Vidurvasario bučinys

The Danby Brothers #3

by Elisabeth Hobbes, Indrė Kairytė (Translator)

Išdaigų kupiną vaikystę Rovena leido su Robiu Danbiu. Dabar, sutramdžiusi karštą prigimtį, ji jau tikra dama. Jorke Rovena vėl sutinka Robį, kuris greitai bus įšventintas į riterius. Naujai užgimę jausmai pažadina nepažįstamą, tik suaugusiesiems būdingą impulsyvumą. Tačiau, atrodo, Robio širdį jau pavergė kita. O gal vasariškas bučinys galėtų viską pakeisti?..

Genres: Historical Romance, Romance, Historical, Medieval

320 pages, Hardcover

First published October 1, 2019

About the author

Author for Harlequin Historical.
Falling For Her Captor October 2014
A Wager for the Widow July 2015
The Blacksmith's Wife May 2016
The Saxon Outlaw's Revenge December 2016
Redeeming the Rogue Knight August 2017

I grew up in York where I spent most of my teenage years wandering around the city looking for a handsome Roman or Viking to sweep me off my feet. Sadly it never happened but I developed a love of the past and went on to read History and Art History at university before venturing into the world of teaching. These days I hold down jobs as a teacher and mum. I live in Cheshire with my husband, two young children and two cats with ridiculous names.
I love historical fiction and have a fondness for dark haired, bearded heroes. When I'm not writing, I spend a lot of my spare time reading and have become something of a pro at cooking one-handed while holding a book!

You can find me on Facebook and Twitter
https://www.facebook.com/ElisabethHob... and Twitter https://twitter.com/ElisabethHobbes

Reviews

[Elodie’s Reading Corner · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Midsummer Knight’s Kiss
Elisabeth Hobbes
https://www.facebook.com/ElisabethHob...
Release date 10/01/2019
Publisher Harlequin Historical/ Mills&Boon

Blurb :

A stolen moment…

…to reunite them!

Since her mischief-making childhood with Robbie Danby, Rowenna has curbed her impetuous nature and become a lady. When she meets Robbie again in York, he’s close to claiming his knighthood. Their newly awakened affection inspires in Rowenna a new—decidedly adult—impulsiveness! Yet Robbie’s heart appears to belong to another—unless a midsummer kiss could change everything…?

My review :

Can childhood friends overcome the difference time and distance have brought to their life to open their heart?

As I was not taught English history, once I got the year the story was set, I googled it and discovered this page of England’s past. Better to understand the background plot.
This is my first read of Mrs Elisabeth Hobbes work, and the middle age is not a period I have read often about, so it was like jumping in a new world.
Rowenna and Robbie are both very young and need to learn to comprehend their own reaction to one another presence.
Outside their longtime relationship when they were kid, the last years they have grown apart. So when they rekindle, they have to learn whom they are now for the other.
Rowenna is a strong willed young woman, she tries to curb a bit her fierceness to become a more amenable prospective bride. But she is still the friend Robbie has grew up with. And she has a secret dream, he might become more than her best friend.
Robbie is holding on a secret which has shattered many things he thought his by right. Since, he felt like a fraud. Still it does not rein him from pining for a woman of highbred lineage. Nonetheless, when he happens face to face with his cousin Rowenna, his body and spirit comes to life.
They will confront misconceptions, deceit, be mislead and hurt, as their path will be full of thorns and dents until they realize hiding their feelings is the best way to condemn themselves to a future of misery.
Sure, from the very beginning they were meant to be together, she since she accepts him for whom he is inside and he because he knows her as no one else. But their youth and some misplaced pride tear them apart, and even when they had a chance to mend their ways to the other, they made a smash of it, too afraid to understand what was at stake.
Mrs Hobbes has brought to life flawed and stubborn characters, yet so lovable in the way they care for each other and their fumbling at handling their sentiments. Up to them to clear the path for their avenir.
My only complain is the lack of epilogue, I would have loved a little foray in their future.
4.5 stars

I was granted an advance copy by the author. I had previously purchased my own.
Here is my true and unbiased opinion.

https://www.facebook.com/429830134272...

[Skaistė Girtienė · Rating 3 out of 5]

Knyga nukelia į XIV amžiaus Angliją. Kalbama apie ginklanešius, riterių turnyrus, ledi, ir, aišku, meilę.

[Frankie · Rating 5 out of 5]

My, oh my!! I have become swooning, melting, besotted mess on the floor because of this beautiful book….if ever there was a need for a #DoubleSigh then this is. It seems like an age since I read the Rogue Knight and was first introduced to the Danby brother’s (Yes, I have missed the first book; the Blacksmiths Wife, something that will be rectified).

The starts of when Rowenna and Robbie are children with the best opening scene concerning Geese – yes, you read rightly; Geese, something which did bring back childhood memories of being chased by the wretched things; honestly you all may laugh, but it was horrific…but, you don’t to read about my issue with Geese, you want to hear about this gorgeous book. From that first fun and enlightening chapter you can easily see that there is a very strong bond between them but there is also a spark, a hint of what will be a fabulous romance – even if at first they don’t realise it themselves. It’s lovely to see them as children, not understanding those little feelings and twinges they were feeling around each other, then when Robbie founds out something which will change his whole life and he leaves to start his Knight training, Rowenna is left behind it is these years apart that Rowenna especially knows that what she is feeling for Robbie is far more then just friendship and cousinly love.

We then fast forward years later when our hero and heroine are grown and finally reunited, Robbie is the brave, loyal and devilishly handsome Knight in training, he is full of idea’s of what his future will hold and dreams to be a great Knight, dreams which also happen to involve him marrying pretty lady-in-waiting; Mary. When they stop off at York, Robbie soon reunites with childhood best friend, Rowenna who he soon realises is as different from the little sprite he had left behind she is now a beautiful very lady-like young woman who posses far more charm and grace then he ever remembers and an even more wilful then he remembered. Now he is back and he now not only must figure out exactly what he wants but there is another dark secret that is lurking in the shadows , the secret that changed his whole perspective on his life all those years ago. There are obstacle in their way throughout, does one follow ones heart, or do as one is dutifully bound to? This question does appear throughout and it is a joy to watch as Rowenna and Robbie orchestrate their way through the trials that they must face.

Rowenna and Robbie are perfect for each other, they both have issues and their difference in character compliment the other perfectly; such as Rowenna and is bright, sparky, feisty and full of energy (that does at times get her into trouble) and Robbie is far quieter, he is charming, brave, brooding, thoughtful – at times – he definitely over thinks everything apart I think they just about manage adult life but together they are a strong force, they have an unbreakable bond that connects them, which has lasted the test of time since they were children.

This is a mesmerising and atmospheric, romantic adventure through a beautiful city in a time of unrest and upheaval which also happens to he the highly anticipated return of the Danby’s this time we have moved to the next generation in the form of Rowenna and Robbie. What I particularly loved about this, was watching Rowenna and Robbie discover themselves, they grow into the fabulously complex individuals right before your eyes.

I have got to mention Robbie’s friend; Cecil, he is a fabulous character, personally speaking as much as I adore Robbie, I thought that Cecil stole every scene away, even though they are very different, their personalities are a little like chalk and cheese there is a underlying friendship and respect between them that makes for great reading and I really do hope that one day Cecil will get his own story…not that I’m hinting…oh, OK I am!

This has everything that we have come to expect from an Elisabeth Hobbes book; danger and unease, tension both from certain aspects of the story and crackling tension between Rowenna and Robbie. Humour, intrigue, romance, gorgeous settings, flawless historical detail, but there was more to this book then just a stunning back drop of York and a brilliantly portrayed romance, i felt that Ms Hobbes had really put her all into this book, there is an unmistakable passion for the story and the history that comes through the writing. Something else I did picked up from this is that I really need to read the Blacksmith’s Wife, that book has been sitting on my kindle for way too long, after reading and loving Rogue Knight and this I need to know Hal and Joanna’s story

This is a stunning book, enthralling and thrilling story which does take the reader on a marvellous journey, the character’s have more hurdles then in an Olympic sport which keeps the reader completely engrossed you are willing Rowenna and Robbie on, you become desperate for them to find their happiness, as there are few characters who deserve it as much as these two do. There is nothing that can say against Elisabeth Hobbes writing, she really is a master in her own right, she will grab your attention and never let you go until the last word and even then the story will stay with you a lot longer.

It’s a richly textured in emotional depth, excellently detailed so much so the story comes alive with sparkling clarity.

[Joanne Robertson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am a huge fan of Elisabeth Hobbs and I’m thrilled that she has written another historical romance around the Danby brothers. I first met Hal and Joanna in The Blacksmiths Wife and then Hal’s brother Roger popped up again in his own story when he met Lucy in Redeeming The Rogue Knight. In A Midsummer Knight’s Kiss we are introduced to Hal and Joanna’s daughter Rowena (the legitimate child of the illegitimate son) and Robbie who is the illegitimate adoptive of Roger Danby. Sounds confusing? It isn’t but you may want to catch up on the Danby brothers before or even after A Midsummer Knight’s Kiss! But that basically means that Rowena and Robbie are best friends and maybe something else eventually? After their childhood friendship Robbie is now in York trying to claim his knighthood and is in love with another. Can their childhood love for each other develop into an adult relationship or will others come between them?

I loved catching up on this dysfunctional family! I think their previous books have been my favourite of all Elisabeth Hobbs previous books so it really was a pleasure to spend time with them once again. I had a real sense of time and place within this York setting and the sparks between Rowena and Robbie just flew off each page whenever they were together. The relationships between the characters are always based against the background of very realistic time periods and the research done to get everything right is very obvious. I always feel physically transported back in time by the narrative and become completely involved in the dramas of the period. Elisabeth Hobbs writes so beautifully that her characters come to life in front of you and I was so sad when I had to leave them behind on the pages once I closed my copy of A Midsummer Knight’s Kiss.

Highly recommended by me!

[Yukino · Rating 2 out of 5]

York, 1381
Sono passati anni da quando Rowenna trascorreva i suoi giorni con Robbie Danby, fra risate e guai, e ora che è una donna ha ormai domato la propria natura vivace. Ma quando incontra di nuovo l'amico d'infanzia a York, l'affetto e l'attrazione immediati che prova risvegliano in lei un'impulsività del tutto nuova e decisamente adulta. Purtroppo Robbie, che sta per ricevere l'investitura di cavaliere grazie alle prodi gesta compiute nella repressione delle rivolte, le confida di essere innamorato di un'altra donna, spezzandole il cuore. Forse, però, un magico bacio di mezza estate potrà cambiare il loro destino...

Personalmente mi ha un pò deluso questo libro. L'ho preso proprio l'anno scorso con la voglia di leggerlo e finalmente questa estate ce l'ho fatta. Per questo ci sono rimasta un pò male. Le carte per essere una bella storia romantica estiva le aveva tutte. E invece...
Partiamo dall'ambientazione. York 1381, in pieno medioevo, ma se fosse stato il 2023 sarebbe stato lo stesso. A parte l'uso delle parole scudiero e cavaliere, non abbiamo altro. Non una descrizione di luoghi, vestiti, usi costumi etc. vestiti si, ma giusto l'indispensabile. Quindi ha perso un pò del suo fascino solo per questo. Almeno per me.
La storia romantica poi, mi ha fatto innervosire. O meglio la protagonista mi ha fatto innervosire. In aluni momenti le avrei voluto tirare una botta in testa.
Alla fine si riscatta, ma non più di due stelle e mezzo.
Peccato. Per fortuna l'ho preso con super sconto.

[Rosie Amber · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Midsummer Knight’s Kiss is a medieval historical romance set in the late 1300s.

Rowenna and Robbie grew up together near York, but were separated when Robbie was sent away to be trained as a squire by Sir John Wallingdon. Seven years later, Robbie returned to York, and Rowenna was excited to meet him again. But would he ever see her as more than just his best friend?  Especially when Sir John’s niece had already caught his eye. See here for full review https://wp.me/p2Eu3u-f45

[Rose · Rating 5 out of 5]

I first read A Midsummer Knight’s Kiss back in 2019, and returning to it now reminded me exactly why I fell in love with Elisabeth Hobbes’s medieval world in the first place. This story is a beautiful continuation of the Danby family saga, bringing together the next generation while letting longtime readers enjoy familiar faces from earlier books.

We first met Robbie Danby as a child in Redeeming the Rogue Knight, and seeing him grown, determined, and on the cusp of knighthood is incredibly satisfying. Rowenna Danby — daughter of Hal and Joanna from The Blacksmith’s Wife — is equally delightful. Their childhood friendship, shown briefly at the start, already sparkles with warmth and mischief. When the story jumps ahead seven years, their reunion in York is filled with surprise, awkwardness, and the unmistakable spark of something deeper.

Robbie is everything I love in a historical hero: honorable, clever, kind, and quietly brave. His reserved nature makes his emotional journey all the more touching. Rowenna, on the other hand, is vibrant, impulsive in the best ways, and full of life. Together, they are absolutely perfect — two people who have grown into themselves yet still fit together as though they were always meant to.

Hobbes’s writing is, as always, exquisitely detailed. York in 1381 feels alive with sound, color, and texture. The historical atmosphere enriches the romance without ever overshadowing it. I especially enjoyed revisiting Hal, Joanna, Roger, and Lucy; their presence adds warmth and continuity for fans of the series.

The plot balances tenderness, longing, and the uncertainty of young adulthood with an engaging storyline that kept me turning pages. Robbie and Rowenna’s midsummer kiss is everything the title promises — a moment that changes everything and makes you root for them even harder.

This is one of those books I struggled to put down, both in 2019 and now. Charming characters, rich historical detail, and a heartfelt friends‑to‑lovers romance make A Midsummer Knight’s Kiss a standout addition to the Danby Brothers world. Highly recommend to anyone who loves medieval romance, childhood-friends reunions, or simply a beautifully told love story.

[Chiara 🍂 · Rating 1 out of 5]

Allora… boh?! Cioè è colpa mia o del libro ?
L’ho letto per bene fino a 40-50% credo ma dopo volevo solo finirlo. Non mi ha preso per nulla, non ci ho capito granché, non mi è interessato abbastanza ma niente lo avevo inizierò e dovevo finirlo. Vedo recensioni super entusiaste però boh
1 questi so cugini, che si sono “vissuti” fino all adolescenza più o meno. Sangue o meno mi fa strano
2 cioè perché si amavano? Così, boh. Perché si. Io ho la sensazione che a lei sarebbe andato bene un po’ chiunque ma okay

[Gwessie Tee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Utterly adore this book, utterly loved Robbie's and Roweena's journey, was great seeing them again and grown to the awesome people they are, As always Ms Hobbes does not disappoint.
Highly recommended.

[Renaissancecat22 · Rating 4 out of 5]

I tore through this one. It was a nice change of pace after all the steamy Georgian/Regency and Harlequin Presents books I usually read.

A Midsummer Knight's Kiss feels more like a YA novel than an adult romance. The H/h are both virgins in their late teens and the book charts their growing physical attraction and acceptance of their romantic feelings for each other. There's some kissing and no sex. Mostly they just stare at each other as their libidos run wild, sensitive to every innocent glance or touch. Some medievals go for violent gritty realism and "period apppropriate" misogyny. This one was more of the sweet, courtly love variety. Robbie is an honorable knight. In a lot of ways, it makes sense to do this kind of story with younger characters. But it was a little juvenile for my taste and dull and repetitive at times waiting for the H/h to get it together and admit their feelings. But, as I said, I found it a compelling read and I finished it in 2 sittings. The writing was very good and I thought it was a believable teen romance. I'd just prefer a story with older characters who consummate their relationship.

Rowenna was an excellent heroine. She was strong-willed and feisty without being shrewish or TSTL. (Well, she did have a habit of running into danger but that just seemed like an excuse for the book to have Robbie to save her.) She was not sassy and antagonistic for no reason. She felt like a real, vibrant person who just wanted some adventure in her life.

The big conflict to be resolved/impediment to their relationship is the OW. This should be a straightforward friends to lovers but after the time jump to chapter 2, Robbie has left his childhood playmate to become a squire and fancies himself in love with an untouchable blond heiress. He courts her to no success even as he returns home and starts to develop feelings for his old friend who is now all grown up. Meanwhile, Rowenna has loved Robbie for years and is hoping he'll realize he just has a crush on Mary, a shallow mean girl who he has barely spoken to. Of course, by the time he sorts out his feelings for Rowenna, he's about to be knighted and will eventually inherit his father's title so the appropriately awful OW is ready to settle for a marriage of convenience even though they have nothing in common and she despises Robbie's stutter. Robbie then has to figure out how to extricate himself from the engagement when he realizes that Rowenna does return his feelings. This is accomplished when he dramatically announces that he is a bastard, causing the OW to reject him and leaving him free to marry Rowenna. There's a lot made in the book about how Robbie is a bastard and Rowenna is the daughter of a bastard but I wouldn't call those big conflicts. It causes the characters minor angst but they're more like details to move the plot along than huge obstacles to overcome. This is not a book with huge stakes. There is a rebellion that puts the characters in mild danger but you never worry that they're not going to make it through.

One thing to note is that this book is really a continuation of a series. It's not impossible to follow with having read the first two books but it does feel a little odd. The H/h couples of the first two books are the parents of the H/h in this book so it's like a YA book that spends a surprising amount of time on the adults. Especially when it comes to the question of parentage and bastardy, I feel like stuff would have made more sense and had more resonance if I had read the first two books. The book tells you what you need to know to understand this story but there aren't big confessions that explain stuff from the previous books. For instance, we never find out who Robbie's biological father is. Also, Rowenna and Robbie are cousins, which isn't a problem in a historical and I think they aren't blood-related because the connection is their fathers and Robbie isn't his biological son. but it's something that might feel weird to a modern reader.

Recommend if you're looking for a more chaste, well-written medieval romance and you don't mind younger characters.

[Keri-Anne Masson-Abrams · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is book 3 in the Danby brothers series, however you dont have to read the first two books before this one. If your like me though and like to know about all the other characters that do aooear in this book then chevk out the blacksmiths wife and redeeming the rogue knight.

This is a beautiful heartwarming book, are story starts by introducing us to Robbie Danby and Rowenna who have spent their childhood together mischief-making.But unfortuantly they have to adventurelly grow up! Robbie finds out a dark family secret, heart-broken and upset he leaves his fanily home to make a name for himself and become a knight. Which leaves Rowenna alone, she decides its time to grow up and curb her impetous nature and becomes a lady.

When the two are re-united in york all the feelings Rowenna had for Robbie come rushing back, but does he feel the same?
When Robbie tells Rowenna that he is in love with Mary a lady in waiting she is heartbroken. Soon Robbie releases that its not lobe but lust he feels for Mary and that Rowenna has always had his heart. The two of them have to face loads off obstacles in order to be together. Robbie soon releases thats following his heart is more important than following his dreans ans he is willing to give up everything he has made for himself for Rowenna.

I totally fell in love woth Robbie in this heartwarming story that pulled at all my heart strings. I couldnt put it down and loved every minute of the story.

Elisabeth Hobbes has a beautiful writing style thay is really easy to get into. Not only do i recommend this book but also other books by Elisabeth, she is a talented author that will keave you wanting more. So if you enjoy this series as much as me also check out falling for her captor and thw saxon outlaws revenge which are also amazing reads.

[Z · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Midsummer Knight’s Kiss is the story of Robbie and Rowenna. It’s part of the Danby family series and moves onto the next generation of Danby’s.

I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book, following Robbie and Rowenna’s journey as they discovered themselves and each other. They’ve spent much of their childhood together and then Robbie leaves to become a squire, and Rowenna is left behind. They meet each other after many years apart and begin to realise that their feelings towards each other have evolved into something different.

The emotional conflict in this was executed with perfection and the simmering sexual tension between the characters made this book a captivating read. It was great to meet Hal, Joanna, Roger and Lucy again and I thought Cecil Hugone was an interesting character with some potential.

This is a wonderful book with brilliant characters. I particularly liked Rowenna’s bright personality and energy. She complemented Robbie’s charming character beautifully. Highly recommended!

[Verena · Rating 5 out of 5]

Who needs a proud prejudiced gentleman or an Outlander, if you can dream of squire Robert Dandy? It was kind of a surprise, how much this medieval romance captured me, and finally, it was time to say goodbye and return from the 14th century. I loved the sweet, innocent romance, yet, still passionate like fire and sensitive like the smell of a delicate rose.
There's not a concrete villian (apart from an icy female rival), rather more the focus on communication issues and misunderstandings in the historical setting, which I thought very fitting in the plot.
It's nice not to have a tall, dark broody bad boy, no rogue, no rake, simply a dependable, loyal and rather shy squire Robert "Robbie".
Thank you Elisabeth Hobbes for Robbie and Ro, for all these amazing characters, definitely a book I will keep and cherish as another of my favorite historical romances!

[Bea Tea · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved it! How refreshing to have a hero who isn't an all powerful alpha machine at the top of his game Nu-uh. Our hero is a lowly squire, he's shy and has a stutter, he's a virgin, he's kinda useless with the ladies, and he's so incredibly sweet. Yeah a bit stupid too, wanted to knock his head a few times, but overall lovely.

[Meghan Edwards · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved this book. Everything came together so well. The development of the characters, the slow-burn romance, and the lay out of events. It was nothing short of perfect!

[MrsMascara · Rating 4 out of 5]

Library book

Sweet tale
But dithery hero.

[Ausra · Rating 3 out of 5]

Monotoniškas. Pritrūko bent menkos intrigėlės

[August · Rating 2 out of 5]

I think I would have liked this book better if they hadn't been cousins. I know it takes places in the 14th century, and one of them is adopted, but still. They're cousins.

[Ram Ūnė · Rating 5 out of 5]

Labaj legvai skaitoma

[Emma · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent and atmospheric romance set in medieval York.
Featuring the Danby Brothers from Ms. Hobbes previous books, the story focusses on Robbie and Rowenna as they move from childhood best friends towards adulthood and discover that, sometimes, a happy ending is right in front of you if you look close enough. From the strong, memorable opening to it's conclusion, the story is entertaining, and compelling to read as we follow Robbie through his ambition to become a Knight via moments of civil unrest and his somewhat misguided belief that he could have a future with Lady-in-Waiting Mary, all the while discovering that Rowenna means more to him than he originally thought. The dilemma between love and duty is a prevalent theme through the story, and, in order to get their happy ending, the two are faced with numerous obstacles that, as a reader, you hope they can overcome.
The scenes in York are well-written and exceptionally well researched to create a sense of the tensions in the City at the time. Indeed, if you are familiar with modern-day York, you are able to visualise a firm sense of place during the action, and the civil unrest faced by the people comes vividly to life throughout.
Amidst the unrest, and the more serious elements of the plot regarding Robbie's future, there is a healthy dose of humour as Rowenna's rebellious streak comes to the fore when she meets Mary and she sets about disrupting the potential match between Robbie and Mary. Similarly, the supporting characters, particularly Robbie's friend Cecil provide some scene-stealing moments, and he, if the author were so inclined, he could probably have his own story told in due course.
The excellent York backdrop and wonderful secondary characters aside, this is Robbie and Rowenna's story, and you really do care about what happens to them as the story progresses. The two make an excellent couple who work well together, and it is almost heartbreaking to hear Robbie practice how he would tell Mary about his feelings in front of Rowenna, oblivious to the fact that Rowenna is in love with him. The longed for happy ending is well earned, although there are several moments when you worry it won't happen, but, thankfully, the author's skilled plotting keeps the reader engaged all the way to the end, and the rewards are well worth every obstacle that the pair have to contend with.
All in all an excellent book with strong characters amidst a beautifully created backdrop of intrigue, unrest and romance.

[nat. · Rating 4 out of 5]

A handsome squire and a headstrong lady

I enjoyed this so much. Both the mains are like able and the drama was understanding. There was angst and I shed a few tears over how heartbroken Ro was. But over all totally enjoyable and highly recommended.