Genre: Historical Romance
Setting: Restoration England
POV: 3rd Person
Sensuality: Warm
Violence: N/A
Format: Digital
Source: A digital ARC courtesy of Harlequin via NetGalley
My Grade: B
Libertine’s Kiss is the first book I’ve read by Judith James. Based on the excellent first half of the book, I thought this might make it onto my Best of 2010 list, but I had a few quibbles with the second half of the story. Nevertheless, this is a solid romance which is reminiscent of the sweeping historical romances of the 1980′s and 1990′s, and I intend to read more by this author.
The story opens during the bitter civil war between Cromwell and the dispossessed King Charles II. Set against this background of danger and intrigue, Elizabeth Walters is a Puritan widow living on her late husband’s small estate with a few loyal retainers.
When an injured Cavalier shows up on her doorstep, she recognises him as her neighbour and childhood friend, William de Veres. Will shows no sign of recognising her. She tends to his injuries, and the two share a forbidden night of passion. When Cromwell’s troops discover Lizzy aided a Cavalier, her lands are confiscated and she and her servants are left destitute.
A few years later, the Civil War is at an end and King Charles II has successfully claimed his throne. In the hope of regaining her lands, Lizzy travels to London to seek an audience with the king. Her shabby appearance lead the king’s men to dismiss her without hearing her plea. As luck would have it, William de Veres comes to her rescue.
Will is shocked when he realises that the Puritan widow about whom he has spent the past few years fantasising and his childhood friend, Lizzy, are one and the same. Determined to honour his debt to her for saving his life, he persuades the king to consider Lizzy’s petition. King Charles is lazy and manipulative, and far more concerned with his own pleasure than with that of his subjects. He agrees to hear Lizzy’s petition at some unnamed date in the future and commands her to remain at court until he deigns to do so.
Lizzy is shocked by the licentious behaviour practised by the king and his courtiers, especially as it appears that Will is among the worst of them. Against her better judgement, she enters into an affair with Will, which soon blossoms into love. However, Lizzy is not prepared to accept anything less than absolute fidelity, and Will isn’t sure if he can fulfil such a promise.
The first half of Libertine’s Kiss was excellent, but the pace sagged somewhat during Lizzy’s sojourn at court. Thankfully, it picked up again towards the end. I thought Will’s characterization was particularly well done. I’m always amused when self-described rakes in historical romances undergo an instant transformation when they meet the heroine. That is not the case in this book. As the title indicates, Will is a libertine, and an alcoholic. He is filled with self-loathing and he needs to start his journey to overcome this before he can commit to a life with Lizzy.
Lizzy is another strong character. I felt she was truer to her times than many heroines in historical romances. She is irritated that her fortunes rest on the whim of a fickle monarch, but she accepts that men dictate politics. What she is not prepared to tolerate is another marriage in which her needs are not met.
Libertine’s Kiss paints a convincing picture of life in England during the Restoration. I can imagine that not every reader will find Will’s ultimate redemption credible as he is very much at the beginning of his journey at the end of this story. However, it worked for me. I’m looking forward to reading future books by Judith James.
Note: Libertine’s Kiss will be released on 01 August 2010 by HQN books.
{ 3 comments }
I’m really looking forward to getting my hands on this one come August 1!
I had an extremely lukewarm reaction to Broken Wing, but there was enough there to get me to read James’ second book, Highland Rebel, which I felt was a stronger book – in plot, characterization and writing style. In fact, it made my “Best Of” list in 2009. After reading this review, I think you’ll like HR quite a bit. It has that same “big sweeping old school” vibe to it, without any of the nasty drawbacks that some of those 1980s historical romances had….
So why does she enter into this affair? To show her gratitude?
@Wendy: I have Highland Rebel and I’m looking forward to reading it.
@heidenkind: No, she’s attracted to him, hence the affair. Plus she’s a widow, and has a lot more freedom because of that. She doesn’t expect him to propose to her. When he does, she’s not prepared to marry him unless he promises to be faithful to her.