4.5 starsWhat a fun read! Awesome and impressive debut book from this author!! The feel of this book, to me, is as if the author took the best things out of previously successful light hearted HR books and used it here. I’m not sure if this author was or is influenced by some of my favorite authors but I feel the presence from the likes of Julia Quinn, Amanda Quick, Lisa Kleypas and a few other books that I can’t quite pin point. To the author’s credit, her own unique story idea and style gave us a book that is impossible not to love. I have a feeling I’ll be enjoying many of her future books!I read this book as part of a Buddy Read with some friends here at GR. Some of them, if not all, were taken with the Duke at page 1, it took me a little longer. I was a fan of Prudence right away though. She is my favorite kind of heroine. In a word, she is a capable woman. She became what most women are in today’s world: an educated, independent, career woman. Her life has a purpose and her knowledge and interests are in line with that purpose. What is gratifying about her character is I truly believe that if she didn’t encounter the scandal at sixteen, she would still have followed her passion to be an apothecary even with the threat of spinsterhood looming over her head for that decision. I think that’s what I admire about her - the strength and courage she possess in pursuing her calling which she may not even recognize in herself. Her career as an apothecary and healer to anyone in need shows that she improves the lives of those around her. Jem sees that in her and I love our hero for recognizing that in our heroine so early on - that he was attracted to the goodness she emits and the good works she provides as well as her outer beauty. Jem..what can I say? I was put off from witnessing his rakish ways at the beginning of the book. It’s surprising that’s what made me dislike him instead of his vengeful pursuits. However, Jem is handsome and a good man in his core so it didn’t take too long before I forgave his debauchery and loved him like my friends did. I think by the end, what I appreciated most about Jem was his persistence. Thank goodness because it took persistence to get through the HUGE misunderstanding that like most cases could’ve been sorted out easily if the H/h would talk and listen to each other – but not when they are half asleep after being sated from lovemaking! Even though misunderstandings are not at the top of my pet peeves list, this misunderstanding should have annoyed me a little because it’s not that Jem didn’t plainly state he wanted to be with her, but that our heroine misinterpreted it because of her own insecurities, Lord knows why? In any case, I actually enjoyed the misunderstanding because it gave way to some great scenes (the letter writing, all of Jem’s proposal moments, the discussion with Jem’s buddies – priceless and wholly entertaining moments!)I do believe the author gave us an explanation for the misunderstanding though. She said it through Lady Abington; and the reason is that the young are perversely dedicated in making themselves miserable! I guess it’s something, like wisdom, people learn not to do with age and experience. Here, Prudence is still young and doesn’t know better so even with the choice of marrying Jem and living HEA served to her in a silver platter, she still refused to believe it and chose to run away from it. It literally took Atilla pinning down our heroine at an opportune time to make her really hear Jem’s declaration of love and sincere proposal.I don’t know if I can fully defend my high rating of this debut novel other than to say that there are a great many likable characters and wonderfully entertaining and tender moments. At the end of the day the smile one gets and the good feeling a book gives you overrides every rational reason – a true test of a good book! This book aced that test! 4.5 starsA new favorite!The impression I had when I closed the book was that I'd just read a mashup of all my favorite aspects of Loretta Chase's Carsington series (a beloved set of books on this reader's favorite shelf) but with some delightful new keen and clever bits this author brings to the writing table. Review in the works. I really mean it this time as this book is too delightful to not praise more appropriately.
What do You think about The Duke's Tattoo (2012)?
Loved, loved, loved it. The hero and heroine were both utterly fantastic. Really enjoyed this one!
—Sae
4.5! Great writing and a fun story. Thanks Tammy for the recommend! ;-)(full review to come)
—scooter
