Jenn LeBlanc

Francine Larabee has life figured out. Career, husband, kids. In that order. But fate had other plans.

Welcome to the world of The Rake and the Recluse. 21st century businesswoman Francine, through a fate-changing car accident, is thrust into 19th century England in the body of her ancestor Madeline Larabee. She wakes up on the estate of the delicious and stoic Gideon, the Duke of Roxleigh (AKA the Recluse), who’s just as confused by her improper attitude as Francine is by his obsession with propriety.

This book…oh this book. There’s a lot to love about it. Francine is a firebrand in a time when women are no more than property. She immediately grabs Gideon’s attention and holds on through a gripping story that will keep you turning pages from beginning to end.

Also, those pages? Some are illustrated. With photos. Beautiful photos. Jenn shot and designed all of her cover art. I love her deeply for it.

Apart from Gideon and Francine, Jenn gives us a great supporting cast through Gideon’s servants and extended family, including his delicious brother Perry, Viscount of Trumbull. We’ll get to Perry momentarily.

What I loved about Gideon and Francine’s relationship is watching Gideon’s self-restraint slowly, almost painstakingly, unravel. There are deliciously seductive moments, intense moments, beautiful moments between these two people who seem so wrong for each other and yet fit just right.

There were a few parts where I felt like Francine was accepting her life a little too easily, where I wanted to see her fiery personality come out. She tries to fit in, really, she does, but she doesn’t succeed very well or very often to the dismay of Gideon’s servants and the embarrassment of the ton. But it’s impossible to deny the chemistry between Gideon and Francine, the way moments between them smolder. They’re incredible to read and some parts will leave you breathless.

Now to Perry, the Rake.

Jenn’s book is written in six parts. Parts 1-4 are primarily about Francine and Gideon. Parts 5 and 6? Aaaaall Perry.

Perry has a bit of a reputation among the ton. He is the George Clooney of 19th century London, never gonna settle down because there’s no point. As long as Gideon is okay and able to serve his duties to the Crown, Perry’s free to do whatever he wants.

Until he meets Lilly, a servant in Gideon’s household.

Lilly offers an entirely different set of challenges than Francine. She’s been through a horribly traumatic experience that has left her fearful of a man’s touch. After her recovery, she hides away in Perry’s carriage as he’s leaving Gideon’s estate for his townhouse in London. She asks him to help her by…well…ya know. And Perry has no idea what to do. He agrees, reluctantly, at first, thinking it’ll just be casual, but as he and Lilly get to know each other, he realizes he can’t be without her.

Perry’s amazing. Normally I go for the dark and broody like Gideon, but something about Perry gripped me from his first entrance into the story. He’s hilarious, he’s sexy, and he’s wild. His relationship with Lilly adds more depth to his character than I ever expected, and by the end of TRATR, I was in love with him. I want my own Perry.

Jenn’s writing is solid throughout. She has a tendency to head-hop and gives us different perspectives from all sides of the story. However, there are frequent instances when I had no idea what was going on because there are no breaks. These changes are jolting, and a few times I got really confused. Also, there are A LOT of names, and titles and things to remember. I mention that solely because I’m lazy.

I would definitely recommend TRATR to fans of regency romances and to people who are new to that era of romance in general. Through Francine’s confusion and Perry’s unorthodox relationship with Lilly, the reader learns a lot about the courtship rules and the all-important propriety.… (més)

I’m a huge fan of Jenn’s work. Her The Rake and the Recluse is one of my favorite historical romances, and I was so excited to get an ARC of Absolute Surrender. The story revolves around three childhood friends—Amelia, Charles, and Hugh—who’ve come of age and are ready to do their duty to the Crown. Charles, the Duke of Castleberry, is hoping to wed Amelia, but there’s an issue.

Amelia has an undisclosed mental illness, possibly an extreme anxiety disorder, and only Hugh can stave off her episodes. And so begins one of the most interesting triangles I’ve read about in a while.

Absolute Surrender doesn’t boast a true love triangle, because the men involved aren’t fighting over Amelia’s heart; they both have a piece of it. They’re working to secure her future, hoping to keep Amelia out of Bedlam and also focusing on providing a way to care for Amelia’s mother.

What I loved most about this book is the fact that both Hugh and Charles want Amelia’s happiness above all else, leaving them to make often uncomfortable sacrifices to obtain this goal. Jenn has written a deep, complex love story that differs so much from the norm, and it fits the characters perfectly. And she’s included photographs, so there’s that bit of awesome for you as well.

Fans of historical romance should definitely invest in a copy of Absolute Surrender.
… (més)

This was an interesting book to read. I wondered what an Illustrated novel would contain. Throughout the book there were pictures to add the the narrative. The pictures weren't necessary but they added to the whole story.
This is a complicated Story, Willow somehow traqvels back to Victorian England and meets Madoc, the Duke of Warrick. He is recently returned to England fro India with a body covered in scars and a damaged soul. He is tasked by the Queen to make ammends to his family but they have been wounded by him and he doesn't know how to beg for forgiveness.
The characters are complex and well written and the reader can't help but want to see the two of them end up together. While this is the 6th book in the series, it is the first that I have read. That will be remedied quickly.… (més)

Michaels prides herself on appealing to the senses. She seduces with words, stirs up the heart and intrigues with captivating mysteries. Each story is unique and her style is ever evolving. With Graham: The Broken Duke, she gives readers a chance to revisit her unforgettable characters in a whole new way. Graham and Adelaide are back, but this time around they have become a feast for more than the emotions. Ms. Michaels finally puts an image with the mental picture. Same great story with a little something extra. A fascinating way to experience romance.… (més)