Member Reviews
Usually I really like novels by Elizabeth Keysian and I had this like forever on my kindle but I couldn't finish it at all. It just didn't work for me.
Yay! A fantastic read from a new-to-me author! it was so fluffy and romantic. I can't wait to read more books from her!!
James, Viscount Tidworth fancies himself in love with the beautiful Belinda, but through a series of events finds that he is too late in asking for her hand and loses her. Emma comes from a noble family who is down on their luck and in fear of losing their family home goes to work undercover as a governess. Emma has been disillusioned about love. James is heartbroken. When they are thrust together it starts them out on an entirely new journey, one of which might just give them what they truly deserve.
This is a very entertaining story that I thoroughly enjoyed. The hero and heroine are colorful and interesting, and the sub-characters are equally interesting and entertaining. It is an enemies to friends love story that will capture your heart. I look forward to reading more from this author.
I trulywant to enjoy this book. I loved Emma bit James was an absolute pig. And Emma falls for him anyway. I was hoping to not see her fall for him but I know that wasnt gonna happen.
I received this from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. This is book 3 in the Wayward Wessex series. This was just okay. The guy in the this was just a huge jerk and I didn’t like him at all. He was so blinded by his imagined slight he drove me crazy.
Vanquishing the Viscount (Wayward in Wessex, #3)
by Elizabeth Keysian
Loved it"!
A definite buy buy buy book. I smiled my way through stubborn interactions. Laughed at the absurd situations and then just enjoyed each and every word of this novel. The writer is unique in the way she writes and portrays her characters. As this story unfolded it captured my imagination and just opened up another world for me to escape into. A book that was not disappointing in any way. A read to keep for me. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did. Regards, Anna Swedenmom
Vanquishing the Viscount is such a fun romance with witty banter between the main love interest. I loved the way they come together.
Emma is extremely bright and caring. This is both a good and bad thing, when the Viscount takes a tumble from his horse on his way to propose to the girl he believes he loves. Emma’s kindness unfortunately causes James to miss his very important date and therefore loses the girl to another suitor. Which leads him to cursing Emma’s existence. Even though Emma’s family is from an older line they find themselves in dire straits, which leads to her disguising her name and taking a job as a Governess. Of course James just happens to be friends with the family. Hijinks ensue.
I loved the writing. The story is so much fun and also sweet. I love the way Emma and James go from hating each other to falling in love the more they get to know one another. I loved the personalities of both of them as well, the chemistry is perfect between them. I think James is a definitely a bit spoiled and silly and since Emma knows what it is like to almost fall from grace she has a different perspective. She brings out the better side of him.
I really loved this fun romance and it was one of those pick me ups I needed.
Miss Emma d'Ibert is on her way to work as a governess. Her family are in financial trouble so working is all she can do to help.
When her transport colides with someone her little bit of medical knowlage is needed. Not that the other person appreciates it.
James Markham , Viscount Tidworth is in a big hurry to arrive at his destination before someone beats him to it. The last thing he needs is some busybody telling him what to do.
This is an unusual story, with delightful characters. A mischief maker is at work. Our heroine has been misled by a handsome man before, so doesn't trust easily. Lots of fun and a sweet romance. I thoroughly enjoyed it.
Emma d’Ibert, scion of an ancient noble family now fallen on hard times, must reinvent herself as governess Miss Hibbert in order to earn her living. On her way to take up her post, she has an encounter with a gentleman which leaves him concussed and not even knowing his own name.
When he recovers himself, Viscount James Tidworth curses the very existence of the interfering woman who caused the delay and cost him his chance at happiness. Encountering her working as a governess at a friend’s home, he vows to make her suffer, but soon realises there is more to the intriguing Miss Hibbert than meets the eye.
This is a well-written story full of interesting little details. There is a lovely section detailing Bath as it must have been in the Regency era in the latter part of the book I found fascinating, and historically I’d say this is definitely one of the more accurately written Regency romances I’ve come across.
That said, I had Questions which weren’t ever really answered by the narrative, like how exactly Emma’s family had lost their money? Her father was a sensible man who didn’t gamble, her brother was training to be a doctor, and they were still in possession of a valuable family manor and the properties surrounding it. Renting the house out and living in a smaller property should recover their fortunes, but it never seemed to occur to anyone. And while I liked Emma, James behaved on any number of occasions like an immature ass. Determining to cause a servant to be fired because of an inconvenience and not listening to Emma when she tried to explain things to him made him look petulant and spoiled. While he eventually got over himself and grovelled for his offences - and there was someone whose behaviour was much worse, to compare him to - I still struggled to warm to James and think him worthy of Emma.
Four stars for a well-written novel with a charming heroine, but a hero who got just a little bit on my nerves.
Viscount Tidworth should be grateful to Emma Hibbert when she comes to his rescue after an accident. Unfortunately though, her trying to help him cost him the chance to ask for the hand of the woman he planned to marry. Unwilling to let her interference go, he's determined to get revenge. However, when he discovers what Emma is hiding, will he let what she did go and fight for a future with the woman he's coming to love or will he lose his shot at happy ever after because he can't let what she did go?
This is the first book I've read by Ms. Keysian and what an absolutely fabulous read it was due to two wonderful main characters that had me hooked from the moment they meet; the dialogue was entertaining because Viscount Tidworth sees Emma as the enemy after what she does; and the obstacles these two face to be together had me cheering for this couple to overcome them because they're good together. Will the hero realize that Emma did him a favour by missing the opportunity that he did? Will the hero be able to convince Emma to take a chance on him?
With the main characters, I loved every moment they conversed because Emma is a real mystery to the hero, especially when she reveals information about her past that makes him more and more intrigued by her. Moreover, the heroine was resilient, courageous and I liked how she would do anything for family, which is proven by the position she's taken so she can help her family. I also liked how much of a challenge she provides the hero in the way she stands up to him when he acts all high and mighty and believes he's right. While the hero, he's confident, resilient and I liked his determination to win the heroine over once he realizes how much the heroine is coming to mean to him. I also liked how protective the hero was of the heroine, which is proven by the challenge he makes to a friend because the heroine deserves love, family and happiness in her life.
Overall, Ms. Keysian has delivered a really good read in this book where the chemistry between this couple was strong; the romance was cute and had me loving these two together; and the ending had me loving how things worked out for the best for these two, as the hero isn't about to let the heroine get away. Then again, I liked how the heroine wasn't about to let the hero get away either. Really, these two are perfect for each other. However, it was the epilogue that wrapped this story up perfectly, as readers discover the surprise the hero has for the heroine and how happy he's made her by what he's done. I would recommend Vanquishing the Viscount by Elizabeth Keysian, if you enjoy Historical Romance, the enemy to lovers trope, or books by authors Stacy Reid, Lenora Bell, Lily Maxton and Gina Conkle.
This trope is not to my liking.
It's the love triangle plot that just doesn't work me.
3.75 Stars
While Vanquishing the Viscount is book 3 in the Wayward in Essex series, it can be read as a standalone.
Emma takes a position as a governess to help her family, she's fairly independent and determined and more than a bit stubborn. While I didn't really hate her, I was fed up with the whole not trusting another handsome man because of a bad prior experience. It got old very fast. Another thing that made me want to strangle her was when James proposed to buy her family's home and turn it into a house for military veterans, she was fairly happy about it (as she should) until he said he'd need to modify the house and the gardens so the vets would be able to navigate through them. Then all her concerns for helping her parents flew out of the window because she didn't want James to change the house, a house mind you where she wouldn't live any longer. She wasn't awful, but she was a bit too Mary Sue-ish in some instances for my taste.
Then we have James, aka Viscount Tidworth, who was so ungrateful when Emma and her coachman helped him out because he'd be late to propose to the woman he intended to marry and then was set on revenge against Emma because the lady accepted another proposal before he got to her house. I have to admit, I liked him a bit more than Emma. He was very into helping others and that endeared him to me.
James and Emma had good chemistry, even if the path to their HEA was plagued with misunderstandings and prejudice and while I wasn't certain I liked either of them at different points in the story, they seemed well-suited for each other.
The story was entertaining and I found it well-written, even if there were a few things that didn't work for me, I'm sure others will find it enjoyable.
*** Copy provided to the reviewer via NetGalley for my reading pleasure, a review wasn't a requirement. ***
I voluntarily read a copy of this book through Netgalley. James was involved in an accident and rescued by Emma who deemed he had a concussion and refused to allow him to leave. Because of this delay, the lady he intended to ask to marry him accepted a marriage proposal from another man and James blamed Emma for this happening. As the book progresses he realizes he and Belinda would have been a good match. There is eventually a HEA but there are some stumbling blocks before they reach this ending. The book is a nice read but not exceptional.
Vanquishing the Viscount, by Elizabeth Keysian is a historical romance and the third book in the Wayward in Wessex series.
Emma Hibbert is hiding from the ton, while she works as a governess to earn money to try to save her family's home. During her uncover governess adventures, Emma encounters Viscount Tidworth and unintentionally wrecks his engagement plans, while trying to rescue him. During his search for revenge, he falls for Emma before discovering her true identity.
Their unwanted attraction leads to a relationship with various dramatic and sometimes humorous situations. The lives of several characters are intermixed, which leads to mishaps and issues throughout the story.
Vanquishing the Viscount is geared towards those who enjoy reading historical romances with plenty of misadventures.
Note: I received this book from NetGalley, which is a program designed for bloggers to write book reviews in exchange for books, yet the opinions expressed in this review are my own.
I enjoyed this story. Emma and Tidworth are good together once they get past the animosity from their first meeting. Glad they found their HEA.
I was happy to read this instalment in the Wayward in Wessex series. This book did not disappoint me at all. Emma and Tidworth want nothing to do with each other beyond the bare necessities, but of course the universe will not allow that to happen!
Watching the roller coaster each go through was well done. I enjoyed following along with their journey and was laughing out loud a few times.
Emma d’Ibert is on her way to her first post as a governess. In Vanquishing the Viscount, her parents’ money is gone, and she needs to reduce expenses and earn an income. So she takes a position and disguises her name to hopefully avoid any scandal to her family.
While on her way to her new life, a rider on horseback hits the cart in which she is traveling. His horse runs off and he is left in the dirt.
He doesn’t remember his name or where he is going. Against the gentleman’s objections, Emma insists on taking him to a local inn to rest and regain his senses before he goes on his way.
The gentleman, James Markham, Viscount Tidworth, is not a happy man. The interfering young woman in the cart may have seriously interrupted his plans.
He has only just remembered his a name, but he knows that he has to get to his destination right away. He finally remembers the destination and that it is imperative he get there soon or he will lose the hand of Belinda Carslake, the woman he wishes to marry.
James is concerned that he may be too late to declare his desire to make Belinda his wife. All because of an interfering young woman. If he ever sees her again he will not be happy.
Saved By The Accident
The characters created by the author were rich and interesting to read. I like how they had dimension and depth. There was more going on in the two main characters lives than just the interaction between themselves.
I found it interesting that the author chose to have the charitable work the purview of the male character. Most of the Regency books I have read leave charitable pursuits almost exclusively to females. Too often the men contribute only with cash or moral support.
This was a fun read, and I hope for more from the author.
Reviewed for LnkToMi iRead in response to a complimentary copy of the book provided by the publisher in hopes of an honest review.
Despite being the third in the series, this novel can easily be enjoyed as a standalone. Overall, Vanquishing the Viscount is a historical romance told in an easy, enjoyable style. The characters are interesting and drive the plot forward. While the plot is not anything too heavy, it is still developed enough to hold the reader's attention. The main complaint with this novel is the constant repeated misinterpretations/prejudices between the leads. The continuous ignorance can become tedious especially for readers who do not enjoy books where the leads are constantly at odds for no logical reason.
Emma Hibbert has vowed to never trust another handsome man but Lord James Tidworth, falls from his horse, and fearing concussion, she finds herself helping such a man. However, this event results in Tidworth, failing to propose to Belinda. He seeks solace with his friend Charles at his family’s estate and there meets Emma, who has been forced to work for Charles’ family as her family faces financial ruin.
Vanquishing the Viscount is the third book in the Wayward in Essex series but it is a stand alone novel. This was an enjoyable novel with many interesting characters. There were several twists to the storyline, enough to keep me entertained.
I received an advanced review copy in exchange for my honest review.
Vanquishing the Viscount by Elizabeth Keysian is book Three in The Wayward in Wessex series. This is the story of Emma Hibbert and James, Viscount Tidworth. I have read the other books in this series (and loved them!) but feel this is easily a standalone book.
Emma's noble family have fallen on hard times and she has chosen to take a job as a governess to help out. But along the way she ends up saving James who is anything but grateful. James was headed to propose to a women but due to the delay he missed his chance with her and she engaged to someone else. James fully hold Emma as the responsible party for why he isn't now engaged to his lady love. James and Emma meet up again where Emma has taken a job as a governess and they have more words of upset to each other. Later Emma is called back home where she learns things have gotten worse and of course Jame turns up again.
This was a slow burn to great romance story. I always know I will enjoy a book by Ms. Keysian so I was excited to see this one for sure!