romance between Linnet and Sir Anthony was hilarious in their inability to fucking talk to each other.
And though this trait in a couple usually drives me insane, with them it was just weirdly cute.
I enjoyed their story.
P. S. CHLOE AND DOMINICS LETTERS BROKE ME, That is all. This was a reasonably entertaining novella which tells part of the backstory of one of the central characters in Ms Kellys upcoming Renegade Royals series.
When he is just fourteen, Dominic Hunter the son of a butcher who, in a rather misguided act of charity on the part of Queen Charlotte, was brought up alongside some of the royal princes falls in love with Chloe Steele, the daughter of the boys tutor.
Chloe, however, has been seduced by Prince Ernest, which has outraged Dominic to the extent that he knocks seven bells out of the prince, something which, needless to say, could land him in very hot water indeed.
Fortunately for the hotheaded young man, he has a worthy protectress in the form of Linnet St.
Clair, whose mother is one of the governesses in the royal household, Linnet seeks the help of the powerful Sir Anthony Dain, court liaison to the Home Office, knowing that he will be able to protect Dominic and also put the fear of God into the prince so that he will not go near Chloe again.
As well as setting up the rest of the series, the novella also spins a charming little romance between Linnet and Sir Anthony, who are actually in love with each other, but dont know exactly how the other feels about them.
Its a pleasant, straightforward read and it sets up the series nicely, In that respect, its better thoughtout and written than many similar novellas Ive read, as its pretty much selfcontained although there is a bit of a cliffhanger at the end, it doesnt spoil the whole.
But unlike some other novellas Ive read, its not especially enthralling and the characterisation, while completely acceptable is not particularly deep.
If youve got an hour to spare and are thinking of reading the upcoming series then sure, give this a spin because its certainly not horrible, but its not absolutely necessary to have read it before sitelinkSecrets for Seducing a Royal Bodyguard, which is the first fulllength novel in the set.
This novella setting up the series makes me wish Linnet and Anthony had appeared more in subsequent books.
They were delightful and I would have loved to see them interacting with any of the heroes and heroines later on.
Lost in a Royal Kiss by Vanessa Kelly is aZebra publication,
This novella kicks off the Renegade Royals series and starts off by telling the story of Linnet and Sir Anthony.
This is an author who is new to me and I was impressed with this short story so I'm queuing up a few of her books now.
It's hard to find regency period romance that impresses me these days, but I think this series just might change my mind about that.
Linnet is highly organized and the guardian over her siblings while her mother attends the queen at court.
But, when she learns a young woman has been taken advantage of by one of the prince's, she turns to Sir Anthony, a man she has been avoiding due to her intense attraction to him.
Sir Anthony has been quite put out with Linnet and her avoidance of him, but when she turns to him with this delicate situation, he is more than happy to help.
Now, if he can just convince her they are a good match and and should be married,
This is a great start for a new series which gives us a sexy and sweet romance, but also sets the stage for what is sure to be a lot of action and intrigue in the future.
Chloe and Dominic's story is going to be fascinating and exciting and I can't wait to see how it all turns out.
DNFing in frustration, . Nearlychapters in, and NOTHING of import has happened, Great introduction!
I don't normally read novellas, because I don't like short reads,but for once, when I saw the reading order and which releases were already out, I decided to read it.
I can only say WOW! Give are my "I have to tell my bff about this book NOW!" reads, and I will be doing just that as soon as I finish this.
Lost in a Royal Kiss had heartfelt and real emotions, not over romanticized but still beautiful and sweet.
Yes, it was short, bittersweet up for the series was perfect, Yes, I read the author's note and squealed when I saw that one couple in this story will have their story.
I can't wait! Vanessa Kelly, a newtome author, just landed on my autobuy list!! This short novella that introduced Vanessa Kelly's Renegade Royals series has been languishing on my kindle forever so I decided to check it out.
Needless to say, I finished it in one sitting this morning, While the plot was simple and most of the feelings between the characters had developed before the book opened, I thought for a novella that this was a solid choice.
It was fun to be dropped into the middle of a story where the characters already share feelings for each other but are at an impasse regarding how to move forward.
The story opens with the hero finally making a move, Linnet and Sir Anthony are both strong people and want to care for those around them, However, they also care for each other and are unsure how to mesh their lives together, It was fun watching Anthony slowly woo Linnett and I enjoyed seeing his appeal through her eyes, That said, the two do have a sex scene, during a house party, in the host's study, What They didn't even lock the door! This seemed risky to me, but hey, they were getting married anyway I guess.
Just be warned :
The backdrop for this story is one I don't read often and involves some of the influences of court life and how the players within that fabric need to tread carefully.
I found it an interesting premise, While most of the books in the series do not grab me, I plan to check out one of them Booklooks good and also to read the other novella about the two young/childhood lovers in this story Book.
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I was hopping for a little more in this novella, yes I understand it is just a taste a teaser but I still feel it was missing something.
I have a personal aversion to alphaholes, and Sir Anthony ticked all the boxes for me, He was controlling, always trying to keep the heroine from getting away from him "caging" and "trapping" her, "clamping" his hands on her, making her decisions for her, intimidating her.
Not my idea of sexy,
The storyline was good, though, and I'm interested to see how Dominic grows in the following books.
The Renegade Royals begin in this book, This was a cute short story that starts the series of the first young lady who is raped by a royal, and helped by Sir Anthony and Linnet and the teenage boy who loves the young lady.
Thoroughly enjoyable and a quick read, This is the second free enovella I've read that introduces a new series sitelink see Kate Pearce.
As such, I expected it to accomplish one thing: explain the origins of the Renegade Royals,
It surprises me that this enovella is only one page more than Pearce's but the pace is slower and more leisurely.
I don't know if this is a good thing or a bad thing because it did still manage to tell a complete story while adhering to the short format.
And this was my reflection for yesterday: the format is the same, the purpose is the same but the approach and style are different.
The earlier enovella was a pageturner: fastpaced and actionoriented, whereas Kelly's storytelling is more relaxed, more languorous dwelling on the details of court, of life, of the tenuous situation Anthony and Linnet find themselves in: they serve at court but their positions are not entirely secure and they are beholden to the good graces of their patrons, the king and queen.
The story of Anthony and Linnet poses two questions:
, Why is Linnet avoiding Anthony Why can't she tell him her reasons
, How will Anthony and Linnet solve Dominic and Chloe's problem
The story shifts between the unspoken tension between Linnet and Anthony and Dominic and Chloe's problem with Prince Ernest and how Anthony and Linnet are supposed to figure it out it made me wonder about the series in general: whether the
Renegade Royals referred to Anthony or to Dominic.
If the previous, then the latter's story would have been extraneous and the author should have just focused on developing Linnet and Anthony.
If the latter, then his story should have been developed further, In the middle part, Dominic and Chloe disappear from the story and are only mentioned from time to time they reappear at the end.
The bulk of the novella focuses on the conflict between our hero and heroine: Anthony raises this question early in the story why is Linnet avoiding him I thought the answer was very obvious to both of them but Linnet was too much of a lady to speak so frankly and Anthony was too much of a gentleman to presume.
In this, Kelly portrays court life so clearly and reveals the very frustrating situation lovers find themselves in during that time.
She'd lost count of the times he'd made her feel like a blushing maiden.
Strictly speaking, she was still a maiden, but she'd given up blushing years ago along with simpering, flirting, and so many other talents deemed useful to unmarried women.
loc
Anthony let out a sigh as he watched her go.
He had the ear of the king and controlled more of England's business than he cared to think about, but apparently he lacked the wit to manage one small and very stubborn woman.
loc
But I did wish they had the conversation revealing their feelings before they did the deed it does not sit well with me when such important revelations happen during such an intimate moment.
It makes me wonder at the sincerity of the parties involved and this became Linnet's problem too: she doubted and I don't blame her for doubting.
If only
In the heat of the moment, they'd certainly declared their desire for each other, but neither had truly professed any degree of emotion.
loc
I honestly thought Dominic and Chloe had the more interesting story: onlyand having to grow up faster because of what happened to Chloe.
I was relieved to know through the Epilogue that I will be reading more about them in the series.
In her author's notes, Vanessa Kelly also briefly outlines the stories of the firstbooks and, I have to say, I am intrigued by the idea of spies with a side mission thus, the Renegade Royal title.
This was my first introduction to Kellys writing, I enjoyed this prequel novella, The main couple had a nice dynamic, This introductory novella to Ms, Kelly's RENEGADE ROYALS series is a very enjoyable read, The tension between Sir Anthony and Linnet is well done, but I would have liked to learn more of why Linnet was avoiding him.
They obviously have feelings for each other, but neither of them think the other is interested in a relationship so they both dance around the issue.
Back and forth, they say things that lead to more misunderstandings and hurt feelings, but will they finally be able to confess their love for each and find their happy ending I was pleased that Linnet was portrayed as a strong and capable young woman and not a simpering maiden.
That was a refreshing change from many other regency stories, With the introduction of young Dominic and Chloe into the story and their most grievous problem, the story was packed with interesting characters.
With the Epilogue, it was good to know that we'll be learning more of what happens to Dominic and Chloe.
I received this title from the publisher in exchange for a fair and honest review, If I'd read this before books later in the series I would have stopped here but the series gets better.
Powerful guy courts prim, overworked spinster, I despise the 'she's intelligent except around him' trope which is used widely here, I didn't find the heroine particularly likeable, and the hero was none too bright and overbearing, They never quite have that partnership conversation that would have helped dispel the overbearing guy and woman too smart for it vibe.
There was also some cringeworthy descriptions here if I started getting "womb contractions" in the middle of hankypanky I'd quit to go eat a banana or take some asprin.
Cramps are not sexy.
My suggestion, ignore this and try a different book in the series first, .