Customer Reviews

The Care and Taming of a Rogue (Adventurers' Club)

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(7)
3 star:		(6)
2 star:		(4)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Suzanne Enoch is a fabulous writer and some of my absolute favorite historical romances have been written by her, namely London's Perfect Scoundrel and Always a Scoundrel, with close second favorites being England's Perfect Hero, By Love Undone, and After the Kiss. Needless to say, I was ecstatic about this book coming out and expected it to join my "all-time favorite" bookshelf - it won't, and frankly, I'm considering whether to post it on PaperBack Swap right away, because I doubt that I will want to reread this.

The Care and Taming of a Rogue (The Adventurers Club, Book 1) wasn't bad in the sense that I didn't actively dislike it, but in almost every aspect it either fell short or just didn't click; it was boring and I was at times somewhat tempted to just put it down and forget about it. The premise was an interesting one and quite original, and I'm always a huge fan of books where the heroine is overlooked, shy, bookish, unusual, whatever. Plus, taking into account it's written by Enoch, it should be a natural five-star book, right? Wrong: THE CARE AND TAMING OF A ROGUE did not live up to my expectations. Both of the main characters were pretty forgettable, their relationship is not compelling and I never really understood how they got together or why they felt (or even THAT they felt) so strongly about one another, and the chemistry just wasn't there (which starkly contrasts with some of Enoch's other books).

SPECIFIC CRITICISMS:
Both Bennett (29) and Phillipa (20) felt somewhat flat and one-dimensional. Bennett is supposed to be this "uncivilized explorer" who won't obey any of London society's "rules" and wants to drag his woman back to his cave ... and although we're told this repeatedly and other characters constantly describe him this way, it didn't really ring true. Yes, he was blustery and aggressive, but it ended up just being annoying and not at all endearing, adventurous, bad-boy-attractive, or any other positive thing; he wasn't as unconventional as he was made out to be (an example of where that type of unconventional adventurer-hero was well done and *did* work is Christina Dodd's Rules of Surrender).

Phillipa is a nice heroine, but nothing to write home about. We're told that she's practical and logical ... but I didn't see that emphasized very much (there was no resemblance to someone like Dr. Brennan from the TV show "Bones," who is definitely an extreme of those two adjectives). She's also supposed to be unconventional in her own way - embracing her "bluestocking" tendencies, completely bookish and somewhat anti-social (though friendly) - yet she insists on Bennett courting her according to the rules and keeps placing emphasis on teaching him how to behave in London society (no such teaching really occurs) ... while then going in broad daylight to the house he's staying in and making love for the first time with him in a kitchen larder (umm, can you say unromantic?).

Then there is their relationship, which seemed completely unsubstantiated to me and so was hard to believe. Basically he hears her voice - is attracted to her, sees her face - likes how she looks, remarks on her smelling of lemons - oh how nice, and bam! they're off. We know that Phillipa already has a little thing for Bennett in that she has been an admirer of his travel/adventure books, but why this romantic interest in Phillipa in particular? We're never really shown why he is THE ONE for her and she is THE ONE for him. [Sidenote: Why is it that aside from our heroines (and whatever friends they may have) almost all the other women in these novels are nitwit chits who only giggle, simper, and are catty when it comes to men??? Even Flip's sister, Olivia, kind of falls into this category - at least for the first two adjectives.] Bennett and Phillipa are both nice people, sure, but I just don't see why their relationship takes off so quickly, with no trouble going from hello to kisses to making love to declaring love to talking about marriage (though actually that happens before some of those other ones) ... which brings me to another point ...

There are no obstacles in their romantic relationship!!! Well save one, to be fair, which was in fact a good one: she likes to stay at home and read, he's Mr. Adventure, so how is a real, lasting relationship (i.e. marriage) going to work for them? This was an interesting twist because it was a real consideration that is similar to the problems that nowaday long-distance relationships face. However during the book it isn't really dissected, just mentioned repeatedly and put aside; then in the end, it's resolved very nicely and quickly (TOO nicely and quickly). Other than that though, which wasn't even fully explored, any hurdles placed by themselves or other characters were either completely missing or not very substantial. I *HATE* books that have those big misunderstandings or throw obstacle after obstacle in front of the main characters for no apparent reason, but can't there be a happy balance between those two extremes??

Finally, the whole "Adventurers' Club" was a little ridiculous and when that's first introduced in the beginning of the book my reaction was "What? This seems very contrived ... Maybe it's going to be made into a series?" ... Which I then discovered it is. I don't understand the purpose of the club, don't see it's use or understand how it works or why it exists, etc. - basically it's all a huge contrivance.

BOTTOM LINE:
I feel very bad about giving such a negative review for a Suzanne Enoch book, but I was so disappointed! She has such talent and has written other novels that literally have me going to sleep with a smile on my face and waking up the next morning wanting to read the book all over again; THE CARE AND TAMING OF A ROGUE in no way compares to those books. There were some funny moments, some sweet ones, Kero (Bennett's pet monkey) was a great addition, but check it out from the library if you're set on reading it, don't buy it.

This book is a terrific read. Not your average Regency. I loved the hero, heroine, and the pet monkey. There is a lot more story than sex in this book(although those are very hot), and Enoch will hook you at once. Bennett is an adventurer who falls in love with a bookish lady named Phillipa. I loved her nickname. They called her Flip. She turns out to be quite spunky with a lot of courage, more than anyone thinks her capable. At the same time, while Bennett is going through an upheaval in his life that could cost him everything, and while trying to get revenge on the man who stole his journals, wrote a book taking all the credit, Bennett falls in a big way for Phillipa, and she becomes his priority in life. I really loved how Bennett found the ridiculous rules of London tiresome after being in the jungle, but he puts up with it to court Flip. I just recently discovered Ms. Enoch, and I'm in the process of reading all her books.

We've long gotten beyond expecting the characters in a historical romance to reflect the mores and speech patterns of the time period they live in, so just give in to enjoying a really cute romance. Suzanne Enoch always comes through with good chemistry between the hero and heroine. And of course it's always nice to have a not-diamond-of-the-first-water heroine. The hero sees her true worth (bright and plucky) and also finds her sexy. We like that. A minor complaint is the immediate falling in love thing, but from there it develops very nicely and more realistically. The requisite villain is the hero's fellow explorer of the Congo who steals the hero's journals, thinking he is leaving the hero to die in Africa. The villain then returns to England and steals the hero's thunder by publishing a book making himself out to be the big cheese in the expedition and the hero to have been a coward. So the book spends its time getting the hero and heroine together and the hero's good name back. It's an enjoyable story.

I'm only 3/4th of the way through this book, and seeing all these low reviews I just had to throw my 2 cents worth in the pot! I love this book! (It will be a 1-nighter when I finish shortly.)

I get everyone has their own opinion and to each his own, which is exactly why I don't think these stupid reviews should be allowed! But that's another story...

Someone mentioned these characters being "to boring and one dimensional?" I would love to know what they thought of the "The Untamed Bride."

This was *very* entertaining, humorous, and well written! You had your requisite bad guy (and who didn't say out loud "YES!" when Bennett punched him at his homecoming party? Or Kero taking that piece of hair?)

This was a beautiful story! History, facts and trivia about far away places, romance, good guy vs. bad guy (who used to be a friend by the way) well who hasn't been there?

When it came to the romance, how could anyone not feel or recall those first stirrings of young innocence and the curiosity that went with those first sexual feelings of arousal? Flip was a typical "good girl" and raised as such, but there is no denying or ignoring the awakening of sexual feelings and of course, the curiosity therein!

Bennett on the other hand wants her in an honorable way but deals with the male aspect of trying to keep a leash on those same sexual feelings, all the while trying to restore his name, honor, and make a place for himself with Flip.

And "Kero?" Kero was just a hoot! But then animals always do add more smiles to any story!

My fingers are crossed for Olivia to wake up and see Jack! =) That should be book 2!

With the prices of paperbacks these days - it's not often, especially when I do read a lot and can do a good book in 1 night - I feel I got my money's worth! This book was worth it! =)

This was a delightful romance. Bennett, an adventurer who has spent many years exploring other countries, does not like following the rules of polite society. When he meets Phillipa, he is unable to restrain his enthusiasm for her. This definitely leads to some pretty humorous conversations and situations. I smiled and chuckled quite a few times while reading this book. Phillipa has to wrestle with the idea that Bennett really does care for her, especially since she has had no other suitor before. And Bennett has to not only clear his reputation, he also has to figure out what his instant attraction to phillipa really means.

I really did enjoy this book. My only complaint is that I prefer to see a relationship develop slowly rather than have the hero and heroine fall instantly in love/lust with each other. But for others this may not be a problem. Once Bennett's nemesis, Langley, comes to town, the action really does pick up. This is a lighthearted, enjoyable read that took me no time at all to finish.

Lady Phillipa Eddison, Flip to friends and family, is not Society's darling, rather she's a blue-stocking whom most tend to overlook, which is quite alright with her. Her passion for books, most especially the series of adventure memoirs by the recently deceased Captain Bennett Wolfe, are more her forte than flirting and dancing with beaus. With the unfortunate demise of Captain Wolfe, and the newest best seller sweeping the nation, written not by the Captain, but by his companion, painting the Captain in a much more unflattering light, she is unsure what to think.

When Captain Bennett Wolfe arrives back into civilization, the last thing he expects is to give one of his closest friends an apoplexy when he shows up unexpectedly on his front steps. Soon it's clear to him that his companion in Africa, not only left him for dead, but also stole his work and is now passing it off as his own, reveling in new found fame and fortune. At the same time he meets the intriguing Lady Phillipa and knows she is what he wants. She is straight-forward, intelligent, and beautiful, how has society missed such a diamond? Can he regain his reputation? Can an adventurer like Bennett be happy with a homebody like Flip?

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I loved this book. Phillipa and Bennett are both extremely well-written characters. They are intelligent, straight-forward and in no way perfect. They share an instant attraction that was tangible to the reader. I liked that while Bennett had a strong personality, he never over-shadowed Phillipa.

I loved the humor and tension Ms. Enoch incorporated throughout the story. Not only the sexual tension between Phillipa and Bennett, but also the anxiety of wondering if Bennett would be able to prove Langly was a liar and fraud.
Also, I enjoyed the play between Phillipa's sister Olivia and Bennett's best friend, John. Though by the end of the story I was really starting to feel sorry for John, but he really needs to step it up for Olivia. I hope they get their own story, that is if John can get a bit more Alpha and stop letting her walk all over him!!!

Suzanne Enoch is always an auto-buy for me and THE CARE AND TAMING OF A ROGUE did not disappoint, I hope my wait isn't to long for her next book!

reviewed for: Night Owl Romance

I absolutely loved this story. The plot was interesting and a bit unique. I loved that the hero is so in love with the heroine, who just can't believe that he is so head over heels. Great story. I recommend this book!

P.S. I also read it in one night. I just couldn't put it down!

Bennett Wolfe has been exploring Africa for a few years. When he returns to London he finds that Captain Wolfe reported that he was dead and stole his journals and wrote a bestseller. While trying to find his journals, confront Wolfe he falls for Lady Phillipa Eddison. Phillipa loves to read and want little to do with society; flirting and honest interactions with her and Bennett are great. Loved every minute - Enjoy!

If you enjoy this genre I would also suggest; What the Duke Desires , Royal's Bride, When Seducing a Duke.

This romance novel caught me from the very beginning, with an unlikely hero and an even more unlikely heroine. The story is set in early 19th century England and tells the story of Bennet Wolf who is more of a hero than he truly realizes, but who is also somewhat uncouth. The heroine is a bookish sort who secretly longs for adventure. A few of the twists and turns in the book shocked me. The best book that I have read by Suzanne Enoch.

This is classic Enoch. In some ways it reminds me of "England's Perfect Hero" and that is my very favorite Enoch novel.