This novel provides an immersive story set in 19th century New Orleans. I enjoyed this novel a fair bit - particularly when Felice and Rene showed up, as I actually read Felice first. Cameron and Josette have an interesting back-and-forth, and I loved the Thibodeaux family dynamics and overall Voodoo story. I did find their affection for one another grew a bit fast, but not unrealistically so. I preferred "Felice", but I very much would recommend Josette as well to anyone who loves historic romance, as the author has done a very good job weaving an immersive setting and romantic tale. I love the Andrews-Thibodeaux family drama and dynamics, and look forward to reading "Lily"! ( )

This story is set in the mid-19th Century in New Orleans... if I had a time machine, this is one of the times/places I would want to visit. Living in New Orleans, I love reading stories set here, particularly the historicals that are somewhat accurate and give a lot of the city's history. It would be awesome to go back to the time when Antoine's was still new, voodoo wasn't a tourist attraction, and the Cajun patios was abundant. Kudos to this author for doing her research and injecting so much of New Orleans' popular history into this story. Even the slow pace of the story was reminiscent of way of life here (this becomes readily apparent if you ever try to stay within your lunch "hour" at one of the popular restaurants in the Quarter!).

Cameron Andrews is part of the Andrews shipping magnate, and is stunned to learn that many years ago he fathered a daughter... who stowed aboard one of his ships to find him. Alexia was quite the character, always into mischief in a misguided effort to garner attention. I loved Cameron's character. He is grieving the passing of his wife and child and seems to be drifting through life lost. Alexia comes along and forces him into a situation that is sure to shake things up.

Alexia's aunt, Josette, is a creole beauty who married well and is now a widow living in a huge mansion in the Garden District. I had a great picture of Josette in my head, as this stoic beauty in her stately mansion, getting bullied and gossiped about around town for daring to better her circumstances and get out of the swamp.

Josette has loved Cameron since she was a child when he didn't know she was alive. She is standoffish with him now as she fears having her heart broken. Likewise Cameron is still overwrought with grief from losing his wife, and is not quite ready to let her go. So there was a lot of push and pull between the two as they fought their attraction.

I liked this story quite a bit, and didn't feel lost for not having read the first two installments of the series. I did feel that "Nawlins" was a bit overused at times, but the other cultural and historical aspects were well done and seemingly accurate from what I know of the city. This is a good read for people who like those slow southern historicals that really gets into the everyday lives of the characters. 4 stars / 2 flames. ( )

Originally posted on Tales to Tide You Over

I picked Josette because I was in the mood for a historical romance and wanted to get the feel for the United States in the Victorian Era, but historical romance can be hit or miss depending on the abilities of the author to transport the reader to that time. When I started reading, the level of detail seemed a bit excessive to me. I like a light touch in description and have a tendency to skim if it gets too much. Still, the story began with an odd circumstance in which Cameron, the leading man, is in San Francisco instead of New Orleans, and the other character earning main screen time is apparently a very young boy who’d stowed away on one of Cameron’s shipping fleet. Curiosity, if nothing else, kept me reading.

I’m not sure exactly when my hesitation stripped away, but the next thing I knew, I was buried neck deep in a complex tale of youthful indiscretions coming back to haunt, and save, a man who is searching for balance after the loss of his wife and child.

But this is not just Cameron’s story. Josette, the leading woman, has her own situation to deal with, one infused with prejudice, a couple of true villains, and the most tangled but strong family ties I’ve read in a long while.

While the novel hits many of the traditional romance notes, it does so wrapped around lovely complications so succeeds in offering both the comfort of familiarity and the fun of exploration.

The sex is explicit, but it’s neither overly detailed nor the central focus, something I wasn’t expecting when Josette and Cameron ended up in bed quite early in the book. The tension between the two main characters is strong, but even better, the sense that it’s more than just physical is tangible, especially with how Josette had a crush on him as a child. However, as with all good reads, the sex only makes things more difficult as Josette has two overly protective brothers and Cameron has a history with both of them.

Add in a Voodoo priestess mother, a cousin with no scruples and a history of wrongdoing, and a child Cameron never knew existed who is torn between her ties to the bayou and the longing for her father, and what you get is a rich tapestry filled with cultural details that enchanted me. The characters had to balance past conflicts with the need to cooperate, and the wonder of it is they do not always get it right. Real mistakes are made and need to be resolved for the good of all.

I got everything I hoped for and more. Josette offered a satisfying, entertaining read, and I’ll definitely consider picking up more from Kathleen Bittner Roth in the future.

P.S. I received this title from the publisher through NetGalley in return for an honest review. ( )

Wonderfully romantic story set in 1800's New Orleans. Rich descriptions made me feel I was there amongst the livery and charm that is "'Nawlins" and its Cajun flair. Josette has strength, wit and charm, Cameron, a sense of humor and loyalty, along with a myriad of characters that lend to an overall entertaining and fulfilling tale. I thoroughly enjoyed Josette and recommend it for your reading shelf!
*I received an ARC for an honest review* ( )