Customer Reviews

Rendezvous

5 star:		(10)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(5)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Harry Fleming, Earl of Graystone, was looking for a wife and mother for his daughter now that his spy activities were completed. He was looking for a demure, obedient, virtuous woman. Augusta Ballinger, last of the reckless Northumberland Ballingers, was loyal and virtuous, but definitely not demure or obedient. She went her own way and gave little thought to society's dictates. Therefore, it took London by surprise when Harry requested Augusta's hand in marriage. The couple must learn to accept each other while trying to clear Augusta's dead brother's honor and searching for a dangerous enemy spy.

Lovely tale, but a bit weaker than most Quick novels. Augusta kept going on and on about her family traits for recklessness and stubborness. It got a bit old before long. The ladies club, Pompeia, was a wonderful touch. A good beach book or for a cold winter night in front of a roaring fire.

Okay, I know that, if you've seen my reviews anywhere else, you're probably tired of hearing about Ransom. So this time, I'm going to do my level best to explain what I like so much about this book without being overduely annoying- after all, not everyone liked Ransom, and everyone should love .R.

Augusta is wonderfully daring, bold and quite reckless, which I like because all too often in Romance books you have heroines who end up being fairly prissy, so Augusta is an interesting variation. Or complete opposite, I suppose. I loved the way she stood up for her brother loyally even when it looked so much like he was the 'Spider'. Unfortunately, I found that Lovejoy was too transparent as a villian to really lend that much credence to the idea that Richard really was 'Spider'. Still, I got absolutely delicious chills when I read 'Spider's Web' and I found that a deft touch to add to the suspense- although, sadly, most Quick novels do seem to be lacking that quality of on-the-edge of your seat entertainment. I also found myself in reluctant agreement with Harry's rather derrogatory opinion that Augusta excused her own behavior far too often with the rather tired line about being a Northumberland Ballinger. However, I really think that Augusta's habit of using her heritage as an excuse was really very human, and added a whole new dimension to her character as well as gave her some shading and color.

Harry was perhaps a little- well, overwhelmingly would be a better description- too straightlaced. And I very much enjoyed watching Augusta rid him of those laces- literally and figuritively! I also enjoyed Harry's character because typical male romance figures are brawny, very un-scientific, unprincipalled types, and ocassionally one likes to read a book where the guy is the prude. And Harry was certainly a prude! . . . . Although I did feel that making 'sweet love' in a carriage was certainly an improvement on his usual bleached and starched behavior, I didn't like the idea that the wedding was suddenly moved up an entire three months- I kind of wanted to see them both struggle with their attraction more.

Meredith was a very nice touch, as, again, all too many books, including quite a few of Lowell's, Small's, Garwood's and Lamb's lack the element of a child to unite the lovers in question. And I very much enjoyed the scene where Harry finds out that Augusta took Meredith to Pompeia's.

On the whole, I would say that Quick's books are written with remarkable humor, a light touch, and although I agree with the complaint that they seem fairly cookie-cutter, it is books like .R. and Wicked Widow that really stand out. And of course, the interim books aren't bad at all. . . .

I really enjoyed Rendezvous. I'd rank it as one of Amanda Quick's best - better than her later books. The action starts almost immediately. The constant bantering is fun. It follows the plot in the majority of Ms. Quick's books - the girl is trying to get him to admit he loves her and he is trying to control her actions which the heroine refused to let him do. Even though the plot is familiar, if you are reading her books for this type of style - you get what you're looking for! I would recommend it. It was very enjoyable.

I am sorry to disagree with the other reviewers. As a fan of romance literature, I tried to find something good about this book and managed to come up with this: it makes for an easy read. Other than that, my specific grievances are as follows:

a). Characters: vaguely reminiscent of Austin's "Pride and Prejudice". Augusta is the high-spirited maiden with a penchant for bending social rules. Harry is the overly controlled gentleman with emotions that run amok. The twist, if I may call it so, is that Augusta is also a feminist with a sense for historical justice and Harry is a former spy battling a mysterious enemy. Maybe because the characters are so schematically constructed, I found it hard to sympathize with any of them -- or indeed to care. Most of the time, the book gave me the sensation of watching a puppet show in which the strings were much too obvious.

b). Story line: entirely predictable. In fact, after the first 50 pages or so, one had to wonder whether the author intentionally let the reader guess the answer to all possible questions the book might had posed, just to get them out of the way.

c). Social implications: contrary to what I assume was the author's intention, the contrast between Augusta's constant queasiness with male dominance and Harry's constant insistence in being a controlling male does not make a point. Or, rather, it makes such an obvious point, that one often wishes the author would have gotten over it eventually. Even fictional characters feel the need to evolve.

d). Romance: In case you wonder about the specific romantic emotions of the characters, here's the abridged version. Harry seemed obsessed with lust, in spite of his correct upbringing. Augusta seemed obsessed with love, in spite of her lustful nature. In the end, everything came together nicely and lust turned to love. How's that for a surprise.

The only reason I give this book two stars instead of one is because I assume there could always be something worse.

This was my first Amanda Quick book and I loved it. I found I could not put it down once I started reading about Augusta and Harry.Their romance really sizzled. A.Q. has a way with characters that brings you into their lives. I even liked the secondary characters and can't wait to read some of her other books to see if anyone familiar pops up in any of them. This is definately a keeper.

This is my second favorite of the early Quick novels. Things I loved included:

- Pompeia's (what a deliciously wonderful description of an early 19th century salon. One could almost imagine this is what the French salons were like in the days of the Revolution.)

- Spy games (I'm a sucker for espionage mysteries and the teams they create)

- Scruggs (best secondary character ever)

Unfortunately, this book does come with some major shortfalls. The kind that inspire better work from other authors (such as myself).

- Hero Harry, for all his proper ways, is far too manipulative and lust-obsessed. He comes off as a typical macho jerk many times in his dealings with the heroine.

- Heroine Augusta, despite her feminist attitude, plays the role of simpering female by constantly forgiving Harry's jerkiness. It's especially disappointing that even though she starts out rescuing a fellow club member from a manipulative prospective groom, she allows herself to be manipulated into an engagement only days later.

- The villain was all too easy to guess.

Overall this makes a good read even if you can forgive its faults.

I actually felt humiliated reading this book. The main character, Harry, is so domineering and dismissive of everything good and wonderful about Augusta. That never changed - not even in the end. Harry may as well have been a member of the Taliban and Augusta, an entirely repressed and dismissed woman. Was so sad to watch this vivacious, full-of-life woman be reduced to nothing.

I found this book very enjoyable. Augusta is a heroine that succeeds in keeping her determination and spirit throughout the book, and Harry was a very dashing hero, if a bit boring. Amanda Quick writes her characters very well, because they are neither flat or one-dimensional.

"Rendezvous" is a heartwarming read with an element of spy mystery. I'd recommend this book to any fan of Ms. Quick or Historical Romances.

My biggest problem was actually Augusta. She was very alive and different and a good role model for women at that time, however, she was terribly childish. She would have an attitude, throw a fit, stomp her feet, not be nice to Graystone who, to be honest, was never really cruel to her, even though she accused him of it.

Another reviewer acknowledged the lack of romance. Indeed, in the beginning it was steamy, but after that it was over. The scenes were implied, but we never got to read them.

And finally the mystery: oh, come on, who wouldn't have guessed the answer? There are no other suspects anyway...

I have just become an Amanda Quick fan and cannot seem to put her books down. I have read Reckless, Second Sight, Ravished, and now Rendezvouz. I have not been disappointed in any of them. I love the odd matches and the way their love for one another unfolds. I hope everyone who loves a happy ending will enjoy these books as I have.