Customer Reviews

Enchanting Pleasures

5 star:		(18)
4 star:		(8)
3 star:		(6)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Heroine:   plump/voluptuous

   Gabrielle Jerningham is a bride being given away by her father.  Literally.  The old man, who has no love for his awkward and untidy daughter, jumps at the chance to ship her from his palace in India half-way around the world to England, where she'll marry the son of his old chum Viscount Dewlan sight-unseen.  Or nearly so.  Declaring it makes her face look too round, Gabby refuses to send a portrait of herself to her betrothed.  But the viscount sends along a miniature of his younger son Peter, whom he deems his only chance at keeping the family line secure. (Quill, his eldest, was injured in an accident some time before and believes himself unable to father children, since participating in any type of activity involving repetitive motion leaves him plagued with migraines for days afterwards.)

   Gabby, young, alone, and aching for love becomes deeply infatuated with Peter's likeness, imagining him to be a tender and soft-spoken gentleman who will cherish her from they moment they first meet.  But reality breaks her heart when she arrives in England and discovers that he is nothing more than an arrogant fop with minimal interest in the fairer sex, except where the topic of fashion is concerned.

   Quill sees that Gabby is presented with options which could only result in a lifetime of misery:  return to her hateful father in India; marriage to Peter, who is also sure to tear her down every chance he gets; or be saddled with a cripple if he should marry her himself.  The headstrong financial whiz elects to pursue the last course of action: marry the voluptuous Gabby and take her to his bed regardless of the physical consequences he knows he'll suffer.

   Gabby soon falls in love with her handsome fiancé and will risk anything to help heal his malady, even if it means deceiving him.  But is the cure worth the risk of losing the respect of the man she loves? Or even the man himself?
 
      What worked for me:

    Even though the main romance was an enjoyable one to follow, I personally loved the secondary romance, which had more touches of the traditional Regency novel.  I could easily have seen this storyline fleshed out as a fourth installment in the "Pleasures" series.

    Size-wise Gabby is soft and lush in the eyes of Quill, but appears overly-fleshy to his brother Peter.  For myself, I saw her as looking like Kate Winslet might if she added 20 pounds or so.
    
       What didn't work for me:

    Far more naive than other girls her age, Gabby's impetuous behavior was for the most part charming.  Or at least it was until the climax of the story, at which point she just seemed extremely immature by acting out in the same all-or-nothing fashion of Juliet Capulet.
    
Overall:

    A good read for fans of sensual Regency-Setting romances who appreciate excellent writing.  Though it can stand on its own, I think folks owe it to themselves to read the two earlier books of the trilogy first.  I certainly plan on seeking them out myself.

If you liked "Enchanting Pleasures" you might also enjoy "The Last Days of a Rake", "Unmarriageable", "The Accidental Bride", "The Bride and the Beast", "The Fire-Flower", or "Suddenly You".

"Enchanting Pleasures" is, I think, the best Regency romance novel that Eloisa James has written to date. And while the whole premise of Quill Dewland's illness seems a bit unbelievable to me, the story line and characters are still enjoyable and crisp, and made for riveting reading.

Viscount Dewland owes his good friend Jerningham a large sum of money, and instead of repaying the loan, which he can now do because of his eldest son's, Quill, industriousness, the Viscount has decided that his younger son, Peter, will marry Jerningham daughter, Gabrielle. (Quill quite ineligible because of an accident that makes it difficult and painful for him to perform his martial duties.) Peter is aghast: a fastidious man with firm ideas of what his wife should look and be like, he is appalled at having to marry a woman sight unseen, esp as he has no immediate desire to do so right now. However the Viscount is adamant and quite ill, and so Peter finds himself agreeing to marry Gabrielle in order to placate his father.

Of course Gabrielle Jerningham ('Gabby') is the exact antithesis of Peter's notions of the perfect woman. Gabby is a pretty, plump, warm hearted and clever young woman, whose charming manners and winning ways soon enchants everyone she meets ... except Peter. Peter only sees that his fiance is unpolished and unsophisticated, with dreadful clothes and hair that keeps falling down. Quill however finds Gabby to be absolutely captivating. However there is the small matter of his illness, and even if it were not for that, Gabby is still Peter's fiancee. In the meantime, romantical Gabby, who had fallen in love with Peter's likeness, realises that Peter is quite disappointed with her. She is resolved to try and live up to his expectations in order to win his approval, but is not quite sure of what else to do save dress more elegantly. She is also rather disconcerted to realise that Quill's mere presence seems to thrill her, and the fact that Quill seems to have an appreciation of her intelligence and warmth in a way that Peter does not. Gabby is quite confused at the turn things have taken, when news arrives that the Viscount's illness has taken a turn for the worse; Peter leaves London in order to support his mother, leaving Gabby to spend more time with Quill. What will happen? Will Quill and Gabby realise that they are meant for each other? And what of Peter?

I enjoyed "Enchanting Pleasures" especially because of Gabby Jerningham. She is such a warm hearted, intelligent, charming and straightforward young woman, and I really found myself rooting for her to find her soul mate. There are three subplots to this novel: the Gabby-Peter-Quill subplot, the finding a cure for Quill's illness subplot, and the missing Indian prince subplot. All three subplots are woven together rather well. The missing Indian prince subplot is a rather interesting and informative one, esp if you are interested in a small thumbnail sketch in what was going on in India during the early 19th century, and with the East Indian Company. I found the whole Quill's mysterious illness bit a little far fetched, but then I'm not that well informed on medical matters, and perhaps Quill's illness is probable.

"Enchanted Pleasures" is an enjoyable read. There were several instances when I found myself chuckling out loud: as when Gabby realising that neither brother really listens to her when she speaks, wonders if not really listening is an inherited trait; and when Gabby pretends to be an empty-headed young lady when she is questioned by an East Indian Army official about the missing prince's whereabouts. This is a really fun novel and made for really enchanting reading.

In 1806 London, Viscount Dewland informs his younger child Peter that since his older son Quill is disabled and incapable of having a wife, Peter will marry the daughter of his friend Lord Jerningham. Peter refuses, insisting he will never marry. However, the Viscount turns ill as he explodes with anger because he owes his friend who lent him money without any cause or collateral except friendship. Gabrielle will be coming from India to marry Peter or else. Peter reluctantly agrees due to his father's perilous health, but plans to escape his fate.

After receiving a picture of her fiance, Gabby looks forward to marrying the gorgeous Peter. However, she fears that she will never attain the level of deployment Peter expects from a wife and activities in London soon prove her correct. Then there is also Quill, who sends her heart aflutter every time she sees him. He, in turn, decides he will marry Gabby regardless of his severe headaches or his younger sibling.

As expected from Eloisa James, ENCHANTING PLEASURES lives up to its title as fans of regency romance will receive much pleasure from this enchanting tale. The story line is fresh, but it is the characters who make the tale so crisp. Gabby is an innocent original while the two brothers are the type of male protagonists female readers want in their literature (and in their boudoir). Ms. James is a fabulous talent and her "pleasure" novels continually prove that she is heading to genre greatness.

Harriet Klausner

This is my second Eloisa James novel & I liked it enough that I'll pick up another soon, but I was on the whole frustrated.

The beginning of the novel rolls along quite nicely; Gabrielle is really delightful, both clever and naive, and Quinn is stiff but immediately endearing.

What bothered me is that once they're actually married, the plot starts to hinge on how angry it makes Quinn that Gabrielle (1) doesn't want to provoke his migraines because she is horrified by how painful they are (2) won't give up looking for a solution that Quinn hasn't already tried. It's easy to understand where they're both coming from; Quinn is proud, and he's wounded enough that he can be cruel, while Gabby is thin-skinned and maddeningly optimistic.

But all of the fights and battles were painful to read. A little too real for me, to be honest.

I really, really liked the side-plot with the marquis and the fashion columnist. It would have made a great book on its own right.

Gabrielle ("Gabby") Jerningham was sent from her father in India to marry the man due to gain the title of Viscount Dewland. Even though the oldest son was named Erskine ("Quill"), she was to marry the younger son named Peter. Quill had a head injury some years ago and rhythm, for any amount of time (such as making love or horseback riding), caused him to suffer a severe migraine for the next 3-5 days. Therefore, he was considered lame. If a man could not make love to a wife, then he could not have a child, or heir. So Peter would have to marry Gabby.

Peter was considered perfect by the Ton. He found Gabby to be too talkative, have too curvy a figure, and no sense of style. In fact, he disliked everything about her. Quill thought just the opposite of Gabby and was determined to claim her himself! Her love was worth anything, including nauseating migraines!

At the same time, the East India Trading Company and England's Foreign Affairs believed Gabby knew the whereabouts of the missing Indian Prince, Kao Rasi. Kao was only 10 years old and was to be a pawn in the Indian government. Gabby would never reveal she knew where Kao was or her part in his disappearance.

*** No gripping suspense, just a sweet love story. I felt the urge to slap the hero and heroine often though. The co-characters, Lady Sophie and Lady Sylvia, were a delight! I often found myself smiling or chuckling at them. This one is not the author's best work, but still highly enjoyable. ***

I has looked forward to this book since reading the author's previous two books. I knew she was revisiting with characters introduced in the previous novels. However, I was very disappointed in this book.The story was never on the same level as the first two. The medical premise of the story was weak and a bit contrived, especially the "Cure" and the life and death struggle at the end. The humor was weak and uneven. Overall not the quality I had anticipated.

I was really looking forward to reading Quill's story. I must say I had to struggle through finishing this book. I really didn't care for Gabby's character and if I had to read that she was plump or fat one more time I was going to scream. I am assuming from the way sophie said she was built much like her, that she was really just curvy like marilyn monroe but I was sick of hearing it said that she was fat. Also this is the second book that James insinuates that Peter is gay. We should all be adult readers, just come out and say it! I kept waiting for her to declare it to the readers but she never does. Also I found Lucien's love story holding my interest more so than Gabby and Quill's. I am glad I awaited the paperback and did not waste my money on the hardback. Since her 1st 2 novels were so great I will read her next one, but right now I am just disapointed with the story after awaiting it for so long.

Really good book. I liked that he was flawed and how she was not afraid to bring it out into the open and discuss his problem. Of course, the cure for his migraines is a little unbelievable, who knows, maybe poison from tree frogs might just be the cure everyone who suffers is looking for. I liked that right from the start he saw past the rounder than society likes figure to see the beauty and passion in Gabby. And I liked that Gabby was willng to do what it took so that Quill did not have to suffer, even if it took taking charge in the bedroom! Eloisa James has written three very good keeper books and I hope she continues to write for a long time.

Am definitely keeping this book & will read it again. Was laughing out loud (LOL) at the first "tea" and the events that took place. Excellent dialog, very subtle, dry humor at times along with slapstick comedy. Very sexy romances & the people are truly endearing. Actually was quite a page turner for me, started it at night & stayed up for hours reading it! What a treasure of a book!

I really liked this book. I thought that Quill was sexy and remote but still sensual with a good sense of humor. Gabby could slip into some silliness, case in point her ability to fall inlove with anyone, but overall was a likeable heroine.

The two best things in the book were the fun use of Shakespeare (I pine, I burn, I perish), and Gabbys voluptuous figure. I also appreciated that she was not the most graceful creature on the planet.

Sexy and fun