As You Are

GIVEAWAY

EDEN, SARAH M.

AS YOU ARE

A horse breeder by trade, Corbin Jonquil is more at home in the stables than in the ballroom of his sprawling estate. Corbin is the quietest of the Jonquil brothers and has always faded into the background, contentedly unnoticed. When a mysterious young widow, Mrs. Clara Bentford, moves into the neighborhood, however, Corbin quickly comes to realize that being noticed has its advantages. But how to catch the eye of the lady?

According to his brothers, Corbin need only make a few simple changes to transform himself into the object of any woman's desire -- dubious advice, indeed. Following a series of misadventures, Corbin and Clara slowly lower the facades behind which they've been hiding, leaving Corbin shocked by the horrors that haunt the woman he's coming to care for so ardently. When the menace of Clara's past threatens to tear them apart and tensions mount, will the couple have the courage to fight for the promise of forever?

My Review:

I've been on quite the literary Jonquil jaunt these last few weeks and there are still more books in store. Eeeeppp! A steady diet of this family is keeping me in  giddy euphoria. :-) Because...these brothers!!!!! I can't even...each time I pick a favourite another one steals my heart. They're wily like that. And the dynamics between the brothers is both hilarious and heartwarming, though it definitely leans towards a comedic masterpiece in As You Are. 

The Jonquils are at their best (or worst, depending on your point of view) as they advise their shy, quiet brother on the art of attracting a lady's attention. (Cue the eye rolls and be prepared to guffaw your way from beginning to end.) Poor Corbin. He's so out of his depth and his brothers really aren't helping. 

He's the antithesis of a hero. Barely able to get a word out in mixed company. His head is full of thoughts but they become muddled when he tries to speak so he stammers along in half syllables and unfinished sentences. His family is used to filling in the blanks but Clara? Well, she's under the impression that the handsome gentleman is aloof because she is not of his station. Oh, the mix ups and confusion. I laughed so hard and winced and gasped. Eden has an unparalleled wit and she uses it to full advantage in this novel.

Side note: I adore banter in my romances -- especially Regencies -- and this author excels at it. But there isn't any ( or very little) between Corbin and Clara because the poor man butchers a simple mundane "Good day. Lovely morning, isn't it?" so delving into rapier word play is well beyond him and somehow it works anyway. The romance is still delectably frustrating. There are even more comedic moments than in the other Jonquil Brothers novels I have read. And the author finds so many other ways to convey Corbin's intellect and sharp wit and huge heart. Happy sigh. I am well and truly smitten.

And the way he is with Clara's children! The tender care and gentle guidance he gives them. Completely melted my heart. And Clara's. But she has just escaped from a troubled past and doubts she could ever trust a man. And when that past pursues her to her quiet country haven, the Jonquil brothers band together to take up her cause. Cue the marching band and ticker tape because these guys deserve a hero's parade!

Of course, there's a happily ever after, hard won, of course, but oh so sweet and satisfying. I'll allow myself to bask in the romantical afterglow for a while before I start in on the next book in the series -- Corbin's twin brother, Jason's story -- and it looks to be a doozy!

Oh -- and I listened to the audible edition which has a different narrator than the rest of the series. Jason Tatom did an admirable job but I have to admit I prefer female narrators. I find that when men lighten their voices to portray female characters it seems mincing and comedic and just sounds off to me most of the time. Tatom did a good job -- not as exaggerated as some of the other male narrators I have listened to but I'm still glad to see the series returning to Luone Ingram for the next books. But that just my audio book listening quirk. :

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

This giveaway is available in paperback or ebook format -- winner's choice

If you would like a chance to win a copy of As You Are, leave a comment below or email me at kavluvstoreadATyahooDOTca. If you add an email to your comment, remember to use AT and DOT instead of @ and . in order to protect yourself from spammers. If you enter the draw via email, please add the title to the subject line so it's easy to spot your entry. Draw will be held and winners announced on Saturday June 19 2021. Offer open to International Readers. Good luck!