Rose Lerner

This was very good - it kept me constantly wondering how this relationship con would work. A Jewish conman and a political heiress agree to marry so she can access her funds and he can buy his brother a military rank. They are not supposed to fall in love, they are supposed to sell the relationship; ahh but love finds its way. The Lively St. Lemeston series focuses heavily on class, and I feel this book did even more so than the previous? Anyway - it's sort of slow-burn and often frustrating but in a way I have come to enjoy from Rose Lerner.… (más)

The thing with Rose Lerner's books is there will be lines like this: "The rest of the dress lay crumpled on the table. It didn't lie entirely flat. The bodice in particular was still stretched, hinting very gently that it had last night contained the most splendid bosom in Sussex," and then my day is ruined because these are such lovely observations. Sigh.

I loved this book, but there are some CWs that folks should have prior to reading! The book deals with miscarriage, discussion of depression & PTSD, period appropriate ableism, and parental neglect/emotional abuse, death of spouse. For all the joy I found within the pages of this book, I wouldn't say it is a light read.… (más)

* I was provided an ARC for an honest review

"I am a pocket calendar. A cheerful, conscientious pocket almanac calmly eating its sandwich. I am not thinking about Augustus Brine spreading me open on my desk with casual authority, his hands smoothing my pages before he jams his pen right into me."

JEWISH HOLIDAY ROMANCE! Sailors, Contracts, Pining and Mitzvot - huzzah!
Sailor's Delight is a sweet book about a gentile Royal Navy sailor, Augustus Brine and his Jewish bookkeeper, Elie Benezet. Taking place throughout the Days of Awe, what starts out feeling like unrequited love unravels into mutual admiration and yearning. Told from Elie's perspective as Brine's ship docks for a few weeks, we learn of how Elie has loved Brine for many years believing it was always one-sided. I loved how Jewish this book was - more Jewish histrom please (or just more Jewish romance in general).

I was worried Augustus's fiance, Sarah, would make a love triangle but my worries were assuaged. Sarah is an independent woman who only has Brine's best interests at heart. I came to appreciate her curt interrogations of Elie. I also loved how close Elie's family was - Elie even wanting to introduce Brine to his mother (awww).

CW's: low angst but still a bit of pining, death of parents (historical, mentioned), antisemitism (mostly historical), fear of violence, alcohol use… (más)