Alas, My Love [Mass Market Paperback]

Edith Layton (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 29, 2005

From the talented Edith Layton comes the second novel in her wonderful new series. Can a self-made man overcome humble beginnings to romance the lady of his dreams? Surviving against all odds, Amyas St. Ives grew up in a foundling home, then escaped to the streets of London and managed, through sheer will and courage, to make his fortune. However, money and devastatingly good looks alone are not enough to gain entry into London high society - not when Amyas is unaware of his true origins and is considered base-born among the posh Regency set. When he meets the alluring Amber, a fellow foundling and ward of a respectable family, he thinks he's met a kindred spirit - but when Amber finally discovers her true identity, the hurdles to their love become insurmountable. How can Amyas convince her family that what a man is matters more than what he was born to be?

--This text refers to the Kindle Edition edition.

Product Details

• Mass Market Paperback: 384 pages
• Publisher: Avon (March 29, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0060567120
• ISBN-13: 978-0060567125
• Product Dimensions: 6.7 x 4.2 x 1.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #854,101 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Alas! A Bore, May 3, 2005

By 

Dierdre from Dallas (Dallas, Texas) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Alas, My Love (Mass Market Paperback)

I am a devoted, loyal fan of Edith Layton. I have enjoyed many of her novels, but I have to agree with the previous readers, this novel was not worth my money. The hero was "not to die for" but instead stilted and hypocritical. The majority of the book was wasted on describing his courtship with the wrong woman! He continually fought his attraction to the heroine, causing us readers to lose all patience with him. The lovers did not come together until the book was almost at its conclusion. There was no sexual tension, no romance no true character development or evolvement. All in all, I would like my money back! Edith Layton is a wonderful writer, please do not judge her by this novel, rather, read her earlier books. The "C" novels are excellent!

4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars A competent but emotionally unenthralling work by Layton, September 26, 2005

By 

Lucesky "Lucesky" - See all my reviews

This review is from: Alas, My Love (Mass Market Paperback)

Amyas St. Ives is a man desperate for a legitimate identity in 19th century England. He grew up in an orphanage and escaped to the slums of London as soon as he was able to, fearing the infamous workhouses of England. Soon after returning to England a self-made man after having been sent to the Antipodes for lifting a pound note as a child, he departs for Cornwall, hoping that his unique first name will lead him to his family.

In his search for his true identity, he happens upon the Tremellyn family of Cornwall. There, Amyas begins to believe in the success of his quest for respectability and belonging. Although himself a fishmonger and a member of the lower rungs of society, the widowed Hugo Tremellyn has built his fortune with his fishing ventures and is the most respected personage in his little seaside town. Thus, Amyas begins to court Hugo's biological daughter, Grace, although he is immediately attracted to Amber "No Name," who is the Tremellyns' "gift" from the sea--a foundling.

Amber is a warm, competent, loving woman, but like Amyas, suffers from the uncertainty and stigma of not knowing her biological family and true identity. She knows that Amyas is drawn to her, but questions why he courts her adopted sister instead of her. Amyas's attraction to Amber deepens into something more, but his desire to marry Grace and build a new identity outside of his street urchin and "criminal" past sidetracks him. But the two are forced to reconcile their lifelong dreams and present desires after Amyas is expelled from the Tremellyn home for revealing his past and Amber finally discovers her true identity. A rescue in France ensues, followed by the two protagonists' somewhat satisfying realization that they can build their future together.

I understood why Amyas felt that he should marry Grace, but was annoyed by his persistent courting of her even though he had to continually force himself to avoid Amber. The very difficulty with which he tried to do so should have clued him in to his true feelings earlier, before he was forced to leave Cornwall and then rescue Amber in France.

In all, I think that Amyas and Amber's passivity in their feelings for each other made for an unbelievable, and unemotional, ending--I never fully understood why they loved each other. Layton's presentation of Amyas's feelings for Amber weren't enough motivation to fully explain why he would venture all the way to France, by ship (which is very difficult for him), just to see her.

3 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Simply a great read, April 25, 2005

By 

Fanny Brown Rice (USA! USA! USA!) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Alas, My Love (Mass Market Paperback)

The plot of Alas My Love is gripping and the hero is to die for. The only thing I didn't like about it, is that I couldn't read it while at work! But it was such a suspense filled read, I was totally involved whenever I could steal glimpses of it (usually while on the subway).

Ms. Layton: I don't know if you ever come by to look at your book reviews on Amazon, but in case you do, I just want you to know you have not let down your loyal fans with this one! I can't wait for your next, so please write faster.

Note, disclosure, etc.: Edith Layton is my mom. Yup! She's the tops.