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Pennyroyal Green #7
A Notorious Countess Confesses
She rose to spectacular heights…
From Covent Garden to courtesan to countess, beautiful, fearless, shamelessly ambitious Evie Duggan has riveted London in every role she plays. But the ton never could forgive her scandalous —if shockingly short—marriage, and when her star plummets amid gleefully vicious gossip, the countess escapes to the only legacy left to her: a manor house in Pennyroyal Green.
He never expected to fall so hard…
He has the face of a fallen angel and a smolder the devil would envy, but Vicar Adam Sylvaine walks a precarious line: resisting temptation…and the wild Eversea blood in his veins. Adam’s strength is tested when scandal, aka the countess, moves to Sussex. But when a woman who fiercely guards her heart and a man entrusted with the souls of an entire town surrender to a forbidden desire, will the sweetest sin lead them to Heaven...or make outcasts of them forever?
From Covent Garden to courtesan to countess, beautiful, fearless, shamelessly ambitious Evie Duggan has riveted London in every role she plays. But the ton never could forgive her scandalous —if shockingly short—marriage, and when her star plummets amid gleefully vicious gossip, the countess escapes to the only legacy left to her: a manor house in Pennyroyal Green.
He never expected to fall so hard…
He has the face of a fallen angel and a smolder the devil would envy, but Vicar Adam Sylvaine walks a precarious line: resisting temptation…and the wild Eversea blood in his veins. Adam’s strength is tested when scandal, aka the countess, moves to Sussex. But when a woman who fiercely guards her heart and a man entrusted with the souls of an entire town surrender to a forbidden desire, will the sweetest sin lead them to Heaven...or make outcasts of them forever?
1 pages, Audio CD
First published October 30, 2012
139 people are currently reading
2651 people want to read
About the author
Julie Anne Long
38 books2,937 followersWell, where should I start? I've lived in San Francisco for more than a decade, usually with at least one cat. I won the school spelling bee when I was in 7th grade; the word that clinched it was 'ukulele.' I originally set out to be a rock star when I grew up (I had a Bono fixation, but who didn't?), and I have the guitars and the questionable wardrobe stuffed in the back of my closet to prove it.
But writing was always my first love.
I was editor of my elementary school paper (believe it or not, Mrs. Little's fifth grade class at Glenmoor Elementary did have one); my high school paper (along with my best high school bud, Cindy Jorgenson); and my college paper, where our long-suffering typesetter finally forced me to learn how to typeset because my articles were usually late (and thus I probably have him to thank for all the desktop publishing jobs that ensued over the years).
Won a couple of random awards along the way: the Bank of America English Award in High School (which basically just amounted to a fancy plaque saying that I was really, really good at English); and an award for best Sports Feature article in a College Newspaper (and anyone who knows me well understands how deeply ironic that is). I began my academic career as a Journalism major; I switched to Creative Writing, which was a more comfortable fit for my freewheeling imagination and overdeveloped sense of whimsy. I dreamed of being a novelist.
But most of us, I think, tend to take for granted the things that come easily to us. I loved writing and all indications were that I was pretty good at it, but I, thank you very much, wanted to be a rock star. Which turned out to be ever-so-slightly harder to do than writing. A lot more equipment was involved, that's for sure. Heavy things, with knobs. It also involved late nights, fetid, graffiti-sprayed practice rooms, gorgeous flakey boys, bizarre gigs, in-fighting—what's not to love?
But my dream of being a published writer never faded. When the charm (ahem) of playing to four people in a tiny club at midnight on a Wednesday finally wore thin, however, I realized I could incorporate all the best things about being in a band — namely, drama, passion, and men with unruly hair — into novels, while at the same time indulging my love of history and research.
So I wrote The Runaway Duke, sent it to a literary agent (see the story here), who sold it to Warner Books a few months after that...which made 2003 one of the most extraordinary, head-spinning years I've ever had.
Why romance? Well, like most people, I read across many genres, but I've been an avid romance reader since I got in trouble for sneaking a Rosemary Rogers novel out of my mom's nightstand drawer (I think it was Sweet Savage Love). Rosemary Rogers, Kathleen Woodiwiss, Laurie McBain...I cut my romance teeth on those ladies. And in general, I take a visceral sort of pleasure in creating a hero and a heroine, putting them through their emotional paces, and watching their relationship develop on the page. And of course, there's much to be said for the happy ending. :)
And why Regency Historicals? Well, for starters, I think we can blame Jane Austen. Her inimitable wit, compassion and vision brought the Regency vividly to life for generations of readers. If Jane Austen had written romances about Incas, for instance, I think, we'd have racks and racks of Inca romances in bookstores all over the country, and Warner Forever would be the Inca Romance line.
But I'm a history FREAK, in general. I read more history, to be perfectly honest, than fiction (when I have time to read!) these days. When we were little, my sister and I used to play "Littl
But writing was always my first love.
I was editor of my elementary school paper (believe it or not, Mrs. Little's fifth grade class at Glenmoor Elementary did have one); my high school paper (along with my best high school bud, Cindy Jorgenson); and my college paper, where our long-suffering typesetter finally forced me to learn how to typeset because my articles were usually late (and thus I probably have him to thank for all the desktop publishing jobs that ensued over the years).
Won a couple of random awards along the way: the Bank of America English Award in High School (which basically just amounted to a fancy plaque saying that I was really, really good at English); and an award for best Sports Feature article in a College Newspaper (and anyone who knows me well understands how deeply ironic that is). I began my academic career as a Journalism major; I switched to Creative Writing, which was a more comfortable fit for my freewheeling imagination and overdeveloped sense of whimsy. I dreamed of being a novelist.
But most of us, I think, tend to take for granted the things that come easily to us. I loved writing and all indications were that I was pretty good at it, but I, thank you very much, wanted to be a rock star. Which turned out to be ever-so-slightly harder to do than writing. A lot more equipment was involved, that's for sure. Heavy things, with knobs. It also involved late nights, fetid, graffiti-sprayed practice rooms, gorgeous flakey boys, bizarre gigs, in-fighting—what's not to love?
But my dream of being a published writer never faded. When the charm (ahem) of playing to four people in a tiny club at midnight on a Wednesday finally wore thin, however, I realized I could incorporate all the best things about being in a band — namely, drama, passion, and men with unruly hair — into novels, while at the same time indulging my love of history and research.
So I wrote The Runaway Duke, sent it to a literary agent (see the story here), who sold it to Warner Books a few months after that...which made 2003 one of the most extraordinary, head-spinning years I've ever had.
Why romance? Well, like most people, I read across many genres, but I've been an avid romance reader since I got in trouble for sneaking a Rosemary Rogers novel out of my mom's nightstand drawer (I think it was Sweet Savage Love). Rosemary Rogers, Kathleen Woodiwiss, Laurie McBain...I cut my romance teeth on those ladies. And in general, I take a visceral sort of pleasure in creating a hero and a heroine, putting them through their emotional paces, and watching their relationship develop on the page. And of course, there's much to be said for the happy ending. :)
And why Regency Historicals? Well, for starters, I think we can blame Jane Austen. Her inimitable wit, compassion and vision brought the Regency vividly to life for generations of readers. If Jane Austen had written romances about Incas, for instance, I think, we'd have racks and racks of Inca romances in bookstores all over the country, and Warner Forever would be the Inca Romance line.
But I'm a history FREAK, in general. I read more history, to be perfectly honest, than fiction (when I have time to read!) these days. When we were little, my sister and I used to play "Littl
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February 16, 2017
You know when you are hanging out with friends and are totally cracking up about silly stuff and then there's that one person who decides to that this is the perfect time to tell a serious or sad story? You know, cuz everyone was having too much fun.
Best SNL skit ever!
That is what this book is in relation to the whole series. During the last book, I was lol-ing like crazy, but during this one, I don't think I ever cracked a smile. It was angsty. And, trying to be deep. And, preachy (well, he is a preacher, but still..). Altogether not fun.
Yeah, thanks for the Thanksgiving lesson. Pass the wine.
But, it was still an okay story - just a little more serious. And, you all know how I feel about seriousness. I'm against it.
The closest I come to seriousness.
So, we have Adam and Eve. Yup, that's right. Adam's a preacher, Eve's a former whore. It's a match of biblical proportions.
We also have townspeople who want to make sure this whore doesn't catch the preacher's eye because all the virtuous young ladies in town are hoping that he will marry one of them. They like to give him homemade jams and embroidered pillows until his cupboards and bed are overflowing.
But, they are also a bunch of sanctimonious assholes. They give the ex-whore a good old-fashioned shunning, and they let the preacher know that if he goes knocking on the whore-door, he will be sorry. They let him know this by way of passive-aggressive needlepoint on a pillow.
And, he's all:
And, they're all:
And, he's all:
he IS a preacher after all.
Hmm, I might have gotten carried away with the pics, but I also just realized that I need to take up embroidery. That scene be brutal!
So, you get the idea now. The last two books were better.
Best SNL skit ever!
That is what this book is in relation to the whole series. During the last book, I was lol-ing like crazy, but during this one, I don't think I ever cracked a smile. It was angsty. And, trying to be deep. And, preachy (well, he is a preacher, but still..). Altogether not fun.
Yeah, thanks for the Thanksgiving lesson. Pass the wine.
But, it was still an okay story - just a little more serious. And, you all know how I feel about seriousness. I'm against it.
The closest I come to seriousness.
So, we have Adam and Eve. Yup, that's right. Adam's a preacher, Eve's a former whore. It's a match of biblical proportions.
We also have townspeople who want to make sure this whore doesn't catch the preacher's eye because all the virtuous young ladies in town are hoping that he will marry one of them. They like to give him homemade jams and embroidered pillows until his cupboards and bed are overflowing.
But, they are also a bunch of sanctimonious assholes. They give the ex-whore a good old-fashioned shunning, and they let the preacher know that if he goes knocking on the whore-door, he will be sorry. They let him know this by way of passive-aggressive needlepoint on a pillow.
And, he's all:
And, they're all:
And, he's all:
he IS a preacher after all.
Hmm, I might have gotten carried away with the pics, but I also just realized that I need to take up embroidery. That scene be brutal!
So, you get the idea now. The last two books were better.
January 1, 2019
Update: This might be my 7th or so re-read, that's how much I like this book! In many of the other Pennyroyal books, I've caught glimpses of Vicar Sylvane. And he's always made me curious, but I never thought he'd be HOTT!! I love Adam, just love him to death! I love the cover. That blond guy looks something like the guy I'm envisioning for Adam. And since I've been fixated on a certain Mr. Blondie Bun for all my blonds in romances these days, I'm going to change the gif at the bottom to reflect my current fantasy. Feast your eyes, ladies! :P
This is possibly tied for #1 of my favorite Julie Anne Long books, esp. her series Pennyroyal Green. Where do I begin? Let me count the ways I love this book.
#1 The Heroine: "From Covent Garden to courtesan to countess, beautiful, fearless, shamelessly ambitious Evie Duggan." That about covers it. Nicknamed the Black Widow, she's a tart with a heart and a dramatic flair for timing.
#2 The Hero: Vicar Adam Sylvaine. Tall, broad, blond and beautiful. A gorgeous man of faith with very strong self-control and can't be swayed JUST by a pretty face. I love how the more she flirts with him, the less receptive he is to her. I love how he demands only truth from her and falls for the woman inside.
#3 The cast of characters in the small village: Good people, not without faults, but underneath it all, good, upstanding people. I love the process through which the h wins the town over. I love how Adam helps her (BTW, Adam and Eve(ie) - wink wink) but lets her do most of the heavy lifting. He's such a good shepherd of his flock!
#4 The beautiful writing and wit and humor and dialogue. From the first scene of Evie falling alseep (the only female parishioner to do so in Adam's experience!) with her mouth open, to the first interaction they have when she realizes she can't just use her feminine wiles on him, to his inability to resist her any more and their coming together, to his own inner battles with jealousy and too-strong emotions and chaos, all the way to the final climax (and it's a great one!!)... Truly, this book was all around perfection.
If I can nitpick one thing, it would be that I hardly ever encounter this couple together again in subsequent books in the series. Adam is regularly mentioned, given his role, but not so much the two of them as a couple. I would have liked to see more of them. Same comment for my other fav How the Marquess Was Won. We never see much of Lord Ice and his wife either.
But all in all, it was such a joy to read. If only all historical romances could be so good!
This is possibly tied for #1 of my favorite Julie Anne Long books, esp. her series Pennyroyal Green. Where do I begin? Let me count the ways I love this book.
#1 The Heroine: "From Covent Garden to courtesan to countess, beautiful, fearless, shamelessly ambitious Evie Duggan." That about covers it. Nicknamed the Black Widow, she's a tart with a heart and a dramatic flair for timing.
#2 The Hero: Vicar Adam Sylvaine. Tall, broad, blond and beautiful. A gorgeous man of faith with very strong self-control and can't be swayed JUST by a pretty face. I love how the more she flirts with him, the less receptive he is to her. I love how he demands only truth from her and falls for the woman inside.
#3 The cast of characters in the small village: Good people, not without faults, but underneath it all, good, upstanding people. I love the process through which the h wins the town over. I love how Adam helps her (BTW, Adam and Eve(ie) - wink wink) but lets her do most of the heavy lifting. He's such a good shepherd of his flock!
#4 The beautiful writing and wit and humor and dialogue. From the first scene of Evie falling alseep (the only female parishioner to do so in Adam's experience!) with her mouth open, to the first interaction they have when she realizes she can't just use her feminine wiles on him, to his inability to resist her any more and their coming together, to his own inner battles with jealousy and too-strong emotions and chaos, all the way to the final climax (and it's a great one!!)... Truly, this book was all around perfection.
If I can nitpick one thing, it would be that I hardly ever encounter this couple together again in subsequent books in the series. Adam is regularly mentioned, given his role, but not so much the two of them as a couple. I would have liked to see more of them. Same comment for my other fav How the Marquess Was Won. We never see much of Lord Ice and his wife either.
But all in all, it was such a joy to read. If only all historical romances could be so good!
November 9, 2012
3.5-4 stars.
Important note: Readers, please note that the publication of this book had some major editing issues (details below), which according to a thread on JALs Facebook page are going to be fixed. So you might want to wait until they announce that the ebook version has been updated. It really was a great story, but sadly the publishers messed this one up and forgot to proofread and edit the book.
The Story:
Despite having a reputation as a 'black widow' and a former courtesan, The Reverand Adam Sylvaine agrees to help the beautiful widowed Countess, Lady Wareham, make friends with the ladies of community. But he didn't expect to discover that her honesty in life would be her greatest virtue, and one that would draw him to her like a beacon.
My Review:
Façade appearances and personal beliefs are unquestionably jaded measures when used to form judgement of another person, and this story rings that truth home. This was a wonderfully sweet and sensual romance tale between a man of the cloth falling for a scarlet woman, and the town folks who see only what they have been taught all of their lives to see. I was surprised how much I enjoyed the relationship between these two, and JAL did a great job making me believe in their attraction and their journey to love.
The romance aspect of A Notorious Countess Confesses won me over, I loved Adam and Evie, and was so happy that I wasn't turned off by her being a former courtesan (a trope that normally rubs me the wrong way). I was less convinced about the friendships between the ladies, but they were being true to their characters so I understood. The ending had its quirky moments though, it was a bit over the top for my liking. It was a bit cheesy, predictable and had that 'all tied up with a bow on top' kind of feeling.
The writing voice is spectacular as always, BUT (and this is a really big BUT!), the editing was just awful.
First, the writing. JAL is one of the best historical romance authors for a great reason. I could soak in her words! She knows how to reach a readers heart, and suck them into her stories so they can't possibly put the book down. One of my favorite lines she wrote:
But the editing?! Holy moly. The repetitive errors pulled me out of the story repeatedly! The good news is I understand the publisher will be fixing the ebook version soon, but sadly, anyone with a print version is SOL (Shit Out of Luck).
The heroine's name changes back/forth from Lady Balmain to Lady Wareham over and over! She is also Eve and then Evie, back/forth. There is no consistency as to why she is called what. In mid conversations, characters switch her name and it is so distracting.
Number of 'Lady Balmain': 31
Number of 'Lady Wareham': 45
So how frustrating was it? Here is a conversation snippet with Collin and Evie that takes place over 1 1/2 pages only:
There are also many other editing issues. 'Pennyoyal' instead of 'Pennyroyal', and sentences like these:
If JAL is reading this by off chance: I beg you to FIRE YOUR PUBLISHING HOUSE and go it on your own. Seriously, you'd be better off self publishing. If this is the editing service you are getting from them, YOU DON'T NEED THEM. This was just sloppy work on their part, THEY FAILED YOU. This was one of the most frustrating books I've read all year, and that is partly because the story was so captivating I didn't want to put it down - but the editing kept pulling me out of the story.
So I highly recommend people wait until the ebook fixes have been announced, and buy it in that version. The story was worth the frustration, but I sure hope this isn't the new normal.
Important note: Readers, please note that the publication of this book had some major editing issues (details below), which according to a thread on JALs Facebook page are going to be fixed. So you might want to wait until they announce that the ebook version has been updated. It really was a great story, but sadly the publishers messed this one up and forgot to proofread and edit the book.
The Story:
Despite having a reputation as a 'black widow' and a former courtesan, The Reverand Adam Sylvaine agrees to help the beautiful widowed Countess, Lady Wareham, make friends with the ladies of community. But he didn't expect to discover that her honesty in life would be her greatest virtue, and one that would draw him to her like a beacon.
My Review:
Façade appearances and personal beliefs are unquestionably jaded measures when used to form judgement of another person, and this story rings that truth home. This was a wonderfully sweet and sensual romance tale between a man of the cloth falling for a scarlet woman, and the town folks who see only what they have been taught all of their lives to see. I was surprised how much I enjoyed the relationship between these two, and JAL did a great job making me believe in their attraction and their journey to love.
The romance aspect of A Notorious Countess Confesses won me over, I loved Adam and Evie, and was so happy that I wasn't turned off by her being a former courtesan (a trope that normally rubs me the wrong way). I was less convinced about the friendships between the ladies, but they were being true to their characters so I understood. The ending had its quirky moments though, it was a bit over the top for my liking. It was a bit cheesy, predictable and had that 'all tied up with a bow on top' kind of feeling.
The writing voice is spectacular as always, BUT (and this is a really big BUT!), the editing was just awful.
First, the writing. JAL is one of the best historical romance authors for a great reason. I could soak in her words! She knows how to reach a readers heart, and suck them into her stories so they can't possibly put the book down. One of my favorite lines she wrote:
...love, real love, the kind that you fall in, isn’t like Corinthians. The “suffereth long” and “is kind” nonsense. It’s like the Song of Solomon. It’s jealousy and fire and floods. It’s everything that consumes.As my grand-daddy always said, "that was some great stuff!"
But the editing?! Holy moly. The repetitive errors pulled me out of the story repeatedly! The good news is I understand the publisher will be fixing the ebook version soon, but sadly, anyone with a print version is SOL (Shit Out of Luck).
The heroine's name changes back/forth from Lady Balmain to Lady Wareham over and over! She is also Eve and then Evie, back/forth. There is no consistency as to why she is called what. In mid conversations, characters switch her name and it is so distracting.
Number of 'Lady Balmain': 31
Number of 'Lady Wareham': 45
So how frustrating was it? Here is a conversation snippet with Collin and Evie that takes place over 1 1/2 pages only:
Colin: “Why Lady Wareham!” came a familiar voice behind her. “What a pleasure it is to see you in Pennyroyal Green.”GAH!!!! Frustrating. This schizophrenic conversation loop happens repeatedly with Adam, and the ladies of the town too.
THEN... just a few sentences later he says this, and he gets her dead husbands name right but not her own!!: “My sincere condolences on your loss, Lady Balmain. He was a good egg, Wareham.”
THEN... a few more sentences later he refers to her by her first name (and no, they are not acquainted well enough for this): “He’s just one of the few genuinely good people I know, Evie. That’s all.”
THEN...a few more sentences later: “Enjoy your evening, Lady Balmain,” he finally said quietly.
There are also many other editing issues. 'Pennyoyal' instead of 'Pennyroyal', and sentences like these:
"If you want to know more about Haynesworth, there’s a bloke called Mr. Bartholomew who lives a few miles outside town who had some business dealings with him, if you’d like to know more."Plus, there are references to things once said that were never really said...etc.
If JAL is reading this by off chance: I beg you to FIRE YOUR PUBLISHING HOUSE and go it on your own. Seriously, you'd be better off self publishing. If this is the editing service you are getting from them, YOU DON'T NEED THEM. This was just sloppy work on their part, THEY FAILED YOU. This was one of the most frustrating books I've read all year, and that is partly because the story was so captivating I didn't want to put it down - but the editing kept pulling me out of the story.
So I highly recommend people wait until the ebook fixes have been announced, and buy it in that version. The story was worth the frustration, but I sure hope this isn't the new normal.
May 2, 2021
I've been on a run of Histrom on courtesans, I guess.
This one was ok. I enjoyed the social stuff and the tenuous friendships more than the romance. Adam was the most annoying type of hero to me, the kind that can really gut a person. Hot then cold, grand gestures followed by an arms length. No thanks.
Evie, though, gets all the stars.
This one was ok. I enjoyed the social stuff and the tenuous friendships more than the romance. Adam was the most annoying type of hero to me, the kind that can really gut a person. Hot then cold, grand gestures followed by an arms length. No thanks.
Evie, though, gets all the stars.
April 30, 2022
2.5 stars (2 stars for the romance and 3 stars for the heroine)
The romance was too slow burn for me but I liked the heroine and how she struggled, but didn’t give up, on trying to be accepted by the residents of Pennyroyal Green. She was a strong heroine who met each challenge one or two residents sent her way. That grand gesture of love and friendship at the end was beautiful and heartwarming that I couldn’t help but shed a few tears of joy for her. She deserves a happily ever after!
Steam level: 2 out of 5. The sex scenes in this series always seem so fast with no foreplay.
Random question: Why do we see Colin Eversea but never his wife in these books???
The romance was too slow burn for me but I liked the heroine and how she struggled, but didn’t give up, on trying to be accepted by the residents of Pennyroyal Green. She was a strong heroine who met each challenge one or two residents sent her way. That grand gesture of love and friendship at the end was beautiful and heartwarming that I couldn’t help but shed a few tears of joy for her. She deserves a happily ever after!
Steam level: 2 out of 5. The sex scenes in this series always seem so fast with no foreplay.
Random question: Why do we see Colin Eversea but never his wife in these books???
May 8, 2022
3.5 stars. A slow-burn romance of an unlikely couple - a village vicar and an ex-courtesan from London. Ex-courtesan/ mistress is not a trope I particularly like, but Long was able to depict her characters convincingly enough. Adam and Evie were both believable in their roles. Evie's background and the path she was forced to follow. Adam's gradual settling in to his role of man of God and community support. The gossip girl stuff felt real too. People can be so savage, without really understanding the cruel consequences of their thoughtless gossip.
It did take quite a while for Adam and Evie to get their HEA. Some of the depiction of village life made the pace of the action a little slow for me. It wasn't my fav book of this series, but it was overall still an enjoyable read.
It did take quite a while for Adam and Evie to get their HEA. Some of the depiction of village life made the pace of the action a little slow for me. It wasn't my fav book of this series, but it was overall still an enjoyable read.
August 19, 2023
This book was perfect. Review to come….
Julie Anne Long’s writing is stunning and Adam and Evie might be on my list of top 10 historical romance couples. On the surface, they seem like complete opposites but underneath it all they have so much on common. They’re both isolated but in different ways; Adam is put on pedestal by his community and Evie is ostracized by that same community because of her past. They’re both objects of desires: people keep giving Adam embroidered pillows and he has to jump in bushes to avoid his admirers and Evie has men falling over balconies to get a look at her and trying to win her hand in card games. And finally, Adam and Evie are both genuinely, good people.
What I loved about this book: Adam and Evie, both as individuals and as a couple. Evie just wants a fresh start. She wants to be accepted by her new community at Pennyroyal Green but she’s shunned because of her past. She’s lonely and she just wants to make friends 🥹 Seeing her try to win over those hypocrites over was heartbreaking and I honestly wanted her to tell them to kiss her ass at end 😂 Like apologizing via Bible verses after you’ve assumed the worst of me is not enough imo. She was way too good for those women. Evie is thoughtful, kind, brave, funny and wonderfully enthusiastic. Her relationship with her maid/confidant/companion/friend Henny was amazing and hilarious. She also goes beyond the call of duty for her siblings. Adam might be the best of the Everseas men. He’s generous, stealthily sarcastic, wise and non judgmental. He’s not afraid to tell off people for condemning Evie and when he makes a mistake (he gets jealous of one of Evie’s former acquaintances and assumes the worst) he gets over himself and apologizes. I love one sexy vicar. Their relationship development is marvelous. There’s no miscommunication in their romance because they’re both open and honest people. It’s so refreshing. This is also an incredibly slow burn but once they finally get together? *fireworks gif* This book also has one of the sweetest love declarations/proposals of all time. He simultaneously declares his love/proposes while telling his community to get over themselves ❤️
What I didn’t like about this book: That it ended 😭😩
I’m serious y’all, this book was so amazing that the fact that we don’t get love scenes until 80 percent of the book didn’t even bother me! This is rare lol
Adam and Evie’s song (Adam’s POV): I Found by Amber Run
Song from Evie’s POV: Die Alone by Ingrid Michaelson
Julie Anne Long’s writing is stunning and Adam and Evie might be on my list of top 10 historical romance couples. On the surface, they seem like complete opposites but underneath it all they have so much on common. They’re both isolated but in different ways; Adam is put on pedestal by his community and Evie is ostracized by that same community because of her past. They’re both objects of desires: people keep giving Adam embroidered pillows and he has to jump in bushes to avoid his admirers and Evie has men falling over balconies to get a look at her and trying to win her hand in card games. And finally, Adam and Evie are both genuinely, good people.
What I loved about this book: Adam and Evie, both as individuals and as a couple. Evie just wants a fresh start. She wants to be accepted by her new community at Pennyroyal Green but she’s shunned because of her past. She’s lonely and she just wants to make friends 🥹 Seeing her try to win over those hypocrites over was heartbreaking and I honestly wanted her to tell them to kiss her ass at end 😂 Like apologizing via Bible verses after you’ve assumed the worst of me is not enough imo. She was way too good for those women. Evie is thoughtful, kind, brave, funny and wonderfully enthusiastic. Her relationship with her maid/confidant/companion/friend Henny was amazing and hilarious. She also goes beyond the call of duty for her siblings. Adam might be the best of the Everseas men. He’s generous, stealthily sarcastic, wise and non judgmental. He’s not afraid to tell off people for condemning Evie and when he makes a mistake (he gets jealous of one of Evie’s former acquaintances and assumes the worst) he gets over himself and apologizes. I love one sexy vicar. Their relationship development is marvelous. There’s no miscommunication in their romance because they’re both open and honest people. It’s so refreshing. This is also an incredibly slow burn but once they finally get together? *fireworks gif* This book also has one of the sweetest love declarations/proposals of all time. He simultaneously declares his love/proposes while telling his community to get over themselves ❤️
What I didn’t like about this book: That it ended 😭😩
I’m serious y’all, this book was so amazing that the fact that we don’t get love scenes until 80 percent of the book didn’t even bother me! This is rare lol
Adam and Evie’s song (Adam’s POV): I Found by Amber Run
Song from Evie’s POV: Die Alone by Ingrid Michaelson
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 23, 2019
This review was originally posted on Addicted To Romance
I have been wanting to read this book ever since it came out last year. So when it became available at my local library, I knew I had to pick it up. There have been some books of this series I have loved and other that ended up being averagely enjoyable, A Notorious Countess Confesses is up there on the top of my list of favorites from this author. This one is a bit different than most regency's, I loved the unique setting that the characters are placed in.
It begins when Evie Duggan, after becoming a widow and with rumors and scandals flying around London about her, decides to settle in Pennyroyal Greens, to have a new start. When she arrives, she causes quite a stir among the country folk, who view who as a woman ripe with scandalous behavior. She decides that she must make friends in order to become more accepted so that she can make a life for herself. But its harder than it looks. When the Vicar, starts to interact with her, she finds herself wanting more than just a content life, she craves his touch like none other. His goodness and sincerity overwhelms her, and before she realizes it, she wonders if they could ever have a future together. Adam, depends on his livelihood as the Vicar. He has sacrificed much for this life, but in some ways its well worth it. When the new countess shows up in town, rumors fly about her devious and scandalous ways, and must guard himself carefully. But there is something more to Evie than meets the eye. There is a instant connection between Adam and Evie, but in the end will Adam choose his people over Evie, or does his love for Evie be strong enough?
There was quite a bit that I found very like able about this story. The characters in this story were very endearing and I liked them from the first chapter. Adam is unlike most heroes of regency romance. He hasn't had a ton of experience with women, in fact the heroine in this story has more history with men than Adam seems to have with women. Adam is very sincere and good hearted, and I loved how caring he was at times. His circumstances and personality are of a more gentle nature, but I enjoyed seeing Adam interact with Evie, Evie has a very strong willed vitality about her. I liked her from the beginning, Evie may have a bit of a scandalous past, but only in order to protect her family.She also has suffered quite a bit and I loved seeing her with Adam, they end up complimenting each other in such a unique way. A charming and warm romantic tale that is bound to warm your heart!! BRILLIANT!!
I have been wanting to read this book ever since it came out last year. So when it became available at my local library, I knew I had to pick it up. There have been some books of this series I have loved and other that ended up being averagely enjoyable, A Notorious Countess Confesses is up there on the top of my list of favorites from this author. This one is a bit different than most regency's, I loved the unique setting that the characters are placed in.
It begins when Evie Duggan, after becoming a widow and with rumors and scandals flying around London about her, decides to settle in Pennyroyal Greens, to have a new start. When she arrives, she causes quite a stir among the country folk, who view who as a woman ripe with scandalous behavior. She decides that she must make friends in order to become more accepted so that she can make a life for herself. But its harder than it looks. When the Vicar, starts to interact with her, she finds herself wanting more than just a content life, she craves his touch like none other. His goodness and sincerity overwhelms her, and before she realizes it, she wonders if they could ever have a future together. Adam, depends on his livelihood as the Vicar. He has sacrificed much for this life, but in some ways its well worth it. When the new countess shows up in town, rumors fly about her devious and scandalous ways, and must guard himself carefully. But there is something more to Evie than meets the eye. There is a instant connection between Adam and Evie, but in the end will Adam choose his people over Evie, or does his love for Evie be strong enough?
There was quite a bit that I found very like able about this story. The characters in this story were very endearing and I liked them from the first chapter. Adam is unlike most heroes of regency romance. He hasn't had a ton of experience with women, in fact the heroine in this story has more history with men than Adam seems to have with women. Adam is very sincere and good hearted, and I loved how caring he was at times. His circumstances and personality are of a more gentle nature, but I enjoyed seeing Adam interact with Evie, Evie has a very strong willed vitality about her. I liked her from the beginning, Evie may have a bit of a scandalous past, but only in order to protect her family.She also has suffered quite a bit and I loved seeing her with Adam, they end up complimenting each other in such a unique way. A charming and warm romantic tale that is bound to warm your heart!! BRILLIANT!!
July 22, 2018
I read this eons ago [2014, a simpler time]. And it stayed with me.
It stayed with me in a very specific way. Firstly, as a smattering of select scenes - a vicar telling a courtesan how many women he’d slept with, an Irish woman swearing in front of the vicar, sex on a sofa. And secondly, as a feeling of non-specific annoyance. Something had bothered me about this book and I couldn’t remember what.
And so, as 2018 is the year of the reread and review, I decided to give it another go because when JAL is on, she is really ON and maybe I’d get more out of the book this time around.
And I did. Parts of this book are very, very special. Both H/h are so well drawn. Initially (and I emphasise that word) Adam was just excellent, a very nice mix of pious but with worldly experience of the world, knowledgeable but struggling. “He hadn’t anticipated that his duties, immersion in the joys, griefs deaths, weddings, secrets, poverty, and petty concerns of his parishioners – would tumble him like a gem, knock the corner from him, humble him, distil him to his very essence.”
Then there’s Eve. Ex-courtesan and Fine With It Thank You Very Much, but now trying to make a life of her own away from her past and London and finding it a struggle, “Evie looked out the window, out upon the soft hills unfolding endlessly, to the smoke spiraling up into the sky from cottage chimneys of house is filled with people who would in all likelihood be gossiping about her within days and would never welcome her, to the flat silver line of the sea in the distance, and knew a moment of disorientation: the view could’ve been her past or present or future. She felt anchored to nothing.”
The Vicar and the ex-courtesan do not gel all that well. It’s not that they row. Or that there’s any overt animosity, even. JAL just manages to show in small and subtle increments the inherent clash between these two people who have, to a large extent, made choices in their lives which are diametrically opposed. And in that clash emerges a fairly delicious sexual tension.
There is a scene in which Eve has to fix up a cut on Adam’s arm and it is a masterclass in tension. I mean: Adam unveils his forearm and Eve uses her fichu (!) to mop his wound and then they talk obliquely about sex. It’s amazing and I could quote the whole damn thing here.
At this point (around) 47% I was loving this book. I could not imagine how it had fallen so far off the tracks for me. Why was I ever annoyed?
Then, mere percentages later: ohhhhhh, of course: Adam is a dick .
On being confronted with a guy from Eve’s past, despite her telling him that nothing happened between them, and despite that guy being a complete and total douche, he still accuses Eve of sleeping with him and then cuts her out of his life for weeks. My GOD, it irritated the shit out of me. Looking for the best in people, vicar? Trusting the woman you love, vicar? Nope. Adam goes from zero to former courtesan must have thrown it around all over town in under 20 seconds. And even if she did, so the fuck what? And then, to add insult to extreme injury, he does the exact same thing again a couple of chapters later. Seriously: a dick.
And thus my respect for Adam and all my good will towards this book evaporated. Plus, it ruined the HEA because I didn’t believe that this wouldn’t always be a problem for the two of them. Once a jealous sexually possessive dick, always a jealous sexually possessive dick.
Oh, and I super could have done without the H/h being called Adam and Eve. That is hella cheesy.
So, 3 stars.
It stayed with me in a very specific way. Firstly, as a smattering of select scenes - a vicar telling a courtesan how many women he’d slept with, an Irish woman swearing in front of the vicar, sex on a sofa. And secondly, as a feeling of non-specific annoyance. Something had bothered me about this book and I couldn’t remember what.
And so, as 2018 is the year of the reread and review, I decided to give it another go because when JAL is on, she is really ON and maybe I’d get more out of the book this time around.
And I did. Parts of this book are very, very special. Both H/h are so well drawn. Initially (and I emphasise that word) Adam was just excellent, a very nice mix of pious but with worldly experience of the world, knowledgeable but struggling. “He hadn’t anticipated that his duties, immersion in the joys, griefs deaths, weddings, secrets, poverty, and petty concerns of his parishioners – would tumble him like a gem, knock the corner from him, humble him, distil him to his very essence.”
Then there’s Eve. Ex-courtesan and Fine With It Thank You Very Much, but now trying to make a life of her own away from her past and London and finding it a struggle, “Evie looked out the window, out upon the soft hills unfolding endlessly, to the smoke spiraling up into the sky from cottage chimneys of house is filled with people who would in all likelihood be gossiping about her within days and would never welcome her, to the flat silver line of the sea in the distance, and knew a moment of disorientation: the view could’ve been her past or present or future. She felt anchored to nothing.”
The Vicar and the ex-courtesan do not gel all that well. It’s not that they row. Or that there’s any overt animosity, even. JAL just manages to show in small and subtle increments the inherent clash between these two people who have, to a large extent, made choices in their lives which are diametrically opposed. And in that clash emerges a fairly delicious sexual tension.
There is a scene in which Eve has to fix up a cut on Adam’s arm and it is a masterclass in tension. I mean: Adam unveils his forearm and Eve uses her fichu (!) to mop his wound and then they talk obliquely about sex. It’s amazing and I could quote the whole damn thing here.
At this point (around) 47% I was loving this book. I could not imagine how it had fallen so far off the tracks for me. Why was I ever annoyed?
Then, mere percentages later: ohhhhhh, of course: Adam is a dick .
On being confronted with a guy from Eve’s past, despite her telling him that nothing happened between them, and despite that guy being a complete and total douche, he still accuses Eve of sleeping with him and then cuts her out of his life for weeks. My GOD, it irritated the shit out of me. Looking for the best in people, vicar? Trusting the woman you love, vicar? Nope. Adam goes from zero to former courtesan must have thrown it around all over town in under 20 seconds. And even if she did, so the fuck what? And then, to add insult to extreme injury, he does the exact same thing again a couple of chapters later. Seriously: a dick.
And thus my respect for Adam and all my good will towards this book evaporated. Plus, it ruined the HEA because I didn’t believe that this wouldn’t always be a problem for the two of them. Once a jealous sexually possessive dick, always a jealous sexually possessive dick.
Oh, and I super could have done without the H/h being called Adam and Eve. That is hella cheesy.
So, 3 stars.
April 5, 2021
PHEW. This one was dripping with sexual tension and I was here for it. This felt most removed from the other stories in JAL’s Pennyroyal Green series, since it focuses on the town vicar, Adam (an Eversea cousin), and the new (scandalous) woman in town, Eve. Yes, they’re named Adam and Eve. He’s a vicar, she’s a Mary Magdalene. While I’m not a big fan of religion-heavy romances (it tends to dredge up issues and triggers from my own experience with organized religion, which pulls me out of the story), this wasn’t preachy or heavy-handed—it was so classically Julie Anne Long character-driven good, I was sucked right in.
Adam is very much who people need him to be—good, consistent, compassionate, controlled—and Eve has learned to act the roles that bought her struggling family the financial security they desperately needed, at a cost to her reputation of course. Nobody sees the real them, until their relationship starts off with Eve sleeping through Adam’s sermon and then Adam shortly after unexpectedly catching Eve off-guard and seeing much more of her than she lets anyone else know. In each other, Adam and Eve find the first person they’ve been their authentic selves with in much too long; throw in a sizzling dose of steamy chemistry, top notch banter, and a waltz scene that had me white knuckling my kindle, and this slow burn romance had me hooooked.
If you enjoy historical romances focused on non-nobility, about underdog heroines, sexy good-guys, light themes of religious hypocrisy/lessons learned, and seriously hotttt sexual tension, this is a gem you don’t want to miss.
Adam is very much who people need him to be—good, consistent, compassionate, controlled—and Eve has learned to act the roles that bought her struggling family the financial security they desperately needed, at a cost to her reputation of course. Nobody sees the real them, until their relationship starts off with Eve sleeping through Adam’s sermon and then Adam shortly after unexpectedly catching Eve off-guard and seeing much more of her than she lets anyone else know. In each other, Adam and Eve find the first person they’ve been their authentic selves with in much too long; throw in a sizzling dose of steamy chemistry, top notch banter, and a waltz scene that had me white knuckling my kindle, and this slow burn romance had me hooooked.
If you enjoy historical romances focused on non-nobility, about underdog heroines, sexy good-guys, light themes of religious hypocrisy/lessons learned, and seriously hotttt sexual tension, this is a gem you don’t want to miss.
November 26, 2012
Review posted on Demon Lover's Books & More
4.5
This is a very quiet book. What I mean by that, is that it’s very understated and doesn’t have a whole lot of action. And yet...for a book that doesn’t have a whole lot going on, this book has a whole lot going on! (bear with me, I know that doesn’t make sense). What I mean is that while there isn’t a lot of action, there are a lot of things happening. There’s an auction, there’s the romance, there’s a ball, there’s a backstabbing friend, a couple of men from London wreaking havoc on her new life, there are so many things happening, you don’t feel you've missed out on anything.
Evie is a recently widowed countess who has decided that for now, it’s best she retire to the country. The ton has made no bones about the fact that she isn’t welcome. In fact, because her husband was older, and died so quickly after she married, they think she did it (for the money, of course, which is ridiculous). Her late husband’s lands were all entailed, so she gets a tiny stipend every month, and a small cottage that he won in a card game. Sort of ironic seeing as he won Evie in a card game.
Eve was a courtesan, and once she married she truly hoped she could settle down and just enjoy her new life. But she finds herself exiled to the country, and praying they don’t know of her reputation there.
Adam Sylvaine is the vicar and the first time he sees Eve, he notices that she is asleep. During his sermon. No one ever falls asleep during his sermons. Not only is he graced with the looks of an angel, but his voice holds people rapt, women especially.
Eve feels so ridiculous for both falling asleep in church, and for the way she treated the vicar. (he startled her, and she jumped and shouted something rude), so she decides to invite him over. But of course, he sees right through her manipulations and just asks why she brought him here. Her answer shocked him. She wants friends. As simple as that, but also, not simple at all. The people of Pennyroyal green all think they know Eve and her reputation. But they only know what they’ve heard.
Adam and Eve’s (oh Lord I just got the significance of the names! How did I miss that?!) relationship is hard because if they do anything, he will be shunned, and his life that he truly enjoys as vicar will be over. For Eve’s part, she feels things towards Adam that she’s either never known, or never allowed herself to feel. There are a couple scenes that make you want to applaud Evie for handling them so well, and there are scenes that will break your heart.
I have to stop here, because I don’t want to give away the story and so many of its nuances, but please read this one. You will not regret it at all! It may be the 7th book in the series, but it works well as a stand-alone. I found myself held rapt to the pages, the writing and story riveted me.
***ARC courtesy of Avon Books
October 21, 2020
4.25. I really enjoyed this - it felt like a classic romance with a modern twist. Adam is a foxy vicar and reluctant town heart-throb, and Evie is an Irish courtesan who came up in the world when she married her now deceased husband, an earl. She gets iced out of London and has a small portion to live on, necessitating she hie off to Sussex to figure out her next steps. A slow burn ensues with the lovely vicar, much to basically everyone’s chagrin, including the h/h. Julie Ann Long did a phenomenal job building up the physical and emotional connections, and the love felt truly epic. I’m not 100% sure I bought the ending, which felt a little too tidy given the scope of Evie’s needs, but still a fantastic read.
August 16, 2012
4.50 Stars - Regency/Historical Romance
Man of God, Reverend Adam Sylvaine comes from the notorious Eversea bloodline. Despite of that, his passion towards his work as a vicar and impeccable manners have practically endorsed him as the epitome of suave noblehood. His gracious conduct and the fact that he is basically as handsome as the fallen angel himself have made him quite an endearing and popular sort in the little village of Pennyroyal Green. Unmarried ladies and match-making mamas are forever participating to grab his attention for matrimonial assignment. Parishioners rush to churches each week straining to catch a glimpse of his too striking face and pristine character. He knows his goal and the seriousness of his work and what his parishioners expect of him. He likes them. What he doesn’t like is the notorious countess’s shameless attempt to test him, flirt with him and constantly trying to terrorize him for her ‘scandalize’ nature just because she can. What he further comes to dislike when men from her past starts showing up in her life threatening to reveal his baser instinct and primitive possessiveness towards the beautiful countess who is clearly VERY attracted to him herself. While passion sings and love blooms, performing duty and keeping vows can either end up in a happily ever after or life-long departures with broken hearts.
The beautiful writing of Ms Long stands out TALL among the many other historical. This book is sophisticated, intense, fluffy and amusing all at the same time. The protagonists were thoroughly written inside out leaving no grey areas for them to be dubious and unlikable. Adam Sylvaine is a strong man who is sharp, capable, classy and mature. He is the perfect hero for Evie who as an infamous courtesan used to have men dueling over her. The setting feels authentic since there are anecdotal elements in the story other than the love angle, hence giving it a more leverage. The secondary characters actually have something to do other than sulking into the background to give H/h some predictable center stage. The characters with clever dialogues are well-written followed by a great plot. So what else do we need to make this book even better? The BRILLIANT ending continued by a beautiful epilogue ofcourse! Ms Long does a fine job trying to cover all the points generously.
***ARC courtesy: Edelweiss and Harper Collins Publishers***
Man of God, Reverend Adam Sylvaine comes from the notorious Eversea bloodline. Despite of that, his passion towards his work as a vicar and impeccable manners have practically endorsed him as the epitome of suave noblehood. His gracious conduct and the fact that he is basically as handsome as the fallen angel himself have made him quite an endearing and popular sort in the little village of Pennyroyal Green. Unmarried ladies and match-making mamas are forever participating to grab his attention for matrimonial assignment. Parishioners rush to churches each week straining to catch a glimpse of his too striking face and pristine character. He knows his goal and the seriousness of his work and what his parishioners expect of him. He likes them. What he doesn’t like is the notorious countess’s shameless attempt to test him, flirt with him and constantly trying to terrorize him for her ‘scandalize’ nature just because she can. What he further comes to dislike when men from her past starts showing up in her life threatening to reveal his baser instinct and primitive possessiveness towards the beautiful countess who is clearly VERY attracted to him herself. While passion sings and love blooms, performing duty and keeping vows can either end up in a happily ever after or life-long departures with broken hearts.
The beautiful writing of Ms Long stands out TALL among the many other historical. This book is sophisticated, intense, fluffy and amusing all at the same time. The protagonists were thoroughly written inside out leaving no grey areas for them to be dubious and unlikable. Adam Sylvaine is a strong man who is sharp, capable, classy and mature. He is the perfect hero for Evie who as an infamous courtesan used to have men dueling over her. The setting feels authentic since there are anecdotal elements in the story other than the love angle, hence giving it a more leverage. The secondary characters actually have something to do other than sulking into the background to give H/h some predictable center stage. The characters with clever dialogues are well-written followed by a great plot. So what else do we need to make this book even better? The BRILLIANT ending continued by a beautiful epilogue ofcourse! Ms Long does a fine job trying to cover all the points generously.
***ARC courtesy: Edelweiss and Harper Collins Publishers***
November 3, 2012
What the F?!? I thought this was finally going to be about Lyon and Olivia! Ugh. 7 books in now, it's time Ms. Long
January 11, 2024
5 ✨
“Love, real love, the kind that you fall in, isn’t like Corinthians. The “suffereth long” and “is kind” nonsense. It’s like the Song of Solomon. It’s jealousy and fire and floods. It’s everything that consumes.”
A Vicar and a Courtesan!!? Count me in! JAL does an excellent job at writing this slightly forbidden romance. I loved watching Adam’s transformation of the heart as he worked through what he wAs feeling for Evie. Evie!! I totally adored her character. Julie did a great job capturing the judgementalism that is in most congregations and I love how Adam truly saw a lot of this within himself and changed. Loved, loved, LOVED this story!!
“Love, real love, the kind that you fall in, isn’t like Corinthians. The “suffereth long” and “is kind” nonsense. It’s like the Song of Solomon. It’s jealousy and fire and floods. It’s everything that consumes.”
A Vicar and a Courtesan!!? Count me in! JAL does an excellent job at writing this slightly forbidden romance. I loved watching Adam’s transformation of the heart as he worked through what he wAs feeling for Evie. Evie!! I totally adored her character. Julie did a great job capturing the judgementalism that is in most congregations and I love how Adam truly saw a lot of this within himself and changed. Loved, loved, LOVED this story!!
April 15, 2019
5 stars
Evie Duggan's life hasn't been sedate and quite. Born a poor Irish girl in a broken family, she had to fight for everything she wanted, nothing was simply given to her. She went through a lot of phases - the eldest child in her family who was responsible for her younger siblings, the Covent Garden actress desired by many, the famous courtesan man fought over, and lastly the widowed countess seeking peace in the country.
As everybody knows, the true path to being accepted in a small village begins with regular attendance to the church. Her thought from the first visit:
Well, at least the vicar is handsome, although he wasn't too happy with her, you know since she slept through his sermon. :D
Anyway, the first time she saw him, there was just something about him:
Vicar Adam Sylvaine knows he needs to stay far away from the notorious countess. His livelihood depends on people liking him, and evolving himself with Evie would definitely hurt his standing.
But still, she tempts him.
I loved the book. Adam and Evie are so perfect for each other. And the entire forbidden love aspect was delicious.
Adam was great. The burdens placed onto his back by the members of his parish are heavy, and yet he doesn't buckle under the pressure. And then there's the way he treats Evie - unlike so many other, he's willing to get to know who she really is, and not to simply judge her based on her past. He did have a moment or two when he said bad things to her, things that were meant to hurt, but that simply makes him human.
Evie, the way that she made a life for herself is truly admirable. True, it's a path that nearly ruined her, but she did what she had to, so that her family could survive. It's lovely to see her fall for Adam, to see her finally experience love in all it's glory.
And then there are the various people living in Pennyroyal Green. Not just the Everseas and Redmonds, there are just so many great people. There are those who judgmental and mean, but the good ones make up for it. Pennyroyal Green surely sounds like a terrific place to live in.
All in all, an amazing book. In fact, the entire series was a true pleasure to read. Highly recommended!
PS The pictures aren't really related to the book, except for the time period they originate from. I'm simply trying to (somehow) justify my Pinterest board with the fashion from the past. :D
ARC provided by Avon via Edelweiss.
Evie Duggan's life hasn't been sedate and quite. Born a poor Irish girl in a broken family, she had to fight for everything she wanted, nothing was simply given to her. She went through a lot of phases - the eldest child in her family who was responsible for her younger siblings, the Covent Garden actress desired by many, the famous courtesan man fought over, and lastly the widowed countess seeking peace in the country.
As everybody knows, the true path to being accepted in a small village begins with regular attendance to the church. Her thought from the first visit:
She had a horror of boredom. She was positively gifted at avoiding it. Likely some instinct for self-preservation had kept her from churches until now.
Well, at least the vicar is handsome, although he wasn't too happy with her, you know since she slept through his sermon. :D
Anyway, the first time she saw him, there was just something about him:
If he were an angel, surely he'd be the fallen sort.
She suspected he was a man with secrets, and she ought to know.
Vicar Adam Sylvaine knows he needs to stay far away from the notorious countess. His livelihood depends on people liking him, and evolving himself with Evie would definitely hurt his standing.
But still, she tempts him.
"Have you any vices, Mr. Sylvaine?" Her tone implied that she sincerely hoped he did, that she would be understanding and forgiving, would indeed find them fascinating, and that her own would nicely complement his.
I loved the book. Adam and Evie are so perfect for each other. And the entire forbidden love aspect was delicious.
Adam was great. The burdens placed onto his back by the members of his parish are heavy, and yet he doesn't buckle under the pressure. And then there's the way he treats Evie - unlike so many other, he's willing to get to know who she really is, and not to simply judge her based on her past. He did have a moment or two when he said bad things to her, things that were meant to hurt, but that simply makes him human.
Evie, the way that she made a life for herself is truly admirable. True, it's a path that nearly ruined her, but she did what she had to, so that her family could survive. It's lovely to see her fall for Adam, to see her finally experience love in all it's glory.
And then there are the various people living in Pennyroyal Green. Not just the Everseas and Redmonds, there are just so many great people. There are those who judgmental and mean, but the good ones make up for it. Pennyroyal Green surely sounds like a terrific place to live in.
All in all, an amazing book. In fact, the entire series was a true pleasure to read. Highly recommended!
PS The pictures aren't really related to the book, except for the time period they originate from. I'm simply trying to (somehow) justify my Pinterest board with the fashion from the past. :D
ARC provided by Avon via Edelweiss.
November 4, 2012
A 3.5 for this one. I was very frustrated with some editing errors (like the heroine's name switching between two, it was so annoying!) and a few other sloppy typos and that really affected the story for me.
Also, the storyline is reminiscent of Courtney Milan's "Unclaimed" and I couldn't help making comparisons.
A countess who was a former courtesan comes to Pennyroyal Green after her husband of a very short time dies suddenly. All she's left with is a small allowance, a cottage and total ruin in London. She meets the reverend Adam Sylvaine and they embark on a friendship when all others are shunning her, her tattered status in London reaching all the way to Sussex.
I did like quite a bit of it, Julie Anne Long has a real gift for humor and chemistry. I was very engaged in the couple's slow building attraction and I felt their heartbreak caused by the cruelty of others at several points during the book. It even brought tears to my eyes a couple of times.
But the problem with stories that revolve around a courtesan and a "righteous" man is that they just feel so implausible. Especially with this one. Rumors and salacious gossip about the countess seem completely believable and there's no real reason for anyone to think anything else. I'm just supposed to believe there will be a mass change of heart?
I applaud stepping outside the box, but I felt that Unclaimed did a better job of making the conclusion somewhat plausible. While I completely believed these two would fall deeply in love, I thought the societal obstacles surrounding them were surmounted too easily. Ultimately, I didn't buy it.
Also, the storyline is reminiscent of Courtney Milan's "Unclaimed" and I couldn't help making comparisons.
A countess who was a former courtesan comes to Pennyroyal Green after her husband of a very short time dies suddenly. All she's left with is a small allowance, a cottage and total ruin in London. She meets the reverend Adam Sylvaine and they embark on a friendship when all others are shunning her, her tattered status in London reaching all the way to Sussex.
I did like quite a bit of it, Julie Anne Long has a real gift for humor and chemistry. I was very engaged in the couple's slow building attraction and I felt their heartbreak caused by the cruelty of others at several points during the book. It even brought tears to my eyes a couple of times.
But the problem with stories that revolve around a courtesan and a "righteous" man is that they just feel so implausible. Especially with this one. Rumors and salacious gossip about the countess seem completely believable and there's no real reason for anyone to think anything else. I'm just supposed to believe there will be a mass change of heart?
I applaud stepping outside the box, but I felt that Unclaimed did a better job of making the conclusion somewhat plausible. While I completely believed these two would fall deeply in love, I thought the societal obstacles surrounding them were surmounted too easily. Ultimately, I didn't buy it.
August 3, 2025
What the holy hot vicar just happened?
A Notorious Countess Confesses by Julie Anne Long was everything I had hoped it would be and more!
If you're looking for a deliciously anguish-filled slow burn featuring a smoking hot vicar whose emotional and physical restraint is tested to its limits, then look no further.
In all honesty, I did not expect the level of tension Julie Anne Long would be able to create by dropping a countess and former courtesan into the village of Pennyroyal Green--absolutely fabulous storytelling! Expect to be tugged along by your heartstrings for the length of the novel, tortured and tormented along with our leading couple, until you think you just can't take it anymore--but you can, you totally can:) The ending was sublime--a true celebration of love.
Go read it!
A Notorious Countess Confesses by Julie Anne Long was everything I had hoped it would be and more!
If you're looking for a deliciously anguish-filled slow burn featuring a smoking hot vicar whose emotional and physical restraint is tested to its limits, then look no further.
In all honesty, I did not expect the level of tension Julie Anne Long would be able to create by dropping a countess and former courtesan into the village of Pennyroyal Green--absolutely fabulous storytelling! Expect to be tugged along by your heartstrings for the length of the novel, tortured and tormented along with our leading couple, until you think you just can't take it anymore--but you can, you totally can:) The ending was sublime--a true celebration of love.
Go read it!
November 12, 2021
Evie Duggan has done what she needed to survive and take care of her younger siblings, including acting on the London stage, a stint as a courtesan, and finally the marriage that made her a countess. But when the earl dies, the ton has no intention of allowing her to escape the scandal of her very short marriage, sending Evie fleeing to a small manor house her late husband left her in Pennyroyal Green.
Adam Sylvaine, resident vicar of Pennyroyal Green, has the face of an angel and must struggle against the temptation of the entire population of the village, who all want a piece of him, and his moral compass up against his wilder Eversea tendencies. Adam’s incredibly strong will is sorely tested by the arrival of the beautiful countess, but he can’t resist working his way under her guard, even if it means they both risk becoming permanent outcasts.
I absolutely adored this book. Evie had a terrible reputation and had made very difficult and sometimes immoral decisions to help her family. She ultimately was very lonely and had a heart of gold, which Adam recognized almost immediately. He was equally lonely since most of the attention he received was mostly superficially based on his looks and charm but not anyone wanting to forge a true connection with him. These two were obviously made for each other and the almost immediate tension between them was delicious, especially because of the forbidden nature of their acquaintance given his position as vicar and hers as a former courtesan. This was quite the slow burn, but I didn’t mind at all because these two were so explosive when they finally did come together, and yet also very sweet as well. The banter and romance here were equally delicious, and I loved that the banter between the MCs and the supporting characters was also fabulous. At times hilarious, poignant, and romantic, this book really showed Julie Anne Long’s talent as a writer. I also must say that the examinations on God and eschewing hypocrisy in favor of love and acceptance gave me a lovely warm and fuzzy feeling, as though I had just left Adam’s church service myself and served as another lovely highlight of this delightful book. This has one of my new favorite declarations of love of all time and is definitely my new favorite vicar romance, as well as one of my new favorite romances, full stop.
Blog link: https://mustreadalltheromance.blogspo...
Adam Sylvaine, resident vicar of Pennyroyal Green, has the face of an angel and must struggle against the temptation of the entire population of the village, who all want a piece of him, and his moral compass up against his wilder Eversea tendencies. Adam’s incredibly strong will is sorely tested by the arrival of the beautiful countess, but he can’t resist working his way under her guard, even if it means they both risk becoming permanent outcasts.
I absolutely adored this book. Evie had a terrible reputation and had made very difficult and sometimes immoral decisions to help her family. She ultimately was very lonely and had a heart of gold, which Adam recognized almost immediately. He was equally lonely since most of the attention he received was mostly superficially based on his looks and charm but not anyone wanting to forge a true connection with him. These two were obviously made for each other and the almost immediate tension between them was delicious, especially because of the forbidden nature of their acquaintance given his position as vicar and hers as a former courtesan. This was quite the slow burn, but I didn’t mind at all because these two were so explosive when they finally did come together, and yet also very sweet as well. The banter and romance here were equally delicious, and I loved that the banter between the MCs and the supporting characters was also fabulous. At times hilarious, poignant, and romantic, this book really showed Julie Anne Long’s talent as a writer. I also must say that the examinations on God and eschewing hypocrisy in favor of love and acceptance gave me a lovely warm and fuzzy feeling, as though I had just left Adam’s church service myself and served as another lovely highlight of this delightful book. This has one of my new favorite declarations of love of all time and is definitely my new favorite vicar romance, as well as one of my new favorite romances, full stop.
Blog link: https://mustreadalltheromance.blogspo...
July 17, 2021
Oh how I love this book! This was even better the second time round. I don't even know where to start. Evie and Adam are beautifully drawn characters. Evie is a newly widowed, former courtesan who escaped London under a cloud of scandal and notoriety and is trying to start a quiet, new life in staid, quaint Pennyroyal Green. Adam is the beloved and incredibly gorgeous vicar who sets all the town's hearts aflutter, from young ladies to old. He is such a wonderful hero--honest, says what he means and means what he says, perceptive, caring, giving, strong and he shoulders all the burdens of the townspeople.
Although Evie wants to start afresh in her new home, her reputation as the "Black Widow" follows her and makes it difficult for her to make friends. She therefore enlists Adam's assistance in helping her make new friends. It is through their continuous interaction in this effort that they get to know each other and their relationship develops.
Adam cuts through Evie's defenses because he doesn't let her get away with her atttempts to manipulate him through flirting; he's impervious to that. He calls her out on it, cuts through the surface act, looks through her and strips her down. He's not attracted to flirtatious Evie, he only wants the real Evie behind the facade.
This is a slow burn romance at its best and a masterpiece in pacing. The layers of their personalities, fears and motivations are revealed at just the right pace throughout the book. You can literally feel, taste and see the emotional intimacy developing between them. And the build-up in sexual tension is explosive. When the first kiss finally happens, it's incredibly sensual, magical but paradoxically also quite chaste. But the two love scenes are deliciously steamy.
This is definitely one of my favorite Julie Anne Long books along with What I did for a Duke and How the Marquess Was Won.
Although Evie wants to start afresh in her new home, her reputation as the "Black Widow" follows her and makes it difficult for her to make friends. She therefore enlists Adam's assistance in helping her make new friends. It is through their continuous interaction in this effort that they get to know each other and their relationship develops.
Adam cuts through Evie's defenses because he doesn't let her get away with her atttempts to manipulate him through flirting; he's impervious to that. He calls her out on it, cuts through the surface act, looks through her and strips her down. He's not attracted to flirtatious Evie, he only wants the real Evie behind the facade.
This is a slow burn romance at its best and a masterpiece in pacing. The layers of their personalities, fears and motivations are revealed at just the right pace throughout the book. You can literally feel, taste and see the emotional intimacy developing between them. And the build-up in sexual tension is explosive. When the first kiss finally happens, it's incredibly sensual, magical but paradoxically also quite chaste. But the two love scenes are deliciously steamy.
This is definitely one of my favorite Julie Anne Long books along with What I did for a Duke and How the Marquess Was Won.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 20, 2018
Julie Anne Long is one of my all time favorite historical romance writers, along with Tessa Dare. I like her historical romances much better than the contemporary ones. But I get it, all writers need to branch out at some point. That's not to say her modern romances are not good, just not as good as the historical ones.
This is one of my favs in her Pennroyal Green series. Both the H and h are just perfect. I like the heroine and I LOVE the Hero. I like a man with self-control, who knows what he wants, who's imperfect and open and vulnerable.
Perfect.
This is one of my favs in her Pennroyal Green series. Both the H and h are just perfect. I like the heroine and I LOVE the Hero. I like a man with self-control, who knows what he wants, who's imperfect and open and vulnerable.
Perfect.
December 22, 2020
“Evie Duggan …”
And all the heads official swiveled to follow the beam of the reverend’s gaze. Then swiveled back to him.
Then back to Eve.
Whose heart was in her eyes.
“ … You are the seal upon my heart. You are the fire and flame that warms me, heals me, burns me. You are the river that cools me and carries me. I love you. And love may be as strong as death, but you … I know now you are my life.”
May 23, 2021
4.5 Stars
(rounded up, because I loved the main characters so much)
I was really curious going into this one. A Vicar and a courtesan? How would this play out while staying authentic to the hero and his role as a man of faith. Could or would Long pull it off or would it make a mockery of a vicar's position, ethics, and beliefs.
This being secular romantic fiction, I will grant it the liberties given most and will say that I think JAL did a wonderful job. I was drawn into the story immediately and the author's use of imagery and metaphors was again, as always, staggering. Her use of those literary devices are the reason I love to read her books slowly. Not wanting to overlook a thing.
As much as I was surprised by his match with a courtesan, I was also excited to get Adam's story. Prior to this book and throughout this one, Adam was honorable, compassionate, and most importantly human. When he eventually reacted over a situation with Evie, he may have sounded just as judgmental and accusing as the community she entered, but I saw this as a transgression that pointed to his fallibility as a human. Lashing out when he was most angry with himself. I loved the characterization, since perfection was what many expected from clergy, but undeniably impossible for them to have achieved.
Evie was just as wonderfully characterized and I loved how some of the Pennyroyal Green community was developed and integrated into her storyline. There was some definite angst in this book, but JAL tempered it with some poignant and fun moments where Evie proves her mettle with against a judgmental parish. Also, Evie's lady's maid, Henny was a fabulous addition who was funny in a delightfully unapologetic way.
Ultimately, Adam's transformation and grasp of empathy as the the story progressed was a strong theme in the book and extended to the community as they had to learn the same lesson with Evie's entrance into their world. As the empathetic tide turned, so did judgment to acceptance, which all tied into a delicious opposites attract romance between Adam and Evie.
Surprisingly, after going into this one with some seriously raised eyebrows, it ended up being one of my favorites.
November 26, 2012
Evie Duggan has risen from Irish peasant to become Countess of Wareham -- with stops along the way in Seven Dials and Covent Garden, where she was an opera dancer. She married the Earl of Wareham after he won her in a card game. When he dropped dead shortly after the wedding, rumors swirled that she had done him in and she became known as the Black Widow. Completely ostracized by society, she retreats to Damask Manor in Pennyroyal Green, hoping to live quietly in her reduced circumstances. She has no interest in finding a new protector or even a husband, valuing her independence from men above all else.
The ladies of Pennyroyal Green have heard all about Evie, and they are not inclined to welcome her into village society. So, Evie seeks the assistance of the vicar, Adam Sylvaine, who happens to be handsome, charming, and dedicated to his chosen profession. Half the ladies in the village are in love with him, and church attendance has soared since his arrival. (Adam is a cousin to the Eversea family, which, along with the Redmonds, have been featured in the six titles of the Pennyroyal Green series).
Adam and Evie are attracted to one another, but each is determined to avoid any complications. Adam helps Evie ingratiate herself with the local ladies, and Evie gradually makes friends. The plot is not full of action, but there is an interesting series of village events -- tea parties, a charity bazaar, and a ball -- that moves things along. (There are a few Eversea sightings, and Violet Redmond makes a brief appearance, but this book does not bear much relationship to the earlier ones in the series.)
You can't help but feel a little sorry for Evie and the lonely life she faces, but she never feels sorry for herself. Adam is a totally new kind of tortured hero. As a village clergyman, he knows that he cannot become involved with this woman even as he grows to admire her more and more. He struggles a lot with this, and the author uses her Biblical knowledge to draw a very convincing portrait of a man of God undergoing temptation. This book is by no means in the "inspirational"genre, but there is a lot of soul-searching and looking to the Bible for answers. It never grated on me, but I suppose there might be some readers who would find this either silly or distasteful.
Adam is not the only character who knows his Bible, though. One of my favorite scenes has Evie delivering a lesson to a young miss who is jealous of her former best friend. I'm including this quote simply because I like it, and it made me think about envy in a completely new and different way:
Many thanks to Avon and Edelweiss for this ARC.
The ladies of Pennyroyal Green have heard all about Evie, and they are not inclined to welcome her into village society. So, Evie seeks the assistance of the vicar, Adam Sylvaine, who happens to be handsome, charming, and dedicated to his chosen profession. Half the ladies in the village are in love with him, and church attendance has soared since his arrival. (Adam is a cousin to the Eversea family, which, along with the Redmonds, have been featured in the six titles of the Pennyroyal Green series).
Adam and Evie are attracted to one another, but each is determined to avoid any complications. Adam helps Evie ingratiate herself with the local ladies, and Evie gradually makes friends. The plot is not full of action, but there is an interesting series of village events -- tea parties, a charity bazaar, and a ball -- that moves things along. (There are a few Eversea sightings, and Violet Redmond makes a brief appearance, but this book does not bear much relationship to the earlier ones in the series.)
You can't help but feel a little sorry for Evie and the lonely life she faces, but she never feels sorry for herself. Adam is a totally new kind of tortured hero. As a village clergyman, he knows that he cannot become involved with this woman even as he grows to admire her more and more. He struggles a lot with this, and the author uses her Biblical knowledge to draw a very convincing portrait of a man of God undergoing temptation. This book is by no means in the "inspirational"genre, but there is a lot of soul-searching and looking to the Bible for answers. It never grated on me, but I suppose there might be some readers who would find this either silly or distasteful.
Adam is not the only character who knows his Bible, though. One of my favorite scenes has Evie delivering a lesson to a young miss who is jealous of her former best friend. I'm including this quote simply because I like it, and it made me think about envy in a completely new and different way:
"Miss Pitney, why do you suppose Envy is one of the Deadly sins? It is a sin against yourself. It harms you and blinds you to many things, including good intentions. God saw fit to make you perfect the way you are. Not more or less perfect than someone else--perfect as you are. You need to believe it for the right person to see it."With entertaining secondary characters and her trademark humor, Julie Ann Long has crafted a clever, entertaining romance, including a slightly over-the-top dénouement. It's Pennyroyal Green, though, a not the real world, so it's just the way things ought to be.
Many thanks to Avon and Edelweiss for this ARC.
August 11, 2016
3 1/2 stars
A great hero, a difficult but endearing heroine, and a good story, all ruined by the worst editing I've ever seen. Not even Lora Leigh's infamous poor editing was ever as bad as this one.
A great hero, a difficult but endearing heroine, and a good story, all ruined by the worst editing I've ever seen. Not even Lora Leigh's infamous poor editing was ever as bad as this one.
November 26, 2024
Note: Some of my goodreads shelves can be spoilers
Overall: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Readability: 📖📖📖📖
Feels: 🦋🦋🦋🦋 (This one really grabbed me emotionally in the latter half)
Emotional Depth: 💔💔💔💔
Sexual Tension: ⚡⚡⚡ (very slow burn, but I could have used a bit more burn...)
Romance: 💞💞💞
Sensuality: 💋💋💋💋 (I really enjoy Long’s steamy scenes – good mix of emotions and explicitness)
Sex Scene Length: 🍑🍑🍑
Steam Scale (Number of Sex Scenes): 🔥🔥
Humor: Yes
Perspective: third person from both hero and heroine (there might have been a brief section of side characters POV)
More character focused or plot focused? character
How did the speed of the story feel? slow to medium
When mains are first on page together: Very soon in, chapter 1
Cliffhanger: This ends with a happily ever after
Epilogue: Yes
Format: listened to the audiobook through my library (Hoopla)
Why I chose this book: I have slowly been making my way through the Pennyroyal Green series! Books 5 and 6 really solidified my love of Long’s writing and eventually want to read all her work.
(Descriptions found at end of my review)
Should I read in order?
It’s not totally necessary, but there’s character overlap and nuances within the series that build on each other. So ideally in order, but the romance itself will stand alone.
Basic plot:
Evie moves to a manor house to escape the rumors and judgment from London society
Give this a try if you want:
- Regency
- English countryside setting
- widow heroine
- vicar hero
- celibate hero
- Irish heroine
- slowwwww burn – no action until after 80%
- lower steam – 2 full scenes towards the end
Ages:
- didn’t catch them
First line: (taken from audio)
She was confident no one would ever expect to find her in a church.
My thoughts:
So, I REALLY loved books 5 and 6 of this series, and this book just didn’t quite match my love. I did like it though!
I love the idea of the vicar and the former courtesan. And Long’s writing shone through with her endearing side characters, humor, and emotional depth created in the relationship. This one took me awhile to get into though. I found this one really, really slow, and ultimately I just wanted a bit more from it by the end. But the second half was way more emotional and I did fall in love with them. I will say though in this one I loved the heroine more than the hero. I think I wanted him to crumble more for Evie than he did haha.
Few random reading stats for this author
# of books read: 8
Average rating: 4.25 stars
Favorite book: What I Did for a Duke
Content warnings: These should be taken as a minimum of what to expect. It’s very possible I have missed some.
Locations of kisses/intimate scenes, safe sex aspects, consent, pregnancy/child in the story:
Extra stuff like what my review breakdown means, where to find me, and book clubs
August 23, 2025
3.5★
i was hoping to love this one bc i adore a courtesan trope but overall it was ok? considering he's a less experienced vicar, i wanted a lot more tension and maybe some corruption vibes lol, although the romance had its moments. it felt like it took a while to get to some good scenes of sexual tension and angst.
i did love when he told some of his parishioners off, like low key GAGGED me. i was covering my mouth at his quips back to them, such a great scene. also, i actually normally don't go for christian religious figureheads as LI's, but this was very lowkey and adam was not holier than thou at all so it was v doable.
but yeah overall, 'twas ok.
i was hoping to love this one bc i adore a courtesan trope but overall it was ok? considering he's a less experienced vicar, i wanted a lot more tension and maybe some corruption vibes lol, although the romance had its moments. it felt like it took a while to get to some good scenes of sexual tension and angst.
i did love when he told some of his parishioners off, like low key GAGGED me. i was covering my mouth at his quips back to them, such a great scene. also, i actually normally don't go for christian religious figureheads as LI's, but this was very lowkey and adam was not holier than thou at all so it was v doable.
but yeah overall, 'twas ok.
April 27, 2017
It just didn’t hold my interest. I found myself skimming and fast reading parts to get through it.
The Back Story:
Evie became a courtesan to help support her siblings. But she was only a mistress twice before she married a third man and became a countess. But soon he died and she moved to the country. She doesn’t have a lot of money but has enough to support herself with a small staff.
The Current Story:
Evie wants to make friends in her new town but all the women shun her due to her past. But Evie carries on and does good things. Evie is attracted to the Vicar but so are most of the other women in the area. This is a romance so we know Evie gets her happy romantic ending.
The romantic relationship conflicts are mostly the Vicar having doubts about Evie’s past and his inaccurate assumptions about Evie. Other story conflicts are about the local women insulting Evie and being jealous of her.
DATA:
Narrative mode: 3rd person. Story length: 374 pages. Swearing language: mild religious swear words but not often used. Sexual language: moderate. Number of sex scenes: 2. Setting: early 1800s Pennyroyal Green, Sussex, England. Copyright: 2012. Genre: historical romance.
The Back Story:
Evie became a courtesan to help support her siblings. But she was only a mistress twice before she married a third man and became a countess. But soon he died and she moved to the country. She doesn’t have a lot of money but has enough to support herself with a small staff.
The Current Story:
Evie wants to make friends in her new town but all the women shun her due to her past. But Evie carries on and does good things. Evie is attracted to the Vicar but so are most of the other women in the area. This is a romance so we know Evie gets her happy romantic ending.
The romantic relationship conflicts are mostly the Vicar having doubts about Evie’s past and his inaccurate assumptions about Evie. Other story conflicts are about the local women insulting Evie and being jealous of her.
DATA:
Narrative mode: 3rd person. Story length: 374 pages. Swearing language: mild religious swear words but not often used. Sexual language: moderate. Number of sex scenes: 2. Setting: early 1800s Pennyroyal Green, Sussex, England. Copyright: 2012. Genre: historical romance.
May 25, 2016
JAL is a new author for me and this will not be my last Pennyroyal Green. I loved the h/h and wasn't lost in the least. The love scenes were very hot and satisfying. New series for me to finish for 2013.
October 9, 2012
My Synopsis:
Throughout life we all have to make choices. Some choices are harder to make than others. Some have the capacity to affect us for the rest of our life and change the views others have of us. Some choices will never be forgotten no matter what we do or if we change. That is what Evie Duggan, the Countess of Wareham, is finding out. She was hoping what had happened in London would stay there and she could begin her life anew with a clean slate. Somethings in life, no matter how much we may wish for them, just aren't meant to be. But if she was to be placed into the same situations she had been, and given the opportunity to change her choices, she wouldn't. She made the right choices when she made them. Of that, she had no doubt.
Evie is renowned for her beauty and the scandal that seemed to follow her wherever she roamed. Famed for men dueling over her favors, falling over balconies to catch a glimpse beneath her decolletage, and for her husband winning her hand in a card game, she'd gained quite a notorious reputation over the years. When her husband died shortly after they married, the ton unfairly nicknamed her the Black Widow. With his death, her dreams of leading a respectable married life were dashed. She decided to retire to the earl's country estate which she'd inherited from him and begin again. Gossip, however, has a way of sinking it's teeth in you and following.
Adam Sylvaine, the Vicar of the small town of Pennyroyal Green, knew all about reputations. He was descended from a long line of Everseas who were renowned for being Rogues. Despite his devilishly good looks, he'd done all he could to separate himself from the family reputation by being the best Vicar he could and acting exactly as he should. When Evie Duggan, the Countess of Wareham, comes to town however, he and his beliefs will be put to the test.
My Thoughts:
I so enjoyed this book. When I discovered there would be a priest involved in the romance my thoughts drifted to the movie the Thorn Birds. I was not a major fan of that story. I like happy endings. Thankfully, this one had one.
Evie is a rather complex character. She is the kind of person you can't help liking once you get to know her. She's loyal to a fault, and to her, family comes first. Even before herself. Years ago she and her siblings had been orphaned. She self appointed herself to protect the others, and the trio made their way to London in the hope of improving their lives through the many opportunities of employment the city offered. A large city, however, has a tendency to chew a person up and spit them out. While they all survived, sacrifices had to be made and Evie's was the biggest.
Adam is a truly fun character, but even he realizes he isn't perfect. Evie fascinates and tempts him. He sees her for who she truly is but even he has trouble dealing with her past profession. A part of him fears she's playing him and is afraid to give in to his attraction for Evie. Plus, any liaison with Evie, innocent or not, could destroy his career as a Vicar, a job he's come to love.
As I started reading, I truly wondered how Miss Long was going to pull a romance off between a former courtesan and a priest. Would it be preachy? Would it offend anyone? While there is a sermon or two included, it truly isn't preachy and has a subtle humor to it in sensitive spots while being delightfully hilarious in others.
Overall this one gets a 4 1/2 out of 5 roses. A truly wonderful combination of romance, jealousy, humor, fear and wit that left me giggling and grinning. On the Lisarenee romance rating scale this one earns a STEAM rating--too hot for a fan, but you still have a handle on things. You should use extreme caution when reading a book with this rating in public. People may inquire as to why you looked flustered and flushed.
Throughout life we all have to make choices. Some choices are harder to make than others. Some have the capacity to affect us for the rest of our life and change the views others have of us. Some choices will never be forgotten no matter what we do or if we change. That is what Evie Duggan, the Countess of Wareham, is finding out. She was hoping what had happened in London would stay there and she could begin her life anew with a clean slate. Somethings in life, no matter how much we may wish for them, just aren't meant to be. But if she was to be placed into the same situations she had been, and given the opportunity to change her choices, she wouldn't. She made the right choices when she made them. Of that, she had no doubt.
Evie is renowned for her beauty and the scandal that seemed to follow her wherever she roamed. Famed for men dueling over her favors, falling over balconies to catch a glimpse beneath her decolletage, and for her husband winning her hand in a card game, she'd gained quite a notorious reputation over the years. When her husband died shortly after they married, the ton unfairly nicknamed her the Black Widow. With his death, her dreams of leading a respectable married life were dashed. She decided to retire to the earl's country estate which she'd inherited from him and begin again. Gossip, however, has a way of sinking it's teeth in you and following.
Adam Sylvaine, the Vicar of the small town of Pennyroyal Green, knew all about reputations. He was descended from a long line of Everseas who were renowned for being Rogues. Despite his devilishly good looks, he'd done all he could to separate himself from the family reputation by being the best Vicar he could and acting exactly as he should. When Evie Duggan, the Countess of Wareham, comes to town however, he and his beliefs will be put to the test.
My Thoughts:
I so enjoyed this book. When I discovered there would be a priest involved in the romance my thoughts drifted to the movie the Thorn Birds. I was not a major fan of that story. I like happy endings. Thankfully, this one had one.
Evie is a rather complex character. She is the kind of person you can't help liking once you get to know her. She's loyal to a fault, and to her, family comes first. Even before herself. Years ago she and her siblings had been orphaned. She self appointed herself to protect the others, and the trio made their way to London in the hope of improving their lives through the many opportunities of employment the city offered. A large city, however, has a tendency to chew a person up and spit them out. While they all survived, sacrifices had to be made and Evie's was the biggest.
Adam is a truly fun character, but even he realizes he isn't perfect. Evie fascinates and tempts him. He sees her for who she truly is but even he has trouble dealing with her past profession. A part of him fears she's playing him and is afraid to give in to his attraction for Evie. Plus, any liaison with Evie, innocent or not, could destroy his career as a Vicar, a job he's come to love.
As I started reading, I truly wondered how Miss Long was going to pull a romance off between a former courtesan and a priest. Would it be preachy? Would it offend anyone? While there is a sermon or two included, it truly isn't preachy and has a subtle humor to it in sensitive spots while being delightfully hilarious in others.
Overall this one gets a 4 1/2 out of 5 roses. A truly wonderful combination of romance, jealousy, humor, fear and wit that left me giggling and grinning. On the Lisarenee romance rating scale this one earns a STEAM rating--too hot for a fan, but you still have a handle on things. You should use extreme caution when reading a book with this rating in public. People may inquire as to why you looked flustered and flushed.
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