Customer Reviews

The Storybook Hero (Signet Regency Romance)

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I never thought that I could like anything written by Andrea Pickens more than I did "A Lady of Letters" or "A Code of Honor," but it's beginning to look as if my favourite Andrea Pickens Regency romance novel is going to be "The Storybook Hero."

When Miss Octavia Hadley first meets Alexander Sheffield, while on board a ship bound for Russia, his behaviour is such that she puts him down as being a rogue and a drunk. Because of a rather nasty episode involving her cousin's husband, Octavia has been forced to take up the post of governess to the ward of a British diplomat (12 year old Emma) currently stationed in Moscow. And in spite of the danger of an impending war, as France shifts her focus to Russia, such are Octavia's circumstances that this is a post she cannot afford to ignore or loose (for that matter). And the last thing that Octavia has time for is a drunken rake. Who would have thought that a few weeks after she had formed so unfavourable an impression of Alexander that she would be dependent on him to help her get Emma out of Russia?

Alexander Sheffield, on the other hand, is on his way to Russia in order to rescue his young cousin, Nicholas, from the machinations of an unscrupulous uncle. And while he fully expected for his venture to be fraught with hardship and danger (what with trying to evade a murderous uncle and the French army), the last thing he expected was to have to include Octavia and Emma in his plans. But no gentleman would leave two friendless ladies to fend for themselves in such hostile conditions. And Alexander finds that, rogue that he is, he is esp reluctant to allow the redoubtable and plucky Octavia to face everything by herself. Thus begins the adventure that will change four lives forever as Octavia, Emma, Alexander and Nicholas face the bleak Russian countryside in winter, unfriendly natives, murderous thugs and the French army, in their bid to make it to the St. Petersburg ports. However, while both Octavia and Alexander are fairly sanguine about the dangers that they will face, neither of them is quite sure with what to do about the attraction that seems to have flared up between them. Can a care-for-all rake find happiness with an independent-minded and intelligent governess? And will the foursome make it to safety for that matter? Or will Nicholas's uncle's thugs stop them before they reach St. Petersburg?

Once in a while, you come across a romance novel that satisfies on nearly every level. And "The Storybook Hero" does just that. The story was a wonderful, exciting and poignant one; and the characters were brilliant. Who could not care for intelligent, courageous and compassionate Octavia? I rather liked Andrea Pickens's portrayal of Alexander as well -- he was a good mix of the angst-ridden hero (with his own inner demons) and the charming and clever flirt. Octavia's and Alexander's romance was allowed to unfold rather well also -- with each coming to recognise and understand the many facets of the other's character and to appreciate them fully. This, was what made the novel all the more satisfying to read. I did however have one quibble: and that was that at times the language used became very, very modern. Why did no one (the editors) catch this? It really is a shame that such an excellent novel was not edited properly.

On the whole however, in spite of the modern phrases here and there, "The Storybook Hero" turned out to be a really excellent read -- it's a wonderful mix of adventure and romance, well worth the 5 star rating, and is a read that definitely should not be missed.v

Alex is a superb hero: part irredeemable wastrel, part tortured young man, part charming rake, part lonely man, and part clever hero. He's really terrific, marvelously complex. Octavia is smart, resourceful, and resolute and a good match for Alex, although she's not quite as "real" as Alex. The two young people are beautifully rendered and very realistic.

I always find myself steering away from books set in Russia (for some reason), but it didn't throw me off too much here. If there are problems with this book, they're in the plot. Too often the situations they encounter seem staged, too convenient for moving the plot forward. However, Alex (and the kids, to a lesser extent) raise the book up from its problems and make it a real pleasure to read. 3.8 stars.

I liked this book despite some criticisms I must make.

First of all, Tregatt has summed up the plot. It was very good and the setting in Russia, just as Napoleon was closing on Moscow in 1812 was very good. It reminded me a little of Dinah Dean's books in the 1980s which were set in Russia during the same timeframe.

The characters were also good: a very strong, intelligent and mature heroine, Miss Octavia Hadley, who accepts the hand fate has dealt her with dignity and stoicism. The hero, Lord Alexander Sheffield (though the author gets his title wrong), is less mature when we first meet him but grows up through this story, enabling him to reassess his own actions and come to accept himself. He has some good qualities and, of course this being romantic fiction, needs the love of a good woman to bring them forth!

The two children, Emma and Nicholas, are the instigators of the plot action, are well done and realistic.

This is a prodigal son story and one of redemption. I liked it but must agree with others that there were annoying errors. The titles of the hero's family were wrongly done and there were silly dialogue problems like "sussing out" and "dossing down" both of which are modernisms as far as I am aware.

I can recommend this book as a good read, a little different and peopled by some interesting characters. Not a keeper but worth a look.

I think this is one of the best regencies I've read. Only Carla Kelly can top Ms. Pickens. The scene where Alex was finally reconciled with his brother was wonderfully moving. The changes Alex underwent, and his reasons for them, were very believeable and well done. The setting and the story line were very different from what one normally sees in a regency, and they gave the book that much more depth and interest. The review below sets out the broad outline of the plot, so I won't add anything to that. I will simply say that this book is a treat, I loved reading it, and I highly recommend it.

I really enjoyed this regency. I have found Ms. Pickens early regencies better then her more recent ones. But this was a gem. Alex was wonderful as the tortured hero and Octavia was quite astute to pick up on his hidden hurts. Actually, that is also one of my quibbles with the story. As the reader, it is easy to see that Alex is not as rakish as he appears and we also know why he is this way. But for Octavia to figure this out, well, that is a bit too inspired. Or maybe not. Also, did Alex's brothers, the marquess and the viscount, have their own stories? I can't seem to find those stories if this is so.

I probably wouldn't have found this little jewel of a book had I not read a terrific review of it at allaboutromance.com. The writing is superb and the unusual setting (Russia) was unexpected and welcomed. I came to really care about and respect the characters and I felt their struggles to be real. There were two child characters who enhanced the story and helped the plot. I will definitely be looking for more books by this fabulous author.

Alexander Sheffield has existed in an alcoholic haze for ten years, and his primary occupation has been chasing skirts. He hasn't always been this way. Before the death of his oldest brother in a boating accident, Alex was a serious, adventurous, resourceful, and rather studious young man. Guilt and alcohol, however, have about destroyed him. He is estranged from his noble, wealthy, well-connected family, but certainly not forgotten by them. When word comes to Alex's uncle that a young, orphaned cousin in Russia is in danger, it is exactly the sort of opportunity he has been searching for to get his wayward nephew reconnected with his true, better, self. Alex Sheffield, to the surprise of everyone--including himself--heads off alone to St. Petersburg to retrieve his cousin, Nicholas.

Octavia Hadley has no options. Her loving, scholarly, head-in-the-clouds father died and left her penniless. Her only relative took her in as a governess, but when Octavia refused the improper advances of her charge's father, he retaliated by having her shipped to a post as governess to a young girl in Moscow. Octavia travels alone with little but strength of character, intelligence, and kindness.

****Spoiler alert**** Octavia and Alex meet on board ship during a terrifying storm. A couple of months later, during Napoleon's invasion of Russia, they run into each other again, and join forces in a desperate attempt to get themselves and their charges to a port and onto a ship bound for England. It is here that Alex's redemption story takes off.

As I read the story, I was rooting for Octavia and Alex, though I couldn't blame her when she tried to avoid him like the plague. Ms. Pickens has written an engrossing story that did not let me go when the last page was turned.

Such a great find. I won't reiterate what others have said so well but if your in the mood for a departure from Regency England without leaving the Regency period then this book is for you. Set during Napoleon's invasion of Moscow in 1812, Picken's delightful book is filled with amusing escapades and highly witty dialogue between her skillfully drawn characters -add to that a sparkling romance just bubbling beneath the surface. A fast moving book that gripped me from beginning to end. A true keeper to add to my collection. Just loved this one.

Other great finds from Picken's-
A Lady of Letters (Signet Regency Romance)
Code of Honor (Signet Regency Romance)
The Defiant Governess (Signet Regency Romance)

This was an intriguing read!I was entertained with many adventures and danger. An excellent book by Andrea Pickens. Recommended!