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Lessons in French
Laura Kinsale's unique and powerfully written love stories transcend the romance genre. In this, her first new book in five years, she delivers a poignant, funny, sexy, Regency romance sure to delight her many fans and attract a whole new readership.
Trevelyan and Callie are childhood sweethearts with a taste for adventure, until the fateful day her father discovers them embracing in the carriage house and, in a furious frenzy, drives Trevelyan away in disgrace. Nine long, lonely years later, Trevelyan returns. Callie discovers that he can still make her blood race and fill her life with excitement, but he can't give her the one thing she wants more than anything--himself.
For Trevelyan, Callie is a spark of light in a world of darkness and deceit. Before he can bear to say his last goodbyes, he's determined to sweep her into one last, fateful adventure, just for the two of them.
Trevelyan and Callie are childhood sweethearts with a taste for adventure, until the fateful day her father discovers them embracing in the carriage house and, in a furious frenzy, drives Trevelyan away in disgrace. Nine long, lonely years later, Trevelyan returns. Callie discovers that he can still make her blood race and fill her life with excitement, but he can't give her the one thing she wants more than anything--himself.
For Trevelyan, Callie is a spark of light in a world of darkness and deceit. Before he can bear to say his last goodbyes, he's determined to sweep her into one last, fateful adventure, just for the two of them.
480 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 23, 2010
150 people are currently reading
2,104 people want to read
About the author
Laura Kinsale
27books1,444followersLaura Kinsale is a New York Times bestselling author and both winner and multiple nominee for the Best Book of the Year award given by the Romance Writers of America.
She become a romance writer after six years as a geologist--a career which consisted of getting out of bed in the middle of the night and driving hundreds of miles alone across west Texas to sit drilling rigs, wear a hard hat, and attempt to boss around oil-covered males considerably larger than herself. This, she decided, was pushing her luck. So she gave all that up to sit in a chair and stare into space for long periods of time, attempting to figure out What-Happens-Next. She and her husband David currently divide their time between Santa Fe, New Mexico, and Texas.
She become a romance writer after six years as a geologist--a career which consisted of getting out of bed in the middle of the night and driving hundreds of miles alone across west Texas to sit drilling rigs, wear a hard hat, and attempt to boss around oil-covered males considerably larger than herself. This, she decided, was pushing her luck. So she gave all that up to sit in a chair and stare into space for long periods of time, attempting to figure out What-Happens-Next. She and her husband David currently divide their time between Santa Fe, New Mexico, and Texas.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 396 reviews
November 4, 2010
Laura Kinsale is back....finally! And this book was a breath of fresh air. I felt as though I was watching one of my beloved BBC period historical movies when I was reading this book (hint, hint). Instead of writing a historical romance in the modern style, Ms. Kinsale wrote a romance that reads like historical fiction. There is a strong romance here, but it is well-integrated into a story about two people who have led full lives, although their hearts have always been entwined since they were teenagers.
Callie and Trevelyan love each other. They always have. But, that doesn't mean that their road to true love runs smoothly. Trev has a lot of secrets, and he's a wanted man. He doesn't believe that he's worthy of Callie. Callie's heart is wary of love, because she's been jilted three times, four if you count Trev running off and leaving her. Callie is a rich spinster with a serious avocation for cattle breeding. That in itself was a refreshing touch. Usually you will read about a heroine in historical books who is horse mad, but Callie is more into livestock, particularly cattle. She has a nearly encyclopedic knowledge about animal husbandry. Her beloved prize-winning bull Hubert plays a fairly large, and humorous role in this story, and the things that Trev does for Callie regarding Hubert show his devotion, although his plans often go awry.
I liked the depiction of small town English life: the social hierarchies, the gossip chain, which was quite powerful, and the interesting (and humorous) characters all added texture to this book. Even Callie's suitor, Major Sturgeon, who happened to be the first man who originally jilted her, managed to show some layers. At first, he was courting Callie (anew) for her money, but he seemed to want more from their union, even though she was happy enough to marry him, allow him his affairs, and access to her money, as long as he didn't expect intimate relations between them. He had a past with Trev that makes their connections to Callie even more complicated, in addition to being rivals for the same woman.
I admit that I was frustrated with the obstacles that kept Callie and Trev apart, particularly their stubborn insistence that they couldn't be together. Trev didn't believe he could offer Callie a good life, even though he had money. His name was mud in England, and she is the daughter of an earl who once slashed his face with a riding crop and ran him off after catching he and Callie in a compromising position. Callie has been rejected so much, she doesn't think much of her looks and the ability for a man to love her, even though Trev says numerous times how much he loves her (even before she does). I wanted to yell at them to just take what they wanted--each other. Run off together, already!!! I just had to keep reading.
It's hard to say if this book will appeal to some readers of historical romance. The relationship between Trev and Callie is the lynchpin of this story, but their love story unfolds slowly through their interactions with each other and the various characters that they encounter in their complicated lives. For readers who like that sort of dynamic, a fuller story in which the main couple plays their roles, I think they would enjoy this book. It felt very authentic and period, which I am always happy about when it comes to historical romance. This was no modern love story wrapped up in costume drama. The characters were people of their time, with all the expected social values, expectations, and hangups. I loved the mostly subtle, but sometimes laugh-out-loud humor. Die-hard romantic that I am, I found the deep, intense love between Callie and Trev irresistible, and I felt their longing and frustration for them to be together, even though circumstances seemed to work against them at every turn. They were committed to living their lives apart, but it was clear their lives weren't complete without each other. Even though the love scenes aren't terribly detailed, I felt the passion between Callie and Trev. I really rooted for them, and I loved the end of this book. It wraps everything up very nicely, with a very happy ending for this couple, on many levels.
Lessons in French was a sweet, delicious, and unique love story. I'm glad that Ms. Kinsale took a chance and wrote something that is quite different from her other books. I'd nominate this one for a movie in a heartbeat!
Callie and Trevelyan love each other. They always have. But, that doesn't mean that their road to true love runs smoothly. Trev has a lot of secrets, and he's a wanted man. He doesn't believe that he's worthy of Callie. Callie's heart is wary of love, because she's been jilted three times, four if you count Trev running off and leaving her. Callie is a rich spinster with a serious avocation for cattle breeding. That in itself was a refreshing touch. Usually you will read about a heroine in historical books who is horse mad, but Callie is more into livestock, particularly cattle. She has a nearly encyclopedic knowledge about animal husbandry. Her beloved prize-winning bull Hubert plays a fairly large, and humorous role in this story, and the things that Trev does for Callie regarding Hubert show his devotion, although his plans often go awry.
I liked the depiction of small town English life: the social hierarchies, the gossip chain, which was quite powerful, and the interesting (and humorous) characters all added texture to this book. Even Callie's suitor, Major Sturgeon, who happened to be the first man who originally jilted her, managed to show some layers. At first, he was courting Callie (anew) for her money, but he seemed to want more from their union, even though she was happy enough to marry him, allow him his affairs, and access to her money, as long as he didn't expect intimate relations between them. He had a past with Trev that makes their connections to Callie even more complicated, in addition to being rivals for the same woman.
I admit that I was frustrated with the obstacles that kept Callie and Trev apart, particularly their stubborn insistence that they couldn't be together. Trev didn't believe he could offer Callie a good life, even though he had money. His name was mud in England, and she is the daughter of an earl who once slashed his face with a riding crop and ran him off after catching he and Callie in a compromising position. Callie has been rejected so much, she doesn't think much of her looks and the ability for a man to love her, even though Trev says numerous times how much he loves her (even before she does). I wanted to yell at them to just take what they wanted--each other. Run off together, already!!! I just had to keep reading.
It's hard to say if this book will appeal to some readers of historical romance. The relationship between Trev and Callie is the lynchpin of this story, but their love story unfolds slowly through their interactions with each other and the various characters that they encounter in their complicated lives. For readers who like that sort of dynamic, a fuller story in which the main couple plays their roles, I think they would enjoy this book. It felt very authentic and period, which I am always happy about when it comes to historical romance. This was no modern love story wrapped up in costume drama. The characters were people of their time, with all the expected social values, expectations, and hangups. I loved the mostly subtle, but sometimes laugh-out-loud humor. Die-hard romantic that I am, I found the deep, intense love between Callie and Trev irresistible, and I felt their longing and frustration for them to be together, even though circumstances seemed to work against them at every turn. They were committed to living their lives apart, but it was clear their lives weren't complete without each other. Even though the love scenes aren't terribly detailed, I felt the passion between Callie and Trev. I really rooted for them, and I loved the end of this book. It wraps everything up very nicely, with a very happy ending for this couple, on many levels.
Lessons in French was a sweet, delicious, and unique love story. I'm glad that Ms. Kinsale took a chance and wrote something that is quite different from her other books. I'd nominate this one for a movie in a heartbeat!
October 17, 2019
3,5 Stars
Lessons in French is a lighter toned Kinsale’s and an enjoyable "rural" Regency abandoning for once London’s glitters and aristocratic ballrooms in favour of a lovely story taking place among country fairs and small village quirks.
It’s a romance of reunited lovers, who fell in love when they were teens and then got separated for ten years, and despite the stubbornness and trust and self-esteem issues from the heroine’s part, which bogged down the development of the leads� relationship, I found the plot and characterisations enjoyable as a whole.
Kinsale is one of the best authors in the genre for me, the only reason why I picked this one up even if second-chance scenarios and tropes are some of my least favourite and I almost never read them, but once again, though certainly not one of her best books in my opinion, I was rewarded by her elegant and vivid writing all the same. Touches of humour and farcical escapades measured with flair and an historical setting rendered with a sure hand made this a more than worthwhile read, minor quibbles notwithstanding.
September 7, 2023
Light-hearted silly fun this was! But since it's Laura Kinsale, you can expect great smart writing, fantastic characters, sizzling chemistry, humor (ranging from slapstick to witty), and touching scenes. A second chance story of childhood sweethearts who reconnected years later at the advanced age of 27. An adventurous young French duke and his shy but kind and also adventuresome first mate redhead create a hullabaloo in a sleepy English village. And there's a huge pet bull who generates a lot of comedy. I grinned through most of the book. True, this is not like some of Kinsale's biggest hits that leave you drained with a heartache. This is pure comedy with a few scenes that seriously tug at your heartstrings.
July 24, 2024
Review from 2015
A+ for performance / B+ for content.
I’m a sucker for a good “second chance� romance, and given that Lessons in French is the tale of two lovers reunited after a decade apart, it was bound to be right up my street. Throw in the words “narrated by Nicholas Boulton� and not only is it right up my street, it’s got its boots off warming its toes in front of the fire at the pub round the corner!
Lady Callista Taillefaire, daughter of the Earl of Shelford, and Trevelyan Davis d� Augustin, descended from a family of French aristocrats who fled the Terror, fell in love as teenagers, but were separated by the earl, who didn’t believe an impoverished Frenchman was worthy of his daughter.
Trev disappeared without another word to Callie, and in the intervening years, she has devoted herself to the running of her father’s house and to the raising of livestock � most specifically her prize bull, Hubert. Now twenty-seven, and having been jilted no less than three times, Callie is resigned to remaining unmarried. Since her father’s death, she and her younger sister have been living at Shelford with the new earl (their cousin) and his stuck-up wife, but they cannot remain there forever, especially as it seems that Hermonie will shortly receive an offer of marriage. After that, Callie will not like to continue under the same roof as the haughty countess and although Hermione insists she won’t marry any man who won’t also house her, Callie doesn’t want to spoil her sister’s chances, and is thinking that she will soon have to leave her home and establish herself somewhere else.
Otherwise, she is content pursuing her interest in animal husbandry, until one day at a local assembly, Trev reappears unexpectedly � perfectly groomed, expensively dressed and even more handsome than she remembers.
All she’s known of him over the past decade has come from the letters he has sent his mother, Madame la Duchesse de Monceaux, who is Callie’s neighbour. He wrote of how he had reclaimed and renovated the family estates and now owns a successful vineyard and various other business interests in letters which the duchess had Callie read to her. But madame is unwell, and Trev has returned to England in order to spend some time with her and see that she is being well cared for. He’s aghast to discover that his mother has been neglected and he asks Callie for her help in putting things to rights.
Trev is stunned to see Callie still in Shelford and is even moreso when he discovers she’s still unmarried. He’d expected her to have been wed long ago, and can’t understand why someone possessed of such beauty and brains hasn’t been snapped up. It’s clear from the start that these two people are still utterly besotted with each other. Even though they haven’t seen each other in almost a decade, their first exchanges are warm and filled with a gentle humour that immediately defines their relationship as having been a very close one, and they slip back into an easy friendship almost immediately:
Though they both maintain that they are “just friends�, there’s a lovely undercurrent of unspoken desire and attraction bubbling along between them. But of course, theirs is not going to be an easy path to happiness. Trev is keeping secrets about his past activities which could prove fatal should anyone discover his whereabouts, which means he can’t offer Callie the home and the life he thinks she deserves. And Callie has suffered so much rejection that she has come to believe herself unattractive and unlovable � so when Trev tells her he loves her, she can’t bring herself to believe him.
Callie is an endearing and loveable heroine; she describes herself as a “gifted wallflower� and is used to being overlooked. She’s shy around people she doesn’t know, but she has a clever sense of humour and a kind heart; and as the novel progresses, she begins to come out of her shell and to become more assertive. But her inability to believe that Trev truly loves her does become frustrating, and smacks a little of contrivance in order to inject some tension and doubt into their relationship. This lack of confidence in her own desirability adds to her wariness and distrust by the fact that she senses there are things Trev isn’t telling her.
But other than that, I really loved the story. Trev and Callie are richly drawn characters who, as Ms Kinsale’s wonderful writing demonstrates over and over again, are two halves of the same whole. Each made a life for themselves without the other, and could continue to live that way � but together they’re complete. Their love story unfolds slowly, developing through their interactions with each other and with the many and varied secondary characters, all of which combine to provide a detailed portrait of life in a provincial village in the early nineteenth century. There’s plenty of humour in the story, too � especially in the way Trev and Callie bounce one-liners off each other, which is one of the many delights of the book.
I’ve reviewed a number of Nicholas Boulton’s performances by now, and I really am running out of superlatives to describe his work! I think that Trev is one of Ms Kinsale’s more overtly sexy heroes, and perhaps the one most closely related to the dashing dukes, earls and spies so beloved of historical romance in general. I mean that in a positive sense, as it allows both writer and performer to emphasise Trev’s attractiveness in ways which haven’t always been possible with most of the author’s other heroes, all of whom are quite unconventional when compared to the rest of the genre. In that way, perhaps Trev is an unconventional Kinsale hero. He’s troubled and secretive, yes, but he’s not a ruthless assassin or a deaf, former highwayman; he hasn’t been consigned to an asylum, isn’t being brought to the point of insanity and wasn’t brought up as a tightly controlled martial arts expert! Trev is a man who has done things he isn’t proud of for altruistic reasons. He’s got a temper on him, can be recklessly impulsive and sometimes seems a little immature, but his imperfections make him seem accessible and real in a way many romantic heroes are not.
Add Mr Boulton’s velvety tones to a flawed, sexy and incredibly charismatic character � and you’ve got a puddle of Caz on the carpet! Veering towards the shallow end of the pool for a moment, one of my ŷ updates for this book reads:
Splashing back towards the deep end, all I can say is that his performance is flawless. His ability to find just the right persona for each character � an elderly French duchess, a pompous military officer, a slatternly cook and any manner of townsfolk and local gentry is second to none. Every single character, no matter how minor their role, is clearly differentiated, and Trev, Callie and the myriad supporting players leap to life in the ears and mind of the listener in a way which is by now familiar, but which continues to enthral every single time. It’s like a favourite treat � you know it’s going to be wonderful, but it never gets old and if anything your enjoyment increases over time as does your appreciation for the sheer skill that goes into each and every one of his performances.
If you haven’t yet discovered the brilliance that is this superb author/narrator team, then I can only encourage you to do so. Every word of every review you’ve read about the brilliance of Mr Boulton as an audiobook performer is completely true and I promise you won’t be disappointed.
A+ for performance / B+ for content.
I’m a sucker for a good “second chance� romance, and given that Lessons in French is the tale of two lovers reunited after a decade apart, it was bound to be right up my street. Throw in the words “narrated by Nicholas Boulton� and not only is it right up my street, it’s got its boots off warming its toes in front of the fire at the pub round the corner!
Lady Callista Taillefaire, daughter of the Earl of Shelford, and Trevelyan Davis d� Augustin, descended from a family of French aristocrats who fled the Terror, fell in love as teenagers, but were separated by the earl, who didn’t believe an impoverished Frenchman was worthy of his daughter.
Trev disappeared without another word to Callie, and in the intervening years, she has devoted herself to the running of her father’s house and to the raising of livestock � most specifically her prize bull, Hubert. Now twenty-seven, and having been jilted no less than three times, Callie is resigned to remaining unmarried. Since her father’s death, she and her younger sister have been living at Shelford with the new earl (their cousin) and his stuck-up wife, but they cannot remain there forever, especially as it seems that Hermonie will shortly receive an offer of marriage. After that, Callie will not like to continue under the same roof as the haughty countess and although Hermione insists she won’t marry any man who won’t also house her, Callie doesn’t want to spoil her sister’s chances, and is thinking that she will soon have to leave her home and establish herself somewhere else.
Otherwise, she is content pursuing her interest in animal husbandry, until one day at a local assembly, Trev reappears unexpectedly � perfectly groomed, expensively dressed and even more handsome than she remembers.
All she’s known of him over the past decade has come from the letters he has sent his mother, Madame la Duchesse de Monceaux, who is Callie’s neighbour. He wrote of how he had reclaimed and renovated the family estates and now owns a successful vineyard and various other business interests in letters which the duchess had Callie read to her. But madame is unwell, and Trev has returned to England in order to spend some time with her and see that she is being well cared for. He’s aghast to discover that his mother has been neglected and he asks Callie for her help in putting things to rights.
Trev is stunned to see Callie still in Shelford and is even moreso when he discovers she’s still unmarried. He’d expected her to have been wed long ago, and can’t understand why someone possessed of such beauty and brains hasn’t been snapped up. It’s clear from the start that these two people are still utterly besotted with each other. Even though they haven’t seen each other in almost a decade, their first exchanges are warm and filled with a gentle humour that immediately defines their relationship as having been a very close one, and they slip back into an easy friendship almost immediately:
“Come, I know it’s you,� he said gently. He sat down beside her. “I can see a stray lock peeking out from under that prodigious lovely turban.�
She drew a deep breath. “No, can you? And I was so hoping to be taken for a Saracen.�
She tucked at the nape of her neck without looking at him.
“You’ve mislaid your camel, it would appear.�
Though they both maintain that they are “just friends�, there’s a lovely undercurrent of unspoken desire and attraction bubbling along between them. But of course, theirs is not going to be an easy path to happiness. Trev is keeping secrets about his past activities which could prove fatal should anyone discover his whereabouts, which means he can’t offer Callie the home and the life he thinks she deserves. And Callie has suffered so much rejection that she has come to believe herself unattractive and unlovable � so when Trev tells her he loves her, she can’t bring herself to believe him.
Callie is an endearing and loveable heroine; she describes herself as a “gifted wallflower� and is used to being overlooked. She’s shy around people she doesn’t know, but she has a clever sense of humour and a kind heart; and as the novel progresses, she begins to come out of her shell and to become more assertive. But her inability to believe that Trev truly loves her does become frustrating, and smacks a little of contrivance in order to inject some tension and doubt into their relationship. This lack of confidence in her own desirability adds to her wariness and distrust by the fact that she senses there are things Trev isn’t telling her.
But other than that, I really loved the story. Trev and Callie are richly drawn characters who, as Ms Kinsale’s wonderful writing demonstrates over and over again, are two halves of the same whole. Each made a life for themselves without the other, and could continue to live that way � but together they’re complete. Their love story unfolds slowly, developing through their interactions with each other and with the many and varied secondary characters, all of which combine to provide a detailed portrait of life in a provincial village in the early nineteenth century. There’s plenty of humour in the story, too � especially in the way Trev and Callie bounce one-liners off each other, which is one of the many delights of the book.
I’ve reviewed a number of Nicholas Boulton’s performances by now, and I really am running out of superlatives to describe his work! I think that Trev is one of Ms Kinsale’s more overtly sexy heroes, and perhaps the one most closely related to the dashing dukes, earls and spies so beloved of historical romance in general. I mean that in a positive sense, as it allows both writer and performer to emphasise Trev’s attractiveness in ways which haven’t always been possible with most of the author’s other heroes, all of whom are quite unconventional when compared to the rest of the genre. In that way, perhaps Trev is an unconventional Kinsale hero. He’s troubled and secretive, yes, but he’s not a ruthless assassin or a deaf, former highwayman; he hasn’t been consigned to an asylum, isn’t being brought to the point of insanity and wasn’t brought up as a tightly controlled martial arts expert! Trev is a man who has done things he isn’t proud of for altruistic reasons. He’s got a temper on him, can be recklessly impulsive and sometimes seems a little immature, but his imperfections make him seem accessible and real in a way many romantic heroes are not.
Add Mr Boulton’s velvety tones to a flawed, sexy and incredibly charismatic character � and you’ve got a puddle of Caz on the carpet! Veering towards the shallow end of the pool for a moment, one of my ŷ updates for this book reads:
� if you haven’t heard Nick Boulton reading this:
“I want to see your stockings.� He growled. “The plain white ones.�
� in your ear, then you really haven’t lived :P
Splashing back towards the deep end, all I can say is that his performance is flawless. His ability to find just the right persona for each character � an elderly French duchess, a pompous military officer, a slatternly cook and any manner of townsfolk and local gentry is second to none. Every single character, no matter how minor their role, is clearly differentiated, and Trev, Callie and the myriad supporting players leap to life in the ears and mind of the listener in a way which is by now familiar, but which continues to enthral every single time. It’s like a favourite treat � you know it’s going to be wonderful, but it never gets old and if anything your enjoyment increases over time as does your appreciation for the sheer skill that goes into each and every one of his performances.
If you haven’t yet discovered the brilliance that is this superb author/narrator team, then I can only encourage you to do so. Every word of every review you’ve read about the brilliance of Mr Boulton as an audiobook performer is completely true and I promise you won’t be disappointed.
Read
November 22, 2016Lo deje al 46%
Creo que mi encantamiento duro los primeros dos capítulos... pensaba que iba a ser una de esas lecturas de 10 por tan buenas recomendaciones. Es una lástima que no pudiera disfrutarla igual.
Me aburrió demasiado y cuando menos lo pensé ya iba por el 40 y tantos por ciento y me había saltado un montón de hojas así que mejor me di por vencida.
No me enganchó la historia y lo del toro no me gustó. No me hizo reír a carcajadas aunque si es notable el nuevo tono un poco más ágil y divertido al que nos tiene acostumbradas Laura.
En fin... lo he dejado y me ha costado. Si alguien quiere por favor hacerme spoiler y contarme el final por mensaje privado se los agradecería. Odio dejar las historias a medias pero que se le va a hacer.
Creo que mi encantamiento duro los primeros dos capítulos... pensaba que iba a ser una de esas lecturas de 10 por tan buenas recomendaciones. Es una lástima que no pudiera disfrutarla igual.
Me aburrió demasiado y cuando menos lo pensé ya iba por el 40 y tantos por ciento y me había saltado un montón de hojas así que mejor me di por vencida.
No me enganchó la historia y lo del toro no me gustó. No me hizo reír a carcajadas aunque si es notable el nuevo tono un poco más ágil y divertido al que nos tiene acostumbradas Laura.
En fin... lo he dejado y me ha costado. Si alguien quiere por favor hacerme spoiler y contarme el final por mensaje privado se los agradecería. Odio dejar las historias a medias pero que se le va a hacer.
October 10, 2019
Reseña completa en mi blog:
October 6, 2011
Started out promising, but I got very tired of the story. I would have renamed the book "THE FRENCHIE'S BULL FIASCO" instead of Lessons in French.
How much can one withstand reading about bulls in a historical novel? Bleh.
I was expecting so much more. Oh well. I have read other books by Laura Kinsale and enjoyed them, so don't let me discourage you. You may like the bull fiasco ;)
How much can one withstand reading about bulls in a historical novel? Bleh.
I was expecting so much more. Oh well. I have read other books by Laura Kinsale and enjoyed them, so don't let me discourage you. You may like the bull fiasco ;)
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November 23, 2023Laura Kinsale calls and Lessons in French "hedgehog humor" and that's how I'll always think of her more light-hearted Regency romances. They're just as grounded in the historical setting as her angst-driven books, but they have a sort of absurdist whimsy.
Midsummer Moon has the hedgehog, and Lessons in French has Hubert, the bull.
Callie is a 27 year old spinster who is deeply invested in animal husbandry. She calls herself boring and plain (because that's how other aristocrats see her), but Kinsale is able to convey her understated charm so clearly that I was half in love with her myself. She's had a run of rotten luck: she's been publicly jilted three times, so when her childhood sweetheart Trevelyan returns from France after being away from a decade, she's feeling very vulnerable about how he sees her.
Trevelyan isn't a rake, exactly, but he's the opposite of Callie in that he's someone that people immediately like. He's always been smitten with her: he and Callie were teenage sweethearts until Callie's father angrily scared him off, saying he's not good enough for his daughter. (Meaning, he's too French.)
For reasons that only Trevelyan knows, they can't marry each other even though Callie's father died years ago. But Trev wants to make Callie happy, so he devises a scheme to get Callie's prized bull (Hubert. Such a good boy!) returned to her keeping after he's gambled away by a careless relative. This does not go to plan, so now Callie and Trev have to go to absurd lengths to get Hubert back to his rightful owner.
Kinsale cannot write a conventional romance. (Compliment.) This is light-hearted and funny but I never had any idea where the plot was going, and the book commits to the rural setting and country affairs and Hubert the bull, instead of using them as set-dressing.
Midsummer Moon has the hedgehog, and Lessons in French has Hubert, the bull.
Callie is a 27 year old spinster who is deeply invested in animal husbandry. She calls herself boring and plain (because that's how other aristocrats see her), but Kinsale is able to convey her understated charm so clearly that I was half in love with her myself. She's had a run of rotten luck: she's been publicly jilted three times, so when her childhood sweetheart Trevelyan returns from France after being away from a decade, she's feeling very vulnerable about how he sees her.
Trevelyan isn't a rake, exactly, but he's the opposite of Callie in that he's someone that people immediately like. He's always been smitten with her: he and Callie were teenage sweethearts until Callie's father angrily scared him off, saying he's not good enough for his daughter. (Meaning, he's too French.)
For reasons that only Trevelyan knows, they can't marry each other even though Callie's father died years ago. But Trev wants to make Callie happy, so he devises a scheme to get Callie's prized bull (Hubert. Such a good boy!) returned to her keeping after he's gambled away by a careless relative. This does not go to plan, so now Callie and Trev have to go to absurd lengths to get Hubert back to his rightful owner.
Kinsale cannot write a conventional romance. (Compliment.) This is light-hearted and funny but I never had any idea where the plot was going, and the book commits to the rural setting and country affairs and Hubert the bull, instead of using them as set-dressing.
March 17, 2024
I find myself surprisingly 'meh' about this book. It's a sweet romance about young lovers reunited years later, and I thoroughly enjoyed that part. I became annoyed, however, with some of the comedy -- the bull being stolen and the livestock show were just distractions to me. Also, the way Trev kept popping in and out of Callie's house, his mother's house, and the hotel were irritating. And were we meant to understand that Trev was a virgin?
Rather unbelievable.
Laura Kinsale is a beautiful writer, though, and I enjoyed the book overall.
Favorite quote:
“To answer your question—yes, I’ve had other opportunities,� he said brusquely. “Yes, I’ve taken some up. But something always stopped me in the breach. I don’t know if you can understand that. I don’t know that I understood it myself until lately. But I seem to be yours, Callie. Body and soul.� He didn’t sound as if it made him happy. “I will be till I die.�
Rather unbelievable.
Laura Kinsale is a beautiful writer, though, and I enjoyed the book overall.
Favorite quote:
“My God.� He pushed away from the bedpost. “Friends! And do you fall into bed with any man who’s ‘dear� to you? How am I to take that?�
“Of course I don’t.� She stood up, letting the knotted scarf slip away. “I can’t seem to help myself. With you. About that. It’s extremely vexing.�
“You’re quite right on that count,� he said sullenly. “I’m damned vexed. I’d like to vex you right here on the floor, in fact. And the idea of Sturgeon vexing you is enough to dispose me to murder. Is that clear?
Do you comprehend me?� He took a reckless stride toward her and caught her chin between his fingers. “I’m not your friend, my lady. I’m your lover.�
August 21, 2009
Kinsale is the gold standard in historical romance! Funny, sad, witty, and deeply sensual, LESSONS IN FRENCH is an exquisite romance and an instant classic. Laura Kinsale’s writing is such a pleasure I know that I’ll be rereading LESSONS IN FRENCH for years to come.
July 16, 2015
I think my constant status updates say it all, but I really enjoyed this book. There were some absolutely adorable and sweet moments between the hero and heroine, as well as some extremely funny ones. Kinsale is a talented writer and she really excels at character creation; both Callie and Trev seemed like people you know or could know in your everyday life. They're complex, yet completely accessible and believable.
{ What I Loved }
* The hero - Trev is a delicious hero and I thought he was really, really well-written. I completely got a sense of him, of how he would was somewhat of a rebel, always feeling the urge to thumb his nose at authority or cause a little trouble, sometimes act out and be mischievous - I could imagine it every time. He never seems immature because of this - rather, he seems like an actual, real person, which our heroes rarely do, with their fake flaws-that-so-really-are-not-ones. His tendency and need to rebel get him into trouble sometimes and he needs to reign it in - something Callie helps him with - but it's part of who he is and shows that he's not perfect. I loved that his feelings are upfront almost from the beginning and that there are several times before the end where he tells her he loves her. *swoon*
* The heroine - I'm predisposed to love wallflowers, so Callie had me at hello - or by the first sentence in which she calls herself "a gifted wallflower." She's shy and nervous around people she doesn't know ... and we're actually shown this! Miracle of miracles. It's authentic. As time goes on she begins to be a little more forceful and braver than before, showing more backbone, but I saw this as evidence of her character development, not inconsistencies. By the end, she's still shy and sweet Callie, but she's also shown she has a backbone, can take big chances, and put herself out there. She's also one of those "smart and a little odd" heroines and we're shown this very well, not just told.
* The romance - They are really cute and sweet together, but the chemistry is also sizzling; was a perfect mix of both. I loved the back-and-forth between them and how they played off one another; they were a very good fit - an opposites-attract and friends-to-lovers pairing that I could imagine in real life. They give one another what each needs. I loved the flashback to them as teenagers together and only wish we could have had more of those.
I also loved how Trev doesn't see Callie as she or many other people do. It's done in a very authentic way, as opposed to somewhat absurd, like in Anne Gracie's , which was a good book, but had more of a silly feel to it. Here, while it's a central point to Callie's character - her disbelief and uncertainty that Trev could truly love her - it's also not overblown; we're not told over and over again how plain everyone thinks she is and then given Trev's thoughts that she looks like a supermodel.
* The supporting characters - Trev's mother, Lilly the maid, the cook, etc. They all added some great humor and/or depth to the story and the main characters. Really loved his mother, though as someone with a originally non-English-speaking parent (also French), I can tell you that the way Kinsale writes the mistakes aren't right (for ex: for "the coast is clear," his mother says "the toast is clear," when in reality, her mistake would be something like "the shore is clear" - the mistakes always rhyme, when in fact they would be similar words or concepts).
* The setting - Kinsale writes the English country setting very well and all the things about the bulls, pigs, breeding, etc. were well-integrated and not overwhelming. It adds so much to Callie's personality and though I don't know about any of those things, as an uninformed reader it seemed like the author had done her research.
* The subplot - I'm not even sure the Hubert story and Trev's problems are even really subplots, because they're such a part of the overall story - which in my mind is a good thing. I thought how everything was resolved was great, though the Hubert thing and the fair masquerade was a little over-the-top. With Trev's problems though, I really did not have any idea how it was going to fix itself - which we know it must though - and liked how it was done.
{ What I Didn't Like }
It was a little unclear to me why Trev went away; we know what prompted it, and I guess the fact that he's so young at the time (only 17) explains why he reacts so dramatically, but one would think as he got older that he wanted to come back, that his desire to see Callie would override his fear of disappointing his grandfather. And the whole thing with Jem, how Trev actually made his money, Mrs. Fowler, etc. - so murky for most of the book. I wish the reader had been told more of that in the beginning; I was confused by it all.
I also didn't like the plot ploy of Major Sturgeon. He's a fine addition, until the second half, when Kinsale adds him in as a vying love interest. The only thing that saved it was it remained clear to all that there was no real love between them and we know even if she is considering him, her heart remains with Trev. This was one of the big contributors to the instances of Things Left Unsaid or Medium-Sized Misunderstandings, which bugged me because I hate those in romances. Nonetheless, the pros more than make up for it!
Kinsale's attempt to sometimes give Trev this dark persona didn't work for me. It inconsistently comes up and when it does, we're told but not shown. He'll have a rumination about this controlled internal violence he feels or Callie will say she sees this darker side to him because of what he's gone through, but I did not see it at all. I think he could have had that, with the character history the author has given him - and I love tortured heroes - but her attempts here fell flat. Also, question for those of you have read this: twice, it seems like Trev is saying he's practically a virgin because he was waiting for her, but I was confused because we know he had sex with that woman in Belgium (right?).
{ Favorite Quotes }
So many to choose from!! Please see the million status updates below. No point in copying them all and putting them here, since they go on forever.
One or two have extended quotes in the comments section that should be checked out though - the comes to mind (so funny and cute - a must read)!!
Two lovely passages from the Epilogue not included in the updates:
{ What I Loved }
* The hero - Trev is a delicious hero and I thought he was really, really well-written. I completely got a sense of him, of how he would was somewhat of a rebel, always feeling the urge to thumb his nose at authority or cause a little trouble, sometimes act out and be mischievous - I could imagine it every time. He never seems immature because of this - rather, he seems like an actual, real person, which our heroes rarely do, with their fake flaws-that-so-really-are-not-ones. His tendency and need to rebel get him into trouble sometimes and he needs to reign it in - something Callie helps him with - but it's part of who he is and shows that he's not perfect. I loved that his feelings are upfront almost from the beginning and that there are several times before the end where he tells her he loves her. *swoon*
* The heroine - I'm predisposed to love wallflowers, so Callie had me at hello - or by the first sentence in which she calls herself "a gifted wallflower." She's shy and nervous around people she doesn't know ... and we're actually shown this! Miracle of miracles. It's authentic. As time goes on she begins to be a little more forceful and braver than before, showing more backbone, but I saw this as evidence of her character development, not inconsistencies. By the end, she's still shy and sweet Callie, but she's also shown she has a backbone, can take big chances, and put herself out there. She's also one of those "smart and a little odd" heroines and we're shown this very well, not just told.
* The romance - They are really cute and sweet together, but the chemistry is also sizzling; was a perfect mix of both. I loved the back-and-forth between them and how they played off one another; they were a very good fit - an opposites-attract and friends-to-lovers pairing that I could imagine in real life. They give one another what each needs. I loved the flashback to them as teenagers together and only wish we could have had more of those.
I also loved how Trev doesn't see Callie as she or many other people do. It's done in a very authentic way, as opposed to somewhat absurd, like in Anne Gracie's , which was a good book, but had more of a silly feel to it. Here, while it's a central point to Callie's character - her disbelief and uncertainty that Trev could truly love her - it's also not overblown; we're not told over and over again how plain everyone thinks she is and then given Trev's thoughts that she looks like a supermodel.
* The supporting characters - Trev's mother, Lilly the maid, the cook, etc. They all added some great humor and/or depth to the story and the main characters. Really loved his mother, though as someone with a originally non-English-speaking parent (also French), I can tell you that the way Kinsale writes the mistakes aren't right (for ex: for "the coast is clear," his mother says "the toast is clear," when in reality, her mistake would be something like "the shore is clear" - the mistakes always rhyme, when in fact they would be similar words or concepts).
* The setting - Kinsale writes the English country setting very well and all the things about the bulls, pigs, breeding, etc. were well-integrated and not overwhelming. It adds so much to Callie's personality and though I don't know about any of those things, as an uninformed reader it seemed like the author had done her research.
* The subplot - I'm not even sure the Hubert story and Trev's problems are even really subplots, because they're such a part of the overall story - which in my mind is a good thing. I thought how everything was resolved was great, though the Hubert thing and the fair masquerade was a little over-the-top. With Trev's problems though, I really did not have any idea how it was going to fix itself - which we know it must though - and liked how it was done.
{ What I Didn't Like }
It was a little unclear to me why Trev went away; we know what prompted it, and I guess the fact that he's so young at the time (only 17) explains why he reacts so dramatically, but one would think as he got older that he wanted to come back, that his desire to see Callie would override his fear of disappointing his grandfather. And the whole thing with Jem, how Trev actually made his money, Mrs. Fowler, etc. - so murky for most of the book. I wish the reader had been told more of that in the beginning; I was confused by it all.
I also didn't like the plot ploy of Major Sturgeon. He's a fine addition, until the second half, when Kinsale adds him in as a vying love interest. The only thing that saved it was it remained clear to all that there was no real love between them and we know even if she is considering him, her heart remains with Trev. This was one of the big contributors to the instances of Things Left Unsaid or Medium-Sized Misunderstandings, which bugged me because I hate those in romances. Nonetheless, the pros more than make up for it!
Kinsale's attempt to sometimes give Trev this dark persona didn't work for me. It inconsistently comes up and when it does, we're told but not shown. He'll have a rumination about this controlled internal violence he feels or Callie will say she sees this darker side to him because of what he's gone through, but I did not see it at all. I think he could have had that, with the character history the author has given him - and I love tortured heroes - but her attempts here fell flat. Also, question for those of you have read this: twice, it seems like Trev is saying he's practically a virgin because he was waiting for her, but I was confused because we know he had sex with that woman in Belgium (right?).
{ Favorite Quotes }
So many to choose from!! Please see the million status updates below. No point in copying them all and putting them here, since they go on forever.
One or two have extended quotes in the comments section that should be checked out though - the comes to mind (so funny and cute - a must read)!!
Two lovely passages from the Epilogue not included in the updates:
He experienced some indescribable prickle of sensation across his skin every time he watched his wife and son together, sitting up late at night in the house he had bought for her, just the three of them together.
(p.441)
Around them, birds had begun to twitter in the growing light. On the far side of the pasture, a fox trotted into the open, stopped and stared at them a moment, and then vanished into the hedgerow. Callie stood tiptoe on the fence, a little disheveled, her hair trailing loose and her collar turned up on one side.
The thought that he might have been in Shanghai at this moment, instead of where he was, brought such a fierce tenderness to Trev's chest that he blinked twice and then informed her brusquely that he would like a moment in private with her, as he had a mind to do some highly indecent things to her person. It was not precisely what he would have liked to say, but he had no words sufficient for that.
She turned with one of her sidelong, mischievous smiles and gave him her hand, hopping down from the fence and into his arms. Beyond that, it seemed, words were not presently required.
(p.441-442)
March 26, 2010
My March local reading group selection. I haven’t read a Laura Kinsale novel in years. She hasn’t written one in years either. Her book Flowers from the Storm was one of my favorite reads back before I overdosed on long, angsty, historical romance novels. I’ve taken a very long break from historical romance but I think I’m ready to slowly delve back in with this here book.
Lady Callista Taillefaire (Callie) is cute and has a tremendous fortune but because she is painfully shy she’s been left at the altar three times. She has always had a problem making chit chat with men and now at 27 she has given up on marriage and is content to remain a wallflower, move in with her younger sister and continue her quiet life contentedly breeding her prized bulls. As she’s doing her best to disappear into the woodwork at a society event in walks her childhood friend/crush Trevelyan Davis D’Augustin (I’m calling him Trev from here on out) who she hasn’t seen since they were young teens and her father scared him away. He’s been off in Paris attempting to secure the family dynasty (or at least that’s what he wants people to believe) and has grown up to be quite the hunk. When she sees him she tries even harder to disappear but it doesn’t work. He spots her and immediately heads straight her way and sets her heart all a-flutter with his charm. She is surprised that she can still talk to him without struggling to find the right words now that he’s all grown up. He’s come home to nurse his mom who is dying and Callie offers up her assistance once she learns about the dire situation.
When they were teens Callie took French lessons with Trev’s mom. Callie and Trev were on their way to becoming way more than friends when her dad put an end to it. No daughter of his was going to be soiled by the likes of Trev. Now that he’s back all wealthy and sexy Trev appears to want to pick things up right where he left off so many years ago. Will she be able to resist? Seriously, did I just ask that question?
Anyway, this book is pretty charming so far as I’ve read. It’s fluffy and light with likable characters and witty dialogue and it is not annoying or boring me. I’m actually disappointed whenever I have to put the book down to get back to reality. In the beginning it’s a somewhat slow moving book focusing in on its characters instead of a rip-roaring adventure or crazy-ass subplots (though we get a few of those later on). It may not be for everyone but it’s working for me. I can see that even though Trev has a shady past that is following him and that he is probably going to keep secrets for far, far too long, he really is a big softie when it comes to making Callie happy. And Callie deserves happiness. She’s a likable heroine, with a sly sense of humor who enjoys nothing more than working on the farm and caring for her bulls. Actually, her love for one of her bulls nearly brought me to tears a time or two. Trev’s arrival changes everything up and Callie soon realizes just how much she missed having her adventurous trouble-prone hunky best friend around.
I was sorry to see this book come to an end and I don’t say that kind of thing often being the crab that I am. Trev and Callie were fabulous together; two truly likable characters that were meant to be together despite all of the obstacles and everything the ton had to say. There were moments when they mistrusted each others true feelings and where they withheld things that should have been said. Trev was also hot-heated and impulsive but these things didn’t annoy me as they usually do because you get to know them both so well that their faults, doubts and insecurities are understandable and forgivable. If I didn’t have such a huge and forever growing tbr pile this book would definitely be reread often. I may even dig out another historical romance from the pile soon.
Lady Callista Taillefaire (Callie) is cute and has a tremendous fortune but because she is painfully shy she’s been left at the altar three times. She has always had a problem making chit chat with men and now at 27 she has given up on marriage and is content to remain a wallflower, move in with her younger sister and continue her quiet life contentedly breeding her prized bulls. As she’s doing her best to disappear into the woodwork at a society event in walks her childhood friend/crush Trevelyan Davis D’Augustin (I’m calling him Trev from here on out) who she hasn’t seen since they were young teens and her father scared him away. He’s been off in Paris attempting to secure the family dynasty (or at least that’s what he wants people to believe) and has grown up to be quite the hunk. When she sees him she tries even harder to disappear but it doesn’t work. He spots her and immediately heads straight her way and sets her heart all a-flutter with his charm. She is surprised that she can still talk to him without struggling to find the right words now that he’s all grown up. He’s come home to nurse his mom who is dying and Callie offers up her assistance once she learns about the dire situation.
When they were teens Callie took French lessons with Trev’s mom. Callie and Trev were on their way to becoming way more than friends when her dad put an end to it. No daughter of his was going to be soiled by the likes of Trev. Now that he’s back all wealthy and sexy Trev appears to want to pick things up right where he left off so many years ago. Will she be able to resist? Seriously, did I just ask that question?
Anyway, this book is pretty charming so far as I’ve read. It’s fluffy and light with likable characters and witty dialogue and it is not annoying or boring me. I’m actually disappointed whenever I have to put the book down to get back to reality. In the beginning it’s a somewhat slow moving book focusing in on its characters instead of a rip-roaring adventure or crazy-ass subplots (though we get a few of those later on). It may not be for everyone but it’s working for me. I can see that even though Trev has a shady past that is following him and that he is probably going to keep secrets for far, far too long, he really is a big softie when it comes to making Callie happy. And Callie deserves happiness. She’s a likable heroine, with a sly sense of humor who enjoys nothing more than working on the farm and caring for her bulls. Actually, her love for one of her bulls nearly brought me to tears a time or two. Trev’s arrival changes everything up and Callie soon realizes just how much she missed having her adventurous trouble-prone hunky best friend around.
I was sorry to see this book come to an end and I don’t say that kind of thing often being the crab that I am. Trev and Callie were fabulous together; two truly likable characters that were meant to be together despite all of the obstacles and everything the ton had to say. There were moments when they mistrusted each others true feelings and where they withheld things that should have been said. Trev was also hot-heated and impulsive but these things didn’t annoy me as they usually do because you get to know them both so well that their faults, doubts and insecurities are understandable and forgivable. If I didn’t have such a huge and forever growing tbr pile this book would definitely be reread often. I may even dig out another historical romance from the pile soon.
March 3, 2022
«el humor no es lo suyo pero, en cualquier caso, es un Kinsale».
Intentó hacer algo humorístico, una comedia de la Regencia ligerita y, para mi gusto, le salió algo tan soso como una croqueta de tofu.
Es una historia de reencuentro entre lady Callista y Trevelyan, quienes se conocieron (y enamoraron) de jovencitos. Ahora, el mayor amor de Callista son los bichos (sale mucho un toro llamado Hubert) y Trev resulta un tarambana algo limitadito, que va y viene sin que yo fuera capaz de discernir si seguía algún tipo de plan preconcebido.
Los personajes acaban cayéndote bien, y se nota el esfuerzo por escribir diálogos ingeniosos. Aunque claro, esto del humor es algo muy personal y, para mí, Dios no le ha dado a Kinsale el don del gracejo.
Intentó hacer algo humorístico, una comedia de la Regencia ligerita y, para mi gusto, le salió algo tan soso como una croqueta de tofu.
Es una historia de reencuentro entre lady Callista y Trevelyan, quienes se conocieron (y enamoraron) de jovencitos. Ahora, el mayor amor de Callista son los bichos (sale mucho un toro llamado Hubert) y Trev resulta un tarambana algo limitadito, que va y viene sin que yo fuera capaz de discernir si seguía algún tipo de plan preconcebido.
Los personajes acaban cayéndote bien, y se nota el esfuerzo por escribir diálogos ingeniosos. Aunque claro, esto del humor es algo muy personal y, para mí, Dios no le ha dado a Kinsale el don del gracejo.
January 25, 2010
Lady Callista Taillefaire is described as “a gifted wallflower�, who at the age of twenty-seven is a spinster who blends very well into the wallpaper that people don’t even notice she’s there. Callista knows she doesn’t have much to recommend to herself because she is plain with red hair, very stiff and shy with gentlemen and has such fair skin, that when the wind blows, she becomes splotchy. She’s been jilted three times by men she was engaged to, but for some reason or another, gave an excuse and decided not to marry her. Callista has a fortune, left to her after her father’s death, and enjoys her small town life, waiting for her younger sister, Hermione to marry so she can move way with her and her husband because they live with their cousin and his wife, Dolly, who is a very shrewish woman with her nose in the air. Other than being at odds with these relatives, Callista loves to raise livestock, including her favorite bull, Hubert, who she treats more like a pet than a farm animal.
Callista’s staid life is about to become topsy turvy, when her very sick French neighbor, Madame de Monceaux’s son, Trevelyn d Augustin returns home from France to England after being away for almost a decade. Callista and Trev used to be teenage sweethearts. She was given French lessons from the Madame. Trev taught Callista very different lessons in French that is until her father caught them intimately together in a carriage. Callista was heartbroken because Trev left England without a word. He arrives unannounced during a ball and re-acquaints himself with Callista. She’s shocked to see him, as he is her, because he assumed she would be married with children.
Trev went to France to search for his family property that was lost during The Terror, as well as fighting at Waterloo. He has returned home to Shelford to see his mother and hide from the law. He’s gotten himself into a big scrape and thrown into prison. He had no idea how close his dear mother is to death and the horrible conditions she’s been living in. He turns to Callista for help. Trev wants to be friends with Callista again because he has missed her all this time. He hopes to find a way to exonerate his name before he’s exiled to either the Americas or Shanghai.
Then a series of incredible events occur, starting with Hubert being sold from Callista, Trev trying to buy her beloved bull back and a former suitor of Callista’s, a Major Sturgeon, comes back into the picture and wants to rekindle their relationship. To make matters worse for Trev, Sturgeon and he had a past together. If Sturgeon recognizes Trev, the jig is up and he’ll be hauled away in irons. Callista is torn between Trev and Sturgeon because on one hand, Sturgeon can give her the stability she has always wanted, but on the other, she cares deeply for Trev even though she thinks he only views her as a friend. Trev tries to show Callista that what he feels for her is more than friendship, but because she thinks she has nothing to offer except her fortune, and because Trev is dashing and has been on many adventures, he would never want to settle down with a boring nobody like her. If only Callista knew the truth about Trev and what’s he been hiding from her. When she finds out, it maybe too late for them because not only does she have to figure out a way to get Hubert back, but juggles two men who want her for their own reasons.
Lessons in French is a delightful romance that pulls you in, where you are surrounded by the sites and sounds of rustic England after the Napoleonic Wars. I would say this is part adventure, part comedy as Callista and Trev team up together. This duo has a way of falling into some major pitfalls that is comparable to a screwball comedy, but just subtle enough where you won’t roll your eyes.
Callista is a wonderful heroine who has wit and intelligence, even though she maybe lacking in looks and overall sparkling personality. She’s a very analytical woman. Her reasons for letting Sturgeon court her may turn off some readers, but she has her reasons for doing so. At first glance, Trev may seem to be as cold as Callista’s former suitors, but as the story unfolds, we find out why Trev acted the way he did. You can’t help but root for him because the way he feels about Callista is so beautiful and moving.
I must hand it to Laura because she really makes Trev shine. There’s a bit of a mystery regarding Trev, and it’s up in the air whether or not he has waited for Callista, so he can engage in those intimacies most men his age already have. Trev may seem experienced, but has an innocent quality to him. At one point, while Trev is spilling his deep feelings to Callista, you’re made aware that Trev has never fallen for another woman in the time he’s been away. Nothing is more romantic that the hero saying to his heroine- “I seem to be yours, body and soul.�
Laura Kinsale has written a lighthearted, romantic Regency romp. Lessons in French is like a breath of fresh air, that twenty pages into reading, I stopped and thought, this is the reason I read historical romance.
Callista’s staid life is about to become topsy turvy, when her very sick French neighbor, Madame de Monceaux’s son, Trevelyn d Augustin returns home from France to England after being away for almost a decade. Callista and Trev used to be teenage sweethearts. She was given French lessons from the Madame. Trev taught Callista very different lessons in French that is until her father caught them intimately together in a carriage. Callista was heartbroken because Trev left England without a word. He arrives unannounced during a ball and re-acquaints himself with Callista. She’s shocked to see him, as he is her, because he assumed she would be married with children.
Trev went to France to search for his family property that was lost during The Terror, as well as fighting at Waterloo. He has returned home to Shelford to see his mother and hide from the law. He’s gotten himself into a big scrape and thrown into prison. He had no idea how close his dear mother is to death and the horrible conditions she’s been living in. He turns to Callista for help. Trev wants to be friends with Callista again because he has missed her all this time. He hopes to find a way to exonerate his name before he’s exiled to either the Americas or Shanghai.
Then a series of incredible events occur, starting with Hubert being sold from Callista, Trev trying to buy her beloved bull back and a former suitor of Callista’s, a Major Sturgeon, comes back into the picture and wants to rekindle their relationship. To make matters worse for Trev, Sturgeon and he had a past together. If Sturgeon recognizes Trev, the jig is up and he’ll be hauled away in irons. Callista is torn between Trev and Sturgeon because on one hand, Sturgeon can give her the stability she has always wanted, but on the other, she cares deeply for Trev even though she thinks he only views her as a friend. Trev tries to show Callista that what he feels for her is more than friendship, but because she thinks she has nothing to offer except her fortune, and because Trev is dashing and has been on many adventures, he would never want to settle down with a boring nobody like her. If only Callista knew the truth about Trev and what’s he been hiding from her. When she finds out, it maybe too late for them because not only does she have to figure out a way to get Hubert back, but juggles two men who want her for their own reasons.
Lessons in French is a delightful romance that pulls you in, where you are surrounded by the sites and sounds of rustic England after the Napoleonic Wars. I would say this is part adventure, part comedy as Callista and Trev team up together. This duo has a way of falling into some major pitfalls that is comparable to a screwball comedy, but just subtle enough where you won’t roll your eyes.
Callista is a wonderful heroine who has wit and intelligence, even though she maybe lacking in looks and overall sparkling personality. She’s a very analytical woman. Her reasons for letting Sturgeon court her may turn off some readers, but she has her reasons for doing so. At first glance, Trev may seem to be as cold as Callista’s former suitors, but as the story unfolds, we find out why Trev acted the way he did. You can’t help but root for him because the way he feels about Callista is so beautiful and moving.
I must hand it to Laura because she really makes Trev shine. There’s a bit of a mystery regarding Trev, and it’s up in the air whether or not he has waited for Callista, so he can engage in those intimacies most men his age already have. Trev may seem experienced, but has an innocent quality to him. At one point, while Trev is spilling his deep feelings to Callista, you’re made aware that Trev has never fallen for another woman in the time he’s been away. Nothing is more romantic that the hero saying to his heroine- “I seem to be yours, body and soul.�
Laura Kinsale has written a lighthearted, romantic Regency romp. Lessons in French is like a breath of fresh air, that twenty pages into reading, I stopped and thought, this is the reason I read historical romance.
January 6, 2020
Había leído algún libro de esta autora pero sin llegar a emocionarme. Pero en este libro he podido disfrutar la lectura enormemente. He reído, llorado, y suspirado. Me encanta la química que tienen los protas, y la tensión que hay algunas veces. Le pongo un 8, así que de momento, hemos empezado el año con buen pie.
September 25, 2017
Really delightful! A solid 4 rating, I'd say. It's much lighter in tone than the other Kinsale books I've read, but many of her hallmarks are still there -- depth of characterization, lovely and insightful prose, and a story that grabs me emotionally and stays with me after I've shut the book. There's a lot of humor in the story, but also a vein of melancholy and loneliness as the hero and heroine, both of whom are quite lovable, finally find their way to each other.
I typically expect a novel by Laura Kinsale to rip my heart out and stomp on it with its dramatic plot and tortured hero and heroine, and to tell the truth I love being put through the wringer like that! But there's also something to be said for having a book where there are some genuine laughs, and where the characters have problems, but not ones that leave the reader prostrated in a teary heap on the floor. Sometimes you want something light and fun, and Lessons in French is that, but it's light and fun with substance, which for me is a perfect combination.
Once again I read along with the audiobook narrated by Nicholas Boulton. He does such a brilliant job with these books, bringing all the characters to life and adding such emotion to my reading experience. And, on a shallow note, you haven't lived until you've heard his beautiful, sexy voice whispering sweet nothings in your ear. Especially when they're in French. ;)
I typically expect a novel by Laura Kinsale to rip my heart out and stomp on it with its dramatic plot and tortured hero and heroine, and to tell the truth I love being put through the wringer like that! But there's also something to be said for having a book where there are some genuine laughs, and where the characters have problems, but not ones that leave the reader prostrated in a teary heap on the floor. Sometimes you want something light and fun, and Lessons in French is that, but it's light and fun with substance, which for me is a perfect combination.
Once again I read along with the audiobook narrated by Nicholas Boulton. He does such a brilliant job with these books, bringing all the characters to life and adding such emotion to my reading experience. And, on a shallow note, you haven't lived until you've heard his beautiful, sexy voice whispering sweet nothings in your ear. Especially when they're in French. ;)
August 15, 2023
Laura Kinsale escribió en el epílogo de este libro: “Me parece que escribir algo ligero es aún más difícil que escribir algo oscuro�.
Estoy completamente de acuerdo con ella, escribir algo sencillo, pero que no resulte banal o vulgar es realmente complicado; bien, pues esta escritora lo consigue.
Laura Kinsale relata una historia de lo más sencilla: siglo XIX en Inglaterra, un joven vuelve a casa después de 9 años de ausencia. En su vuelta al pueblo que le vio crecer se reencuentra con su amor de juventud a la que tuvo que abandonar precipitadamente 9 años atrás. Parece increíble pero algo tan sencillo y manido como esto es lo que engancha, sí, bien llevado, engancha.
Como decía, sin caer en lo ordinario, la escritora narra la historia de dos enamorados que por orgullo, convencionalismos de la época, inseguridades y demás, no consiguen confesar el amor que sienten el uno por la otra. Me han resultado muy graciosos los diálogos entre los dos enamorados: inteligentes, perspicaces y agudos, un poco como los de Jane Eyre y Mr. Rochester en “Jane Eyre�. Como toda novela romántica del siglo XXI hay más de una escena tórrida y pasional entre los dos protagonistas, pero, a diferencia de otros autores, Kinsale las maneja con mucha elegancia y buen hacer.
Por último, destacar que es una novela de romántica e histórica, es decir, el componente histórico de lo antiguo está muy presente y es verdaderamente una delicia.
Spoiler: acaba bien.
Es por todo ello que, a pesar de no ser una novela profunda le pongo muy buena nota; en su género, que es el romántico y que está pensado para soñar, relajarte y no pensar, es muy buena y consigue con creces su objetivo.
A Kinsale también la seguiré buscando :D
Estoy completamente de acuerdo con ella, escribir algo sencillo, pero que no resulte banal o vulgar es realmente complicado; bien, pues esta escritora lo consigue.
Laura Kinsale relata una historia de lo más sencilla: siglo XIX en Inglaterra, un joven vuelve a casa después de 9 años de ausencia. En su vuelta al pueblo que le vio crecer se reencuentra con su amor de juventud a la que tuvo que abandonar precipitadamente 9 años atrás. Parece increíble pero algo tan sencillo y manido como esto es lo que engancha, sí, bien llevado, engancha.
Como decía, sin caer en lo ordinario, la escritora narra la historia de dos enamorados que por orgullo, convencionalismos de la época, inseguridades y demás, no consiguen confesar el amor que sienten el uno por la otra. Me han resultado muy graciosos los diálogos entre los dos enamorados: inteligentes, perspicaces y agudos, un poco como los de Jane Eyre y Mr. Rochester en “Jane Eyre�. Como toda novela romántica del siglo XXI hay más de una escena tórrida y pasional entre los dos protagonistas, pero, a diferencia de otros autores, Kinsale las maneja con mucha elegancia y buen hacer.
Por último, destacar que es una novela de romántica e histórica, es decir, el componente histórico de lo antiguo está muy presente y es verdaderamente una delicia.
Spoiler: acaba bien.
Es por todo ello que, a pesar de no ser una novela profunda le pongo muy buena nota; en su género, que es el romántico y que está pensado para soñar, relajarte y no pensar, es muy buena y consigue con creces su objetivo.
A Kinsale también la seguiré buscando :D
September 1, 2018
Me ha gustado mucho. No tanto como Flores en la tormenta, pero tanto Callie como Trevelian han sido dos buenos protagonistas, y la cantidad de líos, enredos y malentendidos que tiene me han hecho reírme en voz alta más de una vez. Es un libro muy ligero y con cero drama, pura comedia romántica de época.
July 22, 2018
DNF about halfway through.
Unpopular opinion alert! I did not like this. At all. I guess this was supposed to be light and sweet and funny, but I just couldn't see it. Sorry!!!
And also, there will be ranting. I need to vent. You have been warned�
The good first:
I absolutely adore Nicholas Boulton. He's a wonderful narrator. His voice is really wonderful, and he does an incredible job.
And now for what bugged me (and please keep in mind I am easily irritated, so take everything I say with a grain of salt. Everyone else I know loved this one, so it really has to be me):
1) The "heroine":
You'd think I would've liked a day-dreaming, head-in-the-clouds woman who still pines for her first love. BUT...
I don't enjoy reading about women with self-esteem so non-existent that they will never cease beating you over the head with the fact that they are old (28 in this case), ugly (she has red hair, pale skin that tends to flush when she is embarrassed, and big boobs. The HORROR!), completely un-loveable (she has been jilted three times!), unworthy of the man they love (he's too good for her! She's so ugly, boring, dull, and insipid, how could anyone love her?!?), and so rich their biggest worry is that the bull (yep. A BULL!) they love has been lost by their good-for-nothing brother in a wager and they have to part with the beloved animal. Also, one of her biggest fears is that her sister's fiancé won't let her move in with them after the wedding because she comes with bulls and other livestock (they are moving to London. Where keeping livestock is really just the sensible thing to do...). Sorry. But I don't care. Call me unfeeling, but I don't enjoy being continually reminded of the heroine's "faults" and just plain hideousness. I gotta say, I honestly don't blame any of the men who jilted her...
Also, she is� Well. How to say this� Not very bright in my opinion. See, at some point, her dad discovered her and her "best friend" (he who couldn't possible love her because she is so ugly) making out. Next thing you know, he disappears without a word. How could he! The thought that her daddy dearest threatened him out to leave her alone not once enters her head. Or, take one of her suitors: she is genuinely shocked that a man who is willing to marry ugly ole' her for her money would say mean (but true) things about her to other people. Like. Girl, he already jilted you once and wants to marry your only for your money. What did you expect? That he was nice and decent after all? I just can't�
2) The "hero":
I'm still a bit fuzzy on his exact backstory. It seems inconsistent to me, because his lies kept changing. But then, I didn't finish it, so I really can't say how things turn out.
Also, I'm sorry, but I don't admire a man who doesn't have the guts to have an honest conversation halfway through a book, however uncomfortable it might be. Whenever she wasn't complaining about how unworthy she is, he was doing the exact same thing (he has secrets! She can't know! She wouldn't love him!). At which point I figured, good riddance. Be miserable together. I don't care.
Also, let's talk about their first time: I am still not sure who was the virgin in that room, but before anything happens we are treated to a lovely monologue on how great his restraint is and how his cold and unfeeling nature has kept him from getting emotionally involved and how thankful the girl should be that he managed to keep it in his pants until now. But really, a naked girl in his bed is really just not something he can ignore. She is just so beautiful (which she still won't believe at that point) that he has to have her and slam into her without any care. Nice. So romantic�
3) Smaller things that annoyed me:
The bucolic animal humor and ridiculous things happening with bulls, pigs, fowl� Le sigh. Not my kind of funny, I guess.
The French: My French is far from perfect, but there were some words and phrases that just sounded incredibly off to me....
So. To sum up. Maybe at some point, when I'm in a better mood, I will get back to this. But for now, I am irritated beyond measure. I need some good comfort-read now where nothing upsets me.
Unpopular opinion alert! I did not like this. At all. I guess this was supposed to be light and sweet and funny, but I just couldn't see it. Sorry!!!
And also, there will be ranting. I need to vent. You have been warned�
The good first:
I absolutely adore Nicholas Boulton. He's a wonderful narrator. His voice is really wonderful, and he does an incredible job.
And now for what bugged me (and please keep in mind I am easily irritated, so take everything I say with a grain of salt. Everyone else I know loved this one, so it really has to be me):
1) The "heroine":
You'd think I would've liked a day-dreaming, head-in-the-clouds woman who still pines for her first love. BUT...
I don't enjoy reading about women with self-esteem so non-existent that they will never cease beating you over the head with the fact that they are old (28 in this case), ugly (she has red hair, pale skin that tends to flush when she is embarrassed, and big boobs. The HORROR!), completely un-loveable (she has been jilted three times!), unworthy of the man they love (he's too good for her! She's so ugly, boring, dull, and insipid, how could anyone love her?!?), and so rich their biggest worry is that the bull (yep. A BULL!) they love has been lost by their good-for-nothing brother in a wager and they have to part with the beloved animal. Also, one of her biggest fears is that her sister's fiancé won't let her move in with them after the wedding because she comes with bulls and other livestock (they are moving to London. Where keeping livestock is really just the sensible thing to do...). Sorry. But I don't care. Call me unfeeling, but I don't enjoy being continually reminded of the heroine's "faults" and just plain hideousness. I gotta say, I honestly don't blame any of the men who jilted her...
Also, she is� Well. How to say this� Not very bright in my opinion. See, at some point, her dad discovered her and her "best friend" (he who couldn't possible love her because she is so ugly) making out. Next thing you know, he disappears without a word. How could he! The thought that her daddy dearest threatened him out to leave her alone not once enters her head. Or, take one of her suitors: she is genuinely shocked that a man who is willing to marry ugly ole' her for her money would say mean (but true) things about her to other people. Like. Girl, he already jilted you once and wants to marry your only for your money. What did you expect? That he was nice and decent after all? I just can't�
2) The "hero":
I'm still a bit fuzzy on his exact backstory. It seems inconsistent to me, because his lies kept changing. But then, I didn't finish it, so I really can't say how things turn out.
Also, I'm sorry, but I don't admire a man who doesn't have the guts to have an honest conversation halfway through a book, however uncomfortable it might be. Whenever she wasn't complaining about how unworthy she is, he was doing the exact same thing (he has secrets! She can't know! She wouldn't love him!). At which point I figured, good riddance. Be miserable together. I don't care.
Also, let's talk about their first time: I am still not sure who was the virgin in that room, but before anything happens we are treated to a lovely monologue on how great his restraint is and how his cold and unfeeling nature has kept him from getting emotionally involved and how thankful the girl should be that he managed to keep it in his pants until now. But really, a naked girl in his bed is really just not something he can ignore. She is just so beautiful (which she still won't believe at that point) that he has to have her and slam into her without any care. Nice. So romantic�
3) Smaller things that annoyed me:
The bucolic animal humor and ridiculous things happening with bulls, pigs, fowl� Le sigh. Not my kind of funny, I guess.
The French: My French is far from perfect, but there were some words and phrases that just sounded incredibly off to me....
So. To sum up. Maybe at some point, when I'm in a better mood, I will get back to this. But for now, I am irritated beyond measure. I need some good comfort-read now where nothing upsets me.
June 11, 2021
One of my very favorite read agains! And Hubert the bull is my favorite book pet ever.
Well, Laura Kinsale does it again! I loved these characters and Hubert the bull!
Narrator: Nicolas Boulton has ruined me for any other narrator. I want him to narrate all the romances I listen to. What difference a male voice makes.
On another note, I'd have enjoyed this book just as much if I had read it from print. This will definitely be on my read it again shelf.
Well, Laura Kinsale does it again! I loved these characters and Hubert the bull!
Narrator: Nicolas Boulton has ruined me for any other narrator. I want him to narrate all the romances I listen to. What difference a male voice makes.
On another note, I'd have enjoyed this book just as much if I had read it from print. This will definitely be on my read it again shelf.
October 13, 2015
Lo he devorado. Qué maestra es Laura Kinsale
April 11, 2021
#retorita5 #ritaKinsale
Hace unos meses leí Flores en la tormenta, la novela que todos recomiendan de la autora, y no me pareció para tanto... (no es la primera vez que me pasa que una historia que gusta tanto en general a mi no tanto...).
No obstante, El profesor de francés no se parece en nada a Flores en la tormenta; des de luego que esta autora se sale de lo típico en novela romántica...
En este caso creo que quería hacer una historia más divertida, ya que contiene varias escenas que pretenden ser cómicas, con un toro en medio y en situaciones bastante inverosímiles... A mi personalmente no me han hecho demasiada gracia; he sonreído más con algún comentario /pensamiento de la pareja protagonista. Igual que la historia, ambos, Callie y Trev, se salen de lo normal; ella, hija y prima de duque, se entretiene criando ganado y participando en concursos (¿?); él un granuja de los que son buscados por la justicia y siempre está metido en trapicheos raros, y a quien le cuesta una eternidad sincerarse con Callie y con su madre (de Trev), que me ha parecido un personaje bastante interesante, incluso curioso.
Ha sido una historia entretenida, que se deja leer bien, pero sin grandes pretensiones.
Hay que reconocerle a la autora que es original y que se sale de lo "normal" en novela romántica.
PD. Imagino que Trev le daba clases de "francés" a Callie cuando eran adolescentes, pero no se nos cuenta casi nada.....
Hace unos meses leí Flores en la tormenta, la novela que todos recomiendan de la autora, y no me pareció para tanto... (no es la primera vez que me pasa que una historia que gusta tanto en general a mi no tanto...).
No obstante, El profesor de francés no se parece en nada a Flores en la tormenta; des de luego que esta autora se sale de lo típico en novela romántica...
En este caso creo que quería hacer una historia más divertida, ya que contiene varias escenas que pretenden ser cómicas, con un toro en medio y en situaciones bastante inverosímiles... A mi personalmente no me han hecho demasiada gracia; he sonreído más con algún comentario /pensamiento de la pareja protagonista. Igual que la historia, ambos, Callie y Trev, se salen de lo normal; ella, hija y prima de duque, se entretiene criando ganado y participando en concursos (¿?); él un granuja de los que son buscados por la justicia y siempre está metido en trapicheos raros, y a quien le cuesta una eternidad sincerarse con Callie y con su madre (de Trev), que me ha parecido un personaje bastante interesante, incluso curioso.
Ha sido una historia entretenida, que se deja leer bien, pero sin grandes pretensiones.
Hay que reconocerle a la autora que es original y que se sale de lo "normal" en novela romántica.
PD. Imagino que Trev le daba clases de "francés" a Callie cuando eran adolescentes, pero no se nos cuenta casi nada.....
August 13, 2014
Best narrator ever! Not the best book, though, even though I love Kinsale. The first half was great -- fast paced, funny, sweet, and with fabulous main couple. However, in the second half, the heroine's inability to trust in Trev's love -- fueled by her low self-esteem -- got very old. After he gave his heart to her for the nth time, only to be stomped upon, distrusted, and rejected - and replaced with an unworthy suitor -- I wanted to toss the book against the wall. I laughed in the first half. I liked the bull scenes. I just felt annoyed in the second half. As another reviewer said: "the two main characters danced around the overused "he/she can't really love me, I'm not good enough for him/her ad nauseum."
February 3, 2010
I got to the end and really wanted to cry. Not just because it was over and I think Laura Kinsale is the romance novel priestess, but because it was so darn touching!
There were, unfortunately, quite a few misunderstandings. I've said it before, I HATE THOSE. But they went down well. Didn't give me too much heartburn, and the characters were just so darn flawed and likeable that I couldn't help love the story through and through.
There were, unfortunately, quite a few misunderstandings. I've said it before, I HATE THOSE. But they went down well. Didn't give me too much heartburn, and the characters were just so darn flawed and likeable that I couldn't help love the story through and through.
April 30, 2024
Lessons in French by Laura Kinsale (2010) est tres magnifique!! She’s probably best known for Flowers from the Storm and her medieval HRs. This book is utterly different from the others: a passionate and enchanting story of a second chance at first love with glorious humor.
⚜️Setting: Herefordshire, England, 1824.
⚜️Trevelyan de Augustin, duc de Monceaux and Lady Callista, were teenage sweethearts until the day her father discovers them in the carriage house, and drives Trev away in disgrace. Nine years later he returns. Callie is shocked to discover that she still can’t resist him. She’s a 27 years old spinster, raises prized cattle.. her bull, Hubert is famous at the stock shows. And, she has been jilted three times. He’s only returned to see his dying mother. After fighting for the French, then imprisoned by the British, his life is filled with darkness and deceit.
⚜️Trev is one of the best Kinsale heroes ever� heart stopping handsome, complex, ruthless, and kindness personified. Callie is witty and whimsical always willing to offer a helping hand to her neighbors.
⚜️ “She always felt as if she’s living inside a story when she was with Trev, swept along with the excitement of some plot outside her own making.�
⚜️ Lessons in French is full of charm, subtile humor and powerful emotions. This Kinsale is a light, sexy, romantic story full of razor sharp wit …along with two vulnerable main characters. I’ve now read 8 Kinsales, and this one is tied with Flowers from the Storm as my favorite. Exquisite page turning prose from this master storyteller! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
⚜️Setting: Herefordshire, England, 1824.
⚜️Trevelyan de Augustin, duc de Monceaux and Lady Callista, were teenage sweethearts until the day her father discovers them in the carriage house, and drives Trev away in disgrace. Nine years later he returns. Callie is shocked to discover that she still can’t resist him. She’s a 27 years old spinster, raises prized cattle.. her bull, Hubert is famous at the stock shows. And, she has been jilted three times. He’s only returned to see his dying mother. After fighting for the French, then imprisoned by the British, his life is filled with darkness and deceit.
⚜️Trev is one of the best Kinsale heroes ever� heart stopping handsome, complex, ruthless, and kindness personified. Callie is witty and whimsical always willing to offer a helping hand to her neighbors.
⚜️ “She always felt as if she’s living inside a story when she was with Trev, swept along with the excitement of some plot outside her own making.�
⚜️ Lessons in French is full of charm, subtile humor and powerful emotions. This Kinsale is a light, sexy, romantic story full of razor sharp wit …along with two vulnerable main characters. I’ve now read 8 Kinsales, and this one is tied with Flowers from the Storm as my favorite. Exquisite page turning prose from this master storyteller! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
November 23, 2010
I really enjoyed this. I loved the rural setting - it's so easy to forget that Regency society would have only spent a relatively short portion of the year in London, and that this was the period in English history when farming, animal breeding and agricultural innovations were rapidly developing as a precursor to the Industrial Revolution. It makes such a refreshing change to have a Regency HR set outside London, and actually set in the fields and cowsheds of the aristocracy, whose wealth was essentially dependent upon the land and income generated through agriculture.
The heroine's grand passion is breeding prize bulls and is generally considered highly knowledgeable locally. She is socially awkward, rather unattractive, and uncomfortable with any man other than her father, and the hero, aside from local farmers and when discussing animal husbandry. The hero, meanwhile, is not really a hero at all, likes to get into trouble and then run from it, and has accumulated a fortune from a rather dubious career.
The two of them grew close as teenagers, and developed a friendship among multiple adventures. He made her rather dull life exciting and fed her vivid imagination, and she acted as a moderating influence and faithful co-conspirator.
The plot, the characters and the language are all so enjoyable in this one. So many "light" HRs are fluffy and fun, with silly plots and characters, but although this is also quite light, it also is quite sad in places. You get to really taste the disappointments both the hero and heroine have experienced. I think the author described it as poignant, and it is such a great way of describing it.
The heroine's grand passion is breeding prize bulls and is generally considered highly knowledgeable locally. She is socially awkward, rather unattractive, and uncomfortable with any man other than her father, and the hero, aside from local farmers and when discussing animal husbandry. The hero, meanwhile, is not really a hero at all, likes to get into trouble and then run from it, and has accumulated a fortune from a rather dubious career.
The two of them grew close as teenagers, and developed a friendship among multiple adventures. He made her rather dull life exciting and fed her vivid imagination, and she acted as a moderating influence and faithful co-conspirator.
The plot, the characters and the language are all so enjoyable in this one. So many "light" HRs are fluffy and fun, with silly plots and characters, but although this is also quite light, it also is quite sad in places. You get to really taste the disappointments both the hero and heroine have experienced. I think the author described it as poignant, and it is such a great way of describing it.
August 16, 2021
This was a fantastic read! I think Ms. Kinsale has managed to elevate this book from being a typical historical romance by the inclusion of Hubert, the bull. I think it gave a nice comedic touch. This was pretty low angst (for a Laura Kinsale book). Trey was a scoundrel, but a lovable one. I think he was lovely, except that I thought that he should fight harder for Callie. Callie was a great heroine to read and she had backbone (especially towards her ex-fiancee). I definitely felt for Callie. It definitely wasn't easy being jilted 3 times and all your self-doubts rising to the surface. Trey has always had an 'unsteady character'. They were neighbours and they fell in love when they were young. Callie's father, the earl caught them in the act in the carriage house (she was not ruined yet). Any parents would would act the way Callie's father act. Later, Trey went away for 9 years before he came back to the village to visit his ailing mother. I don't want to give too much away but there's a whole backstory there. All I can say is that the reading experience was worth it.
April 25, 2021
Una de las cosas que más me gustan como lectora es que me sorprendan, y está claro que Laura Kinsale lo consigue con esta novela. Después de haber leído varios libros suyos y ser capaz de reconocer su estilo, tono e historias, siempre tan personales, El profesor de francés supone un sorprendente cambio. La novela plantea, de entrada, un argumento de lo más pintoresco y unos protagonistas fuera de lo común, ambos con negocios y aficiones un tanto peculiares, y con un pasado, tanto en común como por separado, bastante insólito. El tono cómico está presente a lo largo de la historia, pero no por eso me parece que sea precisamente ligera, ni mucho menos, es solo que la autora sabe equilibrar las emociones con situaciones más divertidas (a veces un poco surrealistas, para qué negarlo). A mí Trev, el protagonista, me ha robado el corazón. Y el epílogo... ese epílogo me ha fascinado. En definitiva, una novela deliciosa y recomendable, como todas las de la autora.
April 26, 2020
En general me gustó la historia. Tuvo momentos divertidos y la protagonista a mi entender, diferente, fresca y decidida.
March 3, 2017
3.5 ★★★⋆
Una vez le pillé el punto de humor al libro disfrute con la relación de Trev y Callie, los diálogos entre ellos son tan divertidos por disparatados y los pensamientos de Callie tan fantasiosos que no fui capaz de borrar la sonrisa de mi cara. Lo que no terminó de convencerme fue como se resolvió el tema del chantaje y la herencia de Callie, para mi gusto la autora no hiló fino esa parte y me dejó con la sensación de que faltaba algo o que algo ahí no terminaba de encajar.
Una vez le pillé el punto de humor al libro disfrute con la relación de Trev y Callie, los diálogos entre ellos son tan divertidos por disparatados y los pensamientos de Callie tan fantasiosos que no fui capaz de borrar la sonrisa de mi cara. Lo que no terminó de convencerme fue como se resolvió el tema del chantaje y la herencia de Callie, para mi gusto la autora no hiló fino esa parte y me dejó con la sensación de que faltaba algo o que algo ahí no terminaba de encajar.
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