The Captain's Bluestocking Mistress

This is the second (or rather the third) book in the series. Yet again, can be read as a standalone novel but is a much better read if you have managed to read the other novels first.

I found this particular much more entertaining than the previous one. This novel is written with great intelligence and the characters have a fantastic wit and humour about them. The characters are believable and really life-like; and this reader can certainly identify with both.

Without giving too much away, I loved the truth or dare banter in the drawing room. And the inevitable love scene was delicious.

There was also a brief pause and angst as they realised how much they loved each other and could not live without them. The proposal was rather unique and show more brought an out loud ‘awwwwwwww’ from this reader. Although there is not marriage mentioned here there is an engagement which would inevitably lead to a HEA. Hopefully the wedding will be featured in a later book.

The story line is not new and follows the formula used for the previous two books but there are elements that make this story vibrant and alive. One particularly wonderful aspect of the book was the antics of the cat Egui. These were hilarious as were the results of the repairs Jane had to perform on the Captain’s under shirts. This reader hopes that Egui will see a welcome return in the later books in the series.

This reader hopes to be offered the opportunity to read the later stories in this series.

Full Disclosure: ARC received from Netgalley for an honest review. show less

I have always enjoyed reading Regency romances but Ms Ridley has taken the genre to new heights. Her characters are not just the usual fluffy female with gorgeous guy to fall for but instead both Jane and Xavier are complex, intelligent people with interesting issues they must deal with. Even though the storyline may not be new there are elements to this story that make it fresh and vibrant. This is one story that I will enjoy reading again – although – I do hope that the cat Egui and his master, Jane’s brother, will eventually find a woman that can get along with them both…maybe they will star in an upcoming Regency romance…I kind of hope so.

Not having read the first book in the series I now have to go back and find it!

Jane is not the normal type of heroine you find in the Regency genre and she's magnificent. Having been put firmly on the shelf because the ton suffers from 'Janenesia' and forgets her presence before even acknowledging her, Jane's decided she's had enough. She refuses to be ignored anymore and hunts down the man that will see her whether he likes it or not. With perilous weather and a demented cat this story carries a lighter toned romance that is sure to entertain.

I second another opinion on here that I would have loved to have heard some more of Jane's outrageous banter when being ignored in society.

...solving Bluestocking blues!

Really, what a lot of fun! And the ending...surprising! As is Jane Downing, much to Captain Xavier Grey's delight, or amazed puzzlement. And oh that grey demon cat, Egui, the creature that belongs to Jane's brother! An interesting addition that makes for some hilarious and wryly entertaining scenes.
A woman of single minded determination is our Jane. She has decided to take a lover for a short time, well whilst her brother is away, to experience life, before continuing into the long and stretching road of spinsterhood. Jane considers herself a shadowy figure, hidden amongst all. 'Janeisia' she calls what happens. (Very clever!) Take any function! No-one ever remembers meeting her, she is reintroduced all the show more time and then ignored. People's eyes slide across her, never seeing her. So when Jane decides that enough is enough, and that she will be mistress of her own destiny, to have memories as she treads the spinsterhood path, particularly memories of intimate relations between a man and a woman, she choses Xavier.
Xavier is suffering from the horrors of war, from his particular demons, and had hitherto been drifting in a no man's nightmare land of pain and memory, and regretful self loathing.
Watch out Xavier! You are to be challenged in more ways than one!
Suspend reality and enjoy. I did!

A NetGalley ARC show less

From Netgalley in exchange for a review

Third in the Dukes of War series by Ridley, which started with The Vicount's Christmas Temptation.

We find Jane on the way to the opera with Grace and her new husband Oliver, who we met in The Earl's Defiant Wallflower. Jane is dreading the upcoming social event, as she knows she will be introduced to the same people as before, only for them to have forgotten her from the last time, and knowing they will forget her almost before they've parted company - a trait she calls "Janenesia".

Sitting in one of the boxes, the small company are joined by Captain Grey, who is still suffering the after effects of the war with Bonaparte, and his guilt of what he did during that time. Jane has always been attracted show more to Xavier, and believes he is like all the others - forgetting her as soon as he can. Where Jane feels she is instantly forgettable, Xavier feels he is always being watched and lauded as a war hero, something he believes he isnt.

The following morning and Xavier is on his way to his cottage in Chelmsford to wait out the rest of the Season, as he is no fit company. Jane's brother Isaac has to go away on business for a few weeks, and so he leaves the house and his dreaded cat Egui in the care of Jane.

Jane, knowing at 24 she is destined to stay on the shelf and never knowing what sex is really like, decides to follow Xavier to Chelmsford, unfortunately with Egui in tow (as all the servants refuse to look after it). Most of the remaining story has Jane and Xavier in his cottage alone, trapped by impassable snow drifts. Xavier is shocked at Jane's suggestion and does all he can to resist. The few days together makes them realise they dont really know each other, having made assumptions and built up ideals about the other, which are slowly broken down.

The book finishes with a silly but satisfying ending in the theatre two weeks after the show at the beginning of the book.

The lethal cat Egui proves to be a suitable distraction at the right times, and brings on a slight farcical tone to the story (and allows for Jane to show off her unique embroidery skills). I think this is the strongest book in the series to date, possibly because I am now hitting my stride with them or simply because Xavier and Jane are having deeper, more meaningful conversations with no real outside distractions. However, it's still a light, occasionally flirtatious romance set in a period governed by rules. show less

I enjoyed this Regency romance.While I received this free as part of the Exclusive Jewels Vol 3, I voluntarily chose to review this. I've given this a 4.5* rating. This is not for the under 18 readers.The hero is a war bitter man and a heroine with a longtime crush on him. After much foolishness on the heroine's part, which were very brazen of her, and the antics of the demon cat, there was lots to keep turning the pages for.

Girl is waaaaaaaay too confident for a plump spinster. I'll give this an extra star for the brief moments of insecurity, but I am not really a fan of girl-chases-guy romances, and especially not when the hero repeatedly rebuffs her. Yet she is so convinced she's perfect for him and that they should be together? How is this brazen seductress even the same character as the awkward, invisible girl from the beginning of the story??