An Affair to Remember by karen hawkins

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

April 17,2025

The storyline was (predictable but) ok. I guess I read this to take a break from mysteries. It was pleasant enough but the characters were rather thin. Their whole development was in their reputations. They were what they were because she said so. Mischievious, domineering, irresponsible...but little example was given to support the acusations. The children did some naughty things, but they went from "devil spawn" to angels with little for the reader to go on except being told they were better. I would have liked to have been given more evidence to come to that conclusion for myself. It is supposedly the first of the series (even if it is a sequel to Seducing Sara...see, more you just have to take her word on) so maybe the rest of the series is better developed. I felt a bit like I was reading the author's notes instead of the finished novel. ("Tricia becomes more agreeable...children become more cooperative...Ruppert becomes redeemable...)

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K1N0SUKE

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

April 17,2025

Very enjoyable romance. Well written and an interesting story - one of my auto buy authors!

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WeeabooHellRoute

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

April 17,2025

Dit heeft meerdere malen op mijn doneerstapel gelegen. Toch weerhoud ik me ervan om het te doneren omdat zelden ik zo gespannen zat te lezen. Ik kan me absoluut niet meer herinneren waar het verhaal precies over ging maar wel hoe de spanning en passie tussen de twee hoofdpersonen mijn aandacht vasthield.

Ik wist overigens niet dat dit een serie was!

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LuteFlute

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

April 17,2025

Historical English governess marries the lord of the estate romance with some second chances themes.
The Earl of Greyley, Anthony Elliot is suddenly the new parent to five children so he quickly hires a great governess to foist the children off on her. The redheaded Miss Anna Thraxton is a good governess because she is stubborn, outspoken, and has lots of opinions about childcare and how to live a good life in general.
I really liked this story. It makes sense how Anna ended up having to work for a living while her grandfather can just be 'invited' to stay at the place where she is working because this is a strange society with so many rules. Titled people can not work, but must live by investments and wealthy marriages.
Anthony was a gruff duty bound Earl, who was lucky enough to be raised in the loving and honorable St John family until his majority when he had to take over his crazy paternal family. The Elliots are selfish and vicious as Lady Putney is an example of the evil that flows through their family.
I really liked this book, something about Miss Anna made this story such a great read, she is the best heroine that I've read in a while!
372 pages and bought used for 3euros
3 stars

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unaestheticcc

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

April 17,2025

I enjoyed this book. However, it is another of those where the bad guy doesn't really get their comeuppance! Granted, the villain in this one isn't really horrid -- just plotting and greedy. Still, I'd like to see some punishment other than them just not getting what they were scheming for.

I would also have liked to see a 'finish' for Rupert and Charlotte. Maybe something in the Epilogue or something.

Since this is the first book in the series, it will be interesting to see if the Talisman Ring has some more active role in future romances for the holder. In this one, it seemed 'warm' on occasion when Anthony felt of it. Otherwise, it just seemed to be in his possession. So, that will be something to look for in future books in the series.

I wonder why it was that in the Regency period a lady of long, well-born lineage is suddenly an outcast if they become impoverished and take employment. I get all the better-than-you stuff, but seems more people would ignore that and still be friends if they were REALLY friends in the first place.

Anyway -- to this book -- I loved the story. A story of an arrogant Earl being taken down a peg by a fiery red-head is also gratifying -- and this one was no exception.

Anthony became an Earl somewhere around 4 years of age. His mother remarried a St. John who raised the boy and loved him as his own. St. John protected Anthony from his scalawag Elliott family until he was 17 and assumed the leadership of the Elliott family. Anthony worked very hard to restore the earldom to prosperity and to bring the Elliott's onto the straight-and-narrow and away from scandal, etc. He had succeeded admirably well, but at personal cost to himself. He missed out on all of the 'fun' things young men of his age did. Then, he finds himself at age 35 with no heir.

Anthony decides it is time to marry and looks for a docile, bidable young (half his age) bride. He finds such a person is actually his neighbor -- so he makes an offer for her -- and her father accepts.

Anthony also finds himself the guardian of his cousins 5 very, very unruly children. They go through governesses like water through a sieve. At his wits end, Anthony hires Anna Thraxton who is in impoverished state -- but has a long revered name in the ton. Anna is acknowledged as the best governess in the country and is very, very expensive -- she's also the best friend of Anthony's half-sister.

Read this book to follow Anna's story of taming the shrewish children and the Earl! I just love a feisty heroine and a beleaguered hero.

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aimansyafiq14

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

April 17,2025

Anthony Elliott, Lord Greyley had his life all sorted. By age 35 he'd managed to repair the fortune and respectability of his estate and dug most of his ne'er-do-well relations from the depths of dun territory their irresponsible actions had sent them. Content to begin the next chapter of his life by settling his responsibilities for an heir, he selects a beautiful but timid Schoolroom Miss to be his future countess, thus solidifying his family's improved reputation.

Everything is turned upside down when he is given guardianship of 5 unruly orphans.

Anna Thraxton's family had always been part of the Ton until her grandfather's poor investments reduced their circumstances. Now, she works as a governess and is considered the best in London, especially for her success in dealing with "difficult" children.

Anna was Anthony's younger sister's childhood friend and is the obvious choice to tame his rambunctious wards, who have left a trail of governesses in their wake.

Anna is forthright, clever, and sassy, but at the same time kind and compassionate. She doesn't bow down to Greyley's overbearing bossiness and can't help but interfere when she sees that his relationship with the children could be improved.

The MC's spark perfectly off each other. The banter and chemistry is great. Because of Greyley's betrothal to Charlotte, he is "honour bound" to commit to the upcoming marriage, but offers Anna his heart and a comfortable life as his mistress. This did not endear him to me (at all), but his reasoning is made understandable in the story. Anna is naturally tempted by him but has too much respect for herself to be completely ruined in that way.

The children and Anna's grandfather all play their parts as matchmakers, against the machinations of the children's conniving, greedy grandmother.

This book contains mildly descriptive love scenes.

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Nyaruko_chan_

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

April 17,2025

I love Karen Hawkins books. She is a great author and her books are always an enjoyable read. "An Affair to Remember" was just one of those books. Our heroine, Anna, is a very special governess in high demand. She is able to work with difficult children with great results. Lord Greyley, a bachelor, has just become guardian to five children all of whom are considered to be holy-terrors. They have run off many governesses due to their horrid behavior. Enter Anna! She quickly wins the children's hearts with her kindness, humor, imagination and fun outlook on life. Lord Greyley and Anna find themselves attracted to one another but Anna is determined that she will not be someone's mistress. Lord Greyley is betrothed to another. Have I tempted you enough? This is a delicious read with a strong heroine and equally strong hero. Do pick up a copy of this book and find out who "wins."

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mrmidorimochi

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

April 17,2025

Very enjoyable. The lead couple were fantastic and despite some great cameos by the side characters the focus remain on the couple which was great. I love Anna especially who was spirited but not in the way that comes across as rude. Ms Hawkins has a command of the genre and plot which is great. Made me smile.

Ps - I know it’s a cliche but cuddly babies with a lisp are so cute. Selena lisping that she “hurted” herself made this great.

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Talisman Ring #1

An Affair to Remember

karen hawkins

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karen hawkins

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