Like No Other Lover: Pennyroyal Green Series

I did not find the main characters very engaging, BUT this book is worth its weight in gold for the drunken card party scene. Even on the second reading I could not get through it in one - had to keep removing my glasses to wipe away the tears of laughter. Truly priceless! And what will tempt me to buy another book by this author.

One doesn't usually think of humor as the highlight of a romance novel, but I have to admit that while other aspects of the story are well written, the humorous sections are my favorite. I will definitely ready more books by Julie Anne Long.

It is a house party that also happens to be Cynthia Brightly's last chance to find a husband before her scandalous past catches up with her. Charm and beauty are her weapons, as Miles Redmond, newly made heir to the Redmond fortune, certainly knows. He had been bewitched by her before, only to be rebuffed as not quite good enough. After going to discover more about the world, he comes back only to find her back in his life. This time, he plans to finally get her out of his head - with a kiss. However, the kiss sets off a storm. Miles says he will help her with the other eligible gentlemen at the party, but he can't stop wanting her. And while Cynthia originally thought him to be dark and boring, she begins to see him as a man, not just a staid and boring scientist. Love blooms between them, but neither one can let go enough to trust that love, not money, will get them their dreams. Oh my goodness, Like No Other Lover spoke to me more than nearly any other romance I have ever read. I sat down and read it in one sitting, with my heart feeling everything the characters were feeling. It made me remember what it's like to have a first kiss, first lover and to first fall in love. The characters developed so beautifully and the way they responded to one another was skillfully done. I was thoroughly enchanted with the entire story and I definitely, Joyfully Recommend it! Niki Lee Reviewed for Joyfully Reviewed

More focused and less plot-heavy than some of Julie Anne Long's earlier romances, "Like No Other Lover" is a witty, elegantly written, and touching love story with two very strong leads. It's the second book in a series, but it's not necessary to have read the first book to follow this one. This one, however, definitely has more of a series feel than the first, likely because it takes place in just one English location, and also because we're introduced to characters like Jonathon and Violet, who seem destined to get their own books down the line. This book essentially opens with a love at first sight moment, at least for our hero, Miles. (It takes Cynthia a second glance to start to fall for Miles). At the same time, we get the pleasure of watching these two spar and slowly realize how deeply they feel for one another. The central conflict involves the fact that Cynthia, who has no family or means, is desperate to marry quickly after a scandalous London season left her without a fiance. Miles, a brilliant naturalist, wants nothing more than to solicit enough money from a wealthy gentleman's soceity to travel to Macao. Per a negotiation with his father, he knows the easiest way to do this is marry the daughter of someone in the society. But it's Cynthia--often loud, vexing, and very beautiful, although not well-connected--that he wants. As usual with Long's novels, we get a lot of character development in the beginning, and dialogue is more sparse. As the pace quickens, there are more delightful exchanges between the leads as they flirt and grapple with the fact that they're miserable without each other. Their attraction is palpable, and although readers have to wait a while to see them consummate it, the scenes are worth it. There are a few minor weaknesses here, namely that as the book moves on it's difficult to remember why these two people feel they can't be together. And I wish the "happily ever after" chapter had been followed by an epilogue to show us Cynthia with the family she so longs for. But overall, this is another very promising and fun read from a great new novelist who has been deservedly compared to Julia Quinn, Loretta Chase, and Eloisa James (although I'd say Long's books are a shade darker than those of these writers, and often more thoughtful in tone). "Like No Other Lover" is absolutely worth savoring over a long weekend.

This might just be the best romance I have read all year. I liked everything about it; the characters, the plot, the humor, the dialogue and the romance. When Miles Redmond first meets Cynthia Brightly, he is totally enraptured by her. She is the toast of London but he overhears that she is interested only in how much money her suitors have and she even scoffs at marrying Miles, a second son. Miles never meets her that night. Two years later Cynthia is no longer accepted by the ton due to a nasty duel. Miles is stunned that his sister Violet has invited her to his family's house party. Miles hasn't forgotten her cold words and when they finally converse the first day he is very direct with her. He makes it known that she doesn't need to be casting her lure for him as he is going to marry one of the sweet biddable girls at the house party. Instead she should try to hook one of the other gentlemen attending the party and to assist her he will give her insight on the character and foibles of these men in exchange for one kiss. Cynthia agrees and the kiss they share is earth shattering for both of them. From then on Cynthia and Miles have a wonderful romance that is not supposed to be a romance. I just loved the interaction between these two because they are so honest with each other. Miles is a scientist and his interest in wild jungles and bugs really fascinates Cynthia. Ms. Long uses metaphors brilliantly when it comes to the similarities of the insect world to human behavior. Cynthia is desperate and almost destitute but she is not unkind. She is so likable and charming. Her inner thoughts are delightful reading because she is above all honest with herself. She is ambitious and needs to make a good match and she really wants to behave but she does have a wickedly good sense of humor. Several times I laughed aloud at her antics. Miles is a dutiful son trying to make the best match to please his father but it is so hard to be rational about Cynthia Brightly. Suddenly Miles is waxing poetic whenever he thinks about her and that is sooo unlike him. He is amazed that she inspires such thoughts. In fact every time the leads have a conversation, something extraordinary seems to happen. A wellspring of emotions flow whenever they communicate through words and even through shy smiles and long glances. Cynthia reveals her past and Miles shares his dreams. There are incredibly poignant moments in this novel that just made me smile. Finally the secondary characters of this novel shine because Ms. Long has gifted them with memorable personalities. The dialogue is really spot on. I highly recommend this delightful and well written novel.

When I first started reading this book I thought it was not going to be very interesting or enjoyable. But, to my surprise, with each turn of the page it got better and better and by the end of the book I thought, "Wow! What a great read! So worth it." There were enjoyable moments of hilarity...you will laugh your butt off at the card game...I was laughing out loud along with with everyone in the story. That scene alone was worth it. The love between the h/h was so touching and it developed nicely.