Let Me Be The One (Zebra Historical Romance) [Paperback]

Jo Goodman (Author)

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Goodman (Only in My Arms) offers up a racy, late 18th-century romance featuring the first of four close-knit friends North, South, East and West who call themselves the Compass Club. North, also known as Brendan Hampton and the Earl of Northam, is the first to find romance, and his quest, though conventional, is not without its share of surprises. While searching for the so-called Gentleman Thief, who steals jewels from members of the aristocracy, North meets the enigmatic Elizabeth Penrose at a house party. When the search for the thief takes him to her room, she informs him bluntly that she is "a whore," which clears the way for several intense love scenes. An act of desperation Northam is implicated as the thief, and Elizabeth provides him with an alibi at the cost of her reputation finally pushes the couple to the altar, but their happily-ever-after is a while in coming. First, Elizabeth must come clean about her past indiscretions and her current quandary. Goodman's prose is as stilted as her characters' banter ("I thought I might find something to read." "How fortunate you have come upon the library, then"), and her subtle humor is easily missed. The playful camaraderie between North and his friends is diverting, however, as is North and Elizabeth's understated romance.
Copyright 2002 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Product Details

• Paperback: 432 pages
• Publisher: Zebra; First Edition edition (September 1, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0821768670
• ISBN-13: 978-0821768679
• Product Dimensions: 6.9 x 4.4 x 1.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #84,348 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Fantastic author who surprises at every turn!, August 29, 2003

By 

Stephanie Hawkins (Newport, MI USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Let Me Be The One (Zebra Historical Romance) (Paperback)

I am a new reader of Jo Goodman, and I am sad to find that many of her older books (which aren't really that old!) are out of print. Jo Goodman is a great author and deserves to have all of her books on the shelf!

This book is the first in a quartet about four boyhood friends known as the "Compass Club." It is set in England in 1818. In this tale, we learn about Northam, aka, North. Ms. Goodman's books are a great change of pace from traditional, heroine-centered, historical romances. In this book (and the next in the quartet), we learn more about the life and love of the hero, while the heroine is shrouded in mystery and secrets. I am not often fooled by an author, but Ms. Goodman stunned me several times in this book with her plot devices. And just so you know it's not a fluke--the next book in the series had even more surprises for me!

This is a fantastic book with lots of interesting characterizations. The men in this book seem so much more realistic--they are funny and witty, but not hard-as-stone. They all have feelings and sometimes they even let them show, ha, ha. Ms. Goodman deserves high praise for writing such an engrossing, intriguing novel. If you want a page-turner, this is a great one to keep you up all night, wondering what will happen next!

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars She's back......., September 23, 2002

By 

Darmish (USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Let Me Be The One (Zebra Historical Romance) (Paperback)

Yes, finally Jo Goodman is back. The first line in the book had my attention! The heroine had a strong personality with some unexpected turns. I also like the hero, North, and his companions (South, East, and Marchman - soon to be West).

Not since the Dennehy sisters has Jo written such original storylines.

Pick this book up, you won't be disappointed. Welcome back Jo!

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Welcome Back Jo, September 27, 2002

By A Customer

This review is from: Let Me Be The One (Zebra Historical Romance) (Paperback)

Let Me Be The One is a wonderful, romantic, very steamy book, the first in a set of 4. Lord Northam is a very strong, virile leading man, and Elizabeth is smart, witty and strong woman. Together they make an unbeatable pair, as Lord and Lady Batteman find out. I can't wait for South, East and West's stories. I hope Lady Sophia, who we have yet to meet, shows up soon.