Kristie J‘s review of The Libertine’s Kiss by Judith James
Historical romance released by HQN 1 Aug 10
Have you ever read a book that affected you so deeply, when another book by the same author comes out you are afraid to read it? You’re afraid that the book couldn’t possibly come close to the previous book?
This was the case with Judith James’s Libertine’s Kiss. I was so blown away when I read Broken Wing, I was almost afraid to read Libertine’s Kiss when Sybil sent it to me. After just holding it for a number of days, though, I figured I’d better start reading. I mean, that is why she sent it; for a review.
I loved it, absolutely loved it. The book starts out with our hero, William, on the run from Cromwell’s troops when he comes across a cottage where Elizabeth saves him. After a night spent in each other’s arms, William leaves the next morning with the promise to help Elizabeth should she ever need it, though he doesn’t give her his name, so she thinks she will never be able to take him up on it.
But that act of kindness costs Elizabeth dearly as everything is taken away from her when it’s discovered she helped this friend of King Charles. And something else William doesn’t know. Elizabeth is in reality the only friend he had as a very young man when they were on opposite sides of the pending civil war. Elizabeth has loved him all these years.
Fast forward now and Cromwell’s son has given up his power, Charles is now King of England, and the Restoration is in full gear. For those who don’t know their history that well, this was a time of decadence, debauchery, and licentiousness and William is a major player. When Elizabeth comes to court to try and gain her land back, William recognizes her as the young woman who saved his life and is determined to help her gain entry into the King’s inner circle.
When you read a Judith James book, you don’t just get a romance. You get a wonderful, intriguing lesson in history. A number of times while reading this book, I took the time to look deeper into the times, the King and the Earl of Rochester, who the author based the character of William on, with a few differences since Rochester’s life ended sadly and much too soon, and this is a romance. And what a romance it is too.
Young William had such a tragic childhood that he really needed the optimism and naïveté that Elizabeth offered him. Their previous relationship is told in flashbacks as they deal with their growing love for each other as adults. William has led such a life of wantonness that he doesn’t think he can commit to a life with just Elizabeth and she demands nothing less. He does help her attract the attention of the king and the king is also attracted to Elizabeth. Add in a jealous mistress of both men and it seems there is no way these two lovers can find their way to each other.
Ms. James’ writing is lush and rich and she fully draws you into the heartache of her characters. The reader feels what her characters feel. And I can’t express how much I love the setting of this book. In a genre that feels so much the same, a love story set in Restoration England is just so damn refreshing and Ms. James makes the time come alive as much as the characters.
In some ways this is a better written book than Broken Wing. She keeps improving with each book. While I didn’t have the immediate need to right away reread Libertine’s Kiss the way I did with Broken Wing, there is no question that I will read it again and again and again.
Grade: A+
Abandoned by his cavalier father at a young age, William de Veres grew up knowing precious little happiness. But William has put the past firmly behind him and as a military hero and noted rake, he rises fast in the ranks of the hedonistic Restoration court. Though not before he is forced to seek shelter from a charming young Puritan woman…
The civil wars have cost the once-high-spirited Elizabeth Walters her best friend and her father, leaving her unprotected and alone. She flees an unwanted marriage, seeking safe haven, but what she finds is something she never expected. When her kindness and her beauty bring her to the attention of William, and then the king, she will have a choice to make. After all, can a notorious libertine really be capable of love?
Read an excerpt.
I loved Broken Wing too, Kristie. Now I need to get my hands on this book. Sounds terrific. Great review!
I thoroughly enjoyed Broken Wing too. Thanks for this, I didn’t even know Judith James had a new book out!
I see Judith James also released a book last year which I don’t recall – Highland Rebel. Did anyone on TGTBTU review Highland Rebel?
I reviewed this elsewhere, and while I wasn’t as blown away as you, I did enjoy the read. One part of the story spoiled it a bit for me, but it was a good read, nonetheless.
It’s really great to have a historical author who cares about the details, though. I got a real feel for history from this book.
ShellBell: Doesn’t look like anyone here at TGTBTU reviewed Highland Rebel – but I did over on my personal blog.
http://wendythesuperlibrarian.blogspot.com/2009/09/what-old-is-new.html
I actually thought Highland Rebel was a superior book in many ways over Broken Wing – but I suspect I’m in the minority…
Great review and I agree with every word. I loved the book, too. Heartbreaking and poignant, it has been almost a week since I finished it and still can not stop thinking about it. I just can’t put into words how much this book moved me. I have read many good books, that I fhinsh and close with a sigh of contentment, but this one just won’t let go. I had the same reaction to this book as a I had to Darkling, I Listen and, crazy as it sounds, Brandon was, in some ways, a modern-day William. Fabulous, fabulous, fabulous book that I can not recommend enough to those who like a darker, perhaps, more melancholy romance.
Thanks Wendy. I’ll head over and check it out. I found Highland Rebel and The Libertine’s Kiss as eBooks and fortunately there weren’t any geographical retrictions to prevent me from buying them so they have been added to my TBR pile.
Thank you Kristie! I’ve had my eye on this book for a while – I love the setting and I love historical detail. Luckily my library thinks its a good book too as they have ordered copies! *happy dance* So, it’s on my TBR list!
Sandy – it is wonderful! While I didn’t have quite the same reaction to it as I did Broken Wing, I still loved this one very much. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did.
ShellBell – well, each of her books has been with a different publisher, but I think she’ll be staying with HQN for a while. I think this is my second favourite. I really enjoyed Highland Rebel too, but Libertine’s Kiss just a tiny bit more. And then of course there is Broken Wing which would be almost impossible to beat for me. But still, I was very pleased with this one 🙂
Lynne: I found the history was just as important an element in the book as the love story itself and it’s not often I see that. It really added to the story I thought.
Wendy: Since you enjoyed Highland Rebel more than Broken Wing, I’m willing to bet you will really enjoy this one too.
Tamara: Isn’t it wonderful when we are so moved, so captivated by a book we still find ourselves thinking of it long after we turn that last page? I know this is one I’ll reread many times before I’m done with it.
Orannia: Oh, that’s great that it’s available at your library!! Besides being a very moving love story, it’s also fascinating for the richness of the time it’s written in. I think that makes it a great book for libraries to stock.
Kristie, I’m forever in your debt for learning about BW on your blog. I’m in the same exact thought as you…I had a really emotional response to BW that makes it remain my fav but I agree the writing has improved on this one and the setting was amazing! This woman can not write fast enough for me….I’d probably even buy her in $30 hardback form if that’s how she started publishing!! lol
The only thing that bothered me was that she based her hero’s character closely on the life of Rochester, and we know how he ended up! (dying young, riddled with syphilis and probably pneumonia). It’s hard to separate the two, since she used a lot of Rochester’s poetry in the book, especially the famous one about the King never saying a foolish thing and never doing a wise one.
But the richness of historical detail is a real delight and she gets a real feel for the era. I always wanted Rochester to have his happy ending!
I too thought that she could not write a better book than her “BROKEN WING” one, but I as you, was so wrong. This is one of those books, that you CAN NOT put down and then do something else. A reader is compelled to finish it in one heart renching swoop…unless this particular reader is so darn lucky to have her husband point to a TV screen and catch an IFC movie with Johnny Depp as he plays “THE LIBERTINE” (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H2t2KvVp6sM)! So, I put the book to the side, and watched this tragic story of 2nd Earl of Rochester, to which the character of William is based.
I read the book ’till the wee hours of the morning. Cheracter of Will would make our Rock Stars blush!
We follow his life first as a young boy, then as a cavalier, and finally as a courtier in Charles II’s Court. Have you ever read a story that you could literally HEAR the voice of the protagonist? I mean, REALY hear it? Really feel what they feel? To the point that you’re going through their emotions? It is a rare thing for me, and I must say that Judith James has done an excellent job of taking me to this point! I FELT William. I HEARD William (Toby Stephens http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s1bTzk-psoA&feature=related).
Oh, and what a wonderful character Lizzy was. I was there with her on that tree, when she first meets Will, and I was there with her when she sits on the bed with Charlie and with her as she tries so hard to except her love of Will as Lord Rivers.
I have so much more to say about it, but I dare not to, as I might give away too much. And I would hate to do that to anyone that will read this book. This story is meant to be savored and enjoyed. I highly recommend it to all readers of historical romance! It will capture you from the first page as we encounter Will on the run from the Law, keep you turning the pages to find out why he’s so cynical, and keep you rooting for this man to finally come to terms with his Demons. The period in which this story develops is just facinating. Please do not pass this one up…trust me, you’ll be sorry you did. Now, get thee to the local book store and buy it!!!
Nicole: I’m so glad that I helped lead you to BW and then to Libertine’s Kiss. It is odd isn’t it that although I think Libertine’s Kiss is written better, the emotional impact of BW was stronger. I think they are both WONDERFUL and I would pay hardcover prices too – but we won’t tell Harlequin just in case they get ideas *g*
Lynne!!! I HAVE The Libertine DVD. Funny that I forgot all about that until you mentioned the movie, even though I knew that Libertine’s Kiss was based loosely on Rochester’s own story. I should watch it and compare. I have seen the beginning of it where he is doing his soliloquy on how you will not like him. I really should get past that part shouldn’t I? I hear that the movie is brilliant.
Melanie: As I said to Lynne, I happen to own a copy of The Libertine. I got it since I thought Mr. Depp looked particularly fine – yep I can be pretty shallow. Now I know what I’ll be watching sometime this week. Then of course that will lead to a reread of Libertine’s Kiss where the end is more appropriate for a dedicated romance novel reader heh, heh, heh.
I’m glad to see you highly recommending it too. It’s the kind of book where you just want to corral all romance readers and make them sit and read it since it’s one of the best of the genre and it makes a reader proud to read books like this.
kristie…what a fabulous review and I absolutely loved Libertine’s Kiss. I have gotten away from reading historical romance in the last few years because frankly I ‘m tired of reading about the Regency period. It was refreshing to read a book from the Restoration Period. After I finished this book , I immediately started Broken Wing and loved it almost as much as LK. So glad I found your site