Review: With This Kiss by Eloisa James
Rating: 5 out of 5
Date: 02 15, 2014
Note: page references are taken from an ePUB version of the book.Lady Grace Ryburn is in love with a dashing young lieutenant, Colin Barry, but she turns away, thinking that Colin is in love with her sister.Should Colin throw propriety to the winds, imitate his pirate father, and simply take what he most desires? Or will he learn that true danger lies not on the high seas, but in the mistakes that can break a heart…and ruin a life forever.This was a three part novella that has ties to other books by Eloisa James, but I read it as a standalone.I love Eloisa James' stories, but I'm way behind in my reading of her lovely books. Little by little, I'll read them all but, she's so prolific, I just don't know if I'll ever catch up.My thoughts on Part One:Grace is a shy, observant girl, a talented artist, a quiet soul. She’s always in the background outshone by her younger sister, Lily. “She watched the way grown-ups responded to a girl like Lily versus a girl like herself.” (p6)I love that the first thing Grace notices about Colin is his kindness. This is a true hero quality to me.Grace and Colin are childhood friends, whose parents are good family friends. He joins the Royal Navy, and she offers to write to him. They begin a mostly one-sided correspondence on her end, but he comes to realize her letters distract him from the horrors of battle. But she doesn’t write about being the wallflower to Lily’s belle, no matter how painful. She also includes small pictures of her art. It is crushing to see Colin notice Lily and ignore Grace, however unintentional. I could feel Grace’s pain terribly.I love the cliffhanger endings between the books. Some readers may not like this but I don’t mind waiting for good things. I’m currently waiting on the second installment of Maya Rodale’s fun Bad Boys and Wallflowers series, so patience is a good thing. For good writing and delicious stories, I will definitely wait.Though the parents of both Grace and Colin are connected to The Ugly Duchess and Seduced by a Pirate, these stories can be read on their own.Logophile’s delight: frogspawn, pennywhistle, fleshpots.Memorable moments:“But she simply could not sparkle. At at times, she felt so desperately shy that she could hardly speak.” (p31)“But Lily wasn’t complex or thoughtful, the way Grace was. She was dazzling and rather shallow, while Grace was full of mystery. A man could spend a lifetime learning all there was to learn about Grace.” (p51)My thoughts on Part Two:Grace wants a husband who can respect her as well as love her, which is why she accepts McIngle, especially when she remembers how Colin “slighted her letters.” (p6) She reminds me of Elinor to Lily’s Marianne from Jane Austen’s Sense and Sensibility.When she gives away Colin’s paints in favor of John’s, she accepts what is, instead of what she dearly wishes for.When Colin returns, he decides that he must keep away from Grace because he doesn’t wish to be a burden. Just like a man.It is a great moment when Grace determines to tell Colin how she feels and admits as much to her mother. Her mother, while surprised, is admiring and supportive as well.Memorable moments:“It was amazing how he could calmly admit a need for help and still make it so clear that he was burning with rage at the very idea.” (p14)“Tears rolled down her chess, and her mother handed her a perfectly pressed handkerchief embroidered with the Ashbrook crest.” (p22)“She tipped back her head and looked at his face. It was a strong, almost harsh face that looked as if it had been carved by sea winds.” (p48)My thoughts on Part Three:I believe this is the first wedding ceremony I’ve read in historical romance and it is beautifully and lovingly portrayed here.The scene with the horse feels a little out of place toward the end; anything hinting at animal abuse just disturbs me.A thoroughly enjoyable love story in installments.James has an enchantment quality to her writing, which brings to mind the writing styles of both Katharine Ashe and Maya Rodale, two of my favorite historical romance writers. I definitely plan to read more Eloisa James in future, including the two linked books, The Ugly Duchess and Seduced by a Pirate.