A Gentleman Always Remembers

Willowmere #2

by Candace Camp

New York Times bestselling author Candace Camp's delectable Willowmere series continues with the story of the accomplished and pretty widow who takes on the American Bascombe sisters for their London debut—only to discover that, when it comes to love, she is the one who is unprepared.

Married young to a charming but improvident army officer, Eve Hawthorne was widowed with little left except for a few extravagant trifles. Desperate to avoid her domineering stepmother, she accepts employment as chaperone to the Earl of Stewkesbury's American cousins. Who better than a levelheaded widow to remind these young girls that they no longer live on a frontier? But when she flirts with a handsome stranger who turns out to be the earl's brother Fitz, Eve worries she's given the wrong impression. Trying to prove herself responsible—with Fitz challenging her at every turn—is hard enough, but a blackmailer with an interest in Eve's prior marriage proves far more troubling. With the earl away, Eve can turn only to Fitz for help. But dare she confide in him, when getting too close to this confirmed bachelor might risk her heart to his alluring ways?

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

356 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published May 25, 2010

About the author

Candace Camp is the New York Times bestselling author of over sixty books.

Her first novel, *Bonds of Love*, was published by Jove Publishing in 1978, under the pseudonym Lisa Gregory. Two pseudonyms (Kristin James and Sharon Stephens)and many books later, Candace writes under her own name Candace Camp and still loves creating stories.

Candace lives in Austin, Texas, with her husband and is the mother of Young Adult author Anastasia Hopcus.

Reviews

[Desi · Rating 2 out of 5]

The bad guy's motivation was hella contrived. He would never have admitted to what he previously supposedly confessed to. Why would he self incriminate in the absence of proof? So the supposed impetus for all of this shady behaviour is simply put, stupid and unlikely.

This book was very dull overall. Even the convenient to the plot new character who literally dropped out of the sky couldn't save it. All the couplings were annoying and flat. Main and secondary.

Also I’m getting tired of Candace Camp’s men grabbing and assaulting women they’ve only just met with unasked for kisses. Like supes tired. And she somehow makes every intimate scene after seem like a grab and dash, in incredible inappropriate locations. I give those parts of the book a big ole SKIP. Wish I'd skipped it altogether.

[Vivian · Rating 4 out of 5]

Charming.

Unexpected houseparty with guests dropping in (literally and figuratively), the measles, busybodies, and rakes gone straight. Camp has good character development, an endearing cast, tempered humor and sweet emotions. An intriguing mystery that stirs the pot moves things along beyond mere relationships.

Overall, it leaves you smiling.

[Leah · Rating 2 out of 5]

1.5 stars


I am extremely disappointed in this book. I won the first of the series in the Goodreads First Reads and really enjoyed it, giving it four stars. Also, I really look forward to reading the third book about Vivacious Vivian and Responsible Oliver. Taking all that into account, I was looking forward to reading this book, especially since I'd liked the excerpt I had read. Well, the excerpt was from chapter one and it all went downhill from there.


My biggest problem with the book was the heroine, Eve. She couldn't make up her mind about Fitz. She always made assumptions and jumped to conclusions, especially with regards to Fitz. She was high-handed, hypocritical, and thought she knew what was best for everyone. I hated what she participated in doing to Lily and Neville, although I blame Fitz for that mostly. Probably what made me hate her the most, besides the back and forth with Fitz, was that she waited so damn long to tell anyone about the threatening letters she was receiving! Who does that?! If you have someone who can help you--namely a studly guy--take the help! Ugh.


I hate that Eve and the author made me dislike Fitz. I loved him in the first book. But I honestly don't see how he could love Eve. She was horrible! What made me dislike him, though, was his plot to break up Lily and Neville. Really? Maybe you and The Bitch really do deserve each other, Bastard.


I actually enjoyed the secondary love story and the secondary characters. The romance between Lily and Neville was much more interesting than the one between Eve and Fitz. I wish that I could have seen more of it and maybe even gotten some of Lily's or Neville's point of view. Alas, it was not to be. I am just happy they were able to be together in the end. Vivian and Camellia are also characters I enjoy and I look forward to their romances in the next book. I, of course, love Oliver and only wish there could have been more of him in this book. Hell, I even enjoyed the Frenchman and Priscilla more than Fitz and Eve!


To say the least, this book was a bad experience for me. I have faith that the next book will be good as it is about Vivian and Oliver, so I hope that faith is not in vain.

[Constanza Reyes · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sigue la misma línea que el primer libro de la saga, al igual que el anterior, es muy predecible y redundante. 3 ⭐️. Un libro más.

[Ana Breen · Rating 3 out of 5]

“¡Sí, te amo! Te amo de verdad, para siempre, y de todas las formas posibles”.

Me gustan mucho los romance de época en los que el protagonista es el eterno mujeriego carismático que termina enamorándose de la mujer menos pensada 😅 y en el caso de Fitz y Eve, su química se notó desde el momento en el que se conocen y era súper lindo verlos juntos porque Eve quería resistirse a caer en los brazos de Fitz, sin embargo, la pasión entre ellos es tan fuerte pero Eve no quiere poner en peligro su puesto como acompañante de las Bascombe, así que, tendrá que decidir cómo actuar frente a ese hombre tan coqueto y atractivo.

Además de la relación de Eve y Fitz, vemos un romance entre Lily y un hombre totalmente inadecuado para ella, así como, otro romance totalmente inesperado 👀. Sin duda, fue una lectura muy entretenida y ligerita. ❤️

[Tori · Rating 3 out of 5]

So good!! It took a bit to get going but thoroughly enjoyable!

[Fernanda · Rating 4 out of 5]

:)

e continua a saga sobre as irmãs Bascombe.... só que nesta historia o foco principal é a sua acompanhante.

historia de leitura rápida mas não menos interessante por isso.
as cenas de encontros e desencontros tornam a historia muito engraçada.

sem duvida uma leitura agradável e de deixar um sorriso nos lábios!

[Lynne Tull · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is definitely a feel good/happily ever after story. It is a fast read. It reads like a formula and every once in a while I would think that the situation was the same as the first book, but the characters have changed. Luckily, I loved the characters and the mystery that goes along with H/H romantic story. Recommend the series.

[Ana · Rating 1 out of 5]

The story is too busy.

[Kristy Mills · Rating 4 out of 5]

The thing I liked most about this book, is that Fitz, the eternal bachelor, had no qualms about falling in love. In the beginning of the book, he had no interest in marriage or responsibility. But once he started falling in love with Eve, he had no problem going with it. He didn't fight it like all the other men seem to do in these types of books. He let himself fall in love and then couldn't wait to marry her. I liked that. No hesitance on his part.

Just as I said in my review for the A Lady Never Tells, it is clear that Camp is setting up the last book for Oliver and Vivian. I'm so excited!! I can't wait to read their story. I love that she sort of set things up for them in the first two books!

[Jess · Rating 3 out of 5]

I didn't like this one as much as the first. I'm not really sure why, I think it's just that the main storyline between Fitz and Eve didn't take up enough of the book for my tastes. There was a lot going on in the background, and a lot of different subplots.

I liked the interactions between Fitz and Eve though, they were pretty entertaining I just think there wasn't enough of it. Also, the plot that they were involved in with the letters and the watch was a little boring to me.

I hope the next book is better, and I think it might be because it's about Vivian, who is just a spitfire. Can't wait to see what happens with her!

[Lori · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Gentleman Always Remembers is an enjoyable, pleasant romance driven by interesting characters. Candace Camp shows what a master she is at character development with this novel. I was not sure at first if I was going to like Fitz, the hero of the book, but he shows lots of growth and maturing that redeemed him for me. He went from being selfish to displaying responsibility for his family. The secondary love story is as enjoyable as the main one, and there is lots going on to keep you interested and the story moving forward. I cannot wait to read the next one in the series.

[Shelly Ash · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Gentleman Always Remembers is an excellent historical romance! There was a lot of interaction between the characters which added depth and intrigue. A real page-turner. I can't wait to read the next story in Candace's Willowmere series, An Affair Without End. I really enjoyed this book and couldn't put it down! 5 Stars

[Donna · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book. I cant wait for the last book in the series. Eve and Fitz were both delightful and it was great to see Fitz realize that there was nothing wrong with being an adult!! I love the little added supense and plot twist in these. books.

[Michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was a wonderful novel. I enjoyed the interactions between Even and Fitz (though I wish there was more interaction); however, I still loved it. There were a bunch of little sub plots, and they were all very interesting. Overall the book was a cute-must read book.

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a wonderful adventure this was to share with such dynamic characters. I loved the humor, character development, and warmth. Can't wait for the next one in the series and hoping it won't be the last!

[Colleen · Rating 4 out of 5]

New world Americans reclaiming their aristocratic British heritage. From out of the ashes rise up some very sensual relationships! I found this to be a delightful romp and eager to finish reading the series. She's introduced a lot of women who need to find their match!

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good read.

[Edith · Rating 5 out of 5]

The book was fantastic. Love the aurthor she knows how to write books.

[Lesley · Rating 4 out of 5]

this is as good as the first in the series. Easy to read and fast paced - I couldn't put it down.

[Kassie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Enjoyed this story....but I'm getting tired of reading romances...guess I need a little more variety....will have to go for the third in this series much later!!!!!

[Moonlight Reads · Rating 4 out of 5]

Please read our full review at www.moonlightreads.com.

[Sharonceo]

charming.....sensational

[Cherie]

I am dropping this author from my list. I just don't like what she does with her characters and plots.

[Shalon · Rating 4 out of 5]

not as good as the first one...

[Kindaangelic · Rating 4 out of 5]

Liking this series....looking forward to the next one..

[Lynn Futch · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyed this one also. I think she is a new favorite author.

[Tanya Hudson · Rating 4 out of 5]

I will say I was greatly intrigued when I read the plot for this book. i was in the middle of reading the first novel in this series, and I was wondering how Eve wound up being the chaperone for the remaining Bascombe sisters. That got cleared up fairly quickly. And Eve was free to start her position.

I loved Fitz from the moment he was introduced in the first novel. I'm usually up in the air when it comes to the secondary male characters. It takes me a few chapters to decide whether I liked them or not. But Fitz made you fall in love with him the second you were introduced to him, just as it was written in the book. He had an easy going nature, and I think he was probably the Bascombes' favorite cousin. I was excited when I found out he was going to be the main focus of the second book in this series.

Eve I liked well enough. She had a witty humor about her. I understood her dedication to her position as chaperone. I was a little upset that her deceased husband, Major Hawthorne, was such a big part of her story. I felt like the subplot with him weighed down her story. I did enjoy the exchanges between her and Fitz. My favorite one was probably the first time the lovers met. Although, Fitz didn't say water nymph enough at Willowmere.

The only part of this novel I didn't enjoy was the subplot with Hawthorne's watch. Like I said above, I felt like it weighed down the main story. It wasn't as exciting a mystery that I was used to from Candace Camp. And the reason why the watch was so important was kind of anticlimactic.

Other than that, I enjoyed the main characters. I loved most of the secondary characters. The subplot with the balloonist was hilarious. The setting was prepared perfectly. I felt like I was able to conjure up the image of the herb garden and the nursery well. I could picture how the household looked with the sickness that spread through it. I could feel the emotions that the characters were feeling. I thoroughly enjoyed the second novel of this series.

[Julia · Rating 2 out of 5]

Okay, my spate of 2-star romance novel reviews tells me I actually need to step away from the genre! Or buy some as opposed to relying on the lending libraries, hah. I inexplicably read this despite already having started "A Memory Called Empire," which is fantastic at just 65 pages in, so I need to do some good hard reflection on my life and my choices regarding fiction. In all seriousness, I do think my leaning toward romance, even when mediocre, reflects the amount of trauma-focused therapy I'm doing at work right now, but I can still be more intentional about my escapism!

Anyway, this was fine. Fine, fine, fine. There were a few funny choices, like how the protagonist is a widow, and therefore has more freedom than a never-married woman would, but also conveniently had a first husband with erectile dysfunction, so still has "virginal" vibes.... But there's some interesting inner monologuing about the choices available to her, and some nice connections between her and the young American women (i.e., heathens) for whom she is chaperoning. The hero is charming but vapid, and his growth arc from superficial party boy to serious adult is just that he doesn't let his brother's estate go to rack and ruin in his absence. I wasn't captivated, but I didn't dislike it, either. And now I'm going back to what Ann Leckie calls "an absolutely brilliant space opera," which I suspect is 100% true.

[Sharyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Second in the series. Interestingly I thought this was going to be mainly about the 4 American cousins, but it is actually about the 3 English brothers, hence a trilogy.
I loved Fitz in the 1st book, and the beginning is quite cute. He is traveling to pick up a widow to be a chaperone forbthev2 unmarried American sisters. He assumes she will be middle aged and us in no hurry as he sees a beautiful woman by a creek and is quite taken with her. When he goes to meet the chaperone, it is her. We the.reader know that Fitz, heartily opposed to marriage will succumb, so we eagerly watch it happen. Combine a mystery of a watch, an outbreak of measles, a crashed balloonists and another romance and you have this lovely story. I usually don't read a trilogy unless I have all 3, but I seem to have lost the third and will have to track down a library copy.