Fool for Love

Rating:
Summary: 3 1/2 Stars Could have been better . . .
Review: A sequel of sorts to DUCHESS IN LOVE, in that we follow Lady Esme Rawlings to the country where she is staying for the duration of her pregnancy. For those who read DiL, you'll recall that Esme wanted to have a child and coaxed her estranged husband into spending the night with her to achieve it. But not before an unexpected but much longed for sexual encounter with Sebastian, Marquis Bonnington the night before. What Esme did not know was that her husband had a weak heart resulting in his death that night and now a guilt-ridden Esme is not sure who is the father of her child. She has to believe that it's her husband's for inheritance sake but her heart may yearn for something else.

But one person who is suspicious is her nephew by marriage (and her late husband's heir) Simon Darby. Simon has two young stepsisters to provide for and has always fully expected to inherit. Now he is resolved to visit his aunt to see what's what. While there he meets the intriguing Lady Henrietta Maclellan who just happens to be a beautiful, intelligent and wealthy heiress. Hmmm, perhaps he should look for a wealthy wife in case Esme's child is a son!

Henrietta was born with the same lame hip as her mother who died in childbirth. As a result, she has been advised never to marry and certain never to attempt to have children as it could kill her as it did her mother. But she longs for children and when she meets Simon Darby and his two motherless sisters, she sees the family she's always wanted. Simon and Henrietta are attracted to one another and decide to marry only to have her mother tell Simon about Henrietta's condition and that marital relations are out of the question. A disappointed Simon withdraws his offer and plans to return to London. But Esme is not so easily daunted by Henrietta's situation (there are ways to prevent pregnancy afterall) and together they scheme to trap Simon into marriage. She'll get the husband and children she wants and he'll get the fortune he'll need. What could be better? Well, it turns out that Simon does not really need her fortune, but agrees to marry her anyway. Does this mean that he has feelings for her - and she for him? It seems a distinct possibility!

But that's where problems come into the story. In the beginning, we are lead to believe that Simon needs her money, but we find out that he's actually quite wealthy. And why would she not want to consult a London physician about her condition when her longing for a family is so strong? And if Simon had wanted to marry her so badly, why did he not think of using sheaths before he is trapped into marrying her? And the Esme/Sebastian storyline is not exactly resolved; leading me to wonder if they will be seen in yet another book that may just reunited estranged Helene and Rees, Lord and Lady Godwin.

While I enjoyed the relationship between Simon and Henrietta, Esme and Sebastian's reunion and the wit the author is famous for, there are also flaws that keep me from a higher rating. Fans of the series, however, may well overlook such inconsistencies and wait eagerly for the next installment. A flawed but still enjoyable read.

Rating:
Summary: Not all "Ladys" are perfect in historicals...
Review: Another winner from James. This is the follow up to Duchess in love, which I admit I had a hard time finishing but this one is much better, and like her previous trilogy.

Lady Henrietta has a limp and a weak hip which she is lead to believe means she can not have children and there fore shall never be able to get married. Nut, she longs for children. Enter Simon Darcy and his step sisters. But, wait there is also a twist with love letter and a few scheming friends.

I love how she puts Simons close friend Rees in his place and actually makes the wife hater defend her.

Rating:
Summary: Another lovely & wistful romance from Eloisa!!
Review: Eloisa James is the best. Every one of her books makes you feel as if romance isn't just for perfect people with perfect looks. Even though she writes about aristocrats, her characters have idiosyncracies and flaws so when love strikes them we feel it could strike us. And as usual they have brains too. I just wish she would write faster!!!

Rating:
Summary: 5 STARS for me
Review: Enjoyed reading the book. If this is the author's purpose then she hit the target. Much better than "Duchess in Love".

Rating:
Summary: I simply LOVED it!
Review: Finally a hero with a little personality and a little difference from all the other "raven haired reckless rogues". This was so well done with such wonderful humor and yes, a fair amount of spice, that I couldn't put it down. I went running for the rest of her books after this. I patiently await the others in this series. Read on and you won't be dissappointed!

Rating:
Summary: Marvelous and magical!
Review: FOOL FOR LOVE was a fabulous book! It's been a long time since I've met characters I liked as well as Henrietta, Darby, Josie, and Anabel. And Eloisa James's writing is absolutely exquisite. When you couple that with her deft touch for characterization, her tender empathy for the human condition and all of its lovable absurdities, her astonishing historical accuracy, and her musical ear for dialogue, well, you have a true gem of a book. I laughed out loud, I cried, and when I turned the last page, I sighed with absolute and utter satisfaction. Eloisa James is truly one of the brightest lights of the historical romance genre and I look forward to watching her shine for years to come!

Rating:
Summary: Hey, folks - this was the early nineteenth century!
Review: Having just finished reading "Fool for Love", with delight, I was surprised to read the many criticisms offered here. First of all, Simon's fortune - even today many people are reticent to talk about their personal financial situations and in the Regency era it would have been even more outre. In addition, Simon, with his strong character hidden under a foppish exterior, would be the last person to tip his hand. As for Henrietta and the doctors - she had been through several painful and disappointing examinations, only to have her heart broken over and over. Moreover, in the Regency era the practice of medicine was very different from what we are used to. Of course we all were rooting for her to see the London doctor, but it should surprise no one that it was a very difficult step for her to take. As to the complaint that Simon should have brought up the possibility of using sheaths - Wow! Many gentlemen in that time did not even believe that it was possible for their wives to enjoy sex. Moreover, to suggest birth control to your wife was to place her in the company of "ladies of the night", offering her great disrespect. In my opinion, the scene in which Henrietta screws up her courage to raise the subject is one of the best in the book. Her bravery and Simon's ability to remain unfazed by this profoundly shocking turn of events goes to the heart of their attraction to each other. Finally, the unresolved secondary plot involving Esme and Sebastian was such a teaser! I can't wait to see what happens next. Sometimes suspense is even better than instant gratification. Hooray for Eloisa James, who just keeps getting better and better.

Rating:
Summary: I hated it!!!
Review: I disliked this book very much!!! I read Elosa James book Potent Pleasures and I loved it! So when I was going on vacation I thought I would take another one of her books to read on the plane and by the pool. This boook was such a disappointment that I actually put it away to read the boring magazine on the plane. I don't know if I should risk getting another one of her books. I might just re-read Potent Pleasures!

Rating:
Summary: The Secondary Characters Stole the Show.
Review: I know I'm not the first one to mention this, it seems everybody agrees that Esme and Sebastian need their own book. I just love Sebastian. He is not your usual romance hero,(maybe that's the reason he is not the principal character in this book, they are "testing" to see how well the readers respond to him) Well never fear, he is one of the most attractive characters I have encountered. I can't wait to read how their story ends up.
Hopefully it will be in the next Eloisa James novel, and I also hope Esme and Sebastian are the leading couple in that book, and not again the secondary characters. They really deserve center stage.

About the principal characters in this novel, I have to say that it took me about half the book to start liking Simon. To be honest, he seemed a little affeminate to me. Regardless of the constant assurances that he was not, the facts said otherwise.
Also, I don't see the point, nor agree to the plot that Esme and Henrietta concocted to force Simon into marriage. It seems to me that an open conversation would have been more effective, honest and simpler. Another thing I don't understand is Henrietta's refusal to see a doctor in London. Given that she really wished to have children, I would have thought that she would be more willing to find a solution to her problem, if there was one.

But appart from this things, I really enjoyed the book. It was well written, emotional, funny and overall a page turner.
Now I only expect the next novel about Esme and Sebastian won't keep us waiting too long.

Rating:
Summary: 5 STARS for me
Review: I liked the characters, Henrietta and Simon. Henrietta is not the perfect heroine, she has a weak hip and thinks she can not bear children ie. never marry. Simon may lose an inheritance from his uncle who died because his estranged wife is now pregnant. He meet Henrietta when he travels to the country to see if his aunt is pregnant and if his uncle seems to be the father. This part of the novel seems undeveloped and maybe will be a sequel. It is great to read a book where the characters have misunderstandings, but don't last half the book. Sometimes I like the love/hate thing, but this formula can get old. I did enjoy this novel and is a fast read.