Bittersweet

Great narrator! She makes the characters come alive.

The story is full of angst and bitterness (but with an HEA!)
( )

Originally published on Tales to Tide You Over

I enjoy historical romance. It's been a favorite genre of mine for a very long while. This book, however, takes the genre to another level. It is truly, beyond all others, about mature love. Beyond the fun glimpse into the period through the eyes of the various characters, including a look at the cross-continent trading as well as the lives of the ton, the novel is filled with characters who are complex and compelling, who have stories of their own to tell even if they're not the focus of this book. And Nick and Ellie are definitely among those complex characters.

The story looks at the consequences of two soul mates who found each other when they were too young and still under control, actual and manipulation, of her father. Torn apart by this, neither has been able to move beyond that young love despite the passage of ten years and a lot of maturing. The "coming home" theme in contemporary romance is one I enjoy because there's time for their emotions to mature. I just never expected to find it in a historical romance.

At first, Nick is bent on revenge for how Ellie broke his heart, and she's determined never to let herself be that vulnerable again. They have very real reasons for their attitudes, and both are guilty at least in part, but the book is about how they move past old pains and open themselves to a new future. It's not simply explaining what happened, or even taking responsibility for each of their choices. It's complicated both by the need for self-preservation and by wounds that stab deeper than rational thought.

The Marquess Who Loved Me has the sensual/sexual content people have come to expect, but maybe not in the way they expect. Unlike the latest trends, the initial encounters are all about dominance as in Nick taking the control over Ellie that he thought she had taken over him when she dismissed him as unworthy of her hand. There's a lot more to that particular story, of course, but Nick saw only her cruel cut and comes back determined to own her in every way. It could have gone very dark. Instead, love rears its ugly (to both of them) head and undermines both of their plans to stay untouched and safe.

On top of all of the witty dialogue mixed with social commentary and deep soul searching, there's also a murderer afoot, the need to keep it secret, and the possibility of betrayal from all sides.

It might sound a bit crowded, and in another's hands, it might have been, but every piece from Nick's revenge to Ellie's paintings fit together smoothly. Where something might come from the outside such as the murderer, it is even more likely a result of the blend of relationships and hatreds in their inner circle. Every phrase has a double meaning, and every meaning only serves to offer a plausible, if unwanted, answer to the questions stewing in the minds of the characters.

I started reading another title I'd received through NetGalley and found myself unable to finish for reasons other than craft. Though Sara Ramsey's novel was not next on the list, I thought it might serve as, shall we say, a pallet cleanser. It did that and more. I found myself making excuses to extend my reading time just that bit further, and even got back on the elliptical to capture ten more reading minutes. While I enjoy much of what I read, I don't always seek out other books by the author immediately. In this case, I'm planning to pick up the rest of this series which, I hope, will offer the rest of the tale for certain of the other characters I met and enjoyed.

P.S. NetGalley provided this title in return for an honest review. ( )

I really enjoyed the book but didnt feel connection with the heroine.
On the other hand, Nick is fabulous. And all that story about revenge was just the spice to make the book better. ( )

Reviewed by: Robin
Book provided by: book provided by NetGalley for review
Review originally posted at Romancing the Book

I have to say before I begin that yet again I enjoyed the continuation of The Muses of Mayfair series by Sara Ramsey. With each book she continues on with the lives of the three friends along with their honorary member. Because of this, each book could stand alone; but they are so much more enjoyable if read as the series. It is so very easy to fall in love with the story of each one of these friends. Each woman is so very remarkable in their own right and so very strong.

In the third installment we get to follow Ellie Claiborne. Ellie is a very beautiful widow full of life, fire and passion. She married the cousin of the man she loved to please her father. On the outside we see someone who is strong, does what she pleases, and doesn’t follow the rules of the ton. Even though there are rules they tend to overlook them for her as she is very likeable. Ellie’s way of life is actually a façade to hide her broken heart.

Entering Ellie’s life is a man from her past Nicholas Claiborne. Nick is Ellie’s other half; Her one true love. He left after he watched her marry his cousin. He went out to earn money as he was what was considered the poor relation at the time. No title and no money. He wants revenge on Ellie for tearing his heart to shreds and throwing it away. Always the bad boy Ellie finds she is still very drawn to Nicholas.

Sometimes revenge may not be as sweet as what you imagine it to be in your mind as Ms. Ramsey’s showed us in Nick and Ellie’s story. I loved the love/hate relationship between Ellie and Nick there is that thin line between the two that often becomes very blurred or skewed to where you think one way but it actually is going the other way. She made it so real that you as the reader accepted it as something that was normal.

Ms. Ramsey was able to portray the pain that Ellie had even though she pretended to be strong. I loved Ellie’s zest for life and how she was honest about the past even though Nick didn’t want to believe it. There was intensity in Nick’s feelings that came forth and filled him with regret as Ms. Ramsey made Ellie’s character honest giving Nick much more to deal with other than mere revenge. In each of the stories the characters interact and grow without losing sight of the main characters.

I am so looking forward to next book as I think Ms. Ramsey may very well have saved the best of the friends for last. ( )

THE MARQUESS WHO LOVED ME by Sara Ramsey is an exciting Regency Historical Romance set in 1813 London. #3 in the "Muses of Mayfair",but can be read as a stand alone. See,"Heiress Without a Cause" and "Scotsmen Prefer Blondes". Nicholas Claiborne,Marquess of Folkestone is back and determined to destroy, his one true love, Elinor (Ellie)Claiborne,now,the Marchioness of Folkestone,who married his cousin. Ellie is a widow now and Nick has chased a would be murderer from India which brought him back to London and his lost love. Filled with danger,secrets,regret,passion,revenge,forgiveness and love. Be warned though,Nick and Ellie have a somewhat awkward relationship as Nick is determined to seek his revenge by using Ellie's flesh,once they where young lovers intending to marry,but Ellie chose to marry his cousin,Charles,now Nick feels she owes him. He can not seem to move toward forgiveness,and Ellie can not seem to get Nick out of her system and her heart. But when danger threatens both Nick and the one's he loves including Ellie,revenge is the not what he has in mind. Fast paced. Nick and Ellie's story is unique,but an interesting story of lost love,vengeance and finding that love again. Oh, did I mention the passion between Nick and Ellie particularly ignites the pages. It brings the question do you really get over your first love? I would recommend this title for readers who enjoy historical,Regency,romance and a story with a different twist to it. Ms. Ramsey is a great storyteller. I enjoyed "The Marquess Who Loved Me" and am looking forward to the next installment,"The Earl Who Played With Fire", Muses of Mayfair #4 - coming late 2013. Received for an honest review from the author.

RATING: 4.5

HEAT RATING: HOT

REVIEWED BY: AprilR, My Book Addiction Reviews ( )