Nichole Van

“Though they seem like opposite ends of a long spectrum, love and hate reside quite closely to one another.”

Oh my! How to express my feelings on this magnus opus of redemption stories? It’s brilliant! I knew underneath the prematurely white haired, austere Duke of Kendall there was a tender heart just waiting to be unfurled and wow did Nichole Van deliver one heart palpitating, swoon worthy story. It was everything I hoped for and more. Lady Isolde Langston is his match in every way and she really gives him a run for his money. It’s a witty, enthralling, enemies to lovers, he falls first, wounded hero, redemption story that’s impossible to put down.

Tristan Gilbert, Duke of Kendall knew the minute the spritely Lady Isolde covered his eyes at the garden party he was lost. But, what to do when she’s the daughter of his bitter rival. He’s immediately besotted with her, but hates himself because of it. He must disdain her even though he desperately wants her. Lady Isolde Langston feels that spark between them, but with the Duke’s bitter prosecution of her father, that’s entirely her fault, she has no choice but to hate him and torment him at every turn.

Whenever these two are together, you can feel that crackling tension just under the surface. I won’t say what happens, but these two are forced together and forced to rely on one another and that’s when everything changes. As much as they hate each other, they equally love and once Tristan shares his feelings along with his troubled childhood and past, he finds a compassionate, supportive companion in Izzy. This wounded, abused man turns his lust for power and vengeance into a beautiful love that was so worth waiting for.

Isolde is just as amazing. I loved her intelligent, impetuous, sunshiny personality. Her loyalty is admirable and I loved the way she quickly expresses that loyalty to Tristan when she needs to. I loved her willingness to forgive even when I wondered if she would.

This story is so amazing. I have to admit I teared up a little at the end because I was so sad to see the series end. It was a beautiful ending to a fantastic series. You just need to read it. But, be sure to read all the previous books in the series first. This can be read as a standalone, but will be even more meaningful if you’ve read the previous books. I received an advanced complimentary copy from the author. All opinions are my own and voluntarily provided.… (mehr)

Dear Mrs. Van,

You have captured my heart and soul, once again. It is irrevocably yours. Anything you write, I will read. Another Regency or Scottish tale? Yes, please. Contemporary romance? RomCom? Mystery, fantasy, paranormal? Yes, ma'am. Poetry? Gladly. Hand it over. Grocery lists, doodles, accidental ink splatters? Hand them over. All things created by your hand. I am well aware that I am coming on strong here, but this review contains no trace of hyperbole. I am in earnest.

When it comes to this series, I cannot be convinced of anything less than its utter perfection. Every single story hits me in the solar plexus, leaving me breathless, craving more. I finish each one with the insatiable desire to begin it anew. It's powerful storytelling. I am in awe of your ability--and the hard work you put in--to turn a phrase, to evoke an emotion, to light up a place in my mind's eye, so I not only read and enjoy your books, but find myself immersed so deeply in them that I become the characters, and grieve at each The End. Book hangovers after your books are very real and are cured most quickly by devouring another book penned by Nichole Van.

On to this book specifically. From reading the first two books in the series, I already knew I would love Ethan Penn-Leith. And I did. All his charm and smoldering smiles, his inner dialogue, the vulnerable bits of himself he keeps hidden and tucked away, safe from the insincere love of adoring fans. And, oh, how I loved his bits of poetry throughout. But as much as I loved Ethan, I do believe I loved Allegra even more. I love that she cannot be kept down, will not be bullied into compliance. I love that she is versatile and adaptive, decisive, a natural leader, and that she can thrive in more than one situation. She knows how to deliver a barb, a set down, a well-placed and cleverly worded compliment. Her ability to stand up to her brother was probably my very favorite thing.

Ethan and Allegra are both so perfect and delectable, I could read books and books more of them. I loved the grumpy/sunshine trope in this story, and how well-matched they were for each other. And must say how grateful I am that Allegra's grump doesn't come across as mean or harsh. Glory hallelujah for a female grump who doesn't' bite the male lead's head off every time he speaks.
The depth of both characters is incredible. I sincerely love that both Allegra and Ethan have deep scars from the emotional upheaval and wounds of their pasts, and that they learn to begin to let the scars begin to heal through each other's strengths. They each develop as a person, and grow as a couple, and I love that dynamic.

Their love story is beautiful, and the ending made me smile throughout. In fact, I am quite certain I didn't stop smiling all through the last several chapters. Those chapters! My heart was fair to bursting. They are chapters I would gladly read over and over and over again. I love them!
Also, after finishing this book, I can say, with zero hesitation, that I am unbelievably excited for the Duke of Kendall's story. How could I possibly want the story for the austere, commanding, autocratic, manipulative, self-important, pompous, insufferable Duke? I shall not vocalize my reasoning regarding the matter, lest another unsuspecting person should happen upon this missive, and be unfairly forced to learn what I now know through a spoiling. But oh, ho, ho! It is going to be good. I can taste it already. (This part of the letter really must be read with the image in mind of my hands hovering before my face, alternately tapping my fingers together, with a slightly evil grin, and a delightedly mischievous cackle.)

Really, my dear Authoress, I find myself enchanted, delighted, inspired by your book. Thank you for gifting the world--and, by extension, me--with these beautiful words and stories. The alternate worlds you create are truly a source of light and joy to my soul.

Ever yours,
Jessica

Audiobook Review: Narrated by Mhairi Morrison -- I love this narrator! Her Scottish accent is so delicious (and she is a native Scot, so one would expect no less), and she is really good at laying it on thick as the need arises. She also offers up a good English accent, and the voices and emotion she offers are excellent. I couldn't imagine anyone else narrating these books.

**thanks to the author for the copy. I loved this book with all of me.… (mehr)

I adored this book. Absolutely adored it. I will be the first to admit that I love a Regency storyline that involves a female pushing the bounds of society, making her own way in the world, and a name for herself. While I know that some people don't like that, the 21st century feminist in me is a big fan. Especially when it's done in a way that it's not outside the bounds of possibility. And this book fits that bill perfectly.
Belle Heartstone is wise and kind and smart, and I loved her immediately. Her business acumen is amazing, and aside from her opening scene where she displays some rashness, she has such a level head. I loved the reputation she garners for herself among the gentlemen of the ton, and how she grows her business into something big and powerful.
I loved that Colin is a male protagonist with flaws and needs to work through his mental hang ups throughout the story. I absolutely loved his speech to Belle in the opening scene, and how he inspired her to do all the great things she does with her life.
Epistolary themes or styles in books is a favorite of mine, and I loved the letters that passed back and forth between Belle and Colin in this one. Naturally Belle was outside the bounds of propriety, but I still loved it. And I loved how that added depth to their relationship through the years.
This book did not have an easy or given resolution, another thing I loved about it (and something I've come to expect from Nichole Van). The characters had to work for it. They were put through their paces and it was a delicious dance.
It's such a good book. I loved the fresh take on a traditional regency love story, and look forward to a reread in the future.

Audiobook Review: Narrated by Cat Gould -- a good reading, with a good accent and fair voices for the different characters. Pleasant to listen to, though in some ways an older sounding voice than I expected Belle to be at the beginning.… (mehr)

This book is so much fun! I am a sucker for time travel. I am a sucker for amnesia tropes. Having both in the same book is a sure-fire way to guarantee I will be sucked in and hooked from the beginning. And because this is Nichole Van, we also got immersive settings, fantastic character growth, answers to the problems I never could have predicted, and narration that drips with beautiful words.

Emme and James are the perfect couple for one another. I loved how much they needed each other, how they helped and strengthened one another by virtue of their own strengths. I loved the entire family dynamic between James, Andrew, and Georgiana. I loved how Emme assimilated into the Regency time period, feeling as though it was right but also not.

It was just so good. And I cannot wait for the rest of the series!

Audiobook Review: Narrated by Shiromi Arserio -- I LOVED this narration. Hers is a voice that does well with both slower and faster listening speeds, her accents are good, her voices for the characters are spot on and delightful to listen to.… (mehr)