OCTOBER 2019 - AudioFile
Jessica Bolte narrates an uneven romance between neighbors. Adeline, Dowager Countess of Wake, has no intention of remarrying after her husband’s death; Lyon Marksworth, Earl of Lyonwood, is determined to marry for love and has improbably set his sights on the Countess. Adeline’s first marriage was difficult, and Bolte’s performance is a lovely tribute to Adeline’s coming into her own now that she is free from the agonies of an abusive husband. Lyon is more of a cypher, and Bolte’s portrayal of him does not provide much illumination. However, Adeline’s two close friends and Lyon’s aunt and father are delightful additions to a story that tends heavily to the internal dialogue of the main characters, and Bolte performs their roles with obvious relish. K.M.P. © AudioFile 2019, Portland, Maine
Publishers Weekly
04/22/2019
Adeline, Dowager Countess of Wake, the heroine in this flimsy First Comes Love Regency series opener, is determined to keep her independence, no matter how diligently the handsome Lyon Marksworth, Earl of Lyonwood, tries to win her hand. Adeline, recently widowed, is young enough to remarry, but her marriage was anything but blissful, so a replay is not in the cards. She’s dedicated her life to establishing and running the Seafarer’s School for Girls and believes marriage would make her and the school too vulnerable to her husband’s whims. When Lyonwood mistakes her for a lady of the night, she is both appalled by his assumption and intrigued by his looks. Lyonwood admires her fire and boldness, and after their passionate first encounter, he knows she’s the only one for him. They begin a battle of wits as Lyonwood woos Adeline and she fends him off. Grey (The Rakes of St. James) rushes the central relationship without developing it; a shocking revelation and the eventual declaration of love feel like nothing more than genre boxes to check off. Grey’s prose is strong and her characters are fun, but the romantic side of this romance is a disappointment. (June)
From the Publisher
"Grey's unconventional meet-cute, compelling series backbone, and authentic characters move an interesting plot forward … An engaging series start." - Kirkus
"Grey’s prose is strong and her characters are fun." - Publisher's Weekly
"Grey launches her First Comes Love series with a perfectly matched pair of protagonists, a vividly etched supporting cast, and plenty of potent sexual chemistry and breathtaking sensuality." - Booklist
"Engaging, entertaining, and enjoyable." - Fresh Fiction
Praise for AMELIA GREY:
"A great start to a new series." —Romance Reviews Today on Last Night with the Duke
"Grey charms readers with the first in her Rakes of St. James series, a tale filled with romance, fun and enchantment. A quick, charming read from a shining voice of the genre." —RT Book Reviews on Last Night with the Duke
"A captivating historical fiction romance." —Write-Escape on Last Night with the Duke
"A fast-paced enjoyable romance with strong lead characters and a delightful, intriguing plot, Last Night With A Duke is a fun, engaging historical romance." —Okie Dreams Book Reviews on Last Night with the Duke
"An enchanting and lovely start to a new series." —The Reading Wench on Last Night with the Duke
OCTOBER 2019 - AudioFile
Jessica Bolte narrates an uneven romance between neighbors. Adeline, Dowager Countess of Wake, has no intention of remarrying after her husband’s death; Lyon Marksworth, Earl of Lyonwood, is determined to marry for love and has improbably set his sights on the Countess. Adeline’s first marriage was difficult, and Bolte’s performance is a lovely tribute to Adeline’s coming into her own now that she is free from the agonies of an abusive husband. Lyon is more of a cypher, and Bolte’s portrayal of him does not provide much illumination. However, Adeline’s two close friends and Lyon’s aunt and father are delightful additions to a story that tends heavily to the internal dialogue of the main characters, and Bolte performs their roles with obvious relish. K.M.P. © AudioFile 2019, Portland, Maine
