Personally not a fan of a man who doesn’t take no for an answer but ya know that’s just me

This book just didn't do it for me. It was a bit on the boring side - lots of telling and exposition, and very little action. I didn't really like Anna at all - instead of being a fun character, she was grating and annoying - and I really didn't believe in the romance between the hero and heroine. I just didn't feel it. *shrug* A forgettable book.

Riveting

This book is filled with fun characters, and tantalizing romance! I love the pranks the children and governess pull on each other.

Funny and Romantic and Well Written

Excellent, creative story. Well written, amusing, heart-warming, and laugh out-loud funny. Can't wait to read the next book in the series.

I could not get into the last book The Seduction of Sara I tried and gave up, however, this book was worth the read, I read this book many years ago and decided that a reread would be worth it, I am re-reading the ring series off and on I have forgotten if I liked them or not it has been so long. The male lead made me want to hit him over the head a few times he was so obsessed with how he was not really a St.John but felt he needed to prove he was, I thought this was too bad I understand from the author's point of view why she made him feel this way but it was sad to me because he was and is loved by his brothers, sister, and was cared and loved for by his mother and step-father.

The female lead made me laugh and made me feel for her she was raised to be a part of the Ton and her place as governess made her more of a servant than a member of the ton. I felt like she did a disservice to herself and her friendship with Sara by believing that she was not worthy of the friendship still because she had to become a governess this part of her thinking annoyed me. I loved that she said what she thought and did not mind telling the male lead what he needed, I am not a fan of female leads that simply bow down to the men in their lives so when a female leads says what she thinks and acts the way she believes she should it makes me enjoy the story even more. There are fine lines between being a spirited and self-aware female lead and being annoying and I thought that that line was maintained with this character.

The children were funny and engaging and the grandfather was a hoot, the villain in the story was greedy and got what she deserved. I am happy the children learned that they deserved to be cared for and loved something that the female lead taught them. I thought the prank war was fun if sometimes a bit painful. I find that in these story's there are not a lot of children and I understand that children are not sexy but I think they can had hummer to a stories and they are underutilized in many books, not this one I thought they were int he book for just the right amount of time you come to care for them but not annoyed by them.

The romance was steamy and slow to start the tension of the leads was something that was carried over from the previous book even if I did not finish it I got that this pair was meant to be from it. I understand the point of the main leads intended wife to be but I thought parts of that set up were just too much to be believable including when the female lead is going over to try and help her become a better wife for the male lead. I understand her part in the story and why the author set her up the way she did, I just wish she would have had more spirit going in, she does redeem herself in the end when she finds her ability to stand up and say what she is thinking.

I am happy I reread this book and I will read the remainder of the books it is a good read and worth the time and the cost it made me laugh along with making me emotionally invested in the characters something that makes me give it 4 stars. After attempting the book about Sara I was worried that this was going to be a waste of my time and was pleasantly surprised that it was worth every letter.

An Affair To Remember by Karen Hawkins

This is part of the St. Johns' brothers series. My two favorites of this series are An Affair To Remember (Anthony's story), and Lady In Red (Marcus' story). Usually, families of naughty children can become rather irritating in a romance novel. The scene of this book in which Anna, a governess, meets the five unruly children Anthony has recently "inherited" makes you wonder how the hell she is going to win them over. Well, Hawkins does an extraordinarily good job showing us how the bonds gradually build between these distrustful children and Anna and Anthony. It is funny, sweet, touching. This book includes a nasty meddling grandmother, shy fiance, plotting grandfather, and adorable gaggle of children. Anna is a very appealing heroine...beautiful, strong and determined to provide for her down-on-their-luck family, and Anthony is a strict disciplinarian thrown for a huge loop by this sexy governess and the five impish kids. Hawkins' dialogue is superb...I laugh out loud a lot reading this book. It also has a very satisfying HEA ending. The scene where Anthony is forced to rescue Anna in the lake is at once hilarious, touching, and memorable. I should also add that it is not necessary to read the whole series to enjoy this book...it can totally stand on its own!)
Grade: A

Penelope

Vermakelijk om te lezen. Schrijfster heeft een leuke schrijfstijl.

The first book in the "Tailsman Ring" series. I loved the premise of "whoever has the ring falls in love" plot. It's great! I am a fan of Hawkins already, and have mostly read her newer stuff.. so I am now making my way through her backlist. This book was fun. Great humour, chemistry, and some wonderfully stubborn lead characters which made for fiery confrontations. As I haven't read this series before.. I am already hoping she has written or plans to write, a story for the eldest child Desford. I enjoyed his character and think he'd make a strong Lead. I am looking forward to the rest of the series.

Original Review posted: http://paragraphsandpetticoats.blogsp...

Absolutely nothing to remember! Started low and ended worse. I like the children part. Also the Charlotte/Rupid part even when it was made incredible cheesy.

Seems the author is thinking her readers are stupid. The heroine is an independent and strong character, most times at least. The hero is an ogre and I never understood she fell for him. He not even tried to change when it came to his pleasures. Sorry, but someone who cares so little of the feelings and life (sorry Mrs. Hawkins, that is REGENCY not 20th century) of his lover would make a horrible husband. She would die young worn out from all they fights he surely would make her through. No love would survive that. That couple was more on chemistry and not on understanding.

I'm disapointed. I wish I had spent my time with an other book.

Regency. The book needed more romance and less
seduction attempts.

Anthony became an earl at age 17 so he missed out
on some typical activities and joy in his youth. Now,
at age 35, he had responsibility for 5 wards, aged 4
through 11. Wards staged stunts + defied authority
chasing away several governesses. Unconventional
Anna became the new governess. She+ Grandpa Sir
Phin lived in reduced circumstances. Grandpa joined
her @ her new post. Anna had a reputation for taking
on challenging governess cases.

Anthony was arrogant but somewhat charming. He
needed to scowl less around his wards. He chose a
biddable 18 yo as his future wife (but the bans weren't
called yet). Anna & Anthony argued too much in front
of the kids about the kids. The kids used this non-
united front, to their advantage. My fav scene? The
H's servants could not locate his shoes or boots.

Anthony offered to make Anna his mistress, an insult
to her. He tried to seduce her several times. She stood
up to him, until she caved. Why assume a lady with
reduced funds & reduced social influence will be your
mistress? She's not in the bargain bin! Show her respect
or move on to another woman.

Revised.

3.5

Dai doveri della famiglia alle passioni del talamo
"Infine, a mio cugino Anthony Elliot, conte di Greyley, lascio la cura di tutti e cinque i miei amati figli."
Un silenzio totale e attonito seguì alle parole del notaio. Un silenzio che proseguì e aumentò, sottolineato solo dal fruscio del rigido tessuto nero da lutto mentre tutti i presenti giravano la testa verso il fondo della stanza dove il conte di Greyley era seduto su una poltrona, le gambe allungate davanti a sé, le mani ficcate nelle tasche. Ma, per quanto tutti si aspettassero una reazione, il conte non ne ebbe alcuna.
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Fresco, non male nel suo genere, ma mi aspettavo decisamente di più! Lui, capo inflessibile di una famiglia per la quale ha fatto molti sacrifici assume lei, nobile decaduta, dopo aver ereditato cinque piccole pesti. Entrambi si innamorano ma entrambi hanno un motivo per non cedere: lei vede la sua posizione sociale troppo bassa, lui ha già chiesto in moglie una giovane che potrà portare lustro alla famiglia. Piacevole ma dimenticabile.