normally don't mind an alphahole, but this "hero" was just an ass, I really enjoyed this book, The author did a wonderful job of telling this story, I didn't want it to end and wanted to read more, I read this a little too long ago to write an adequate book review, but I will just say this: I highly recommend this book to anyone who is looking for something different in their HR.
It's different. A halfblack I'm not being racist, I promise lady heroine and a French womanizer hero its definitely different, I loved it, especially the first half, But then thend half changes into something weird with sea travel and pirates and black slaves, . . ok, what happened to sacrifice and French finery
Well, despite everything, I think this is a mustread, It's a little raunchier than most HR, but if you're up for it, you'll definitely enjoy this one,
And, yes, there was a moment of cheating and you'll know what I mean when it happens, I'm sure it will upset most of you, but come on, it added to the drama and everything worked out well in the end, And it was the right amount of tragic emotional that makes reading HR fun,
Loved this book! This was a sweet tale of a forbidden romance with a HEA for those who truly deserved it! The main character Zoe made too many obvious mistakes.
I found her risk taking very unbelievable, There was no logical reason for her to succumb to his advances, . he wasn't even nice to her, I finished the book but I was not impressed with any of the characters,.Stars. BW/WM. Kindle Edition Ebook. Forbidden Historical romance. Period. Having read scores of historical romances featuring a White cast of characters, I looked forward to reading this historical romances featuring an interracial couple, This book had notes that reminded me of the movie, Belle, . which was set in England, with Belle being a biracial child being raised alongside her White sistercousin by her affluent and influential Uncle, This story introduced the heroine, Zoe Bouchard, and her family as they arrive at the chateau of Comte Julien La Rogue de Toulouse, the hero, who is to consider whether to propose a contract of marriage for Zoe's halfsister.
He did not. Instead, he seduced Zoe. All males mentioned in the story except the major villain, LaRogue's bestie, had been in love with a Black woman but, married a White one and was either miserable or a lunatic.
Zoe's White father was miserable because he had loved Zoe's deceased mother instead to the woman he married, Zoe's stepmother, The hero and Zoe had issues and hem and hawed about being together: also, like a ill aimed bullet, the storyline ricocheted all over the place, . . what started in a French Chateau, went to a swashbuckling murderous sailing trip to American and back, LaRogue and Zoe, and their romance gets lost in the shuffle, LOVED IT! I Loved this book the writing was so good I could picture myself Zoe, this is a Cinderella story with the evil stepmother, Zoe , and her half sister and of course a handsome Count.
This story will make you cry for what Zoe goes through I loved her, there is nothing than makes me happier than a well written book, I really liked the premise of the story but was disappointed by the execution, I started to hate the hero by the middle of the book and didn't care if they ended up together or not, But I have to say that I appreciated how the author showed the struggles of a young woman who has littles choices and opportunities in life because of the color of her skin.
I did like the heroine and could somehow relate to her, Overall it was a soso read I read the first few chapters but could not go much further as the sex was too explicit for my taste.
It was a shame really as I liked the premise an interracial historical romance featuring a heroine who isn't white, I don't want to review this book, If I do, I'd just start ranting and giving away spoilers, I will say this though I liked the use of French dialogue, I thought it was pretty nice, While I liked this book enough to pull an allnighter and ead it again, there were just things that annoyed and frustrated me, great historical
great story, can't believe i hadn't read it before, loved the storyline and characters, i recommend this book. five star A fantastic book,I thoroughly enjoyed it, I was on pins and needles reading about Zoe and her trials, A child of privilege in a time where people of color were looked down upon,Zoe managed to triumph where most have failed, Though I find Zoe and La Roque foolish and stubborn at times, I enjoy the story and writing, There are a few grammar errors, but it's nothing egregious, This was a really good read, From the moment I saw the cover for Zoe by T, A. Ford, I was entranced. The rich pastel textures reminded me of sweet confections reminiscent of beautiful previous century tapestries, The fact that a beautiful girl with smooth coffee skin instead of the usual porcelain complexion graced the cover made me sit up and take notice along with the laced title.
I don't usually read historical romances, mainly because the heroines were of the run of the mill same variety without much difference between them, Thus I couldn't find much interest, I did read historical fiction, like the Feast of July amp Legends of the Fall, and many movies that took placed in the previous century that were adapted from books still grace my shelves to this day.
However Zoe has helped introduced me to a new love in a genre I hope to find more of in the coming days: IR Historical Romance.
And yet it's so much more than that,
From the moment we're introduced to Zoe, her sister Marianne and her stepmother Madame we enter a world of rare privilege and high society, Where women's futures are defined by the men they marry, Marianne is set to ride this path as she is to meet with the Count Julien La Roque de Toulouse as they enter his home, But once the Count sees Zoe, he is entranced by her and sets to make her his,
Most of the synopsis is in the back of the book so I won't recount it, I'll share my thoughts on the book instead,
In a word, this book is magnificent, A richly described novel that takes you into the depths of the character's turmoils, loves, frustrations and fights as they interact in earlyth century Toulouse, France.
Author T. A. Ford takes you on a journey of the self discovery of her title character as she leaves childhood behind and enters womanhood, There were so many beautiful descriptions and wonderful quotes, One in particular stands out:
She reached down and pulled up the covers, She understood now that being a woman was not losing her virginity,
Being a woman meant understanding her heart,
Zoe is definitely a strong independent female character forced to grow up wiser than her years due to the inhumanity she grew up around as a child and that she was reminded of by her stepmother everyday.
Even through all the atrocities she faces and as she fears the loss of her family and her loves heart, you can't help but love her and keep cheering her on as she struggles to survive a cruel world.
Count LaRoque is a complex romance hero that defies mere terms like that of alpha and beta, He lives and breathes right off the pages as he goes from cold hearted womanizer to lovelorn hero within the pages, Once his past is revealed, it all becomes clear,
Author T. A. Ford said this book is part factual and part fantasy and I can see where some liberties may have been taken, But overall the book feels like it could have taken place in a very real time not too long ago, The descriptions of the scenery as well the character's dresses and actions made it seem like a period movie played out in my head as I read.
I wished all the more that my dreams for directing had already come to light as this would definitely be a story I would be more than eager to adapt for the visual medium of storytelling with the author's consent and guidance of course.
I can't say enough about Zoe and I can't remember when a book last had me cheering out loud one minute, crying the next, and yelling in surprise the next minute after that.
I started reading the book late last night with only the idea of reading one chapter and ended up reading until the sun started rising outside my window.
Tonight I finished the second half of the book and haven't remember plowing through a good book in that short amount of time since I was thirteen reading Jurassic Park in three days.
This book has definitely made it to my keeper shelf and I can't wait to reread it again later, The book may seem rather costly but do not let that sway you, It is an amazing, entertain and beautiful read that you should definitely check out,
Zoe has earned it's way as numberon my best reads oflist and I can't wait to see what else T, A. Ford has in store for her readers, I hope IR Historical Romances start popping up like Zoe, because if they do, I'll definitely be eating them up like hot cakes!
A highly recommended read.
Over all I liked this book, loved Zoe,but I didn't like the hero too much, at some points I absolutely hated him because of certain actions, anyone who has read this book or will read it, will know what I mean.
I found nothing romantic about his certain actions, never the less, this author is talented and it certainly wasn't just another sex/porn/smut book, it didn't insult my intelligence by using page after page of something that could be bought, sex, for the romance, it was a dare I say it, a true romance book.
I will be looking for more of this author's books This book was on my TBR list for quite a while and I figured it was a holiday weekend I should give it a read.
. . I'm so glad I did I love book with strong women and hero's, . . This was an intriguing read, The heroine Zoe came across as strong and loving but she fell in love to quickly with the hero Comte Julien La Roque de Toulouse who I did not find lovable at all in the beginning.
I mean dude was a hole, This woman of mixed birth living her whole life having it thrown in her face and having to deal with men wanting one thing from her just chucks it all in for a rich dude over a book of poems.
So ya that did not fit my idea of a strong heroine but I guess we all have our weak spots and hers was definitely the hero.
Because although she was willing to sacrifice herself and desires for her lovable father, naive sister and the hero, who I did not think earned her love until the “rescue”, Zoe could handle herself it was interesting seeing this weak in love, but strong in every other way woman navigate her way to happiness.
This story took us to an era rarely visited
in historical romance, I did get teary eyed and any story that can evoke that much emotion ranks as a good read.
I rooted for Zoe although I still think she could have done better in the hero department, he was a man of his times for sure and he did prove himself in the end.
Alternate cover edition of ISBN
Beautiful Zoé Bouchard, born into a life of privilege during the Napoleonic Era in France, is blossoming into a woman.
The product of une petite liaison between her French father and his African mistress, Zoé lives a life of comfort and love, However, Zoé's stepmother, jealous of the affections showered upon her by her father, has long resented having to raise a mulatto as her own in French society.
At sixteen and the younger by two years, Zoé's sister, Marianne, has reached the age to marry, Thus the girls are presented to the mysterious, philandering Comte Julien La Roque de Toulouse, Soon Zoé herself falls prey to the Count's charms, Seduced by a glimpse of the man behind the title, Zoé finds herself deep in a passionate liaison beyond her youthful understanding,
Desperate to cover her foolish lapse in judgment, Zoé races against time to keep her secret affair from being uncovered, When caught by her cruel stepmother, her hopes of rescue by her father cannot be realized, and she is forced into a bitter bargain, But even as she tries to return the attentions of the Count to her sister, Marianne, and her impending betrothal, she must fight the truths underneath her own feelings.
Her only salvation is to trust the one person who has created the labyrinth of betrayal and tragedy she cannot escape,
A Cinderella fairytale for all time, Zoé takes the reader beyond color and shares the true nature of humanity and passion in a pageturning erotic tale that will keep you readingand believing that true loves knows no bounds.
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T.A. Ford