With this Kiss (edition 1999)

This review can also be found on my blog.

Morgan St. James thought he had it all. A title, wealth, a beautiful fiancee, and a wedding to plan. One night changed everything. Two years later, Morgan is still haunted by the memories of the fire that left him badly scarred and claimed the life of a child he had tried to save, and his former fiancee left him for his best friend. For two years he has lived like a recluse behind the walls of his estate. His circumstances have made him cynical and introspective. Then Julia stumbles into his life and turns him inside out.

Julia Prentiss needs to find herself a husband before her uncle chooses a suitor for her, however her family name is linked to scandal. She has her sights on Morgan, but will some important information she possesses be enough to convince him to take her offer?

“What a vulgar question.”

He lifted his shoulders in an indifferent shrug. “Yours is a vulgar proposition. Besides, you’re forgetting what a man wants most when he takes a wife.”

“Love?”

He nearly choked on a mouthful of tea. “You neglected to mention a sense of humor while regaling me with your considerable attributes.”
I fell in love with this story as soon as those words were spoken. I don’t often read historical romances, but when I do I sure know how to pick them. The dialogue was very clever, very witty, mature and humorous. Morgan and Julia played off of each other so well, I often thought I was in the same room watching them have one of many verbal sparrings.
“You seem to regard this marriage of ours as nothing but a mildly diverting hindrance to what might otherwise be occupying your time.”

“That depends on my mood. On other occasions it seems a contrivance, pathetic, spurious, laughable, ill-conceived, brash, and completely inane. I fluctuate.”

“Thank you so much for that edifying bit of information.”
Morgan is cynical and a bit of a grump at times, but he has that underlying sensibility or sensitivity that lets you catch glimpses of his vulnerability. It’s not lost on him that people call him The Beast. He has learned to live with his scarred flesh, but at the same time he uses it as a shield to save himself from disappointment. But Julia doesn’t act or react towards him like he expects her to. I loved both the vulnerable and the cynical sides of him because it usually led to some interesting, if not, really funny observations, conversations and situations. Though he is “the man of the house”, he seems to get steam-rolled by Julia time and time again. Instead of trying to put her in her place, he finds himself amused by her antics and indulges her every whim. Technically, he’s the perfect man – caring, compassionate, passionate, protective, and he has a great sense of humor.

Julia was a wonderful heroine. She doesn’t conform to society’s rules. She’s young, but she’s her own woman and knows her own mind. She’s also not afraid to speak it. She’s outspoken, opinionated, driven, stubborn, and inquisitive. She’s also a romantic at heart. Unlike most women of her time who don’t necessarily marry for love, Julia doesn’t want a loveless marriage, but breaking down her husband’s defenses may be altogether impossible.

What I loved about them as a couple was that they were complete opposites in every way, but they both wanted the same thing. The author did a wonderful job of making each character entirely loveable and relatable. I quickly became invested in them; I cheered for them, I felt sad for them whenever they seemed to misunderstand each other, and when they finally sealed their relationship, I swooned with them. If you’re not usually a fan of historicals, I would still highly recommend this one, just for the intelligent and humorous dialogue and the suspense. This is definitely a book I will revisit and cherish.

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Free on kindle

Spoilers

Not much to say. Readable romance. The man has scars. The woman has really unpleasant relatives and nowhere to go so she suggests they marry and find the bad guy together.

Reviewed by Rachel
Review copy provided by book tour
I'm obsessed with fairy tales and all things historical romance, so this book was a fantastic fit for me to review. I devoured it, yes devoured, in one sitting and was ready to come back for more once my hand clicked to the last page.


Morgan St. James is known to many as the beast. Once a rake, he now lives in solitude in his beautiful estate away from curious onlookers and those who spout gossip about his reputation and character. Once handsome, he now carries the burden of a scarred body. Maimed in an arsonaist's fire, he isn't ugly by any means. Something that as you read you don't know until about half way through. The scars are on his neck. It is more his reputation as a bitter man that keeps the gossips whispering, that and the tragedy that befell his home so many years previously. Alone, bitter, and without hope, he worries he will die without producing an heir, for who could ever love a beast such as he?


Enter in fiery Julia Pretense, who makes an offer that he can't refuse. Marry her so she can escape her Uncles' overbearing presence and she'll help him find the person responsible for the arson that stole everything from him.


Together they search throughout the ton to find the man responsible. The same man that has been sending Julia love letters for the past few months. As the action unfolds the tension between the two main characters builds in a very satisfying way.


I found myself drawn in to Morgan's plight more than Julia's, I felt sorry for him. That so many people would believe him to be a monster based on something that wasn't his fault to begin with is very believable. People only believe what they want to believe and because he lived such a charmed life it would make sense that those out to destroy him would be happy of his failures. It is very true of that era and the author does a good job conveying this.

All in all I would give the book the rating Lovely Rose. I look forward to reading more from this talented author. ( )