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...)

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

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!

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

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.

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.

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."

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.

This was tricky to rate. On one hand I loved the heroine, Anna was smart and witty and I adored her. Anthony fell short, I can't really put my finger on why I did find him as compelling as Anna but he missed the mark. I think it may have been that he was technically betrothed the whole time he was pursuing Anna and that rubbed me the wrong way. The story was strong and exciting until it lost steam at about the 50% mark. The last half of the book was convoluted and boring which was a shame because it was shaping up to be a 5 star.

It had all my favorite elements for a historical romance but I wasn't impressed. This is high rated among my GR friends so this is a "it's me not you" situation.

It may be called An Affair to Remember but I don't remember much about it at all except that there is a horse named Satan in it. This annoyed me because I had just finished another book by this same author and in that there was also a horse named Satan. They were not the same horse. As I finished reading this book 3 days ago and can't remember what it was about. I've read a lot of Regency romances and loved them. I could tell you plots of stories read 10 years ago. Therefore I find it significant that 3 days later I find nothing memorable about it at all. I apparently like well enough when I was reading it to finish it, but that's damning with faint praise.

The Elliot family has always had a bad reputation, that is until 17 year old Anthony Elliot, who was raised by the St. John family took over the family in his position as the Earl of Greyley. In his cousins will, Anthony becomes guardian of 5 very spoiled and unruly children who could put previous generations to shame. Anthony is determined to give them a different life. After going through several governesses, he finally takes his sister's advice and goes to the best governess London has to offer, Ms. Anna Thraxton. The Thraxton family was once very powerful but had fallen into hard times. Anna had to support her and her grandfather somehow.... and discovered she actually enjoyed and was good at dealing with children.

Soon, she is in Anthony's home dealing not only with the children but trying to deal with Anthony himself. However, she can barely deal with the growing attraction amongst the two of them when they are alone. Anthony eventually insists on her becoming his mistress. His honor is at stake he he can't go back on his promise to marry a neighboring families daughter.

The Elliot grandmother of the children insisted she come and live so she wouldn't be so far away from them. She wants the children for herself because although the diamond mine her son became entangled in went bust, later it was discovered that there were rubies. Only, all the money will be in Greyley's care until the oldest, Desmond was of age. She needs the money now. So she calls in her other son to come between Anthony and Anna.

It all backfires and thanks to the children by a play they put on, the engagement is called off. He discovers that Anna has left to go back to London accompanied by the son, Rupert even though Rupert has fallen in love with Anthony's fiance. Due to an accident, Anna and Rupert are stranded at an inn where Anthony finds them. Everything is put back to right.

4.5 stars!

I enjoyed this book so much! This was such sweet romance with a gaggle of cute children. It was also hilarious and ripe with sexual tension.

Anthony inherited five children from his late cousin. He hired Anna to reform the mischievous bunch hellions. The pranks they played! They were truly amusing. I loved how Anna handles them. And the romance. Anthony was extremely attracted to her but he promised himself to someone else and he didn’t want to break his promise. There laid the dilemma. However, this book brings these two characters in a truly beautiful and satisfying manner. Although there was buzzing tension between them, Anthony and Anna had only one love scene.

The characters in this book were great. No drama no fuss. If you want a good laugh, a sweet romance and a bunch of naughty kids, I definitely recommend this one. This was an amazing book and I really enjoyed it.