Customer Reviews

Love in a Bottle

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(0)
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Zoe Archer has come up with a perfectly beautiful recipe for romance pitting together a lady botanist struggling for scientific recognition in a mans world and a mountebank looking for a recipe for love in her latest English Historical novel of LOVE IN A BOTTLE.

Sophie Andrews was a lady with passion; a passion for crawling in the dirt amongst all manner of roots, and fungus. While crawling to get a better look at a rare mushroom she finds instead a shiny pair of books encased in muscular legs, impressive thighs -- all in all a very nice package topped off with a charming grin on his face. Feeling a comfortable amity with the handsome stranger Sophie would later be dismayed to discover he was a mountebank capable of swindling the unsuspecting town folk for which Sophie promptly called him out for being a fraud.

Setting out for home and never expecting to see Ian again, Sophie had her coach stop to pick up another specimen in the woods. Ian saved from her being kidnapped by hooligans by stopping her from rushing to the rescue of her uncle Alford after observing him being accosted by the notorious highwayman Dark Dan McGannon. Joining forces with Ian, Sophie and he were later able to rescue her uncle not realizing their partnership was destined to continue. Ian had almost convinced himself that love was nothing but a chemically balanced love potion he'd yet to discover, leaving him baffled by the thrill he found from Sophie's touch. He also couldn't deny the feelings his heart was telling him wouldn't be found in a bottle, but only in his dear little botanist's arms.

*** This was a lovely story with characters the reader will find to be charming. For the period, in a class distinctive atmosphere, the author pits two unlikely protagonists together with amazing depth. Ian, a handsome hero fashioned as a common peddler who could never be found acceptable for the daughter of a squire, even though said daughter, Sophie, was a bit unconventional herself. Ian was convinced he was incapable of falling in love hence his search for the perfect chemically induced herb that would miraculously allow him to fall in love. Until a passionate kiss from Ian, Sophie's only passion was found in her botany studies.

The author was able to strike a perfect balance in her characterizations of secondary characters giving good depth and perfect motivations of their actions for Sophie's mother Caroline, her indulgent Uncle Alford, and her groveling suitor Lord Charles Vickerton.

It was delightful to see the love grow between the two protagonists as they first developed a friendship, were able to open up while respecting each other's individuality before they actually discovered themselves in love. This was an endearing love story and it proves to romance readers that Ms. Archer is a new talent that bears careful consideration for future book buying.

Marilyn Rondeau, RIO - Reviewers International Organization

In 1763 England, botanist Sophie Andrews meets handsome rogue Ian Blackpool, who sells love potions. Attracted to him before his revelation, Sophie calls him a con artist and accepts his challenge to try his formula. Still she has no time to waste ogling the handsome man or the "effect" of his so-called love potion. She sets off on her own as she feels she must save her uncle kidnapped by Dark Dan McGannon and his deadly cohorts.

To his chagrin Ian feels a need to keep Sophie safe so he joins her on her trek over her objections. As they trek together, he explains that love is a chemical reaction that can be bottled with his insistence his formula is the one elixir that can work. However Ian begins to wonder if he drank the potion as he keeps disproving his theory that love can be bottled one kiss at a time.

This is an amusing Georgian romance with some suspense enhancing the wonderful tale of two individuals debating whether love can be bottled. Sophie, to her mom's chagrin, is a unique female blueblood botanist while Ian is the classic impish hero (Think Han Solo), who cannot stop himself from having to help her. Zoe Archer hits Cupid's bull's-eye with this fun historical.

Harriet Klausner

Sophie Andrews has no interest in womanly pursuits. Her passion lies in botany. Much to her mother's chagrin, Sophie is often covered in dirt and prefers her various specimens to the task of catching a husband. She accepts that she'll never marry or have children. As far as Sophie is concerned, she's "married" to her work even though she may never receive any recognition for her contributions because of the simple fact that she is a female.

Ian Blackpool makes his living as a mountebank. He peddles bottles of love potions throughout the rural areas of England. Ian spends a great deal of time scouring the countryside in search of the chemical secrets of love which he's convinced can be found in plants. When Ian meets Sophie he realizes that her work may help him find the answers he seeks.

Sophie has been traveling with her Uncle Alforth. While he's napping, she seizes the opportunity to venture off in search of new and exciting specimens to document. Her search proves fruitful when she comes across a fly agaric mushroom. In order to examine it closely, Sophie is forced to crawl because of its position under a fallen tree. She is so engrossed in the beauty of the mushroom and her own internal musings that she fails to note the pair of black boots right next to it, or the strikingly handsome man wearing them. After exchanging introductions, Ian and Sophie converse while she sketches the mushroom. She even allows him to look at her sketchbook, something which she rarely allows anybody to do. Eventually Sophie realizes that she's been out far too long and races back to join her uncle. Later that evening she has the misfortune of witnessing one of Ian's performance as he applies his trade for the villagers. Angry and hurt by Ian's deceit, Sophie prefers not to have anything to do with the despicable rogue
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While returning to her home, Sophie realizes that she'd forgotten to take the mushroom with her as a sample and asks her uncle to stop so that she can retrieve it. Only once she gets there, she discovers that Ian's beat her to it and has the precious fungus which he offers to her along with his apologies. During the time that Sophie is away from the carriage her beloved uncle is kidnapped by highwaymen. Together, Ian and Sophie set off to rescue her uncle and discover they make a great team. They're both fighting a growing attraction to each other but to Sophie's parents he'd be considered completely unsuitable. What will happen when they join forces and begin to search for the answers to their questions about plants, people and love?

LOVE IN A BOTTLE is Zoe Archer's second published novel and displays this author's talent for bringing refreshingly new storylines to the historical genre. Sophie and Ian are a completely mismatched pair as far as social classes go but they don't let that stand in their way as they throw caution to the wind and collaborate on her botanical work without her family's knowledge. Several scenes in this book got my heart pounding in excitement and there were times I could have cried for her over the lack of acceptance she receives. This story is brilliantly written and full of fun characters and thrilling situations that will keep readers engrossed in the storyline. Beautifully done Ms. Archer! I'll anxiously await to see what you come up with next.

Chrissy Dionne (courtesy of Romance Junkies)

This is my first book by Zoe Archer--won't be the last. Zowie! What a wonderfully original tale. Ian Blackpool and Sophie Andrews are heart-stealers. Their romance sizzles, but it's not just the hot love story, its the depth of these wonderful characters that held me mesmerized.

Sophie is one of those dreadful bluestocking in the Regency period, when women were little more than servants or bobbles on a man's arm. However, Sophie would have none of it. Her mother wants Sophie married, but she has little interest in men that won't appreciate her mind as well as her body, and they want little to do with a woman who loves stalking the wild fungi!

In pursuit of a new fungus, Sophie stumbles upon Ian Blackpool. Our lad has a lot on his mind, but Mr. Tall and Sexy has a yearning to discover if there is really a thing called love, and Sophie seems just what he needs for his "experiment". From a meddling mother to a beloved uncle, Archer conjures well-drawn characters to thrill and delight.

The novel -- to quote the late Robert Palmer - is simply irresistible.

I love how Zoe Archer write about her characters falling in love; Love In A Bottle is about one mans quest to find love in all the wrong places including a bottle. Seven years ago Ian turned his back on all he held dear and left home under unfavorable circumstances fearing he would never experience being in love. Unbeknownst to Ian his search is over when he meets Sophie a botanist from a well to do family. Sophie has her own share of problems, an over bearing mother, un-wanted suitor and lack of respect for her scientific study of plants.

Ian and Sophie first meet in the forest of Wiltshire during one of Sophie's nature walks to study local plants. Ian is also collecting plant samples for his love potion. He is surprised to find such a lovely and intelligent young lady unchaperoned in the woods. Sophie is just as surprised to find a handsome young man that does not repel in horror when she tells him about her love of botany. They part ways both wishing to know more about the other. When they meet again Ian is selling medical elixirs and potions from the platform of his caravan. There is disappointment on both sides, now that Sophie has seen Ian as a Mountebank they both know society's rules will apply to keep them apart. Sophie's family weren't titled but they had wealth and position. In spite of everything that should have kept them apart they decide to work together and find the plants Ian needs to make his love potion. To gain Sophie's assistance Ian appealed to her sense of self and reason. During their first encounter Sophie told Ian to speak to her like a person and not let her gender become an obstacle to real conversation. I love this guy, he really listen to what Sophie had to say and constantly demonstrated his belief in her. Experenicing these two falling in love and fighting it every step of the way was delightful.

What kept LIAB from being just another lite romantic read of frivolous fluff was the under lining message of the importance of being accepted for who you are on the inside. And also the closer look we get of Caroline, Sophie's mother. The reader is given a glimpse of the type of life experiences that shaped Caroline and made her the controlling mother she became. We are surprised right along with Sophie as she hears for the first time about the dysfunctional family her mother came from. I also loved how Sophie grew up as the story unfolded, unlike most h in fiction she did not become stupid once she was in love. Or what about the little hints dropped through out this book letting the reader know Ian is more than he lets on. I was a bit scared at the ending but ZA did not disappoint, the ending was perfect. Check believability at the door before starting this book and just enjoy the story of 2 people falling in love.

Although I enjoyed this book what kept it from being a 5 star read for me was Ian's action that caused him to leave home. I thought it was cowardly and he never apologize or explain his actions to the person he hurt the most. If you like your H/h intelligent and not always titled peers ZA is the author for you. Another great book by her is Lady X's Cowboy.

4-1/2 Stars

Okay, I admit it. I bought this book without really reading the premise for 2 reasons.
1--I just finished Warrior (Blades of the Rose) and loved Ms. Archer's writing style and her ability to tell an amazing story.
2--The title reminded me of a favorite cheesy movie Love Potion No. 9. (The book isn't a reincarnation of the movie.)

Set in England in 1763, Sophie Andrews wants to be a botanist. She studies plants to the chagrin of her mother. While vacationing with her indulgent uncle visiting gardens and forests to further her research, Sophie meets Ian Blackpool. Mistaking him for a gentleman of leisure, Sophie is highly intrigued by this handsome man who doesn't scoff at her ambitions but honestly praises her research. However, she is crestfallen to discover later that day that he is not a gentleman at all but a mountebank peddling a "love tonic" of all things. When her uncle is abducted by a vicious criminal, Ian steps in to help her recover her uncle. Once saved, Uncle and Niece are driven back to their home by Ian who just can't seem to let Sophie go regardless of their differences in class and station. Once home, Sophie's mother is determined to remove any traces of botany from her daughter's life and to see her wed to their neighboring Lord despite what Sophie wants. What follows is an amazing story in the search for love: Sophie's search for the botanical sciences and being true to herself and Ian's continued 7 year quest to figure out why it is he can't love.

What I loved:
1. Sophie--She is strong and smart yet still the lady of her day. Even though she is from a rich family, her life isn't easy. She's a pawn of her mother's ambition. We follow her along to watch her highs and lows.
2. Ian--What a mix of contradictions. What an enigma. He carries himself like a gentleman, yet he sells tonics on the street. He owns a gold watch and some fine clothes, yet he mixes with the lower classes. He knows all the dance steps and can pass himself off as a nobleman, yet he doesn't claim any ties to the gentry. He cried off his wedding 7 years ago because he didn't love his intended and has searched the world since for the scientific ingredients of love hoping to cure himself.
3. The search for love--Both Sophie and Ian are searching. Watching Ian, especially, reminded me of myself in my own quest when I was early-twentyish. How do you know it's love if you've never felt it before? How do you know? The development of both Sophie and Ian's feelings felt so natural. Nothing felt rushed or forced.
4. Secondary characters--the cast of secondary characters really rounded out the story. They didn't get a lot of page time, but their interactions with Sophie and Ian added great depth to both. I adored Sophie's beloved Uncle Alforth and was put on guard by her manipulative mother, indifferent father, and insipid suitor Lord Charles Vickerton.
5. Unpredictable--things and people are not always what they seem. Ms. Archer never stooped to any clichés. The story is original as well as the twists and turns.
6. Obstacles--Sophie and Ian have several obstacles to overcome, all of which felt natural, not forced or contrived.

There were a few drawbacks to this story, but they were small and very few.
1. I had a little difficulty getting into this book at first because of all the botanical references and discussions. I was afraid this book would require a BS in Botanical Sciences to comprehend the story, but it wasn't necessary. In fact, I never realized how sexy botany can be.
2. I found the middle of the story to be a little murky, not really sure where the story was going. But really, that was part of the unpredictability of the storyline.

I was pleasantly surprised by this book and the strong feelings it evoked. Based on the cheesy cover, I judged it as a one-time-read type of book. However, the love story, character growth, and self-discovery are things I want to read again.

Sophie makes a very credible heroine, and overall, this is a very good romantic tale. It's not great, but only because of a few predictable elements, and there are times the heroine is portrayed as just a bit *too* clever (ie single-handedly inventing the sandwich), but if you love those literary moments where the heroine is unjustly tormented by a cruel parent or beau and vindicated in the end, this will definitely satisfy. Other than taking some botanical liberties, the author does a fine job of a convincing period romance.

As I started to read this book, I thought it was going to be a great book. But some other books came out and I put this one down to read something else. After coming back to this one, I realized it was okay, but wasn't great. It was a cute book but there was something keeping it from being a keeper for me. It just seemed a little boring, I guess. I liked Ian, but for me, Sophie wasn't as likable. She was a little too smart maybe.
Anyway, this is an okay book but for most people, I feel it won't be that memorable.

You have to read this book! It is so smart and so much fun to read. Zoe Archer is a terrific author and all of her books are intelligent and sexy!

Love in a Bottle

An excellent book! Very inventive. I look forward to reading more from Zoe Archer!