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The Jonquil Brothers #1
Friends and Foes
After five years of tracking and capturing spies on English soil, Philip Jonquil, Earl of Lampton, is in pursuit of his last quarry. But at a traveler’s inn, he encounters an unexpected and far more maddening foe: Sorrel Kendrick, a young lady who is strikingly pretty, shockingly outspoken, and entirely unimpressed with him. Indeed, Sorrel cannot believe the nerve of this gentleman, who rudely accuses her of theft and insults her feminine dignity. Doubly annoyed when they both end up at a party hosted by mutual friends, Philip and Sorrel privately declare war on one another. But Philip’s tactics, which range from flirting to indifference, soon backfire as he finds himself reluctantly enjoying Sorrel’s company; and, much to her dismay, Sorrel finds Philip’s odd manner to be increasingly endearing. In the midst of this waning war and growing attraction, Philip catches wind of the French spy he’s been tracking, and Sorrel inadvertently stumbles upon a crucial piece of the puzzle, making her indispensable to the mission. But can two proud hearts negotiate a ceasefire when cooperation matters most?
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First published September 25, 2003
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,271 reviews
February 27, 2012
One of the funniest, wittiest, snarkiest, and most tender romances I've read in a long time. Brilliantly crafted and flawlessly researched, this book is firmly on my "keeper shelf" and I will probably read it again, which is unusual for me. The heroine is strong and a bit prickly, but with a vulnerability that makes her instantly likeable. The hero seems to be patterned after the Scarlet Pimpernell, with his dandyism taken to a new height and matched with a depth guaranteed to put readers into a swoon.
Because it's squeaky clean, with no swearing, profanity, or sex, it's also suitable for all ages and all "heat" comfort levels.
Because it's squeaky clean, with no swearing, profanity, or sex, it's also suitable for all ages and all "heat" comfort levels.
February 29, 2020
Philip Jonquil, Earl of Lampton, is a dandy, a fop, a fribble and a spy! No one really knows that his dandy persona is a cover to obtain information useful in catching French spies. Weary of this guise, Philip is eager to catch the mysterious Le Fontaine, a notoriously deadly French spy, and retire from spying. While on a mission he meets his most challenging foe yet-a young lady! He accidentally insults a lady, but his foppish personality gives him a good excuse and of course he will never see her again, right? Sorrel Kendrick is outraged at the man who insulted her. How dare he accuse her of affectation when he is the biggest dandy she has ever seen? When the pair are thrown together at a country house party, Sorrel is prepared to do battle with her adversary and Philip is curiously eager to go to war with the young lady. When it seems all is lost and a spy has slipped through his fingers, Sorrel comes up with a surprise that could win both wars.
This is the kind of feel good, witty romance and adventure story that I love! Authors take note-THIS is how you do romance properly! The story was very engaging. I hated to put it down. The spy plot takes a back burner to the romance, unlike in Georgette Heyer, where romance is secondary. Even without the spy plot, the story is fun and interesting. The hero and heroine face each other as "enemies," become friendly and get to know each other's true self while falling in love. There's nothing more than words and kisses here but it made me swoon! The spy plot picks up again towards the end and is a breathtaking adventure. I could not put the book down! Mostly though, I enjoyed the romance. Though this book is published by a Christian publishing house, the religious content is very mild. There seems to be underlying Christian themes but there's nothing obtrusively Christian about this novel. Sorrel's father was a Puritanical man but other than a few brief mentions of his austere view on God, there isn't any religious content. Any Regency romance lover can read this and not be bothered.
This book contains two of the most engaging and fleshed out protagonists I have met in a long time. Philip is a swoony sort of hero. Though I normally hate stories based on deception, Philip had a good reason for his lies. He shows his true nature to Sorrel by the end and she figured out what kind of man he was based on his actions and not his words. Philip is a wonderful son and brother. I loved how close he was to his family and how he took on their burdens himself as the head of household. He is quite young (28) to be the head of the family and it weighs on him at times. He is very human though. He has a range of emotions that come out and a slightly mischievous side, which I loved.
This story is unique in that it features a disabled heroine. I've only read one other (Courtship and Curses ) Regency set novel that features a heroine with a disability. Sorrel is what they would call crippled due to "an unfortunate incident" that is never fully explained. She is in intense physical and emotional pain. Some of her pain was caused by her relationship with her late father. She is prickly and has built up walls to protect herself from pain. She is emotionally pained from the loss of her hopes and dreams-or so she thinks. I can relate to Sorrel, also having a quick temper, being fiercely independent and sometimes in chronic pain. The way Philip breaks down Sorrel's walls is the swoony part. There's more depth to their relationship than in Pride and Prejudice. I love them together and the witty banter they exchange. Authors not named Jane Austen or Georgette Heyer take notes.
The secondary characters are all lovely as well. Sorrel's mother being the only exception. She deals with the pain of an unhappy marriage and "crippled" child by retreating. She can't bear anything that makes her uncomfortable and she is sometimes cruel to Sorrel. Sorrel's siblings run in the opposite direction. They are sweet, kind and caring but a bit too caring. Neither of them truly understands what Sorrel is feeling and what she actually needs. Marjie and Fennel would keep her wrapped in cotton wool forever. Philip's mother isn't a very fleshed out character. She could be a little silly but it's hard to tell. She's a kind and loving mother anyway. Philip's brothers are all unique and I want to know more about them.
In addition to family, there are also several friends involved in the novel. The host and hostess, Lord and Lady Cavratt, are newlyweds and very much in love. They are so sweet together. I want to read their story. Philip hints that he is responsible for their happiness. I think the reverse is true as well. There's also Philip's associate, Hanover Garner, possibly one of the worst spies in the Foreign Office. He's kind but not very astute at times. He lacks Philip's drive but I liked him.
The villains are pretty much your standard French spy types. I wasn't really surprised by any of the revelations. That part of the plot just served as a catalyst to get Philip to the point where he's ready to settle down.
I loved this story so much! I am eager to read more of this author's Regency romances.
This is the kind of feel good, witty romance and adventure story that I love! Authors take note-THIS is how you do romance properly! The story was very engaging. I hated to put it down. The spy plot takes a back burner to the romance, unlike in Georgette Heyer, where romance is secondary. Even without the spy plot, the story is fun and interesting. The hero and heroine face each other as "enemies," become friendly and get to know each other's true self while falling in love. There's nothing more than words and kisses here but it made me swoon! The spy plot picks up again towards the end and is a breathtaking adventure. I could not put the book down! Mostly though, I enjoyed the romance. Though this book is published by a Christian publishing house, the religious content is very mild. There seems to be underlying Christian themes but there's nothing obtrusively Christian about this novel. Sorrel's father was a Puritanical man but other than a few brief mentions of his austere view on God, there isn't any religious content. Any Regency romance lover can read this and not be bothered.
This book contains two of the most engaging and fleshed out protagonists I have met in a long time. Philip is a swoony sort of hero. Though I normally hate stories based on deception, Philip had a good reason for his lies. He shows his true nature to Sorrel by the end and she figured out what kind of man he was based on his actions and not his words. Philip is a wonderful son and brother. I loved how close he was to his family and how he took on their burdens himself as the head of household. He is quite young (28) to be the head of the family and it weighs on him at times. He is very human though. He has a range of emotions that come out and a slightly mischievous side, which I loved.
This story is unique in that it features a disabled heroine. I've only read one other (Courtship and Curses ) Regency set novel that features a heroine with a disability. Sorrel is what they would call crippled due to "an unfortunate incident" that is never fully explained. She is in intense physical and emotional pain. Some of her pain was caused by her relationship with her late father. She is prickly and has built up walls to protect herself from pain. She is emotionally pained from the loss of her hopes and dreams-or so she thinks. I can relate to Sorrel, also having a quick temper, being fiercely independent and sometimes in chronic pain. The way Philip breaks down Sorrel's walls is the swoony part. There's more depth to their relationship than in Pride and Prejudice. I love them together and the witty banter they exchange. Authors not named Jane Austen or Georgette Heyer take notes.
The secondary characters are all lovely as well. Sorrel's mother being the only exception. She deals with the pain of an unhappy marriage and "crippled" child by retreating. She can't bear anything that makes her uncomfortable and she is sometimes cruel to Sorrel. Sorrel's siblings run in the opposite direction. They are sweet, kind and caring but a bit too caring. Neither of them truly understands what Sorrel is feeling and what she actually needs. Marjie and Fennel would keep her wrapped in cotton wool forever. Philip's mother isn't a very fleshed out character. She could be a little silly but it's hard to tell. She's a kind and loving mother anyway. Philip's brothers are all unique and I want to know more about them.
In addition to family, there are also several friends involved in the novel. The host and hostess, Lord and Lady Cavratt, are newlyweds and very much in love. They are so sweet together. I want to read their story. Philip hints that he is responsible for their happiness. I think the reverse is true as well. There's also Philip's associate, Hanover Garner, possibly one of the worst spies in the Foreign Office. He's kind but not very astute at times. He lacks Philip's drive but I liked him.
The villains are pretty much your standard French spy types. I wasn't really surprised by any of the revelations. That part of the plot just served as a catalyst to get Philip to the point where he's ready to settle down.
I loved this story so much! I am eager to read more of this author's Regency romances.
May 1, 2020
June 2015: a fun read, great chemistry and banter between leads. Reminds me a bit of The Scarlet Pimpernel.
January 2013: SO good. I love the story and characters.
January 2012: Friends and Foes was another great read. I loved our characters Sorrel and Phillip. I first fell for Phillip in the book Kiss of a Stranger and I was excited he would get his own book. I thought he and Sorrel had great chemistry and it was fun to watch them fall in love.
Sorrel’s life took a drastic change after an accident crippled her two years earlier. Sorrel has put up some pretty big walls to keep herself from ever getting hurt again. Phillip on the other hand has lived an adventurous life the past five years and is ready to settle down. The two cross paths and declare war on each other, I really enjoyed their witty exchanges. They had great tension and underneath it all they really begin to care about one another. I was a little disappointed that there wasn’t a little more at the end. I wanted a little more resolution with Sorrel’s leg. Maybe an epilog or something with some follow-up about her progress. Also, there were some lose ends with Phillip's brothers, but I think Eden has written books about some of the brothers where I’m sure some of those questions will be answered. I can’t wait.
I really love Eden’s books, she is one of my favorite Regency authors and I can’t wait for more of her books to be published.
Content: Clean
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January 2013: SO good. I love the story and characters.
January 2012: Friends and Foes was another great read. I loved our characters Sorrel and Phillip. I first fell for Phillip in the book Kiss of a Stranger and I was excited he would get his own book. I thought he and Sorrel had great chemistry and it was fun to watch them fall in love.
Sorrel’s life took a drastic change after an accident crippled her two years earlier. Sorrel has put up some pretty big walls to keep herself from ever getting hurt again. Phillip on the other hand has lived an adventurous life the past five years and is ready to settle down. The two cross paths and declare war on each other, I really enjoyed their witty exchanges. They had great tension and underneath it all they really begin to care about one another. I was a little disappointed that there wasn’t a little more at the end. I wanted a little more resolution with Sorrel’s leg. Maybe an epilog or something with some follow-up about her progress. Also, there were some lose ends with Phillip's brothers, but I think Eden has written books about some of the brothers where I’m sure some of those questions will be answered. I can’t wait.
I really love Eden’s books, she is one of my favorite Regency authors and I can’t wait for more of her books to be published.
Content: Clean
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October 22, 2024
4.5 estrellas
Este libro me ha encantado, es sencillo y no tiene grandes pasiones, pero me ha encantado este enemie to lovers. Creo que Sorrel y Phillip hacen una pareja ideal y además tenemos un poquito de acción que he disfrutado mucho. Me da la sensación que esta saga, si no se tuerce, me va a conquistar totalmente
Este libro me ha encantado, es sencillo y no tiene grandes pasiones, pero me ha encantado este enemie to lovers. Creo que Sorrel y Phillip hacen una pareja ideal y además tenemos un poquito de acción que he disfrutado mucho. Me da la sensación que esta saga, si no se tuerce, me va a conquistar totalmente
June 12, 2020
Philip Jonquil, Earl of Lambton goes to his friend’s estate for Christmas while at the same time working for the Foreign Office to catch one of Napoleon’s most dangerous spies. On the way there he meets Sorrel Kendrick, the infuriatingly stubborn and opinionated lady who challenges him. They agree to be enemies, only it seems exhausting to keep up the animosity.
Friends & Foes is the first book in The Jonquil Brothers series by Sarah M. Eden published by Covenant Communications. The setting is 1814 when England fears French invasion by Napoleon. We follow Philip Jonquil, Earl of Lambton, as he works for the Foreign Office. Under cover of spending Christmas at his friend’s estate in Suffolk, he is really on a hunt for the dangerous Napoleonic spy Le Fountaine. While on the spy’s trail, he meets stubborn and opinionated Sorrel Kendrick. She dislikes him from the very beginning, while he has his secret reasons for pretending to be the dandy she dislikes so much. They get off to a spectacularly bad start, but unexpectedly she manages to help him with his spy catching operation.
Main character Philip Jonquil, Earl of Lambton does his best to help his younger brothers and I think it speaks volumes of what kind of person he is. He is impressive and my absolute favorite.
Secondary character Sorrel Kendrick has been trampled by a horse and lives in constant pain from the injuries. She tries to hide her vulnerabilities and tries to build armor around herself. I felt so sorry for her, but was pleased to see she managed to respond differently and open up more.
Sarah M. Eden has a signature light hearted, bantering and humorous writing. I love that by following her great writing I learn new expressions in the English language I have not heard in a long time, -or ever. The dialogue feels like the perfect mix between funny, bantering and serious conversations.
I cannot remember having read anything similar to the plot of Friends & Foes as it is dealing with consequences of being trampled by a horse. It felt very hard to read.
My favorite part of the story was the romance developing between Sorrel and Philip. There was mutual animosity from the start. As they got to know each other better, trust and closeness increased and the romance got room to develop. I thoroughly enjoy the way Sarah M. Eden writes these scenes and I don’t know of any other author who creates romance quite like this.
Research of the devastating consequences of being trampled by a horse I found both impressive and very, very sad. Great research of how spies operated in England during the Napoleonic wars shone through.
Friends & Foes was superb entertainment owing to the combination of an interesting plot, great character building, great dialogue, and vivid writing. Drops of Gold (The Jonquil Brothers #2) is already on my Kindle and I so much look forward to starting it.
Fans of Sarah M. Eden will love Friends & Foes; as will readers of historical romance fiction.
If you want to explore similar books, you might like to check out the works of Julianne Donaldson or Josi S. Kilpack.
All opinions in this review are completely my own.
My rating: 5 stars / 5
Main reasons: interesting plot, great character building, super dialogue, and vivid writing
Friends & Foes is the first book in The Jonquil Brothers series by Sarah M. Eden published by Covenant Communications. The setting is 1814 when England fears French invasion by Napoleon. We follow Philip Jonquil, Earl of Lambton, as he works for the Foreign Office. Under cover of spending Christmas at his friend’s estate in Suffolk, he is really on a hunt for the dangerous Napoleonic spy Le Fountaine. While on the spy’s trail, he meets stubborn and opinionated Sorrel Kendrick. She dislikes him from the very beginning, while he has his secret reasons for pretending to be the dandy she dislikes so much. They get off to a spectacularly bad start, but unexpectedly she manages to help him with his spy catching operation.
Main character Philip Jonquil, Earl of Lambton does his best to help his younger brothers and I think it speaks volumes of what kind of person he is. He is impressive and my absolute favorite.
Secondary character Sorrel Kendrick has been trampled by a horse and lives in constant pain from the injuries. She tries to hide her vulnerabilities and tries to build armor around herself. I felt so sorry for her, but was pleased to see she managed to respond differently and open up more.
Sarah M. Eden has a signature light hearted, bantering and humorous writing. I love that by following her great writing I learn new expressions in the English language I have not heard in a long time, -or ever. The dialogue feels like the perfect mix between funny, bantering and serious conversations.
I cannot remember having read anything similar to the plot of Friends & Foes as it is dealing with consequences of being trampled by a horse. It felt very hard to read.
My favorite part of the story was the romance developing between Sorrel and Philip. There was mutual animosity from the start. As they got to know each other better, trust and closeness increased and the romance got room to develop. I thoroughly enjoy the way Sarah M. Eden writes these scenes and I don’t know of any other author who creates romance quite like this.
Research of the devastating consequences of being trampled by a horse I found both impressive and very, very sad. Great research of how spies operated in England during the Napoleonic wars shone through.
Friends & Foes was superb entertainment owing to the combination of an interesting plot, great character building, great dialogue, and vivid writing. Drops of Gold (The Jonquil Brothers #2) is already on my Kindle and I so much look forward to starting it.
Fans of Sarah M. Eden will love Friends & Foes; as will readers of historical romance fiction.
If you want to explore similar books, you might like to check out the works of Julianne Donaldson or Josi S. Kilpack.
All opinions in this review are completely my own.
My rating: 5 stars / 5
Main reasons: interesting plot, great character building, super dialogue, and vivid writing
July 16, 2012
I think this author could be really good, but I think she needs an incredible editor. Someone who could really push her to be better. I don't enjoy the way the main characters constantly berate themselves for noticing the other person. Like, 'Why did I just notice her hair, I shouldn't be noticing the way it is so dark and gorgeous...' or something similarly silly. It was constant and it came from both of them and it rankled. I also didn't enjoy his "tactics," they were annoying to say the least. Frankly I could go many years without hearing the word "tactics" again.
I started to enjoy the story about halfway through, but I wish that she had finished the story of her leg and going to see the doctors about having it fixed because as far as I can tell she still hadn't decided on it and it was one of the more interesting parts of the storyline. This book just really needed a firm hand to guide it and help it grow and fully develop. Let's hope Sarah Eden gets a new editor before she publishes too many more books.
I started to enjoy the story about halfway through, but I wish that she had finished the story of her leg and going to see the doctors about having it fixed because as far as I can tell she still hadn't decided on it and it was one of the more interesting parts of the storyline. This book just really needed a firm hand to guide it and help it grow and fully develop. Let's hope Sarah Eden gets a new editor before she publishes too many more books.
October 15, 2012
Sarah is a friend of mine and so it's always fun for me to read her books. She has a great sense of humor that comes through in her writing. The hero in this book: awesomeness personified! I loved Philip. In fact I thought he was so awesome that I repeatedly told him he was too good for the heroine. He didn't listen. They never do.
I noticed there were four empty pages at the end of the book. I can think of no reason for a publisher to put four empty pages at the end of the book unless they left them for Sarah to add an epilogue in individual readers books. If you have this book and you see Sarah somewhere ask her to pen another scene for you.
I noticed there were four empty pages at the end of the book. I can think of no reason for a publisher to put four empty pages at the end of the book unless they left them for Sarah to add an epilogue in individual readers books. If you have this book and you see Sarah somewhere ask her to pen another scene for you.
April 4, 2023
I absolutely loved this audio book! Having met Philip Jonquil in The Kiss of a Stranger, which is the book that comes as a prequel before Friends and Foes, it was wonderful to see him meet his match. Philip and Sorrel had a rough beginning, starting at odds with each other. Hurtful things were said and they ended up as enemies. Yet, they still maintained a banter back and forth with each other that hinted at the respect and attraction that was growing between the two of them.
I really enjoyed seeing these two actually grow to care for each other and the way that Philip treated Sorrel as a capable and strong woman, which she definitely was. It was also wonderful to catch glimpses behind the mask that Philip wore to aid in his undercover role as a dandy and to see the strong, caring, and capable man he was. I loved this story from start to finish.
I really enjoyed seeing these two actually grow to care for each other and the way that Philip treated Sorrel as a capable and strong woman, which she definitely was. It was also wonderful to catch glimpses behind the mask that Philip wore to aid in his undercover role as a dandy and to see the strong, caring, and capable man he was. I loved this story from start to finish.
December 9, 2017
Overpriced! When I pay $10.99 for an eBook, I expect to be wowed. This story flatlined for me shortly after the hero and heroine encountered one another at the holiday house party. Philip was such a likable character in "The Kiss of a Stranger," but he didn't intrigue me at all in this book.
The story focused far too much on Sorrel's injured leg and her struggle to be brave again. Over and over again, we're told about her limp, her cane, and her pain. We watch her struggle to go down the stairs without her cane. We witness her inner turmoil as she summons the courage to ride a horse again. We want to shake her mother who clams up everytime Sorrel's injury is mentioned.
As a heroine, Sorrel isn't a very warm character. She's bitter. She has a chip on her shoulder and declares "war" on the hero after an unfortunate misunderstanding. She could have cleared up the misunderstanding right away by explaining her need for a cane, but it apparently made more sense to wait until the house party to reveal her injury to Philip. Let him feel like an ass while Sorrel limps out of the drawing room. In case you haven't already figured it out, there wasn't a lot of romance and affectionate scenes in the book. Their relationship felt more platonic than romantic.
Philip's secret mission {He's a spy for the British crown.} which drew me into the story at the beginning of the book, wasn't addressed again until the end of the book. By the time the action picked up again, I'd lost interest.
The story focused far too much on Sorrel's injured leg and her struggle to be brave again. Over and over again, we're told about her limp, her cane, and her pain. We watch her struggle to go down the stairs without her cane. We witness her inner turmoil as she summons the courage to ride a horse again. We want to shake her mother who clams up everytime Sorrel's injury is mentioned.
As a heroine, Sorrel isn't a very warm character. She's bitter. She has a chip on her shoulder and declares "war" on the hero after an unfortunate misunderstanding. She could have cleared up the misunderstanding right away by explaining her need for a cane, but it apparently made more sense to wait until the house party to reveal her injury to Philip. Let him feel like an ass while Sorrel limps out of the drawing room. In case you haven't already figured it out, there wasn't a lot of romance and affectionate scenes in the book. Their relationship felt more platonic than romantic.
Philip's secret mission {He's a spy for the British crown.} which drew me into the story at the beginning of the book, wasn't addressed again until the end of the book. By the time the action picked up again, I'd lost interest.
June 20, 2021
Clean Regency.
Philip & Sorrell disliked each other at 1st meeting.
He was a spy with the persona of a fop and fribble.
He thought her use of a walking stick an affectation.
Sorrel turned out to be lame. Their mutual insults
(too many & too snarky) brought out their vulner-
abilities. This gloomy story had too much angst &
needed more love. Her sibs emotionally supported her,
but sometimes at odds with her independent nature.
Her parents lacked minimal compassion.
Philip & Sorrell disliked each other at 1st meeting.
He was a spy with the persona of a fop and fribble.
He thought her use of a walking stick an affectation.
Sorrel turned out to be lame. Their mutual insults
(too many & too snarky) brought out their vulner-
abilities. This gloomy story had too much angst &
needed more love. Her sibs emotionally supported her,
but sometimes at odds with her independent nature.
Her parents lacked minimal compassion.
July 14, 2021
This is the first book I’ve read by this author that I really, truly love. I’ve always enjoyed Eden’s knack for writing funny and relatable characters, but you get that and more in Friends & Foes. I couldn’t put this one down and I can’t wait to read more about the Jonquil brothers.
June 1, 2021
Excuse me while I iron out my toe curls and re-pouf my fainting couch. I'll be with you in a sec.
Philip!!! Or should I say Lord Lampton...I'm a bit untutored in the aristocracy lingo so I'll stick with first names. After all he is my one true love now...er, Sorrel's true love actually and I'm not even all that miffed because I've already set my sights on the next Jonquill brother. I'm bibliophile fickle like that. Madly in love with the hero until I open the next book. Though, of course, Philip will always hold a special place in my heart...along with the gajillion others crammed in there. :-)
So, we have a spy who lurks behind his foppish disguise in order to fight for king and country and the heroine who holds him in utmost distain because...well...their meet cute is anything but cute. It's rather adversarial actually. And it goes downhill from there. Sworn enemies until they discover they enjoy sparring and sniping and goading each other. This is is one twisty, turny romance that packs an emotional wallop. Because...well, I can't really tell you why but it has to do with Sorrel. She gutted me. I was outraged and horrified and so in awe of her courage and fortitude.
And now we come to one of my favourite things about Regencies -- the banter. Philip and Sorrel engage in verbal swordplay like no other. Cutting edge and then some. But Eden delivers even more with the cleverness in her dialogue. The way they talk at cross purposes and muddy the waters so delightfully. Sublimely frustrating and funny and even laugh-out-loudable at times!
Throw in a mystery with more than a hint of danger and this swoonalicious Regency Romance has become one of my favourites. I don't know why I waited so long to get started on the Jonquill Brothers series but I aim to catch up fast.
(I listened to audible edition of Friends and Foes. Luone Ingram's narration is the perfect match for Sarah M. Eden's storytelling. Hope she is the narrator for the rest of the series!)
Philip!!! Or should I say Lord Lampton...I'm a bit untutored in the aristocracy lingo so I'll stick with first names. After all he is my one true love now...er, Sorrel's true love actually and I'm not even all that miffed because I've already set my sights on the next Jonquill brother. I'm bibliophile fickle like that. Madly in love with the hero until I open the next book. Though, of course, Philip will always hold a special place in my heart...along with the gajillion others crammed in there. :-)
So, we have a spy who lurks behind his foppish disguise in order to fight for king and country and the heroine who holds him in utmost distain because...well...their meet cute is anything but cute. It's rather adversarial actually. And it goes downhill from there. Sworn enemies until they discover they enjoy sparring and sniping and goading each other. This is is one twisty, turny romance that packs an emotional wallop. Because...well, I can't really tell you why but it has to do with Sorrel. She gutted me. I was outraged and horrified and so in awe of her courage and fortitude.
And now we come to one of my favourite things about Regencies -- the banter. Philip and Sorrel engage in verbal swordplay like no other. Cutting edge and then some. But Eden delivers even more with the cleverness in her dialogue. The way they talk at cross purposes and muddy the waters so delightfully. Sublimely frustrating and funny and even laugh-out-loudable at times!
Throw in a mystery with more than a hint of danger and this swoonalicious Regency Romance has become one of my favourites. I don't know why I waited so long to get started on the Jonquill Brothers series but I aim to catch up fast.
(I listened to audible edition of Friends and Foes. Luone Ingram's narration is the perfect match for Sarah M. Eden's storytelling. Hope she is the narrator for the rest of the series!)
Read
May 6, 2021I was really looking forward to this one, as a hate-to-love relationship is an intriguing romance trope, plus this story promised to be a combination of The Scarlet Pimpernel and Pride and Prejudice. I think that description is an accurate portrayal of this enemies-to-lovers romance, which enhanced an already unique plot. The characters gradually shift from being at constant war with one another to becoming friends and eventually falling in love.
Like all good couples, Philip and Sorrel help one another grow throughout the story. Sorrel especially experienced the biggest change, for at the beginning of the book her deformity had left her quite cold and prickly; her budding relationship with Philip helps soften her so that she can grow into a better person who learns to see herself beyond her condition. The spy subplot added another layer to the plot, making this another fun Regency read from Sarah Eden.
Like all good couples, Philip and Sorrel help one another grow throughout the story. Sorrel especially experienced the biggest change, for at the beginning of the book her deformity had left her quite cold and prickly; her budding relationship with Philip helps soften her so that she can grow into a better person who learns to see herself beyond her condition. The spy subplot added another layer to the plot, making this another fun Regency read from Sarah Eden.
May 14, 2021
A highly enjoyable read, for the most part.
After reading and loving Jane Austen's novels many years ago, I've just started reading some other Regency novels. I began with Georgette Heyer and tried Eden's book after two of Heyer's fabulous novels. For me, Heyer feels like an author OF the Regency era and Eden feels like a 21st century author writing about the Regency era. Though Eden's book had a little more of your typical "romance" factor though it's very clean (she's very good at making innocent scenes totally swoony--riding in a carriage at night a mere few inches from one another, for example, nothing happens except the girl falls asleep with her head on the guy's chest -- but it's pretty sexy -- at least until the one of the other passengers snores, LOL!)
I really liked Phillip for the hero. The Jonqils are a wonderful family and he's now the head of it. The brothers are all great friends with one another, have the utmost respect for women, and most especially for their dear Mater. Sorrel was an interesting heroine. I appreciated her wit and her courage, but at times I got a bit annoyed by the constant references to her injury, her painful leg, her feelings of disappointment and heartbreak etc. Not that I didn't empathize with her, or feel that she should be a Pollyanna about everything, but it did get a tad tedious. Their enemies-to-friends-to-lovers relationship progression was, for the most part, well done. However, I found a few aspects rather infuriating, particularly the misunderstandings. The one in the beginning was necessary to set up the relationship, I suppose, but others were just annoying, such as when Sorrel finds a reason to suspect Philip isn't all that he says he is and she starts to doubt him... but then this is never touched on again! Then shortly after there's a misunderstanding that made me want to hurl the book against the wall, especially because these two are supposedly so intelligent and observant and Philip is renowned for tracking down French spies for goodness sake and the misunderstanding is something you'd see in a Hallmark movie.
Speaking of spies, I expected a bit more Scarlet Pimpernel type action but the spy subplot is almost completely ignored for the entire mid-section of the book and sections there dragged a bit for me. An entire chapter consists of Sorrel trying to get downstairs without her cane. Again, I appreciate her courage, and it did allow a few swoony moments with Philip coming to assist her (yet not in an obnoxious "oh, you weak female, let me help you" way -- he really is the only person who believes she is more than her lameness and builds up her confidence in herself, it's very well done!) BUT there is supposedly one of the top French spies nearby, whose capture would mean much to saving lives in the war, and I just don't think enough weight was given to that. It makes perfect sense that Philip would be distracted by Sorrel, but we still needed moments for him to come back to the weightier matter at hand. Fortunately, the last section of the book gets back on track with the spy capturing action and I thought it was done very well.
A few key aspects of the plot were never fully realized and I don't know if this was due to a rushed ending or because Eden wanted to leave it up to our own imaginations what happened. However, I really feel that the issue of Sorrel's leg needed to be addressed more fully. Was having a man fall in love with her all she needed to feel whole again? Maybe. Maybe that's fine. I don't know. It was the Regency era, after all, so marrying for love let alone for love to a very well off gentleman was an often unattainable goal for any woman let alone for one who believed no man would ever want her. It's just that after all the focus on how horrible her ailment was, the constant pain, the difficulty walking, etc. I guess I wanted just a bit more about whether she was, indeed, going to pursue further medical attention (obviously with Philips full approval and constant adoration and ministrations! ;-) Philip really was rather wonderful!)
All these quibbles aside, I really did enjoy the novel on the whole. It was immensely readable, and a wonderful "meeting of the minds" meets "swoony" romance and I would recommend it to fans of clean Regency romances.
After reading and loving Jane Austen's novels many years ago, I've just started reading some other Regency novels. I began with Georgette Heyer and tried Eden's book after two of Heyer's fabulous novels. For me, Heyer feels like an author OF the Regency era and Eden feels like a 21st century author writing about the Regency era. Though Eden's book had a little more of your typical "romance" factor though it's very clean (she's very good at making innocent scenes totally swoony--riding in a carriage at night a mere few inches from one another, for example, nothing happens except the girl falls asleep with her head on the guy's chest -- but it's pretty sexy -- at least until the one of the other passengers snores, LOL!)
I really liked Phillip for the hero. The Jonqils are a wonderful family and he's now the head of it. The brothers are all great friends with one another, have the utmost respect for women, and most especially for their dear Mater. Sorrel was an interesting heroine. I appreciated her wit and her courage, but at times I got a bit annoyed by the constant references to her injury, her painful leg, her feelings of disappointment and heartbreak etc. Not that I didn't empathize with her, or feel that she should be a Pollyanna about everything, but it did get a tad tedious. Their enemies-to-friends-to-lovers relationship progression was, for the most part, well done. However, I found a few aspects rather infuriating, particularly the misunderstandings. The one in the beginning was necessary to set up the relationship, I suppose, but others were just annoying, such as when Sorrel finds a reason to suspect Philip isn't all that he says he is and she starts to doubt him... but then this is never touched on again! Then shortly after there's a misunderstanding that made me want to hurl the book against the wall, especially because these two are supposedly so intelligent and observant and Philip is renowned for tracking down French spies for goodness sake and the misunderstanding is something you'd see in a Hallmark movie.
Speaking of spies, I expected a bit more Scarlet Pimpernel type action but the spy subplot is almost completely ignored for the entire mid-section of the book and sections there dragged a bit for me. An entire chapter consists of Sorrel trying to get downstairs without her cane. Again, I appreciate her courage, and it did allow a few swoony moments with Philip coming to assist her (yet not in an obnoxious "oh, you weak female, let me help you" way -- he really is the only person who believes she is more than her lameness and builds up her confidence in herself, it's very well done!) BUT there is supposedly one of the top French spies nearby, whose capture would mean much to saving lives in the war, and I just don't think enough weight was given to that. It makes perfect sense that Philip would be distracted by Sorrel, but we still needed moments for him to come back to the weightier matter at hand. Fortunately, the last section of the book gets back on track with the spy capturing action and I thought it was done very well.
A few key aspects of the plot were never fully realized and I don't know if this was due to a rushed ending or because Eden wanted to leave it up to our own imaginations what happened. However, I really feel that the issue of Sorrel's leg needed to be addressed more fully. Was having a man fall in love with her all she needed to feel whole again? Maybe. Maybe that's fine. I don't know. It was the Regency era, after all, so marrying for love let alone for love to a very well off gentleman was an often unattainable goal for any woman let alone for one who believed no man would ever want her. It's just that after all the focus on how horrible her ailment was, the constant pain, the difficulty walking, etc. I guess I wanted just a bit more about whether she was, indeed, going to pursue further medical attention (obviously with Philips full approval and constant adoration and ministrations! ;-) Philip really was rather wonderful!)
All these quibbles aside, I really did enjoy the novel on the whole. It was immensely readable, and a wonderful "meeting of the minds" meets "swoony" romance and I would recommend it to fans of clean Regency romances.
March 6, 2012
Set in England, we revisit our old friend from a previous book, Phillip Jonquil, who we find out is really a secret spy trying to catch a traitor to the Crown, all the while pretending to be a fop and entertaining houseguests at his home.
Sorrel Kendrick is a woman who has been disfigured in a horrible accident and has a limp that makes her life miserable. She hates feeling dependent and as such, she puts out a fairly defensive position to everyone she meets and most especially to Phillip Jonquil.
They become sworn enemies while she is staying at Phillip's home and both are intent to win the war between them, but there comes a time when they start to wonder if they've crossed that fine line between hate and love. Before they can figure that out, however, Sorrel overhears a conversation from the very traitor that Phillip is tracking and it puts her in danger. From there on out we are racing toward the conclusion, flipping pages as fast as we can to see one or both of them will survive.
The banter in this book was superb and made me laugh out loud several times. Phillip and Sorrel are characters that have depth sometimes hard to find in this genre. They both are fighting demons within their families and both feel a lot of responsibility for the predicament of themselves and those around them. I definitely saw the growth in them as the story progressed which made the reading even more gratifying. Sarah Eden is one of my favorite authors and I can honestly say her knack for touching on the emotions combined with the intrigue and time period make her books extraordinary.
Sorrel Kendrick is a woman who has been disfigured in a horrible accident and has a limp that makes her life miserable. She hates feeling dependent and as such, she puts out a fairly defensive position to everyone she meets and most especially to Phillip Jonquil.
They become sworn enemies while she is staying at Phillip's home and both are intent to win the war between them, but there comes a time when they start to wonder if they've crossed that fine line between hate and love. Before they can figure that out, however, Sorrel overhears a conversation from the very traitor that Phillip is tracking and it puts her in danger. From there on out we are racing toward the conclusion, flipping pages as fast as we can to see one or both of them will survive.
The banter in this book was superb and made me laugh out loud several times. Phillip and Sorrel are characters that have depth sometimes hard to find in this genre. They both are fighting demons within their families and both feel a lot of responsibility for the predicament of themselves and those around them. I definitely saw the growth in them as the story progressed which made the reading even more gratifying. Sarah Eden is one of my favorite authors and I can honestly say her knack for touching on the emotions combined with the intrigue and time period make her books extraordinary.
October 8, 2017
I just love those Jonquil brothers!!
Love love love Sarah M Eden's writing
Love love love Sarah M Eden's writing
October 31, 2024
Reseña completa: https://fiebrelectora.blogspot.com/20...
Durante cinco años, Philip Jonquil, conde de Lampton, ha buscado y capturado espías en suelo inglés; en medio de su última búsqueda, se topa con Sorrel Kendrick, bonita, directa y nada impresionable, quien no puede creerse que un caballero la acuse de primeras de robo e insulte su discapacidad... Lo que resulta aún peor cuando vuelven a coincidir en una fiesta y terminan declarándose la guerra. Cuando Philip descubra una pista sobre el espía francés al que quiere capturar, se dará cuenta de que necesita la inestimable ayuda de Sorrel, quien tiene una pieza clave para la investigación, y pronto se darán cuenta de que trabajar juntos no les desagrada tanto como esperaban.
Bueno, hay que ver lo fenomenal que me lo he pasado con esta lectura, y es que el señor Philip Jonquil es un absoluto mete patas, cualquiera diría que teniendo en cuenta a lo que se dedica tendría más cabeza... pero no, lo que desemboca en situaciones frustrantes, cómicas, y también bonitas. Un rivals to lovers de lo más estupendo, porque dejadme decir que el personaje de Sorrel ha sido una maravilla.
Durante cinco años, Philip Jonquil, conde de Lampton, ha buscado y capturado espías en suelo inglés; en medio de su última búsqueda, se topa con Sorrel Kendrick, bonita, directa y nada impresionable, quien no puede creerse que un caballero la acuse de primeras de robo e insulte su discapacidad... Lo que resulta aún peor cuando vuelven a coincidir en una fiesta y terminan declarándose la guerra. Cuando Philip descubra una pista sobre el espía francés al que quiere capturar, se dará cuenta de que necesita la inestimable ayuda de Sorrel, quien tiene una pieza clave para la investigación, y pronto se darán cuenta de que trabajar juntos no les desagrada tanto como esperaban.
Bueno, hay que ver lo fenomenal que me lo he pasado con esta lectura, y es que el señor Philip Jonquil es un absoluto mete patas, cualquiera diría que teniendo en cuenta a lo que se dedica tendría más cabeza... pero no, lo que desemboca en situaciones frustrantes, cómicas, y también bonitas. Un rivals to lovers de lo más estupendo, porque dejadme decir que el personaje de Sorrel ha sido una maravilla.
April 16, 2021
3.5 - I loved the banter between them and the slowburn romance. A cute, clean historical romance.
July 14, 2020
Quite excellent. Fantastic banter
March 8, 2023
The Scarlet Pimpernel Napoleonic War edition. Sink me! Also the last chapter and much of the dialogue reads like the Abigail and John Adams songs from 1776. Adorable.
October 13, 2023
Philip may just be my favorite Jonquil brother! I adored this enemies to lovers story to no end! The wit and banter were top notch.
October 16, 2024
Living!
Rivals-to-lovers, salseo, misterio, y representación disca. Me lo he pasado pipa.
Rivals-to-lovers, salseo, misterio, y representación disca. Me lo he pasado pipa.
December 28, 2019
The Earl of Lampton, Phillip Jonquil, dandy to the public and spy for the Foreign Office in secret, is trying to track down the murderous and ever illusive French spy Le Fontaine so that he can finally end his 5 year spy career. By chance he meets an intriguing, sarcastic dark beauty who carries around a walking stick? at an inn one night whom he offends by his fashion critiques, mockery of her “affectation”, and general foppish ways. They both leave not liking one another and figuring they will never meet again, until Phillip’s assignment takes him to his friend’s house party where lo and behold he officially meets his adversary who has now declared War! Most inconvenient. Most entertaining.
Phillip Jonquil, the fop of my heart!
He was such a treasure! I loved hearing his thoughts. He really reminded me of the Scarlet Pimpernel. And I LOVE the Scarlet Pimpernel! His outrageous outfits, quizzing glass and cravats were hilarious to envision. Yet, he has this heart of gold. He loves his 67 brothers and their “Mater” :) It was great peeling back all his layers!
Sorrel Kendrick, or “General Kendrick” as known by her enemies, was awesome as well! I’ve seldom come across as strong of a character. I couldn’t imagine having to live everyday with the excruciating pain she had to endure just by simply getting out of bed and walking to the door. Her fierce wit and beauty on the inside and out made her an excellent foe to the great dandy!
I loved reading their banter and internal thoughts! Their “war” was most entertaining! The war tactics listed were especially great 😂
The highlight for me however was when they really started to understand one another and the quiet and tender moments between them. I loved when Phillip helped Sorrel walk down the stairs. It was such a powerful scene and kind of romantic!
The action and spy elements sprinkled throughout were awesome and I would have liked even more! And I did think there was going to be more of a twist to who Le Fontaine was... but it was still good.
I loved learning about Phillip’s other brothers especially Layton and I can’t wait to read their stories as well! I also loved Sorrel’s relationship with her brother! It was really sweet. I’d love a story about Fennel too! And the little bits of Crispin and Catherine from “The Kiss of a Stranger” were so sweet! ❤️
This was a perfect winter read and an amazing note to end the year on!
Phillip Jonquil, the fop of my heart!
He was such a treasure! I loved hearing his thoughts. He really reminded me of the Scarlet Pimpernel. And I LOVE the Scarlet Pimpernel! His outrageous outfits, quizzing glass and cravats were hilarious to envision. Yet, he has this heart of gold. He loves his 67 brothers and their “Mater” :) It was great peeling back all his layers!
Sorrel Kendrick, or “General Kendrick” as known by her enemies, was awesome as well! I’ve seldom come across as strong of a character. I couldn’t imagine having to live everyday with the excruciating pain she had to endure just by simply getting out of bed and walking to the door. Her fierce wit and beauty on the inside and out made her an excellent foe to the great dandy!
I loved reading their banter and internal thoughts! Their “war” was most entertaining! The war tactics listed were especially great 😂
The highlight for me however was when they really started to understand one another and the quiet and tender moments between them. I loved when Phillip helped Sorrel walk down the stairs. It was such a powerful scene and kind of romantic!
The action and spy elements sprinkled throughout were awesome and I would have liked even more! And I did think there was going to be more of a twist to who Le Fontaine was... but it was still good.
I loved learning about Phillip’s other brothers especially Layton and I can’t wait to read their stories as well! I also loved Sorrel’s relationship with her brother! It was really sweet. I’d love a story about Fennel too! And the little bits of Crispin and Catherine from “The Kiss of a Stranger” were so sweet! ❤️
This was a perfect winter read and an amazing note to end the year on!
October 14, 2017
This was a really cute book. At first, the writing in the beginning threw me off, since it seemed like the author didn't know how to use pronouns (it sounds mean, but it almost stopped me from reading, because the names of the characters were used to start almost every sentence. That kind of stuff really bothers me). However I powered through, and by the second chapter, the writing improved drastically (I have no idea how that happened).
After that, I was really able to get into the book, and I can tell that I'm already going to binge read every book in this series. The best things about this novel, were the characters and the banter between them (especially between Phillip and Sorrel). Can I just say I adore Phillip? He's such a great guy, and I was totally rooting for him and Sorrel to finally admit their feelings for each other. Concerning Sorrel, she was funny, and I liked her sarcastic demeanour, although she could be a bit stubborn at times (which infuriated me) but I got where she was coming from. She definitely developed throughout the book as she learned to finally accept help, and I loved her determination as well. Secondary characters were also well written, and overall, this book was delightful.
4 solid stars
After that, I was really able to get into the book, and I can tell that I'm already going to binge read every book in this series. The best things about this novel, were the characters and the banter between them (especially between Phillip and Sorrel). Can I just say I adore Phillip? He's such a great guy, and I was totally rooting for him and Sorrel to finally admit their feelings for each other. Concerning Sorrel, she was funny, and I liked her sarcastic demeanour, although she could be a bit stubborn at times (which infuriated me) but I got where she was coming from. She definitely developed throughout the book as she learned to finally accept help, and I loved her determination as well. Secondary characters were also well written, and overall, this book was delightful.
4 solid stars
June 15, 2012
Sorrel had an "unfortunate accident" a few years before and feels she's not pretty enough to ever make a match. Phillip is trying to keep up his appearance and is with his good friend and his family (and all 67 brothers--haha) for the holidays.
I loved Phillip in The Kiss of a Stranger, so it was a treat to get to know him better--the dandy. :) Right off the bat, he and Sorrel get off on the wrong foot. I loved the war tactics and the banter between the two.
A twist of mystery, a dab of romance, and a lot of hilarious fun is in store for you in this Regency story.
I loved Phillip in The Kiss of a Stranger, so it was a treat to get to know him better--the dandy. :) Right off the bat, he and Sorrel get off on the wrong foot. I loved the war tactics and the banter between the two.
A twist of mystery, a dab of romance, and a lot of hilarious fun is in store for you in this Regency story.
June 28, 2014
3.5 Stars
Not bad. Typical hate turns to love relationship.
The bitter and emotionally damaged girl meets the charismatic and sharp man, they get off on the wrong foot, some "witty" banter ensues, enter some sort of hastily put together actions scenes that puts our heroine in peril, they suddenly realize they love each, and they live happily ever after!
The End
Not bad. Typical hate turns to love relationship.
The bitter and emotionally damaged girl meets the charismatic and sharp man, they get off on the wrong foot, some "witty" banter ensues, enter some sort of hastily put together actions scenes that puts our heroine in peril, they suddenly realize they love each, and they live happily ever after!
The End
June 19, 2014
3 1/2 stars. Cute, but a few things bothered me. Review to come.
October 4, 2012
This was described to me as a cross between The Scarlet Pimpernel and Pride and Prejudice.
That is true.
Your average English Gentleman Fop is really a spy catcher in disguise. He meets a girl and it is dislike at first sight. He sticks his foot in his mouth several times, she says things she regrets. Then it's happily ever after, you know, once the showdown with the bad guys is finished.
The book alternates between viewpoints of Philip and Sorrel (and I'm sorry, but I didn't know Sorrel was an herb, so every time I read her name, I though of sorrel as a descriptor for a horse.) It makes the book interesting and without the alternating viewpoints, I really don't think the author would have been able to pull off as much as she did.
The spy-catching side plot was pretty darned slow. This is not an action adventure book, except for three chapters at the end. I enjoyed that Sorrel was proactive about her involvement.
The bulk of the book is relationship development. There was a lot of witty banter that I enjoyed, though it didn't seem as Foppish as Philip was supposed to be acting. I did like that the transition from strong dislike to strong like felt like a natural progression. That is a difficult thing for a lot of authors to accomplish.
Philip was just barely a half step up from two dimensional. He was interesting and fun, even if he wasn't believable. Still, I'm a sucker for a well-dressed guy with witty things to say.
Sorrel was an interesting, multi-layered girl. I liked that she was wrestling with her leg problem and trying to maintain outward control of her emotions. I liked her relationship with her younger brother. I liked that she learned to ask for help.
The whole "we're enemies" thing felt like it was carried on too far. Even at the end, after Philip and Sorrel had been lovey-dovey for many chapters, he was fretting about their enemy status. Seriously? I know he didn't totally believe it, or that would have reflected poorly on Sorrel, but it was a little late in the game to be lamenting it. At that point, it was very obviously not a war on either side and hadn't been for some time.
Anyway, it was a good read, even if just for Sorrel and some good banter. If I was on a desert island and only had my nook, I might read it again.
That is true.
Your average English Gentleman Fop is really a spy catcher in disguise. He meets a girl and it is dislike at first sight. He sticks his foot in his mouth several times, she says things she regrets. Then it's happily ever after, you know, once the showdown with the bad guys is finished.
The book alternates between viewpoints of Philip and Sorrel (and I'm sorry, but I didn't know Sorrel was an herb, so every time I read her name, I though of sorrel as a descriptor for a horse.) It makes the book interesting and without the alternating viewpoints, I really don't think the author would have been able to pull off as much as she did.
The spy-catching side plot was pretty darned slow. This is not an action adventure book, except for three chapters at the end. I enjoyed that Sorrel was proactive about her involvement.
The bulk of the book is relationship development. There was a lot of witty banter that I enjoyed, though it didn't seem as Foppish as Philip was supposed to be acting. I did like that the transition from strong dislike to strong like felt like a natural progression. That is a difficult thing for a lot of authors to accomplish.
Philip was just barely a half step up from two dimensional. He was interesting and fun, even if he wasn't believable. Still, I'm a sucker for a well-dressed guy with witty things to say.
Sorrel was an interesting, multi-layered girl. I liked that she was wrestling with her leg problem and trying to maintain outward control of her emotions. I liked her relationship with her younger brother. I liked that she learned to ask for help.
The whole "we're enemies" thing felt like it was carried on too far. Even at the end, after Philip and Sorrel had been lovey-dovey for many chapters, he was fretting about their enemy status. Seriously? I know he didn't totally believe it, or that would have reflected poorly on Sorrel, but it was a little late in the game to be lamenting it. At that point, it was very obviously not a war on either side and hadn't been for some time.
Anyway, it was a good read, even if just for Sorrel and some good banter. If I was on a desert island and only had my nook, I might read it again.
January 5, 2017
I love a good hate-to-love romance written well, and for the most part Friends and Foes succeeded at providing a satisfying example of just that. It was a slowburn relationship (just the way I like it) and the transition from enemies to reluctant partners and then lovers was believable, which is an aspect that seems to be rarely done correctly in romantic fiction.
Once they moved past the lobbing of cutting personal insults into a semi-truce with easy bickering and banter, Sorrel and Philip were a joy to read about. They're both highly intelligent characters whose fiery, competitive natures were well-matched. It made their romance so much fun, knowing that neither of them would suddenly transform into soppy shadows of their former selves. So often, love/hate couples lose the teasing bickering that was the best part of their relationship, once they truly "fall in love."
Where the story fell short for me is how far the author pushed the "enemies" friction, particularly at the beginning. They initially hated each other with a passion that honestly surprised me, and it was particularly hard to like Sorrel when she had the personality of a briar patch. Despite initially sticking his foot firmly into his mouth, Philip wasn't actually too much of an ass. Sorrel, however, really took her misunderstanding of Philip a lot farther than I would've preferred. Although her insecurities were palpable and I understood why she was so prickly and defensive, it didn't make her any easier to like.
I do also wish that more time was devoted to the spy subplot and the resolution of Sorrel's problems. The ending was remarkably anti-climatic, and considering how important Sorrel's leg/her limp was to the plot, I'm honestly surprised it was virtually forgotten. Will they simply settle down? Will they travel so that Sorrel can get medical treatment? Does Philip plan to quit his job? I would have liked to at least have an idea of what awaited in the future for the couple.
Once they moved past the lobbing of cutting personal insults into a semi-truce with easy bickering and banter, Sorrel and Philip were a joy to read about. They're both highly intelligent characters whose fiery, competitive natures were well-matched. It made their romance so much fun, knowing that neither of them would suddenly transform into soppy shadows of their former selves. So often, love/hate couples lose the teasing bickering that was the best part of their relationship, once they truly "fall in love."
Where the story fell short for me is how far the author pushed the "enemies" friction, particularly at the beginning. They initially hated each other with a passion that honestly surprised me, and it was particularly hard to like Sorrel when she had the personality of a briar patch. Despite initially sticking his foot firmly into his mouth, Philip wasn't actually too much of an ass. Sorrel, however, really took her misunderstanding of Philip a lot farther than I would've preferred. Although her insecurities were palpable and I understood why she was so prickly and defensive, it didn't make her any easier to like.
I do also wish that more time was devoted to the spy subplot and the resolution of Sorrel's problems. The ending was remarkably anti-climatic, and considering how important Sorrel's leg/her limp was to the plot, I'm honestly surprised it was virtually forgotten. Will they simply settle down? Will they travel so that Sorrel can get medical treatment? Does Philip plan to quit his job? I would have liked to at least have an idea of what awaited in the future for the couple.
June 26, 2014
Philip Jonquil lives his life in disguise. His cover as a dandy allows him to hide his true occupation of tracking a French spy.
Sorrel is scarcely living a life at all. Ever since the “unfortunate incident” that rendered one of her legs next to useless, she has suffered constant pain, social isolation, and the necessary assistance of a walking stick.
An “affectation” that regretfully becomes fodder for one of Philip’s nonsensical discussions on the aspects of fashion. By the time he realizes that Sorrel’s walking stick is anything but a fashionable accessory, WAR between the two of them has been declared.
Oh! This absolutely flew by! Friends and Foes is my first Sarah M. Eden book, but I will certainly be reading many more. The story centers almost exclusively around the relationship, but Sorrel’s physical struggles--at a time when such injuries were not only difficult to treat but also viewed as God’s will--give her character a ferocious obstacle to face throughout every page of the novel. I had a terrible time tearing myself away.
Note: Although, this is technically the first book in The Jonquil Brothers series, The Kiss of a Stranger is both related and chronologically first. I didn’t realize that or I would have begun with the other novel, though clearly my failure to do so didn’t hinder my enjoyment of Friends and Foes at all.
Sorrel is scarcely living a life at all. Ever since the “unfortunate incident” that rendered one of her legs next to useless, she has suffered constant pain, social isolation, and the necessary assistance of a walking stick.
An “affectation” that regretfully becomes fodder for one of Philip’s nonsensical discussions on the aspects of fashion. By the time he realizes that Sorrel’s walking stick is anything but a fashionable accessory, WAR between the two of them has been declared.
Oh! This absolutely flew by! Friends and Foes is my first Sarah M. Eden book, but I will certainly be reading many more. The story centers almost exclusively around the relationship, but Sorrel’s physical struggles--at a time when such injuries were not only difficult to treat but also viewed as God’s will--give her character a ferocious obstacle to face throughout every page of the novel. I had a terrible time tearing myself away.
Note: Although, this is technically the first book in The Jonquil Brothers series, The Kiss of a Stranger is both related and chronologically first. I didn’t realize that or I would have begun with the other novel, though clearly my failure to do so didn’t hinder my enjoyment of Friends and Foes at all.
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