Orchid and Peach Cocktails

Review: The Summer of You by Kate Noble
Swoon Factor: Keep your smelling salts handy
Reviewer: Rudi

I decided to head home for the Easter weekend and take a little time to relax in the familiar. As it turns out, spending more than three consecutive days in the company of my father can be a little … tiring so I found myself retreating into a book. Specifically, The Summer of You by Kate Noble.

Lady Jane Cummings has been outmanoeuvred and now she has to spend the summer with her ailing father and good-for-nothing brother at their family estate, rather than in London (where there are doctors and family friends that could help look after her father). Add to this the people of Merrymore can’t quite forget the trouble she used to cause as a child and are struggling to see her as the young lady she has become, and it’s no wonder she’s looking for a means of escape. She finds it in Bryne Worth; wounded war hero, brooding gentleman, total grouch, and (according to town gossip) elusive highwayman.

Jane and Bryne begin a tentative friendship over jasmine tea. Neither is particularly interested in sharing their secrets at first but they become a sort of safe haven for each other. Someone that can be absolutely counted on and that kind of person is rare for them both. And then of course, there’s their attraction.

The Summer of You is the second novel in a series however it works very well as a standalone. It’s also the kind of novel that you can keep coming back to. To be honest I’ve read it at least twice before. For me it’s a comfort read, but the kind of one that I go to when I need more than the standard sexy protagonists trading witty remarks. There’s depth and emotion and sexy protagonists trading witty remarks.

Jane’s family situation touches me in a very personal way. She’s suddenly found herself as The Responsible Adult and isn’t sure how to handle that. I’ve been there, and frankly it would have been wonderful if I’d had a Bryne Worth around to drink tea with. But I guess in the meantime I have The Summer of You.

If you’re like me, you have a list of authors who’ve made it onto your auto-buy list and every new release is eagerly awaited. However the problem with auto-buys is that occasionally you encounter an underperformer. Generally speaking it’s not that they’re ‘bad’, they just haven’t met your expectations and that can feel like a bit of a betrayal.

I have five autobuy authors and honestly this has happened to me with every single one. Although if I had to point to one novel that was the most frustrating and disappointing I would have said A Night Like This by Julia Quinn. That is, until I recently re-read it.

This was the second novel in a series about the Smythe-Smith family (if you aren’t familiar with the Smythe-Smith’s you haven’t read nearly enough Julia Quinn for my liking) and believe me when I tell you, I was looking forward to loving them all. But then the first novel was released and I wasn’t a fan of the heroine, which was fine because there was some serious food porn and rehearsals for the ridiculously horrible Smythe-Smith musicale so it balanced and I told myself the next one would be better. Amazing even. And finally in 2012 A Night Like This was released, and I bought it straight away, and started reading.

My first attempt wasn’t particularly successful. To be honest I’m still not entirely sure if I finished it. Despite this I decided to give it another go, and this time I definitely finished it and it was fun and sweet.

So on behalf of the underperforming romance novels on your bookshelf, before you completely write them off take the time to give them a second chance. You might rediscover something special.

- Rudi

Hi,

I’ve been way too busy to write any reviews… or read any books… I’m working on my honours and after November all I’ll have is time! so see you then.

Also will need romance recs for november!

Reviewer: Rudi
Swoon Factor: Read this one reclining on a chaise while someone fans you

So … yeah … it’s been a very long time since I’ve written a review. As it turns out 2012 has been a very busy year. Along with studying and assignmenting, I’ve suddenly found myself with roughly 12 jobs, thus ending my job drought. All this aside I haven’t stopped reading, and having opinions on what I’m reading, I’ve just postponed writing those opinions down. That’s all changing. I’ve regrouped, and come up with a fool proof plan to ensure I still get reviews out. Starting with About That Night by Julie James.

This is the third book in the FBI/US Attorney series,although it can be read as a standalone. Rylann Pierce is an assistant U.S attorney at the top of her game professionally if not personally. She’s recently moved to Chicago after a disappointing end to a long-term relationship and is looking to get stuck into work. Enter Kyle Rhodes. Kyle is of course the brother of Jordan Rhodes from book two of the series. Kyle has recently been release from prison after having been infamously dubbed the ‘Twitter terrorist’ and indicted on multiple federal charges. He’s also a billionaire heir playboy, and the guy that Rylann almost dated in college.

Is it sounding complicated yet? Maybe it’s because I’ve read the previous books (along with a couple of Ms James’ other releases) but it’s actually pretty straight forward once you get past the back story of why a convicted criminal is a perfectly awesome hero for a lawyer heroine (and they really are perfect for each other). There is a subplot wherein Kyle is the star witness in Rylann’s case meaning that they can’t be together while the trial is ongoing as it’s a conflict of interest and unethical and so damn frustrating because there are sparks people.

About That Night was thoroughly enjoyable. If you’ve been looking for a way to get back into contemporary romance anything by Julie James is a great place to start. Her novels are effortless and enjoyable to read, to the point where you have to be a little careful you don’t accidently catch the wrong train home because you were too involved in the scene to take notice of exactly where the train was going … not that I’ve ever done that …

-Rudi