Member Reviews
The beginning of the book was difficult to like; the writing was awkward and didn't flow, the characters came across as shallow and unabsorbing which meant it took a long time to really get into the story. The final third of the novel was better with the world coming alive and some interesting details mentioned. However, it didn't really captivate me and I found my mind wandering as I read. A two and a half star read.
Loved reading the amazing and awesome story. When Savina and her maid, her fiance', Lord Gaston-Reade, his sister and maid, Savina's father, and her fiance's secretary, Anthony Heywood, are left stranded on an uninhabited Caribbean island, Savina learns her fiance is not the person she thought he was. Read the highly recommended, wonderfully written, and a must read story.
I reviewed a copy of the book through NetGalley.
Interesting Historical romance with a clever and opinionated heroine, who is reluctantly leaving her beloved Jamaica to marry the aristocratic plantation owner Lord Gaston-Reade in London. Passionately against slavery and devoted to her Maroon maid Zazu, Savina Roxeter has a querulous and older father, who is retiring from his Governor position and is keen to return to England. Savina has agreed to marry Lord Gaston Reade, as her best bet, due to her limited dowry and prospects. Coached by the ladies of white Jamaican society, Savina has done as she was recommended to. She is encouraged by the signs of compassion towards his slaves and their conditions Lord Gaston Reade has demonstrated, and she hopes she will be able to convince him to free his slaves eventually.
She sets off on her voyage with Lord Reade, and his difficult sister. Lady Venture, her maid Daisy, and fiancé William Barker, together with Lord Gaston-Reade’s secretary Anthony Heywood. When their ship is commandeered by the American’s they are left of a tropical island with some supplies, and the promise of their position being communicated to the British navy, so they can be rescued.
There is a huge amount of conflict on the island - as the American captain gave the decision of the parties fate to Savina, and the contrary Lady Venture, and arrogant Lord Gaston Reade, refuse to concentrate on basic survival. Mr Roxeter struggles with island life too. As Zazu, Savina and Anthony look after the camp and forage for food, divisions in the camp deepen, and Savina and Anthony become more and more attracted to each other. Savina discovers that the food deeds she had attributed to her fiancé, were actually down to Anthony, she realises she has made a mistake.
When they finally get back to England, Savina has gained notoriety as ‘Lady Savage’ and finds the world of the Ton very difficult. Will she ever have the freedom to be herself? When she finally becomes an heiress, can she break her betrothal and return to her beloved Jamaica, and can she and Anthony finally be together?
I did enjoy this book, because of the nuanced character of Savina, and how she developed. I also liked the relationship between Anthony and Savina, and the information about the Maroons and Zazu.
I voluntarily reviewed an advance reader copy of this book and all opinions are my own.
Also posted on Goodreads
I really enjoyed this story. This wasn't your typical historical romance dealing with the ton, London, country houses and balls. This was set in Jamaica. At times, I wanted to be shipwrecked on that island with the characters. The only negative is that I wish we were told more of the Earls thoughts.
I received an ARC of this book for my honest review.
Savina has lived in Jamaica since she was twelve. She is now on her way to London with her father, her maid, Lord Gaston-Reade, her betrothed, his sister and his secretary Anthony. Americans hijack the ship and puts them off on a desert island. Someone has to take control and plan or they will all die. It is beneath Savina's betrothed and the rest except for Anthony and her maid. When a dispute starts about Savina "doing work beneath her", she ignores them and takes control. Meanwhile, Anthony and Savina have chemistry that grows into more. What happens when they are saved and back in England? Read this great book and find out. Well written. I received this book from Net Galley and the publisher for a honest review.
I would say that this is a book first and foremost about the revelation of true character coming to the forefront when faced with basic survival. I really liked how the author was able to highlight each character's fine points as well as their flaws without ever becoming overbearing about it. The romance between Savina (h) and Anthony (H) is allowed to blossom slowly as the two of them, along with the rest of the passengers from their vessel (which was commandeered by an American Naval Captain) are left on an uninhabited tropical island to wait for rescue.
This is the first book I have read by Ms. Simpson and it is so well written with such depth to each of the characters that I will have to check and make sure I don't have any stored in my extensive TBR file on my Kindle.
She is sure to become a favorite author of mine.
I like period stories and this seemed a good one - it was. A good range of characters from the strong heroine Savina, to her rather overbearing fiance Lord Gaston-Reade , his feet on the ground secretary, Tony, Savina's maid Zazu. They are all on their way back to England when their ship is hijacked by the Americans and they are left on the proverbial desert island to wait for rescue or whatever. Savina is a strong character and, with the help of Tony and Zazu, essentially organises the group in order to survive. Her fiance thinks that this is unacceptable, she's a woman after all, his sister thinks it outrageous that they were left at all and refuses to do anything, Savina's father meekly accepts the fiance's ideas and so on. There is plenty of social commentary about slavery, how women should behave and so on with the fiance being of the old school and Savina of the new - all people should be equal school. She develops feeling for Tony and these are reciprocated. They are rescued and reach London Society which cannot cope with the idea that Savina did what she did - developed freckles, used her hands and other critical no-nos. She eventually gets through to the fiance that they are unsuited and formally breaks off their engagement followed by the expected mix-ups before she has her happy ever after ending, as does Zazu. Whilst predictable to a degree it was a well-written story with enough interest beyond the romance to keep me reading and enjoying it. Thanks to NetGalley and Beyond the Page Publishing for an advance copy in exchange for my honest review.
Lady Savage (Classic Regency Romances Book 22) by Donna Lea Simpson is an entertaining and clean Regency Historical Romance set in Jamaica and in England.
Meet, Savina Roxeter, an English miss who moved to Jamaica when she was twelve years old and Anthony Heywood, secretary to Savina's fiancee, Lord Gaston-Reade.
A interesting cast of characters. The entourage is made up of Savina, her maid Zazu, her fiancee, her father, her soon to be sister-in-law with her maid, Savina's fiancee and Anthony. They're ship is hijacked by Americans and Savina is given a choice of what to do with the people. She chose to be put off at the nearest island and wait for help to arrive, with meager provisions, and only a few willing to work without complaints.
Well written with believable and engaging characters. The storyline flows seamlessly and effortlessly. Flawed characters, conflict, survival, love, a few twists, a bit danger and finding a HEA, readers will keep turning pages until the last page. Readers will find challenges and questions about some of the characters. An enjoyable read.
#NetGalley, #LadySavage,#DonnaLeaSimpson
"I voluntarily received a complimentary copy, however, these are my honest opinions. I was in no way required nor compensated to write a review."
Rating: 4.5
Heat rating: Sweet
Reviewer: AprilR
This was an engaging historical read. It had an interesting story and an eclectic mix of characters. I found it quite an original story it felt the ending was a little rushed.
Enjoyed this story. Tony is a man that most eoman would love. He's a doer! Savina is a capable, smart young woman. Their story is well written, and I found myself cheering for these young people.
This is a very good story! It is the story of Savina, an English miss who moved to Jamaica when she was twelve. Now ten years later she is leaving the land she loves to return to England to marry a man she hardly knows, Lord Gaston-Reade. Shortly after the voyage begins the ship is hijacked by Americans. The American captain gives Sabina the power to decide what happens to the passengers. She decides to be put off at the nearest island and wait for help to arrive. The entourage made up of Savina, her maid Zazu, her fiancee, her father, her soon to be sister-in-law with her maid and fiancee and finally Anthony Heywood, the secretary to Savina's fiancee. Once on the island the only people who will work are Savina, Zazu and Anthony. Savina learns a great deal about herself, her fiancee and Tony. This is a very good book. I thank Net galley for the chance to read and review this ARC. I would definitely recommend this book.