Unlaced (Ashton/Rosemoor series Book 1)

I got as far as chapter 12 and just couldn't go on.

The hero is a judgemental jerk. Henry had great looks and a title but no woman with an ounce of self respect would have given him a second chance. He blames the heroine for his lack of self control, and the stupid girl sets herself up for his abuse over and over.

The family who is supposed to be bringing her out in society didn't seem to have a whole brain even if they had all shared the same head.

The heroine wants to be a vet. She might have been able to pull it off if she married a farmer but that wouldn't make much of a story. Her character has been written up just saccharine sweet. Birds eat from her hand. Blah.

There are enough shady people to make trouble, but the hero manages that well enough on his own.

I assume they got together in the end, though I don't know which one to feel more pity for.

Exhausting! One word sums up the whole story. How many times did our heroine, Lucy have to forgive the supposed hero, Henry? I don't know. I lost count. Every time they met he insulted her, or the fact she was below him (multiple times he flat out told her he had to marry better than her), or implied she was a whore who was loose with her affections. It's funny that every time he accused her of being wanton, he had just finished mauling and groping her himself or had her half undressed.

Poor Lucy was completely above reproach and as far as I'm concerned, well above Henry. She was too forgiving and understanding when he mistreated her. She had it right when she told him for every measure of encouragement he gave her he took it back tenfold and truthfully that's an understatement.

Unlaced was an emotional rollercoaster ride that bordered on mental cruelty.

I absolutely love this book! I can't wait to buy the other books and read the rest of the series. Lucy is such a fiesty and unique protagonist in this love story. Such a refreshing outlook on early 1800-1900's in Europe.

After the whole scene where she helps deliver the horse, I stopped. Too cheesy for me. He thinks she's a girl, therefore knows nothing about helping animals, but he sends for her to help with the birthing of one of his horse anyway and is amazed by her "talent". The jump was way too fast for me. I couldn't finish this. This is the first book I've read by this author, so maybe it's just the story. I'll have to try another one of her stories soon.

The plot concept was interesting and attracted me to the book. It could have been executed better. The author leaned to heavily on the physical instead of letting their love grow in other ways. It isn't full of raunchy sex scenes though. There is actually only one.

After the whole scene where she helps deliver the horse, I stopped. Too cheesy for me. He thinks she's a girl, therefore knows nothing about helping animals, but he sends for her to help with the birthing of one of his horse anyway and is amazed by her "talent". The jump was way too fast for me. I couldn't finish this. This is the first book I've read by this author, so maybe it's just the story. I'll have to try another one of her stories soon.

The plot concept was interesting and attracted me to the book. It could have been executed better. The author leaned to heavily on the physical instead of letting their love grow in other ways. It isn't full of raunchy sex scenes though. There is actually only one.

not sure why I forced myself to finish this one.. I just felt that it's was obvious the two characters were forced together the entire time because the goal of the book was to make sure those two a) got married b) everyone got everything they wanted from the start c) and of course, the obligatory heir at the end of the book

What if women equality of education and profession were practiced in recency England? Could a time girl from the upper gentry have it all, would a real life Prince Charming have tolerated a working girl as his Cinderella.

Henry, our hero comes with a full set of emotional baggage courtesy of his very own Mommie Dearest. A she wolf and a sociopath if there ever was one. Lucy, our heroine, is spunky gal who fights for her dreams no matter how unconventional they are and despite them being in direct opposition of her father's marriage mart plans for her. Lucy has no plans to marry, but she goes along with the plans for a London season because she is practical minded and realizes that she has no choice in the matter. She is smart and makes plans to further her own objectives while in London.
There's a lot going on in this book birthings, late night trysts, undisclosed siblings, stabbings, both literal and figuratively, and the usual scheming and under handed subterfuge that makes the merry olde ton so much fun! The author really kept things moving. I read this in a day because I wanted to know what was going to happen next. Henry had a bunch of issues as a result of an abusive childhood. He constantly does and says things to Lucy that made me want to hand him his head (both of them ;-). Even Lucy, hauls off and gives him a well deserved slap. She is no one's doormat or weak willed miss! She can look out for herself and knows where to place a well aimed knee when the situation calls for it. All in all very enjoyable story. This was a freebie from Book Bub, but I liked it so well and was so entertained, that I wouldn't have minded paying for it. Enjoy!

Heroine Lucy Abbington makes this novel shine because she is so unlike most regency heroines and yet not so different that she does not fit smoothly into the regency period. Her male lead is introspective and protective but haunted and he is perfect for Lucy.

When Lucy first meets Henry Ashton, the Marquess of Mandeville, she is dressed in breeches and he mistakes her for a servant at his neighbor's home. She has dabbled in the veterinary arts and is concerned for his horse. Later at dinner she is wearing a dress and he is stunned by the transformation. She is charming and her knowledge of horses is astounding for a woman, she even helps Henry with his horse's birthing.

They meet again in London where Lucy is having her come out which is sponsored by the Rosemoors, friends and neighbors of Henry's. They flirt and dance and have a good time but Henry knows he will never marry Lucy. She is from an untitled family, she wants to practice veterinary medicine, and he will not fall in love and make a fool of himself the way his father did over his adulterous mother. Henry cycles between an irresistible longing to be with Lucy and then a desire to push her away.

Lucy cannot figure Henry out but is still determined to have a good time in London and study under the tutelage of a master of veterinary medicine. Lucy is brave, confident and she is generous, the kind of girl everyone would like as a friend.

Henry just cannot stay away from Lucy and to make sure he will not marry her he begins courting the daughter of a duke, hoping that will be enough to make him forget Lucy. Problem is he still thinks about her and with his matchmaking sister having a hand in his courtship he does not stand a chance of keeping clear of animal loving Lucy.

This book is fast paced and the dialogue is good. The ending was not quite right though, a little too much stubbornness and anger but overall this novel is very entertaining.

This book was so far from the reality of the regency period. The heroine would not have been accepted by the ton in the first place let alone allowed to continue after her first indiscretion. Read Balogh, Putney, Austin, and Beverley before bestowing more than one star.

In 1817, his widow mother tries to pressure her son the Marquess Henry Ashton to marry and sire the heir and the spare. He refuses to allow his cold mom any say in his life though he agrees with her assessment that he needs to marry. However, Henry rejects her mother's choice of a wife Charlotte Haverford though her pedigree is perfect and she is pretty.

While out riding, Henry's horse goes lame. A woman in breeches notices his steed's gait faltering and provides assistance to the horse. Henry learns that the unique Lady Lucy Abbinstall wants to become a veterinarian, a male only occupation performed exclusively by non aristocrats. As he begins to see Lucy at Ton events, they fall in love, but she knows she is beneath his status and besides he fears love following how his intelligent father married the termagant he calls mother.

This engaging Regency romance will have the audience rooting for the delightfully refreshing heroine (not just feisty and independent she has ambitions) to rope in her Marquess. The story line is fun to follow as Henry has issues involving love and relationships and Lucy has goals that set her up for ridicule by her peers. Though his mom is the mother from a frozen hell, fans will appreciate this finely cooked repast.

Harriet Klausner

Setting - Essex and London, England, 1817 --- Henry Ashton, the Marquess of Mandeville, is certainly in no rush to marry, although in his mind the perfect bride would be a perfectly biddable lady, wealthy and from enough of a powerful enough family to enhance his own rising political career. Handsome, wealthy, titled - he could have his pick of the crop of the season's eligible misses, so why does one very unconventional golden haired lass with brilliant green eyes, and sassy mouth confound his senses?

Miss Lucy Abbington, is indeed an unconventional Miss, in spite of her outstanding success in her first season debut, Lucy has no intention of marrying. She agreed to a `season' in London only to have access to and be able to attend some lectures on veterinarian medicine. Her grand passion was to one day hang out her shingle and care for the animals she loved - at least that was what she thought her passion was, until she met and kissed the Marquess of Mandeville.

I found this to be an exceptional debut regency that captured my attention from the very first pages. Between causing a fight at the opera, then almost getting ravished in a carriage, Lucy didn't lack for excitement as she got her first and lasting taste of the ton. In this I was treated to fresh writing, witty and intelligent dialogs, and believable plot lines. If I could offer any critiques it would be a lost opportunity for the author to develop a sub-plot of revenge against Henry when he publicly saved Lucy from the clutches of Lord Sinclair. It seemed as though that insult to Sinclair could have had something to do with a later attack on Henry, but that was never fully explained away. In any case, neither of these small points in any way hindered the outcome or total enjoyment of this delightful debut and this tale certainly whetted my appetite for the sequels to this proposed quartet of related novels. BOTTOM LINE - This is a great read to savor for lovers of historical romance. --- Marilyn Rondeau, Official Reviewer for [...] ---

I have a love hate relationship with historical romances. Well I thought I did. I never used to like them much but I recently found myself reading a series and loving it before I realized it was historical, since then I have realized that a good book is a good book no matter the period.

This is a pretty good book. I found the story interesting and I liked that Lucy is so good with animals and wants to be a vet even though she is not technically allowed to study and its frowned upon.

The book was a bit slow at times and I got a little frustrated with the constant roadblocks in the romance. Well the last one or second to last maybe. It just seemed like overkill. But the book has a nice HEA and is a good fun story.

I received this book for free as a part of the Goodread's First Reads program.

a remarkable first book. character driven to a degree not always found in this genre. the protagonists' personalities are founded on their life experiences and so their interactions make sense. very few false notes to be found and only a couple of minor errors in punctuation. i liked this book and will read more of this series.

Althought her secondary characters are rather like cardboard cutouts, the lead couple, especially Lucy, are well-rounded. Lucy is delightful: ambitious, principled, and very likeable. Henry is typical alpha aristocrat who thinks love and emotional entanglements are weak, but his beliefs are based on distorted memories of his parents. Becasue of his erroneous beliefs, Henry is thoroughly attracted to Lucy but is intent upon marrying for "practical" reasons. Therefore, Henry is not always likeable, but he learns in time. At least he's honest with Lucy up front and shows signs, even early, of not really being the a** he sometimes appears. This dichotomy in his character is one of his strongest attributes.

There are a few things that seen anachronistic, but overall this is a very good debut novel. Cook shows a great deal of promise.

Unlaced is a historical novel about women who thought men only wanted to marry her because of her money - until she had none. Henry Ashton, the Marquees of Mandeville was a rich quiet wife but life does not always give you want you want... Check out the whole Ashton/Rosemoor series; TO LOVE A SCOUNDREL (1) UNLACED (2), UNVEILED (3) and UNDRESSED (4).

I love reading romance, and I discovered these really good priced debut books when they first came out. I wasn't going to write reviews because I'm not a professional, but I have to say, Ms. Cook is good. She's very good. Her plot is a little weak in parts and her hero goes from actively trying to seduce the veterinarian-to-be heroine to treating her like she's "used" goods and it's her fault. It was a bit uneven but very fun to read. Will I be reading her again? Probably.

A previous reviewer took Ms Cook to task for historical implausibility. I would call it originality. For one thing, women wouldn't have made the progress we have if it hadn't been for our foremothers bucking the system. The fact that the secondary characters resist Lucy's dream so forcefully makes the story believable. Also, she's pretty low on the ton's totem pole, so she can afford to be different. I liked this aspect of the book--it took it beyond the same-old, same-old tea party to ballroom, idle gossip, scandal! of many Regencies. If you like Regencies but want a little something new, this book is for you!

This regency was almost impossible to finish. Why would ANYONE give this regency a 5 star rating is beyond me. The hero, yes, Alpha hero, Henry, is just a jerk (while stunning looking). If he is not kissing and trying to get our heroine Lucy on her back, he is busy blaming her for his loss of control. He also constantly is accusing her of something, being false, trying to snag him for a husband. He continually tells Lucy she is beneath him so he won't marry her. Well, why in the world would Lucy time and time again give him the time of day? Really, women who review these books, don't you want a heroine who has some self-respect? If any female, you would hope, went out on a date a second time with a cad like Henry, well, you would think she was an idiot! Lucy's desire to be a veterinarian might be nice but she knows that she can never practice being a vet in the truest sense so why would she think she could not, in some way, continue to be the neighborhood helping vet hand even if she married? Really, who cares for a cad like Henry!!!!

Kristina Cook is the master of story-telling. I had the privilege of reading this story before it was published, and I loved it even then. Ms. Cook has a way with words that pulls the reader into the story and makes them fall in love with her characters. I highly recommend Henry & Lucy's story for anyone who wants a great read. I also recommend anything this talented author writes.

~Phyllis Campbell~

If this is Kristina Cook's first novel, I can't imagine what her books will be like when she becomes more experienced!
I really enjoyed this book. I thought the heroine was unique, quirky, and very likable. The hero wasn't bad either.
Although there were a fair number of plot twists, I thought the whole thing flowed together nicely, and the beginning was as satisfying as the ending.

Kristina Cook writes a fun and interesting tale with two lead characters who aren't your typical Regency hero and heroine. I particularly liked Lucy and found her to be a determined and intelligent heroine the reader can easily identify with. This is a highly enjoyable historical romance by a promising new author.