"Somewhere, at some indefinable point, he'd crossed a bridge and the bridge had crumbled behind him.
There was no going back.
He cared for Lady Phoebe Batten more than anything else in life.
More than his family. More than his honor.
More than his freedom, should it come to that."
There was no going back.
He cared for Lady Phoebe Batten more than anything else in life.
More than his family. More than his honor.
More than his freedom, should it come to that."
--Elizabeth Hoyt, Dearest Rogue
Genre: Adult Historical Romance
Genre: Adult Historical Romance
Publisher: Grand Central Publishing
Pages: 326
Publication Date: May 26th, 2015
Source: eARC provided by publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review
Previous Books in Series: 8th novel in series of companions
Goodreads Description
HE CAN GUARD HER
Lady Phoebe Batten is pretty, vivacious, and yearning for a social life befitting the sister of a powerful duke. But because she is almost completely blind, her overprotective brother insists that she have an armed bodyguard by her side at all times-the very irritating Captain Trevillion.
FROM EVERY DANGER
Captain James Trevillion is proud, brooding, and cursed with a leg injury from his service in the King's dragoons. Yet he can still shoot and ride like the devil, so watching over the distracting Lady Phoebe should be no problem at all-until she's targeted by kidnappers.
BUT PASSION ITSELF
Caught in a deadly web of deceit, James must risk life and limb to save his charge from the lowest of cads-one who would force Lady Phoebe into a loveless marriage. But while they're confined to close quarters for her safekeeping, Phoebe begins to see the tender man beneath the soldier's hard exterior . . . and the possibility of a life-and love-she never imagined possible.
HE CAN GUARD HER
Lady Phoebe Batten is pretty, vivacious, and yearning for a social life befitting the sister of a powerful duke. But because she is almost completely blind, her overprotective brother insists that she have an armed bodyguard by her side at all times-the very irritating Captain Trevillion.
FROM EVERY DANGER
Captain James Trevillion is proud, brooding, and cursed with a leg injury from his service in the King's dragoons. Yet he can still shoot and ride like the devil, so watching over the distracting Lady Phoebe should be no problem at all-until she's targeted by kidnappers.
BUT PASSION ITSELF
Caught in a deadly web of deceit, James must risk life and limb to save his charge from the lowest of cads-one who would force Lady Phoebe into a loveless marriage. But while they're confined to close quarters for her safekeeping, Phoebe begins to see the tender man beneath the soldier's hard exterior . . . and the possibility of a life-and love-she never imagined possible.
The Romance
All criticisms aside, the main focus of this book is the romance and that aspect is the best part. I loved the banter and hesitation between James and Phoebe. He is her guard, older, and crippled from war. She is young, blind, and eventually quite taken by James and his protective stance over her...even if she's spent the last 6 months resenting his presence. Their relationship is a slower burn but when they do admit feelings, it's quite hot--but also not in some ways, see below. But really, the romance of this story really is great. I loved watching the walls come down and seeing James allow himself to love. I loved Phoebe coaxing him into letting himself know how much she cares and how it is okay to have feelings for her. Their dynamic and story is the best part.
All criticisms aside, the main focus of this book is the romance and that aspect is the best part. I loved the banter and hesitation between James and Phoebe. He is her guard, older, and crippled from war. She is young, blind, and eventually quite taken by James and his protective stance over her...even if she's spent the last 6 months resenting his presence. Their relationship is a slower burn but when they do admit feelings, it's quite hot--but also not in some ways, see below. But really, the romance of this story really is great. I loved watching the walls come down and seeing James allow himself to love. I loved Phoebe coaxing him into letting himself know how much she cares and how it is okay to have feelings for her. Their dynamic and story is the best part.
The Drama
The summary is a little misleading because the two don't have to go into hiding until well into the 40% mark. There are multiple kidnapping attempts on Phoebe prior to their seclusion....and after getting back SPOILER ALERT there are still multiple kidnappings, even at the 93%. It just got exhausting and too far-fetched even for me. It was so totally eye-roll inducing I just couldn't by the end of it. It felt unnecessary and useless to the plot. We get it, the man will go to whatever lengths to save Phoebe. I got the memo. No need to resend over and over...and over again. I just didn't like the constant run-around
The Terminology
Now, don't get me wrong. I LOVE dirty talk. A filthy mouth is a total turn-on while reading but the language in certain scenes just didn't feel right. There were three words in particular that just didn't feel cohesive with the characters nor the time. I'm okay with today's terminology being used but when the entire book up until that point doesn't use said word, it feels off. I am not put off easily but one word in particular made me feel like I was in a bad porno or something. Not my bag, baby.
The Resolution
The resolution to the conflict also felt a bit off. Trust me, I'm not looking for genius in my historical romance but these extra POV chapters from another character didn't feel right, either. I felt like the ending was abrupt and rushed and way too easy seeing as we just spend over 300 pages to get there. I'm sure some people won't care but it just didn't work for me.
The summary is a little misleading because the two don't have to go into hiding until well into the 40% mark. There are multiple kidnapping attempts on Phoebe prior to their seclusion....and after getting back SPOILER ALERT there are still multiple kidnappings, even at the 93%. It just got exhausting and too far-fetched even for me. It was so totally eye-roll inducing I just couldn't by the end of it. It felt unnecessary and useless to the plot. We get it, the man will go to whatever lengths to save Phoebe. I got the memo. No need to resend over and over...and over again. I just didn't like the constant run-around
The Terminology
Now, don't get me wrong. I LOVE dirty talk. A filthy mouth is a total turn-on while reading but the language in certain scenes just didn't feel right. There were three words in particular that just didn't feel cohesive with the characters nor the time. I'm okay with today's terminology being used but when the entire book up until that point doesn't use said word, it feels off. I am not put off easily but one word in particular made me feel like I was in a bad porno or something. Not my bag, baby.
The Resolution
The resolution to the conflict also felt a bit off. Trust me, I'm not looking for genius in my historical romance but these extra POV chapters from another character didn't feel right, either. I felt like the ending was abrupt and rushed and way too easy seeing as we just spend over 300 pages to get there. I'm sure some people won't care but it just didn't work for me.
Standing in Line Outside
If you love drama, escapism, and questionable terminology...this book's for you.
If you love drama, escapism, and questionable terminology...this book's for you.
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