Title: Kiss Me, Annabel
Author: Eloisa James
First published November 29, 2005
383 pages, Paperback
ISBN: 9780060732103 (ISBN10: 0060732105)
Rating: 3.85
Overview
Miss Annabel Essex has certain expectations of her future husband. He must be wealthy, English, and amiable.
She’s found the perfect man, until she’s forced to travel to Scotland with the impoverished Earl of Ardmore. Now, they’re stuck pretending to be man and wife with the whole world watching.
To make matters worse, they’re sharing a bed and the earl is playing a game in which the prize is a kiss. Will they be able to resist each other’s charms or will they end up married for real?
Find out in Eloisa James’ Kiss Me, Annabel.
About the Author
Eloisa James is a popular author known for her historical romance novels published by HarperCollins Publishers. Her books have received widespread acclaim, with critics praising her writing style and storytelling abilities.
Even USA Today raved about her first book, saying it was like “devouring a Hershey bar.” Publishers’ Weekly and Library Journal have also given her work starred reviews, and her books are frequently found on best-seller lists.
Despite her success as an author, Eloisa also has a “double life” as a Shakespeare professor. She earned an M.Phil.
from Oxford University and a Ph.D. from Yale before becoming a professor. Now, she teaches Creative Writing at Fordham University in New York City.
Her unique combination of careers has attracted media attention and fascination from her readers. She has even written an op-ed defending romance and published articles in various magazines and journals.
In her personal life, Eloisa is a wife and mother. Her husband, Alessandro, is from Italy, and they spend summers with his family there.
As a mother, Eloisa draws on her own experiences to add depth to her writing. For example, she wrote about a miscarriage in one of her books based on her own fears of premature birth.
In another novel, she described her daughter’s habit of throwing up repeatedly during infancy.
Eloisa is also a friend to many, including fellow writers and Shakespeare professors. She has a community of romance readers on her website, where people can join in on conversations about her books and share their thoughts.
Despite her many roles, Eloisa remains grounded and relatable, always ready to connect with others.
Editoral Review
Eloisa James has established herself as one of the foremost contemporary writers of historical romance, and in Kiss Me, Annabel, she beautifully weaves together complex characters and vivid settings to create a compelling story of passion, scandal and love. Set in eighteenth century England, the novel follows the story of Annabel Essex, a beautiful and headstrong young woman who finds herself entangled in a forbidden romance with Lord Newbury, a notorious rake.
As their secrets are slowly revealed and their passion grows stronger, they must face the disapproval of society and navigate a web of familial obligations and societal conventions. James expertly captures the social intricacies and norms of the era, while also exploring themes of gender roles, class divisions, and the constraints of societal expectations.
Her writing is infused with wit, humor, and a keen attention to detail, making the setting and characters come to life on the page. Annabel and Lord Newbury are complex and well-drawn characters, each with their own strengths and weaknesses, and their journey is both heartwarming and heart-wrenching.
James crafts a compelling and nuanced romance between them that is both steamy and tender. However, at times the pacing of the novel can feel slow and the plot can meander, with some of the supporting characters feeling underdeveloped.
Additionally, the resolution of the conflict at the end feels rushed and somewhat unsatisfying. Despite these minor shortcomings, Kiss Me, Annabel is a delightful read that will capture the hearts of romance enthusiasts and historical fiction fans alike.
James beautiful prose and thoughtful exploration of societal issues make for a compelling and worthwhile read. Overall, I would highly recommend Kiss Me, Annabel to anyone looking for an engaging and well-crafted historical romance novel.
It is a captivating exploration of love, passion, and societal expectations that will linger with the reader long after the final page is turned.
