Sherry Thomas - The One in My Heart

When Evangeline Canterbury meets the gorgeous, intriguing doctor next door, despite their instant connection, all she wants from him is a bit of distraction, to help her get over a few rough days.
Her one-night stand, however, has other plans: He needs an accomplished and presentable girlfriend to bring before his parents—and for six months of her time, he is willing and prepared to spend an obscene amount of money.
Nothing but trouble can come of such an arrangement. But can Eva stop herself? Or will she fall headlong in love with a man who will leave her when their contract expires with a smile, a check, and hardly a backward glance?

Comment: This is the first contemporary book I try by Sherry Thomas, an author mostly known by her historical work. I was quite curious to see how her "voice" would resonate in a different genre.

In this book we have the story of Evangeline, a woman whose parents split but her father married another woman, who she has considered a mother as well. However, her stepmother has bipolar disease and that has affected not only Evangeline's choices but also her thoughts about relationships and being with someone.

Bennett is a guy she meets when helping a friend and they end up having a one night stand. However, there's quite a lot in common between them and Bennet asks Evangeline to be his sort of fake girlfriend so he can reunite with his estranged parents. The problem is when they start mixing up fake dating with real feelings...

Thinking about the trope of the fake relationship which turns into reality, it does feel like one of those Harlequin stories from brands like Mills and Boon, back from the 80s and 90s... and adapted to historical settings, I can totally see this being perfectly done by this author. 

However, I must say that in a contemporary setting and by this specific author, the story was a little... off tone. I don't think there was such a great balance between the plot and the character's attitudes.

The story developed based on a series of coincidences, those that only in books do align themselves in any way we can accept, like Bennet having been a no show in Evangeline's french debutante ball and now, years after, they meet again almost by chance and they hit if off somehow.

To move this already unlikely scenario towards an even more complicated one with the fake boyfriend/girlfriend trope too... I just think there were ways for this to move forward in interesting ways without the fake relationship but... in contemporary settings, this only works in certain circumstances and the way this plot was designed, I don't think it went the best way.

The relationship, in which so much is centered, wasn't that bad to read about but I must say I didn't really warm up to the protagonists. Both have a lot of emotional baggage and I did like how certain situations were addresses. I also liked how paced the steps were in their moving on towards happiness.

The characters, though... while getting to know one another, they exchanges secrets about one another, stories from their pasts... more Bennet and I must say I didn't always accept the thoughts behind some of his choices. It does annoy me a little bit those who misbehave and say they "were rebels" or felt the need to "do their on thing" or even "test their limits and feelings". Bennet does grow up and I liked him a lot more based on his behavior now but... I just didn't warm up to him.

Evangeline was also a though nut to crack. It can be understandable why she has so many fears of allowing people in to her heart but again... some attitudes of hers were not something I'd like to see people around me do and I don't mean her attempt to interfere in her stepmother's love life long after her father's death. Even when her behavior was explainable, her thoughts about what she was doing... let's just say I wasn't fond of her most of the time.

Therefore, this was a story about two people I wasn't as fond of, dealing with situations I would have them do differently and in a plot I would have changed too. I liked the writing overall, I liked how the author's style is recognizable and the HEA and some details here and there. But all things considered, this was not a story I' wish to read again and I guess I'll stick to the author's historicals, which always seem to have a better balance.

Grade: 6/10

Sherry Thomas - Ravishing the Heiress

Millicent understands the terms of her arranged marriage all too well. She gets to be a Countess by marrying an impoverished Earl. And in return, the Earl Fitzhugh receives the benefit of her vast wealth, saving his family from bankruptcy. Because of her youth, they have agreed to wait eight years before consummating the marriage--and then, only to beget an heir. After which, they will lead separate lives.
It is a most sensible arrangement. Except for one little thing. Somehow Millie has fallen head over heels in love with her husband. Her husband, who has become her very best friend, but nothing more...Her husband, who plans to reunite with his childhood sweetheart, the beautiful and newly widowed Isabella, as soon as he has honored the pact with his wife...
As the hour they truly become husband-and-wife draws near, both Millie and Fitzhugh must face the truth in their hearts. Has their pact bred only a great friendship--or has it, without either of them quite noticing, given rise to a great love?

Comment: This is the second installment in the Fitzhugh trilogy, an historical series by Sherry Thomas. I liked the first book a lot and was very curious about this, especially because of the type of relationship the characters had. I was so eager to see them realize they were in love that as soon the book arrived in the mail, I immediately started it, putting aside all the others in my list.

In this book we follow the story of married couple Milly and Fitz. He is the brother of the heroine from the 1st story.

Fitz and Milly have agreed on a convenience marriage, a partnership of sorts for 8 years, at the end of which they will finally try for a heir. In the meantime, Fitz is free to have his own life, think about his lost love while Milly says she does the same but in reality she is just trying to protect her heart, for he is in love with Fitz from the start but doesn't want his pity.

Now that the 8 years are ending, Milly thinks maybe their lives can follow their friendship and companionship towards possible love but the woman Fitz has always loved is finally free and will he leave Milly to pursue the dreams of his youth?

I was so eager to read this novel! I was expecting fireworks after the little hints of the first book and the interesting blurb from this one. I confess I imagined dramatic declarations of love and a her who couldn't put aside his wife anymore. Sadly, this progress from partners in crime to friends, to companions, then to lovers and a true couple at last was just too slow. Especially Fitz, I mean, he is a man who thinks about things, who thinks before he acts, who is described as someone who cares and he couldn't see what was in front of his eyes? Well, sure, I guess it's not that difficult to imagine but I really wished he could have acted a bit more in love before the final pages. It felt it wasn't enough to me.

The pace, as it happened with the previous book, is a continuous change between the past and present, when Fitz and Milly met and he development of their relationship and the present, where they are supposed to become new people. It was an interesting way for us to know how they agreed on their relationship and why they now deal with each other as politely as they do but I would have preferred more focus on the present time, where things are happening and where we want to glimpse every moment of change between them.

I think what I miss the most in this novel is raw passion, raw emotions, Milly is jealous, but she has her pride and now that everything she ever wanted might be gone forever, I expected a bit more from her closer to the end because, well, I also admire her dignity. As for Fitz, I understand his willingness to stick to past memories and promises but I think he realized the truth a bit too late and the final pages, when the HEA happens, just seem too quick, too easy for all the things that we saw.

Of course, I also think that the drama and intensity weren't well used here! So much promise here for the story to be powerful and amazing and I think it was a missing goal not to have used a bit more angst. It would have been a wonderful story and perfect. The way it is, it's still very good but I kep imagining all the great scenes we could have had...

All things considered, I still loved the experience of reading this book, in fact, I've read it in one day because I couldn't put it down. 

I think the author picks interesting themes and ideas to develop her stories but never in a cliché manner or following the tactics all the others use. I'm not as eager to read the 3rd as I was for this one but I'll eventually get to it.

After everything, though, I was glad Milly found happiness and how amazing it would be all married couples could have their best friend next to them at the same time...

Grade: 7/10

Sherry Thomas - Beguiling the Beauty

When the Duke of Lexington meets the mysterious Baroness von Seidlitz-Hardenberg on a transatlantic liner, he is fascinated. She’s exactly what he’s been searching for—a beautiful woman who interests and entices him. He falls hard and fast—and soon proposes marriage. And then she disappears without a trace…
For in reality, the “baroness” is Venetia Easterbrook—a proper young widow who had her own vengeful reasons for instigating an affair with the duke. But the plan has backfired. Venetia has fallen in love with the man she despised—and there’s no telling what might happen when she is finally unmasked…

Comment: This is the first full length installment in the Fitzhugh trilogy by author Sherry Thomas. I've been curious about the blurb for a long time and I've purchased the book months and months ago. As always, many books just stay in the TBR pile a lot longer than we wish and only now I finally picked it.

This is the story of Venetia Easterbrook, a woman who's been married twice but never quite happily. She's been labeled as a seductress because of her beauty and has the reputation of being cold and cynical. But the truth is Venetia has a heart just like everyone else.

Christian, the Duke of Lexington, fell in love at first sight with her when both were younger but Venetia's reputation made him stay away from her, something his constant travels helped with.

But now, years after, they are in the same room again in America and once more the Duke says something that Venetia considers offensive. To get revenge, she invents a scheme to seduce him, proving he is like any other man and then confront him. To do this, she disguises herself as a German baroness and, in a ship, they meet properly and fall in love. But what can Venetia do when things get out of hand and she realizes he's the man she never wants to leave?

I ended up enjoying this book a lot!

In the beginning not so much for two reasons: first, one of the secondary characters had an attitude I despise and that apparently she felt no remorse for. Second, I've read other books by the author and while one of them was something I loved (Delicious), the other one ( Private Arrangements) was more on the hate team. This meant I was afraid this would follow more into the latter side and disappoint me. Thankfully, all ended up well and I liked this a lot, I couldn't put it down and read it in one day.

The romance was well aced, I liked all the stages they went through and even when things seemed too angsty, it worked. I really liked how things moved along for them. Venetia could find someone who got her and who would cherish her for who she is and not her looks alone and Christian found a partner who could share his interests and passion for life and the unique. I could easily imagine their life together and that's the best things about a HEA!

The writing is as easy and fluid as ever and one can very easily get into it. the descriptions and the details we could infer by character's actions spoke volumes. We can always like or dislike, agree or disagree. The author does have talent and it shows. I guess it only matters if we can appreciate the characters or not...

The plot had its strengths and weaknesses. Many readers comment on how unlikely it was for Venetia to have deceived Christian for so long. I think one can accept it considering this is a romance and in real life people wouldn't let themselves go through all that work (and expenses) to just prove a point. Personally, I could not focus on that and instead I looked at how special their bond was getting and how beautiful it was so see them fall in love, especially considering all the things they have in common.

I liked the secondary characters, for the most part. Only one really got on my nerves but I suppose I can always rant when I comment on that book, because I know she will have a story too. One of the best things about real series is how we can learn a lot more about all characters, protagonists and secondary, from the interactions they all share. people aren't islands, so I always look for this and mrs Thomas did it quite well here. I loved the little glimpses from other character's perspectives. I say this is a real series because there's an obvious connection we can follow and understand. In my opinion, it's much better than just single books grouped together - which is what many series look like.

All in all, this was great, not perfect, but good and very enjoyable!

I can't wait to read the next one and will do it as soon as I can!

Grade: 8/10

Sherry Thomas - Private Arrangements

To all of London society, Lord and Lady Tremaine had the ideal arrangement: a marriage based on civility, courteousness, and freedom--by all accounts, a perfect marriage. The reason? For the last ten years, husband and wife have resided on separate continents.
But once upon a time, things were quite different for the Tremaines....When Gigi Rowland first laid eyes on Camden Saybrook, the attraction was immediate and overwhelming. But what began in a spark of passion ended in betrayal the morning after their wedding--and now Gigi wants to be free to marry again. When Camden returns from America with an outrageous demand in exchange for her freedom, Gigi's decision will have consequences she never imagined, as secrets are exposed, desire is rekindled--and one of London's most admired couples must either fall in love all over again...or let each other go forever.

Comment: Since I've read Delicious by the author I was very curious to see if I'd like her other books as much as that one, which I loved.
However, I didn't such high expectations over this book because I've read a comment here and there about something having bothered the person for this or that. I didn't pay any attention to the why of it because I intended to read the book someday and didn't want to ruin myself the surprises. Still, part of me dreaded starting the book, while the rest of me was bent on doing it anyway.

This is the story of the couple Camden and Gigi. They've been married for a long time, ten years actually, but all that time was spent living separately. Why? Because they wanted it and because it proved to society a couple could do it and have the perfect marriage, so they've been living in different continents. However, when Gigi wanted a divorce, Camden returned to England and imposed a rule of his own in order to sign the papers later. Gigi was shocked by Camden's ideas but she said yes because she wanted to get it over it, although..part of her was very hurt he didn't want to fight for her. During the book we get often alternate chapters between the current time of action and ten years before when they met and married. It's with all the clues from both time frames that we start to understand what really happened to them, what forced them to live apart and what reasons were so unmanageable for them to do it.
At the same time, we get a second love story - author's trademark, I suppose at this point, only having read two books by her and both with it - between Gigi's mother and a neighbor duke, a more mature but sweet developing romance.

When I first started the book, the first chapters made me as angry as I could imagine because of a book. I was intensely mad at the female protagonist....I still am because she is one of the most awful main female characters ever in a romance I've read. I don't like her, at all. I don't care for her reasons, I don't care she suffered too, I don't care she had her feelings hurt at some point, I don't care for her fears and position, I. DON'T. LIKE. HER. Why? Because all the couple's problems started because of her, because she was selfish and cold and spoiled and what she thought she had to have, she got. She was a scheming person to the bone and I disliked her immensely. But at some point in the past she knew she was behaving wrong, she knew what she was doing was wrong but she believed herself to be in love so I kind of understood why she decided to do the awful thing she did. But when her relationship with her husband seemed doomed and she lost hope of them ever being together, she took lovers. She committed adultery. Well, so did he, but only after she did. And they were apart because of her. So I hated her character, not his. Now all this shouldn't bother me, after all if one can't be happy with someone and like at the time divorces being so hard to gain for a woman, it should be understandable she would find someone else, but...this is romance, this is fiction, this is the 19th century, this is fantasy, she should have waited. I know reality isn't like this, I'm sure is wasn't like this back in 1890, but this is a book, it's romance, I don't want to hate my heroines, I want them to be superior, to be more than somebody else. I really hated the fact she took lovers although it suited her personality. But I did hate even more so because she claimed to still love her husband. And everything was mostly her fault and she loved him and she didn't wait, it really annoys me!
This sort of ruined most of the book for me. I was still curious to see how she would be redeemable and in the end she went after her husband, in a bold way I liked, but she was already too much of a disappointment for me to like her.
Camden wasn't perfect either, but he was hurt in a way I found too awful because when it happened he was so happy and because of that his personality changed too and it was a pity...his attempt to delay the divorce was a bit stupid but he tried and sometimes stupidity is a mask for fear, so...I kind of excused him, although nothing he did was forced on Gigi, she always had a choice. (And no, no one was raped in the book).
The secondary love story was funny and to be honest, the moments I looked for the most.

There's nothing wrong with the writing or the way the author has made the story move along. I just can't stand the heroine and her stupid choices (stupid here meaning stupidity for real) or what she made others go through because of that.
I'm still reading her other books because I believe she wouldn't come with such an awful heroine again...at least not like this. Taste can make people like different things and that's fine, and the same way someone else might like Gigi for her independence and strong personality, I see her failures too much to like her, but this is life. I recommend the book, but with extreme caution..those romantic souls will suffer a bit, I think.