For Elise

by Sarah M. Eden

They were inseparable in their youth, the very best of friends, two halves of a whole. For four years, Miles Linwood, the Marquess of Grenton, has felt incomplete without her. When a carriage breakdown leaves him temporarily stranded in a tiny town, Miles makes an unexpected discovery that will alter the course of his life, and rewrite the pages of his past.

Genres: Romance, Regency, Historical Fiction, Regency Romance, Clean Romance, Fiction, Historical Romance

236 pages, Paperback

First published November 7, 2008

Reviews

[Kathryn Lee · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was really looking forward to this book because I have loved several other of Sarah Eden's books. However, this one just didn't work for me. The entire story revolved around a plot point I just found very unbelievable and frustrating. I just can't imagine turning on someone I really, deeply knew and loved and trusted that quickly. If someone in my family treated me like that, I would be hurt for sure, but I wouldn't think, "Oh well. That ends that relationship. Clearly they can no longer be trusted at all--ever!" Good grief, give him the benefit of the doubt a little!
The main characters were cute and mostly likeable, but they were also so clueless it bothered me. How can you have the long-standing relationship they have and then on top of it have one tender and romantic moment after another--kissing, cuddling, hand-holding etc. (in the Regency period, no less.)--and then still think, "Gosh, I think the other person just wants to be friends." I would have loved for the mystery to come in more, but really they just seemed to forget about it in between mysterious events. If there was that big a threat to someone I loved or to myself, you can bet I wouldn't take it so calmly.
And then when the mystery was finally solved it was really only half way explained and just wasn't integrated through out the story enough to be a satisfying wrap up for me.
I usually love her books, but this one did not work for me.

[Julie Carpenter · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am a huge fan of Sarah Eden and really enjoy reading her clean romance novels. Especially the regency era ones! "For Elise" definitely had a plot twist that I wasn't completely expecting from what was written in the synopsis. As I was reading I kept trying to figure out what happened to Elise from the small clues that were given like a bread crumb trail. Eventually I did decide who I thought was the bad guy before the big reveal and I guessed right! Though the author did a good job making you guess multiple characters throughout, I even suspected one of the good guys, even after the author clearly stated he couldn't have been the bad guy. I'm thinking she was being tricky. Lol!!

Miles' father and Elise's father were both murdered and Elise shot and injured. After a time she disappears with no one knowing where or why or with whom. The beginning of the book reveals Miles as being a background character from the "Drops of Gold" book by Mrs Eden. Miles, if you have or haven't read that book, inherits the estate and title from Marion's father. Marion is the main character who disappears and searches for a means of providing for herself when all her family dies and leaves her penniless with the family fortune and estate transferring to the next male heir. All of the author's book's characters are intertwined, wether you realize it right away or not. A while ago I reread through her books in order of their release and it was fun to see all the characters and how they connect together.

I've digressed away from the main book I'm reviewing so back to my main purpose here. Miles finds Elise at the beginning of the book and takes her back to his home with her little daughter and mother in law. Slowly he tries to unravel the mystery of her disappearance and tries to understand what has caused her personality to be as altered as it is. Eventually all is revealed and good triumphs over evil, or bad guys.

"For Elise" hasn't made it to my top favorites of all of Sarah Eden's books but I still enjoyed it and will reread it again in time. For me a well written book, regency era, clean romance, no language and several other similar reasons cause it to be one I would recommend highly to others! Another one I feel that I can say you won't be disappointed if you take a chance reading it.

Happy Reading!!!

[Randi Annie Framnes · Rating 5 out of 5]

When his father is murdered Miles Linwood is the overwhelmed heir to an estate in financial ruin. He is not able to prevent his close friend Elise Furlong’s disappearance. When he finds her again she is totally transformed and unable to trust him.

For Elise is a standalone novel by Sarah M. Eden, published by Covenant Communications. The story is set in Cheshire, England 1815 and is about Miles Lindwood, Marquess of Grenton who enjoyed a happy childhood with his neighbor and inseparable friend Elise Fulong. During the upheaval after the murder of both their fathers, Elise goes missing. Miles searches for her for years until he happens upon her in a little town. She appears totally transformed and lives in poverty with her mother-in-law and 3 year old daughter. When Miles tries to treat her like a long lost friend she does not trust him, but to better her daughter’s life she agrees to come live on his estate. Elise struggles to feel safe while the murderer is still out there and to trust Miles with the truth of what really happened. Miles gets help with investigating the murder a second time, while the criminal seems to be threateningly close.

Main character Miles Linwood, Marquess of Grenton seems a very caring person who gets overwhelmed with the consequences and responsibilities following his father’s death. He seems to have an admirable determination to get Elise to open up.

Secondary character Elise Furlong Jones is a lady who has suffered great loss and come through it with noticeable scars. Her character touches my heart as she struggles to deal with seemingly impossible circumstances. She is my favorite character of this story.

For Elise includes Sarah M. Eden’s signature writing which I love so much and the captivating plots she creates. This story stands out as it starts with the triple murder where Elise was present. It deals with how the loss of their fathers affect Elise and Miles’ lives and relationship. As there is a second murder investigation, drama builds up a second time.

My favorite part of the story was the murder-mystery where Elise got shot and wounded. I enjoyed how I was kept wondering through the whole story who the murderer might be, his connection to the family and what motive he could possibly have had.

My least favorite part of the story was how Miles was forced to treat Elise like an acquaintance to avoid rumors below stairs and among neighbors. With my modern-day glasses on I felt angry Elise had this unnecessary burden added to her already fragile state, but I thoroughly appreciated it as a dramatic element.

The ending to this story was dramatic and surprising as my suspicions were on a red herring. Miles and Elise managed through all the drama to rebuild their relationship into a romantic one.

Conclusion: The dramatic and romantic story of a triple murder, a disappearance and rekindling of a relationship. This would be the perfect read for anyone who enjoys historical romance with a murder mystery element. Similar authors to explore might be Josi S. Kilpack or Jennifer Moore. All opinions in this review are completely my own.

Rating: 5 stars / 5
Main reasons: great plot that stands out, signature fabulous writing, well crafted characters

[Miss Clark · Rating 2 out of 5]

The problem with this book was mainly that we were told every other page that Miles and Elise have this deep and super-special connection to one another. They were the very best of friends in childhood until tragedy ripped them apart. We get it. I promise you. After the first thirty mentions, it was indelibly imprinted on my brain. We KNOW. Please, please stop mentioning it.

The plot was pretty simple. I was irritated for second-guessing myself on who the villain was. I was sure it wasn't Cane because he did not show up again for so long. Ugh. Miles and Elise were so clearly acting in a manner that went far beyond friends but insisting that because they had been childhood friends that it was nothing more.

Overall, ok, but not one of Eden's best. I know I won't be reading it again. (Mostly because now I can never EVER forget what an amazing connection Miles and Elise shared. So special.)

Content: Romance is very clean. There is reference to rape in one character's past. You have been forewarned.

[Anne Osterlund · Rating 4 out of 5]

Elise disappeared four years ago. Before that, she was Miles’s constant companion. His best friend. Then suddenly she was gone, and he was left to grapple with his father’s death and debts without her.

When she reappears, a widow now and a strange shadow of her former self--with a young daughter in tow--he is compelled to bring both of them home to the estate he has since inherited. But Elise is not as he remembers. Underneath her quiet countenance lies real anger. At him.

Miles has no memory of the moments she describes. Or the words he once said to her. Words that ultimately pushed her away.

And if he can’t remember, how can he ever convince her to stay?

Like all of Sarah M. Eden’s books, For Elise is a lovely work of romantic historical fiction; but as with all of her books, what I liked the most are the elements of hard-edged realism. Her characters may live in the past, but they always deal with challenges that are just as plausible and valid today. Elise—and her haunting dilemma—are no exception.

[Hannah · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a new favorite! I will have to figure out a way to get my hands on a print copy of this so I can reread at leisure!
There were definite elements of mystery; while it was not a murder-mystery in the traditional sense, there was a girl's disappearance and a double murder to find the culprit for. I loved everything about this book, especially how Miles is so tender toward his wounded friend. I would love to have some sort of sequel!

[Terrah · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is the third of Eden's books that I have been disappointed in. I would rather read a book where the plot advances because events happen, not because details explaining a past situation are wrenched out slowly one by one. The books are clean and entertaining enough for a quick read, so I'm sure I'll try out more of her work again though.

[Kathy * Bookworm Nation · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm still not sure what I'm going to rate this one. This is a hard reveiw to write because I want to talk about the plot, but don't want to give anything away either.

Elise and Miles were tragically separated four years ago. For Elise she had to leave, but Miles never knew why and to him she just vanished into thin air. They had grown up together and were extremely close. When they are randomly reunited he is overjoyed at finding his childhood playmate, but Elise feels the complete opposite. She is no longer the happy young girl he knew, she is cold and distant and has very tall walls built up.

Miles was a wonderful leading man, I loved his optimism and witty personality. He is the type person you love being around and you can tell he charms everyone he meets. I liked how he didn't give up on Elise and showed a tremendous amount of patience with her. While I would have loved for things to be out in the open sooner, its great he was allowed her to take her time and to re-earn her trust. They really do have a sweet relationship and while it's obvious there is more than just friendship there, it takes them (mostly him) a while to figure that out.

I also liked Elise, she had a very happy and idyllic childhood, but all of that changed one tragic night and she was never really the same. I really can't write anything without giving spoilers, so if you read it and want to discuss it let me know!

There is an underlying mystery throughout the story. The villain really is quite creepy and clearly messed up. Again, can't really discuss without spoilers. As usual, the story was well written and totally draws you in. It was hard to put down and kept me up way too late reading. It was a little heavy, but the relationship between Miles and Elise is quite sweet and it was nice to see old hurts be healed and for love to bloom. I would recommend reading for fans of Eden's previous books.

Content
Romance: Clean
Violence: Mild-Moderate

[Kremena Koleva · Rating 5 out of 5]

" ... колко прекрасно беше да се чувстваш щастлив. "

Откакто открих Sarah Eden като автор , периодично си подарявам нейна книга. В последно време все по - често! Заради постоянното напреже��ие на ежедневието ми. Заради зимните дни. Заради интезивните четива, с които съм се срещнала. И най - вече, заради чистата радост да попадна в магията на стила на Eden. Тя пише сякаш ме потапя в свят на невероятна милост и изтънчена доброта. Книгите й са предимно исторически представени срещи с герои, чийто характери са сложни и с толкова много ъгли, че слънчевата светлина в новелите прави прекрасни зайчета по стените на въображинието ми. Затова обичам този начин на писане.
Healing Hearts, The Heart of Vicar , Loving Lieutenant Lancaster или друг неин роман - всеки е мило и въздействащо представане на една от моите любими теми. А именно приятелството. Ако нещо в този живот има значение за това да бъдем каквито сме, да преодоляваме препятствия и да се възстановяваме след удари, това са хората около нас с цялата им душа. Може да са в семейството ни , може да са от детските ни години или е възможно да сме ги срещнали при случайни и необясними начини, важното е, че са избрали да са наши приятели преди да бъдат всичко друго за нас и с нас. Доверието, сигурността и добротата им са винаги там - ръката на рамото ни когато се спънем, гърба, на който да се опрем и усмивката, която да срещнем когато плачем. Щастието да сме тези, които търсят в радост и нужда не може да се замени с нищо.
For Elise е най - красивата книга, която бях чела от авторката! Като тих разказ за силата на привързаността, която преминава през годините на детството, за да израсне в всеобхващащо приятелство. За способността на такива отношения да правят деня смислен, ведър и запомнящ се . Закачливост, хумор, споделени тайни и потърсени съвети във всеки важен момент....
И когато всичко това прекъсне, защото единият от приятелите внезапно изчезне... Празнотата е огромна . Болезнена. Дълбаеща съзнанието и разяждащата душата. Колко сме непълноценни без другото си Аз....
А възможно ли е съдбата да предостави милост и да върне загубения приятел? Дали времето може да промени отношението на пълно обвързване и познаване на душата му?
Харесвам тази книга! И се радвам, че има и други романи на Sarah Eden, които да си подаря в подходящ момент!

[Katie (hiding in the pages) · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've been wanting to read this one for awhile now and finally found some time to do so. As with all of Sarah Eden's books, I found the characters endearing, even when they were frustrating.

Miles and Elise were the best of friends growing up...until Elise suddenly disappears. Years later, he makes a discovery about her, but the events surrounding her sudden departure are a little mysterious and that mystery weaves its way throughout the whole story. And what a fun mystery it was to try and figure out!

Ms. Eden always writes such great characters! They're flawed, yet a reader can't help but love them. The men are perfectly imperfect and Miles is a great example of this. He's so kind and patient, not caring a fig about what society thinks, yet he's not willing to risk the reputation of those around him. I wanted Elise to just spill the beans and quit keeping secrets, especially from her childhood best friend. As the story went on, I came to understand her and her motives better.

This is a clean, enjoyable read and is perfect for lovers of Regency Romance books.

Content: mild romance (kissing, very, very vague mention of rape); mild violence (deaths, blood, not graphic); no language; no religious elements. Clean!

[Ashley (Bound to Love YA) · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was really enjoying this book for about the first half. We meet Elise, who has, for mysterious reasons, been hiding away from her legal guardian and best friend, Miles, for the past four years. When Miles finds Elise living in poverty with her child, he whisks them away to live with him on his estate. However, Elise is not the same as the childhood friend Miles knew - she is harboring dark secrets and deep wounds and (for awhile) it was fascinating to watch her unwind and reveal them little by little.

Unfortunately, about halfway, things started getting weird. For one, at about 50%, it was PAINFULLY obvious whodunit, yet Eden dragged it out until almost the last friggin page. Just say it! There's seriously only one person it could be.

Secondly, the will-they-won't-they vibe that was endearing in the beginning quickly became tedious. I'm sorry - if you are living in the regency era and HOLDING HANDS and NUZZLING and KISSING FOREHEADS like it's easy as breathing, you are more than just friends and you know it.

You know more of those ton brats would be all:


But heck, even in this day and age that might indicate you are more than just friends. For awhile there I thought Miles maybe wasn't interested in women at all, because he would kiss this woman (who he professes to care about very deeply) and then would say things like, "Hmm...I wonder what made me kiss her, since we're just friends." WAKE UP dude. Seriously. Those kind of thoughts just killed any sexual tension or passion that could have been between these characters. It truly seemed like they would honestly be better as just friends.

I was just not feeling it.


Oh well...I'll just have to find a different SME book to make me swoon...

[Emily · Rating 3 out of 5]

So this is the deal with Sarah Eden books--I like them, or I like their premise, or at least I like the idea of them. This creates a situation where I appreciate their memory, and anticipate their release. The problem comes in the duration of their actual reading. She takes this great (ok, maybe more cute) premise, adds a problem to make it interesting, and then proceeds to bash you over the head with said problem, until your battered and bloody. In For Elise for example, she and whatever his name was, are really close as children but because of some unknown (unless your paying any attention) traumatic event, they are separated in both body and spirit. That's fine, except it's mentioned like, 9 times per page. I guess I would just appreciate more subtly. Also, the whole premise of the book is based on the guy being pretty much a complete imbecile, in a couple of different ways.

[Mara · Rating 4 out of 5]

This proper romance is also a mystery. A mystery about who killed Elise and Miles' fathers, why they were killed, why did Elise run away 4 years ago, and who's sending her threatening notes.

I find it hard to review this one without giving anything away that might spoil it. Elise and Miles grew up on neighboring estates and were constant companions and the best of friends until both their fathers were murdered and Elise was shot. Shortly afterwards Elise left; she vanished and Miles couldn't find out what happened to her. Four years later while in a small town, Miles spots Elise and brings her, her young daughter and mother-in-law back to his home. Miles quickly realizes this Elise is not the same girl he used to know, and it's going to take a lot of patience to get her to let him in behind the wall she has built up to protect herself.

While trying to get to know this new Elise the mystery of Elise's disappearance is revealed, along with the reason their fathers were murdered, and who did it.

This story has a couple of surprises in it which I can't mention without possibly spoiling it for others. I really felt for Elise and the situation she found herself in after her father was killed. She built up a wall around herself because it was the only way she could protect herself and her daughter.

The characters in this story aren't perfect; they're human with flaws. This isn't one of those lost-love stories where the couple get back together and everything is fine. This one is real and moves slowly. I did get a little frustrated at the pace of the story because I'm not very patient, and I wanted to know everything NOW. I ended up skipping ahead to find out who the bad guy/villain was (I know, shame on me) because there were so many possibilities and I couldn't wait for the reveal.

I read the paperback and missed being able to highlight passages like I do with books on my Kindle.

This is a clean, Regency romance with mild violence.

[Elise A · Rating 1 out of 5]

Please forgive me for being so harsh. Even though my pre-reading expectations were set at a default 3 stars (I liked it), this book lost ground quickly. After waffling between 1-2 stars, I have to go with only one. This was painful for me to listen to. First of all, my name, Elise, was so over-used I couldn't stand it. Could the author not find another word to use ("the girl," "the woman," "the young lady", even "she" and "her" would have relieved about 1000 uses of "Elise.") Next, the book feels like an eighth grade English class assignment that went through no revisions. Shame on you, Covenant, for not doing a better job of selecting a publication before enough time was spent editing this piece. Third, a plot as shallow as this need not take this many pages (or cds). It should have been a short story. The reader/listener is beaten over the head with one redundancy after another. Did the author think her readers couldn't retain information or understand the given situations and emotions? I felt like I was being force-fed instant vanilla pudding. Boy am I glad this torture is over.
I cannot recommend this to any of my fellow book-loving adult friends. To teenage female literary novices, it would be ok, but please, read Austen and Bronte for real Regency novels.

[herdys · Rating 3 out of 5]

I don't know what really happened in this book. Everything was vague and when it was finally explained, I still didn't get it.

The romance was sweet though full of missunderstandings once again. I loved Miles so I was happy he got his book after he showed up in Drops of Gold, but I wish it had been a better book.

I also wish I had liked Elise as much but the author chose not to explain the circumstances of her leaving clearly and so I felt like she was bipolar at times. Plus I wished she had been older since her POV was supposed to feel nature yet innocent but it was mostly repetitive.

I seriously wanted to like this book, but it felt like it was written by another author. The only parts I loved and felt familiar was Miles's interaction with Anne. Something Sarah M. Eden always excels at!

[Aimee · Rating 5 out of 5]

I finally, finally got an extra minute to read this book. I feel like I've been waiting forever to catch a break in between scheduled reviews to fit this in with enough time to enjoy it. Savor it. I don't know why I bother because I never take more than a day to read any Sarah Eden book. I devour them.

I love this book. There is something about Sarah Eden's book that just pull you in, in the most gentle of ways. Her characters are strong yet imperfect and I always feel like I know them so well. By the end I love them as much as they love each other! :)

Time in a Sarah Eden book is always time well spent. This book made me happy.

[Tiffany · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of my favorites of Sarah's. Dealt with more serious topics, but still done cleanly. Loved.

[QNPoohBear · Rating 2 out of 5]

TRIGGER WARNINGS
This needs to be said up front at risk of spoiling the plot. This book should come with an author's note and warning about the content.
Murder-execution style NOT the usual duel
rape (off page but strongly suggested)
cold-hearted villain without any sense of compassion or decency

This one needed to have been sent to sensitivity readers before it was published. There's no way I would have picked this up if I had known how dark it was.

Four years ago Miles Linwood lost his father and best friend's father to a cruel double murder. Then his best friend Elise disappeared. Miles tried to move heaven and earth to find her but she was not to be found. He was forced to sell his family estate and hers to pay debts and went off to the West Indies to work. (This book takes place a year after Drops of Gold). Now he has inherited a title from a cousin, making Miles the Marquess of Grenville. He still wonders and worries about what happened to his friend. A chance encounter in a small village with a small child brings Miles and Elise back together again but his friend is so changed, he could hardly know her. She's now a destitute lower class widow with a mother-in-law and small child to care for. Miles wants to immediately sweep away his old friend's burdens and begin again where they left off but four years is a long time and too much has happened since then for Elsie to trust him. What happened and how can he regain her trust? As a sole witness to the double homicide, Elsie fears her life is in danger. What's worse is she has no memory or idea of the identity of the villain -he could be anyone, anyone at all except Miles for she knows he would never kill his father even if she can't trust him with her secrets. She'll just have to find a way to protect herself and her family alone. As she gets swept up in the past, Elsie begins to lighten but can she trust Miles enough to help her when he cruelly rejected her pleas for help four years ago?

Whew. This story is DAAARRK! It's her darkest and saddest yet, more than As You Are and For Love or Honor. She did reuse the childhood friends and wary widow elements in the Jonquil books but this one is entirely different. I figured out the identity of the villain pretty much right away. It seemed obvious to me and I didn't understand why it took Miles so long to figure it out. I also wondered if the "highwayman" had raped Elsie. First I thought it was the soldier, Jim, who had done it but the then I realized it must have been the highwayman so that didn't come as much surprise either. I just don't know what to rate this book because it was so dark and depressing. It lacks the humor of the Jonquil brothers to balance out the bleak past. I also noted a number of small historical accuracy errors. Pink was actually a masculine color, it was associated with blood, like red. Blue was a girly color. It was dainty, like the Virgin Mary. Robbie's room may have been pink and Marion's blue unless Marion redecorated when she was older but since her mother died when she was 12, I doubt it. There are other errors too. I'm assuming, since the author knows how to research, she chose to ignore the little things. I don't think that version of Robin Hood existed as a chapbook in the 18th-century but I'm sure so many have been lost that it MIGHT have. The ballad existed anyway. I'm being nitpicky but small details set the scene much more than slapping a date up above the first chapter.

Miles is an appealing hero. I liked him right away when I first met him in Drops of Gold. He's kind and caring. In his youth he made mistakes because he was stressed, overwhelmed and trying to mourn his father's death. Also, he's a man and needs some things spelled out. A man has no way of understanding what "trouble" means for a woman unless she flat out tells him. For this I blame Elsie a little. Miles is a little childlike. He's still young and inexperienced in the ways of the ton. He wants to pick up his relationship with Elise where they left off when she was 15 and he was 19. They were carefree and innocent. In some ways his development has been arrested and he's still stuck in childhood. I knew there was going to be gossip and scandal from his behavior. I don't blame the neighbors. They don't know Miles. They don't know he doesn't understand the rules yet or that Elsie is his long-lost childhood friend. Elsie is closer than a sister to him. They're soul mates who found each other in early childhood and Miles hasn't let go. Elsie has had an EXTREMELY traumatic experience that caused her to grow up very quickly. My heart kept breaking as each new detail of her past was relived. I liked her well enough but I felt she was too proud and too wary of Miles. She doesn't communicate with him why she feels the way she feels right away. She thinks he's untrustworthy yet he never did anything I could see to lose her trust. I appreciated her explanation of how she tried and tried to talk to him four years ago about her troubles. I wondered why she didn't try again or catch him at a better time. I still wonder why she didn't write him a goodbye note. His comments were thoughtless and a bit heartless but he was only 19 and drowning in trying to solve his OWN problems. I also appreciate Elsie's hindsight. I'm not sure Beth would have helped but why not try her old nurse? Who else would be super sympathetic? Then the nurse could have turned to Beth for help or demanded to see Miles. Elsie is too prickly for me to really like sometimes. She is a good mother to little Anne. Anne is cute and I wonder how she would react if Miles wrote for Marion to bring Caroline for a visit? Caroline is so verbally precocious I'm sure she would overwhelm Anne. Maybe Corbin can bring little Alice for a visit. Anne desperately needs a normal childhood, free from extra worries and with good nutrition and adequate medical care. I just don't like children and as Anne became more relaxed, she appealed to me less than when she was a Cosette-like waif (but loved).

Beth and Langley are an interesting couple. I would like to know more about them and how they met. They seem very much in love. Beth is a good sister and spends as much time with Miles as he needs but she's a bit stuffy at times. SHE cares what other people think of her brother. In that respect she's more realistic than Miles and understands the expectations placed on him now he's a Marquess. She's correct that he can't continue to behave like that. I don't understand why she can't see how much in love Miles and Elsie are. Langley can! Langley is a bit stuffy himself but he has a sense of humor and gets along well with his brother-in-law. He's kind and sympathetic and his objective eye could see something was wrong with Elsie but couldn't help her given the extreme rules prohibiting unmarried women from accepting favors from gentlemen, especially gentlemen they don't know well. Mama Jones is the most interesting character. She's sharp-eyed, intelligent and says what she thinks. I like her a lot and can see she's pulling some strings behind-the-scenes to get Miles to understand Elise and to get Elise to unbend and trust in Miles. Her son sounds like a paragon among young man. How tragic for her to lose him so young.

The nearest neighboring family, the Haddingtons, are just so unlikable. Mrs. Haddington is a matchmaking mama who doesn't know when to back off. Mr. Haddington has a ghoulish interest in the murders of two of his club members He lacks empathy or sensitivity. I don't suspect he's the murderer though. He may know more than he thinks he does about what happened and why. Miss Haddington is the only appealing member of her family. She's kind, understanding and sensitive to the atmosphere. She knows how to redirect her mother's attention and senses when her father's conversation needs to change ASAP. I think she likes being a spinster or she likes Miles well enough but knows he's not interested. I'd love to know more about her and have her be the heroine of her own story.

Skip this story if you don't like trauma in your Regency romances.

[Brooke796 ☼ · Rating 2 out of 5]

I’m always optimistic when I begin Eden’s books, but so far I’ve been disappointed every time. Most often it’s because the story has promise but the editing is terrible. This one is one of the worst editing I’ve seen.
There were so many details left unattended that would have added to the depth and believability of the whole story. For instance, when Miles had his sister order dresses for Elise, yes, he may have forgotten the gloves and shoes, but there is no way that his sister would have. No slippers to go with a new ball gown? Utterly ridiculous! Yes, it sets up the contrived scene at the ball but I’m sure Eden is clever enough to have conveyed that message with a better premise. The ball itself made the book disjointed. Beth was so disconnected from Elise. It was strange that Beth didn’t even ask her if she was up to the social scrutiny. The relationship between the two girls would have been a great way to fill the reader in with the details of how Elise had been living since her disappearance. Likewise, why does Elise’s daughter never get new clothes? Why isn’t a doctor ever brought in to look at her ears? Oh yeah, Miles and Elise are too busy playing paddy fingers and twirling in the meadow, ugh.

[Diane Shearer · Rating 2 out of 5]

Sadly, this one doesn’t hold up to Sarah Eden’s usual high standards. The characters are great, the idea is very interesting, but the execution is poor. It’s connected to the Jonquil books because Miles is cousin to Marion who is married to Layton Jonquil. I enjoyed it, especially Anne and Mama Jones. Miss Eden writes disabled characters beautifully. But I figured out the murderer on my own, which is no fun. There are plot holes you could drive a Mail Express through, a lot of unanswered questions, and the drama is just carried on much too long. I’m going to have to mark this for spoilers. I have to complain. So you should just stop reading right here. If you are a true fan and want to say you’ve read all Miss Eden’s books then you should read this. But otherwise you should skip it.

If you’ve already read the book and were frustrated by it, read on, see if you agree with me. I’ve got to talk this through:

The story revolves around the triple murders of Mr. Linwood, Mr. Furlong, and their coachman, and the attempted murder of Elise Furlong. Two months after these events she disappears. Miles Linwood finds out that both their fathers were bankrupt and in debt when they died. He is forced to sell both estates and go to the West Indies for four years where he rebuilds his fortune (quite a feat) then returns to England, purchases a new estate, and goes on with his life. By complete happenstance he finds Elise living in poverty in a small village with her mother-in-law and her three year old daughter who is deaf. She has even changed her accent in order to remain unrecognized, though she’s not far from where she grew up. Already I have questions. Why is Miles a Marquess when his father wasn’t one? Why was a 19 year old made executor of Mr. Furlong’s estate? It explains that Miles father was named Elise’s guardian so Miles became her guardian after his father’s death. But I don’t think that would have been legal, and it wouldn’t have given Miles responsibility for her father’s estate. Why was Elise still living in her own home alone? Miles was her guardian, yet she was living alone. That wouldn’t have happened. Why wasn’t more effort made to find Elise at the time? Miles must have left the country almost immediately after her disappearance for the timeline of the story to hold up. Back to the story. Miles brings the family to his estate where his sister and her husband are visiting, which allows them to act as chaperones for propriety. But Elise is furious with Miles, indicating that she left because of him and now she can’t trust him. She refuses to explain where she’s been or why she left. The MIL spills the story, leaving out the most important part until the very end, which is that Elise had been raped and became pregnant. Apparently, she ran away to hide her pregnancy. Now, this makes no sense at all to me. She was 15! How could that have happened and no one knew? And why would she have gone to Miles and not Beth? I thought that this might have been the reason for the murders, but that happened to cover up the embezzlement of the gentlemen’s fortunes. Again, I think you can have one of these plot points but not both. I think she used the rape as a red herring in order to leave the discovery of the embezzlement to the last possible moment, because as soon as that came to light it was obvious who had done it. The thief and the murderer are the same person. But who was the rapist? She NEVER REVEALS who fathered her child. What?! For half the book I was certain that Elise would realize the man who raped(or seduced her, it’s not really clear) was the murderer. I still think the murderer is the man who raped her, but even after he is identified as the killer she doesn’t admit that he raped her. Seriously? That would explain why he started sending threatening notes, because she knew who he was. It’s made very clear that she didn’t see him on the night of the murders. He knew she didn’t see him because she didn’t identify him at the time. So why send threats? If someone else seduced her then we’re left believing that Elise had an affair within weeks of being shot and seeing three men killed. That is just inconceivable. I think she should have left the pregnancy out of it and just let Anne be Jim’s daughter. It makes more sense that when the murderer failed to kill Elise the first time he came back to try again, afraid she would identify him, and frightened her into running away. That would explain why she went to Miles, why she left home and felt she had to stay hidden, and why she blamed Miles for not protecting her. Otherwise her actions just don’t seem reasonable for such a young girl, and the threatening notes serve no purpose. It doesn’t make sense that Elise would feel she must remain hidden because her child is illegitimate. Legally the child belongs to the man she was married to when Anne was born. Everyone would have known that. Elise should have asked Miles to marry her to cover up the pregnancy. That was the obvious solution. If he had refused her then, it would fit that she couldn’t trust him now. The notes just made me crazy. She received a threatening letter nearly every day for months and nobody made the smallest effort to find out where they came from. It was obviously someone in the household and connected to the murders. There is not one scene in which they question the servants or try to trace how the notes got into the house. It’s ridiculous. This is a weak attempt at a gothic style novel but it spends so much time dancing around the romance, or lack thereof, that the mystery is lost. The romance is not very satisfying. Elise is so caught up with the idea that she’s given up her place in Society that she can’t function, and Miles is utterly oblivious. Could there be a denser human on the planet than Miles Linwood? He is the worst lover ever. Beth even tells him multiple times that he should marry Elise and he just blows off the idea even while he’s having romantic trysts and falling in love with Anne. What a dunderhead! I was banging my head against the wall over his stupidity. Okay, I’m done ranting. The ending is reasonably satisfying and I’m glad I read it, but I’m also really glad the rest of her books are so much better.

[Kristen · Rating 3 out of 5]

2-20-18 -
Still wasn't my favorite Sarah Eden book - it was a little too heavy and had a lot of issues to deal with. Miles is a great Hero.

5-8-15
3.5

Alas, this one sort of fell flat for me. Not sure if it was my mood, but the romance wasn't enough for me. It was all about the past, and their childhood, "do you remember when...". Not enough build up in the now for me. I really had to push myself to read it and that's not at all what I want from a book. I usually love long lost love stories, but this wasn't doing it for me. I wish I could get my hands on more books of hers like The Kiss of a Stranger or Seeking Persephone. That's when I could not put her books down. Again, maybe the timing was off, but just so-so for me.

Moral Note: No langugage, clean romance when there was some, talk of murder- mildly graphic, and a result of rape.

[Lisa (Bookworm Lisa) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sarah M. Eden always writes a compelling and beautiful story. I don't think I have read anything of hers that I haven't loved. She accomplished the same level of writing that I have found in all of the books of hers I have read. In fact, I pretty much try to read everything she writes! :)

Elise in the story has been broken. There is a mystery to her past that controls her thoughts and actions. The people she once loved and trusted she holds at arms length away.

While passing through a town, Miles noticed a small girl who reminded him of his childhood friend. They were impoverished and he felt compelled to help. It was shocking to discover that it was Elise. Her living situation and widowhood tore at his heart. His desire became to help them, anyway he could.

The life of the characters in this story are far from ideal. It took time for the back story to be told. I couldn't help but feel compassion for Elise and her situation. This book is one that kept my interest and wanting to figure/find out what could have happened to a once sociable young woman.

[Tori (Book Chick) · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a hard book to rate. I was seriously frustrated in the middle of it because it was so mysterious and we are only given bits and pieces at a time to try to piece together. After a while I was wanted to yell "JUST TELL ME ALREADY!!!" Elise irritated me at first, but later I came to understand her actions. Miles was fabulous. So patient, and compassionate, and just so sweet. Overall, a really good book. Do I think it needed to be dragged out THAT long? No. I think it could have been shorter. But it wasn't too long in the sense that I was like skimming or skipping over things. I didn't want to miss ANYTHING because I was that dedicated to reading the book- it was intriguing. I am just impatient, so my patience was tried a little. haha
Just a note: It's definitely not a lighthearted regency romance like a lot of Sarah Eden's other books. I was intense and had a lot of sorrow in it, along with the mystery.

[Ali · Rating 2 out of 5]

I don't pick up these types of books expecting the unexpected but, man oh man, this one was tough to get through. Pages 1-125 contained the same narration and scenarios playing over and over again - but in different settings. After that, we started getting a few answers and explanations but they were so improbable and utterly predictable that it was almost insulting to me, as the reader. I love that this author writes clean, whimsical romances but I'm not sure I have the patience for another.

[Marta Cleverly · Rating 3 out of 5]

It’s giving “A Kiss of a Stranger” but farrr more depressing. Definitely had to trudge through this one but I’m the end I was very enchanted by Anne and Miles/Elise’s relationship so three stars it is. Will say, wasn’t ready for a murder mystery but I’m here for that

[Tiffany · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another good one! And I’ve got to admit I didn’t not see it coming, the mystery that is. The romance was completely obvious.

[Lyssa · Rating 3 out of 5]

The story was unique and interesting and I liked that their falling out wasn't a misunderstanding, but was legitimate; someone said things they didn't mean because of other things going on their life.

However, I had a few major issues with the story. *Spoilers*

Elise was witness to a double homocide and the murderer was at large. Elise disappears soon after and when Miles happens upon her 4 years later, the first thing he learns is that she has changed her name and speaks with a very different accent. So naturally, he brings her to his home and informs everyone he comes across that Elise has been found, spreading the news far and wide.

Elise receives threatening letters, most of which are not posted but hand delivered. And yet, no one questions the footmen who deliver them, or anyone else for that matter. No guards are posted. Elise does not go back into hiding. No one is even informed until the very end and even that is a pretty half hearted measure. It just seemed very unrealistic and unnatural, which I felt was because the mystery had shallow roots.

Speaking of which, I found it very irritating that the two main characters spent the majority of the book avoiding talking about the elephant in the room- Elise's disappearance. They danced around subjects of importance, spitting out a small reference to the past and then running away, so that it took the entire novel to get the whole prologue. Ugh. It really slowed things down and was frustrating to read.

And on a small note, I don't usually appreciate novels with children as supporting characters because they are just so nauseatingly unrealistic. And this one was no different. Anne is 3 and partially deaf, yet she communicates well through drawing and improvised sign language. She is charming or contemplative all of the time. I wish I could show you my girls' scribbles from when they were three. They can absolutely be giggly and cute and surprisingly funny, but equally exasperating, cranky, and unpredictable. It's just a pet peeve of mine when kids are depicted as perfect little cherubs, especially when they are used to advance a romantic storyline, where the hero falls in love with the child, and then falls in love with the heroine (who only ever gives gentle admonishments) because of her inspiring love for the child. This was not entirely the case with this novel, but there were certainly similarities. But I digress.

If you like a light mystery with vaguely threatening elements, don't mind a story where most of the action is in the past and is very slowly uncovered, and can grant a suspension of reality to advance the plot, then you will probably enjoy this story. There was a lot of potential here.

[Patti · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked “For Elise”. Sarah Eden doesn’t t turn her books out assembly line fashion – which I appreciate. I can tell she plots her stories carefully, letting just enough important tidbits out along the way to unfold the story and keep my attention to the very end.

I liked both Miles and Elise, and her sweet little daughter Anne. Their characters were will developed throughout the story, enough that I truly cared for them. The plot had intrigue, mystery, and edge-of-your-seat anxiety the last several chapters. (I thought I had the murderer figured out early, but was wrong.)

Miles and Elise were childhood friends as their families were close neighbors. All of a sudden, Elise disappears at age 14. Since then Miles has gone through four years of anguish wondering what happened to her, until one day he recognizes her out in public. Elise has changed a great deal. The story unravels the trauma she has been through, and the mysterious drama that plagues her as Miles helps her and her little daughter Anne. It is a tender story of childhood love, forgiveness, regained trust and finally love.

One comment here: I was left wondering what exactly happened to Elise and as to why her beloved friend, Miles, acted the way he did when she came to beg his help at age 14. His behavior seemed incongruent considering their history. We readers were left to surmise what happened to young Elise. All that was a bit puzzling. For this reason my rating is 3 1/2 stars instead of 4.

“For Elise” will happily join all my other Sarah Eden books. I look forward to her next creation…

[Melissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have had a hard time coming up with a review for this book. Sometimes it is hard to write a review without giving the book away and this is one of those books. I liked this book and read it too quickly and I almost feel it deserves a reread. There is soooo much held back from both main characters, Miles is very patient but I also I wanted to smack him a couple of times. Elise is so damaged and in a way this book had the feel of Glimmer of Hope (her other novel). I struggled with Elise because we are not told the great mystery of the book that holds her back, but once you get to the end you can't believe she was ok again. The bad guy was pretty freaky and I couldn't figure out who it was. All around a good story I think I went into it thinking this would be a light fun read and it was not. So heads up for those expecting that:} I will re read this again. I want to read all her books in order:}

[Rachel · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was interesting. It was about Miles and Elise. They were extremely close until four years ago, when Elise mysteriously disappeared. This book is all about their reunion. It is about again gaining trust and friendship. It also has another very interesting mystery element which I will not talk about(spoiler alert!) This makes it more entrancing and interesting.

For Elise is a regency romance book, and it is also very clean. Do not read it if you don't like romance. I liked it, although at some points, it seemed to have a kind of unbelievable plot. It also had a lot of similarities(characters, events, feelings)to her other books. Nevertheless, it was really fun to read and a good use of time. The ending is good. It made me happy to read.