Ames’ review of A Night to Surrender by Tessa Dare.
Welcome to Spindle Cove, where the ladies with delicate constitutions come for the sea air, and men in their prime are… nowhere to be found. Or are they?
Spindle Cove is the destination of choice for certain types of well-bred young ladies: the painfully shy, young wives disenchanted with matrimony, and young girls too enchanted with the wrong men; it is a haven for those who live there.
Victor Bramwell, the new Earl of Rycliff, knows he doesn’t belong here. So far as he can tell, there’s nothing in this place but spinsters… and sheep. But he has no choice, he has orders to gather a militia. It’s a simple mission, made complicated by the spirited, exquisite Susanna Finch—a woman who is determined to save her personal utopia from the invasion of Bram’s makeshift army.
Susanna has no use for aggravating men; Bram has sworn off interfering women. The scene is set for an epic battle… but who can be named the winner when both have so much to lose?
This is only the second book I’ve read from Tessa Dare and it’s a good reminder that I should go back and read her other books! I thoroughly enjoyed A Night to Surrender.
Victor Bramwell needs just one chance to prove himself. He wants to return to his post but a shot to the knee has put that at risk. He’s mostly healed up (except he’s not) and he’s come to Spindle Cove to ask his father’s friend to put a good word in for him. His one chance has taken the form of a militia. He is to put together a militia to put on a review for some higher ups. Except there doesn’t appear to be any men in Spindle Cove…
Spindle Cove is Susanna Finch’s realm…or should I say demesne? She has cultivated the Cove’s reputation to appeal to young women who don’t necessarily fit in with society. And she runs a tight ship. Despite her attraction to Bram, she sees his militia as a threat to the town’s reputation.
Right there we have the perfect set-up for the clash of wills between Susanna and Bram. He wants to prove himself and she wants to protect her town. At risk is his career (and purpose of being) and pride. For Susanna the risk is greater. She’s created a little haven for women to discover themselves away from the prying eyes of society. And she needs Spindle Cove. But as Bram finds the men and brings them together, Susanna realizes that Spindle Cove needs Bram as well.
*sigh* This book just made my day. Susanna can easily be called a blue-stocking, something that Bram loves about her. She makes him crazy, she challenges him and the same can be said for Bram’s effect on Susanna. He was her match in every way. I love how these two got to know each other and the attraction between them was strong. I found it super cute that they couldn’t keep their hands off each other.
The rest of the characters were interesting as well. They were fleshed out enough to catch my interest but not so overwhelming that I was skipping their parts to get back to the main couple (something I’ve had to do in the past).
I think this book worked so well for me because of Susanna. She’s a refreshing heroine. Strong, not too much a stickler for society, she made a place for other women to retreat to. And Bram was man enough not to take that away from her. Great couple.
4 out of 5.
This book is available from Avon. You can buy it here or here in e-format.
This one is on my wishlist – I’ve resolved not to buy myself anything until after Christmas is over; but I’m thinking I may need to make an exception.
Great review, Ames!
I just started reading Tessa Dare this year. I am looking forward to getting to this new series early next year!