. There are many trials to overcome and Luke has to come to terms with his inner doubts and feelings. I just couldn’t put this story down and had to keep reading until the end. I received a copy and have voluntarily reviewed it. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
September 17, 2019
Loved it! 5☆
Want to read
May 17, 2022🎁 FREE on Amazon today (5/16/2022)! 🎁
November 12, 2022
a short quick read got me giggling for abit
February 29, 2020
I was looking for a light, quick, fluffy read. I got one of those things.
I never connected with the main characters; both Louise and Luke were superficial, careening between extremes of love and not-love without much impetus in either direction. Louise came across as having a spine, at least, but Luke was a bit of a milksop and, frankly, not very interesting.
Secondary characters were meh, but that wasn’t a surprise given the length of the story; there wasn’t much time to flesh out the main characters, much less the rest. It didn’t help that half the time they were referred to as things instead of by name; Louise’s siblings were referred to as “her brother” and “her sister” in many places where it would’ve been less awkward to use “Stephen” or “Sophie”.
The story had quite a few dropped threads that had potential to enrich the story had they been carried on. Luke made a pact with his cousin that said cousin would become his heir, as Luke would never have legitimate children–it was reiterated after Luke and Louise’s marriage, even. It was much of the reason presented as to why Luke wasn’t planning to sleep with Louise without a prophylactic, yet as they fell in love and started having sex, it never came up again. I’d expected it to at least have a mention at the end, given Louise’s pregnancy, but it just petered out without any resolution.
I was also waiting for Lady Clara (the obligatory smug debutante) to have her comeuppance, but it was relegated to a single line before an awkward segue to the next scene, which I initially thought would be a flashback explaining the situation. It was unsatisfyingly abrupt.
I struggled with the writing; my notes are littered with things like “What?” and “Ugh.” I had to reread sentences–sometimes entire paragraphs–more than once, as they were littered with sentence fragments, inappropriate comma splices, and random tense changes. There were also instances wherein one word was substituted for another in a common phrase that was just off enough to be jarring. (One does not touch every ounce of another’s flesh, for example.)
In the end, I got my quick read, but it was a disappointing one.
tl;dr Poorly-developed characters and a rushed, shallow story were not helped by clumsy writing.
I never connected with the main characters; both Louise and Luke were superficial, careening between extremes of love and not-love without much impetus in either direction. Louise came across as having a spine, at least, but Luke was a bit of a milksop and, frankly, not very interesting.
Secondary characters were meh, but that wasn’t a surprise given the length of the story; there wasn’t much time to flesh out the main characters, much less the rest. It didn’t help that half the time they were referred to as things instead of by name; Louise’s siblings were referred to as “her brother” and “her sister” in many places where it would’ve been less awkward to use “Stephen” or “Sophie”.
The story had quite a few dropped threads that had potential to enrich the story had they been carried on. Luke made a pact with his cousin that said cousin would become his heir, as Luke would never have legitimate children–it was reiterated after Luke and Louise’s marriage, even. It was much of the reason presented as to why Luke wasn’t planning to sleep with Louise without a prophylactic, yet as they fell in love and started having sex, it never came up again. I’d expected it to at least have a mention at the end, given Louise’s pregnancy, but it just petered out without any resolution.
I was also waiting for Lady Clara (the obligatory smug debutante) to have her comeuppance, but it was relegated to a single line before an awkward segue to the next scene, which I initially thought would be a flashback explaining the situation. It was unsatisfyingly abrupt.
I struggled with the writing; my notes are littered with things like “What?” and “Ugh.” I had to reread sentences–sometimes entire paragraphs–more than once, as they were littered with sentence fragments, inappropriate comma splices, and random tense changes. There were also instances wherein one word was substituted for another in a common phrase that was just off enough to be jarring. (One does not touch every ounce of another’s flesh, for example.)
In the end, I got my quick read, but it was a disappointing one.
tl;dr Poorly-developed characters and a rushed, shallow story were not helped by clumsy writing.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 19, 2019
Sometimes, you just opened the wrong door and got more than you thought. Such was the fate of Luke, the Marquess of Graham while he was on a midnight rendevous with a widow and went into the wrong room. Imagine is surprise when it was Miss Louise Grant, who had been the companion to the host!
Louise had been working since she was eight and lost her parents. Her siblings had gone to live with their aunt and she had taken the roll as a companian to a young lady who was now a duchess. She had been ready to leave for her new position before a man landed on her in the night, mistaking her for another!
So the journey begins! They marry and he takes Louise to his estate outside London, drops her off and goes back to town and takes back up where he left off! The Cad! But Louise, with the encouragment of her siblings, who she now has living with her, encourages her to go to London and knock his socks off!
This is such a delightful story, but it does deal with a lot of suppressed emotions, with Luke having lost him family young and is really scared to love or get close to anyone. Can she break through to him and they find a happy life?
Tamara Gill at her best (of course I say that about everyone of her books!) will surround you with the characters and their emotions, making you want to reach through the pages and cheer Louise on and pop Luke, the more handsome than sin Marquess!! Cannot wait for the next book and I know who I hope it is about!!
Louise had been working since she was eight and lost her parents. Her siblings had gone to live with their aunt and she had taken the roll as a companian to a young lady who was now a duchess. She had been ready to leave for her new position before a man landed on her in the night, mistaking her for another!
So the journey begins! They marry and he takes Louise to his estate outside London, drops her off and goes back to town and takes back up where he left off! The Cad! But Louise, with the encouragment of her siblings, who she now has living with her, encourages her to go to London and knock his socks off!
This is such a delightful story, but it does deal with a lot of suppressed emotions, with Luke having lost him family young and is really scared to love or get close to anyone. Can she break through to him and they find a happy life?
Tamara Gill at her best (of course I say that about everyone of her books!) will surround you with the characters and their emotions, making you want to reach through the pages and cheer Louise on and pop Luke, the more handsome than sin Marquess!! Cannot wait for the next book and I know who I hope it is about!!
August 30, 2019
Louise has a common background as she has just finished being a lady’s companion. Luke, Marquess of Graham, is a ton playboy and plans on never giving up his bachelor ways.
But then he drunkenly stumbles into her room by mistake, compromising her with no more than a kiss. This mistake leads to a forced marriage. One that he does not need or wish for, so he decides to simply keep to his bachelor way of life. He doesn’t plan for his new wife to come to town and take on her new role as marchioness with such command and elegance. She is his wife and he will not drop her in the country while he cavorts around London. He wants to distance himself from her, from feelings, from love....because he has a fear of losing people. It comes from the loss of his parents and sister at a young age. Louise also lost her parents early in life.
This HEA was satisfyingly frustrating and heart wrenching at times they way he pushed her away. Just as they are finding their way together he would put distance between them. I’ve always enjoyed this pull and push kind of plot so I really loved reading it. Some steamy scenes!! I was given an ARC of this book and chose to post a review.
But then he drunkenly stumbles into her room by mistake, compromising her with no more than a kiss. This mistake leads to a forced marriage. One that he does not need or wish for, so he decides to simply keep to his bachelor way of life. He doesn’t plan for his new wife to come to town and take on her new role as marchioness with such command and elegance. She is his wife and he will not drop her in the country while he cavorts around London. He wants to distance himself from her, from feelings, from love....because he has a fear of losing people. It comes from the loss of his parents and sister at a young age. Louise also lost her parents early in life.
This HEA was satisfyingly frustrating and heart wrenching at times they way he pushed her away. Just as they are finding their way together he would put distance between them. I’ve always enjoyed this pull and push kind of plot so I really loved reading it. Some steamy scenes!! I was given an ARC of this book and chose to post a review.
January 3, 2020
This started off really well and had great potential. Towards the end lots of inaccuracies ruined it for me.
Firstly the hero brushes off an illness as possibly just a virus. Viruses weren’t discovered until 1892 and referring to illness as such seems very modern.
Secondly a 16 year old girl knowing the symptoms of pregnancy in the early 1800s. I think that would have been pretty shocking at the time.
Thirdly another character mentions the hero mooning after the heroine since she’d had her accident at social events however the night of her first social event since her accident she turns around, never attends and leaves the hero. Just a really careless mistake.
Lastly my biggest problem is the heroine being unconscious for a week and then not only surviving but managing to continue a pregnancy. How did she drink water if she was unconscious?? She also wakes up completely lucid and starts carrying on full conversations asking for a cup of tea. No. Sorry, I just can’t buy it. She’d be in a terrible state if she survived at all.
Because this started off so well however, I may try the next one. Especially if it is as short as this one.
Firstly the hero brushes off an illness as possibly just a virus. Viruses weren’t discovered until 1892 and referring to illness as such seems very modern.
Secondly a 16 year old girl knowing the symptoms of pregnancy in the early 1800s. I think that would have been pretty shocking at the time.
Thirdly another character mentions the hero mooning after the heroine since she’d had her accident at social events however the night of her first social event since her accident she turns around, never attends and leaves the hero. Just a really careless mistake.
Lastly my biggest problem is the heroine being unconscious for a week and then not only surviving but managing to continue a pregnancy. How did she drink water if she was unconscious?? She also wakes up completely lucid and starts carrying on full conversations asking for a cup of tea. No. Sorry, I just can’t buy it. She’d be in a terrible state if she survived at all.
Because this started off so well however, I may try the next one. Especially if it is as short as this one.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 16, 2020
This was the first book in a box of three. It was quite short and kept my attention enough to where I finished it, but I won’t continue with the others as the amateurish writing annoyed me, and the story was silly and not historically accurate
Here’s one example of the careless editing:
And then in the very next paragraph:
Here’s one example of the careless editing:
“I shall be right beside you too, and the duke also. The marquess and the ton will not stand a chance of bringing you down.”
And then in the very next paragraph:
...The Marchioness Graham was in London, and she would not be looked down upon by anyone. Not even her husband. The marquess and the ton would not stand a chance in bringing her down.
June 12, 2022
What a shocker! Nothing about this steamy story irritated me! My dry spell is over, hurray! Also shocking as this was a freebie thru Amazon, normally those are a miss more than a hit.
Also, I think the author did a great job at avoiding the common insta-lust that occurs in most short stories.
The personalities of the hero and heroine, along with side characters were all exactly the demeanors that I like in my story's characters. Sure the hero was a stubborn, afraid of being hurt jerk at times, but I think the heroine balanced him out perfectly!
I am off to find more stories by this author now :)
Also, I think the author did a great job at avoiding the common insta-lust that occurs in most short stories.
The personalities of the hero and heroine, along with side characters were all exactly the demeanors that I like in my story's characters. Sure the hero was a stubborn, afraid of being hurt jerk at times, but I think the heroine balanced him out perfectly!
I am off to find more stories by this author now :)
February 2, 2020
This book has its moments. The story is one of those that certainly feels good. It is not very deep but rather speedily readable romp. Thus, it is a nice read for an evening to relax.
March 24, 2020
At the evil machinations of a vicious woman, Louise Grant finds herself being accosted in her bed in the middle of the night. Luke, Marquess of Graham, quickly realises what has happened and when his best friend demands that he act honourably, he reluctantly marries Louise. Whilst she has few expectations from the handsome Marquess, Louise determines to make the best of the situation. However, when he thinks he can sideline her, Louise stands up for herself and makes sure that he understands that he has no choice but to treat her with the respect due to her. Luke is a wounded hero, in that he is still suffering from the crushing losses of his childhood, not realising that Louise in fact suffered every bit as much as he has. This novelette touches the heart as one feels for the pain being experienced by the characters and one can only cheer them on as they find their happiness. I received a copy of this standalone novel as a gift and this is my honest and voluntary review.
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