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tessisreading2's review
3.0
This is one of those overly-dramatic romances where both characters are cruelly overcome by circumstances - the hero is a secretly heterosexual spy working for a sadistic French duke under the guise of a homosexual nobleman, which he was forced to adopt when he was raped and tortured after being impressed into the French army as a teenager; the heroine is an innocent virginal heiress who is going to be sold off in marriage by her theatrically wicked, cruel parents. Nobody is particularly bright but there's lots of High Drama and creative sex. Not usually my thing, hence three stars, but I do think it was fairly well-done for what it was - the French setting was done well and used well, and I think very effective at helping set a tone for the book; the writing was fairly clean if occasionally overwrought (which is par for the course with this kind of book). The level of drama was definitely very high for how vaguely and easily things wrapped up at the end, though.
zlibrarian's review
3.0
Harris uses words with elegant skill, creating a rich sense of atmosphere that awakens the senses. She's also got a gift for creating layered and complex characters within only a few chapters. However, in this particular narrative the reader learns a great deal about the hero, but the heroine never feels as vividly alive. Little time is spent with her POV in the early chapters and overall the novel feels like a recounting of the hero's personal journey instead of a romance. The heroine would be likable if only we got to know her. The romantic/erotic elements of the book become less compelling because of the remote and incomplete depiction of the heroine.
Aside from that, the setting and time period are well presented and will keep lovers of historical romance reading, and as a librarian I would recommend this novel to them with the previously stated caveats. I'd be willing to try other works by this obviously talented author.
Aside from that, the setting and time period are well presented and will keep lovers of historical romance reading, and as a librarian I would recommend this novel to them with the previously stated caveats. I'd be willing to try other works by this obviously talented author.
roseybot's review
3.0
3.5 really. And I did enjoy this book! I just found one scene at the end to be a little... much.
I found Claudia to be a little lacking in characterization and Gaspard to be a little too much, but not bad for what it is. Solid B work, and interested in reading the next one.
Spoiler
I mean, fine, prove you're not gay by exposing your wife to your best friend with only a little consent... I'm just... what?I found Claudia to be a little lacking in characterization and Gaspard to be a little too much, but not bad for what it is. Solid B work, and interested in reading the next one.
nononanette's review
3.0
Really intriguing characters. Plot was a little hard to follow at first and it ended very abruptly but it was unique and well written.
shantastic's review
4.0
There's a lot to unpack about why I liked this book. I loved that it wasn't a typical Regency setting, as it's mostly set in France. There's a lot in here about reclaiming personal pride and self-worth, and I love that both Claudia and Gaspard did that for each other.
I was hoping for a few more challenges of typical gender roles, but that's not what happens. Still, what I got was a lovely story in which both characters come to value and trust one another. I get the feeling that the HEA isn't wrapped up in a neat bow, but I didn't mind that.
I hope that Edie Harris writes more about the rest of Gaspard's coterie of spies.
I was hoping for a few more challenges of typical gender roles, but that's not what happens. Still, what I got was a lovely story in which both characters come to value and trust one another. I get the feeling that the HEA isn't wrapped up in a neat bow, but I didn't mind that.
I hope that Edie Harris writes more about the rest of Gaspard's coterie of spies.
prgchrqltma's review
3.0
Characters: Interesting and well explored.
World Building: Some spycraft, but not extensive.
Plot: Largely internal/emotional. Possible set up for larger external plot.
Sex: Hot.
Read another: Yes.
World Building: Some spycraft, but not extensive.
Plot: Largely internal/emotional. Possible set up for larger external plot.
Sex: Hot.
Read another: Yes.
poisonivy70's review
4.0
Gaspard Toussaint is known as a molly (homosexual) comte, when in reality he’s a spy biding his time to be free of his obligations. Claudia’s determined to find a husband before her nasty parents arrange a marriage for her. In her quest for a husband, she connects with Gaspard. Then incredibly hot sex and romance happens.
Points for novel premise: It’s not every day you get a hero living as a homosexual in France and a heroine who isn’t a lofty peer, but a perfumer’s daughter with a pronounced stutter. I adored that. Ms. Harris’ writing never fails to capture my interest and it absolutely worked well here.
Fantastic chemistry and sex scenes: The sex is truly lush, each scene more combustible than the last. The chemistry between Gaspard and Claudia? Top notch. It’s was impossible for me not to be drawn into their relationship.
Both leads are compelling in their own right: It’s been awhile since I was equally drawn to both hero and heroine, but I was sucked into this story from the first chapter. Ms. Harris’ writing continues to impress me. Claudia and Gaspard are, on the surface, opposites, but as the story unfolds you get to see them both struggling to control their own destinies. I appreciated that both have deep seated issues that aren’t miraculously “cured” at the end of the tale. While this wouldn’t be considered a “safe” story for some - there is some mild sexual contact outside of the main relationship - it was authentic to the story being told and didn’t lead me to doubt the feelings of the leads, so it ultimately didn’t bother me.
Gaspard’s the definition of a tortured hero: sexually preyed upon when he entered the army at sixteen, and whoring himself since then as a spy for his country (or more specifically, one jacked up duke). He’s gone through a shedload of trauma that has affected certainly scarred him, inside and out. His complicated sexual past has made him realize that sexuality is fluid, and he’s compartmentalized sexual release from any emotions. He’s had to, and seeing him struggle with living this lie in this time period was fascinating.
Claudia’s strength is an unexpected highlight: While she lived a privileged life in a wealthy family, she was emotionally (and physically) abused and neglected by her horrid parents. She’s never even experienced any type of physical affection. While I felt Gaspard’s perspective was the stronger of the two (the story is told in third person), I loved Claudia. her stutter caused her so much pain and being thought of as slow had to be so demoralizing but seeing her start to come into her own made her a heroine I could easily empathize with.
The ending wasn’t as strong as the rest of the story: If I have a complaint, it’s that the story doesn’t end as strong as it started. The continued deception as to the state of their marriage was alright, but a bit frustrating and I'll admit didn’t really appeal to the idealist in me. The end scene with Sabien? While titillating, didn’t really work for me. There’s so much that happened before this that the story wasn’t ruined, but it did lower my rating a touch.
Ending aside, I really enjoyed this. I’d definitely recommend for historical romance fans who would like to check out something different than your usual simpering virgin and rakish hero stories.
**ARC provided by publisher via netgalley for review**
Points for novel premise: It’s not every day you get a hero living as a homosexual in France and a heroine who isn’t a lofty peer, but a perfumer’s daughter with a pronounced stutter. I adored that. Ms. Harris’ writing never fails to capture my interest and it absolutely worked well here.
Fantastic chemistry and sex scenes: The sex is truly lush, each scene more combustible than the last. The chemistry between Gaspard and Claudia? Top notch. It’s was impossible for me not to be drawn into their relationship.
Both leads are compelling in their own right: It’s been awhile since I was equally drawn to both hero and heroine, but I was sucked into this story from the first chapter. Ms. Harris’ writing continues to impress me. Claudia and Gaspard are, on the surface, opposites, but as the story unfolds you get to see them both struggling to control their own destinies. I appreciated that both have deep seated issues that aren’t miraculously “cured” at the end of the tale. While this wouldn’t be considered a “safe” story for some - there is some mild sexual contact outside of the main relationship - it was authentic to the story being told and didn’t lead me to doubt the feelings of the leads, so it ultimately didn’t bother me.
Gaspard’s the definition of a tortured hero: sexually preyed upon when he entered the army at sixteen, and whoring himself since then as a spy for his country (or more specifically, one jacked up duke). He’s gone through a shedload of trauma that has affected certainly scarred him, inside and out. His complicated sexual past has made him realize that sexuality is fluid, and he’s compartmentalized sexual release from any emotions. He’s had to, and seeing him struggle with living this lie in this time period was fascinating.
Claudia’s strength is an unexpected highlight: While she lived a privileged life in a wealthy family, she was emotionally (and physically) abused and neglected by her horrid parents. She’s never even experienced any type of physical affection. While I felt Gaspard’s perspective was the stronger of the two (the story is told in third person), I loved Claudia. her stutter caused her so much pain and being thought of as slow had to be so demoralizing but seeing her start to come into her own made her a heroine I could easily empathize with.
The ending wasn’t as strong as the rest of the story: If I have a complaint, it’s that the story doesn’t end as strong as it started. The continued deception as to the state of their marriage was alright, but a bit frustrating and I'll admit didn’t really appeal to the idealist in me. The end scene with Sabien? While titillating, didn’t really work for me. There’s so much that happened before this that the story wasn’t ruined, but it did lower my rating a touch.
Ending aside, I really enjoyed this. I’d definitely recommend for historical romance fans who would like to check out something different than your usual simpering virgin and rakish hero stories.
**ARC provided by publisher via netgalley for review**
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