This is the story of the Compass Club. A series of four books, I thought it would be done best if they were reviewed together.
Let Me Be the One
4.5 out of 5
In bestselling author Jo Goodman’s captivating new quartet, you’ll meet the four intriguing gentlemen of the Compass Club — North, South, East, and West — as they find adventure, excitement, and, of course, romance. Now, in book one of this sweeping and sensual series set in Regency England, join Brendan David Hampton, Earl of Northam, as he unravels a mystery…and the secrets of a woman’s heart.
None of the four friends are yet wed, though the wagers are on North — captivated by a most unique lady. Libby Penrose is wise, witty, beautiful, and quite determined to remain alone. But when the intrigues of a notorious jewel thief find them plotting together, a stolen kiss seals their fate as lovers — yet leaves North with more questions about Libby than answers.
Despite her vow to deny her deep attraction to this powerful, alluring man, Libby surrenders to the breathless desire he awakens. She could not have imagined the whirlwind events that would find North accused of a crime…nor her own confession that would save him — and compromise them both into matrimony. But sweet words of love remain unspoken and elusive. For Libby harbors a dark secret, one that threatens the untested bonds of her marriage. And soon fate will force her to make a harrowing choice: trust her husband…or lose him forever.
It took me about 100 pages to really get into this book. I wasn’t really concerned b/c the same thing happened when I read If His Kiss Is Wicked.
The story of the Compass Club begins with the Earl of Northam, known to his friends as North. The story of North and Elizabeth was captivating. Elizabeth was far from what you would expect from an Earl’s daughter. It was a bit frustrating at first b/c her secrets weren’t revealed until the 2nd half of the book. Waiting to reveal those secrets made Elizabeth seem somewhat cold and did not endear her to me at all. North also had a tendency to want to physically hit her, which I also didn’t like.
Other than those two things, I found myself engrossed in the story of these two. There is blackmail, greed, family estrangement. You name it. What was especially wonderful was that Goodman didn’t make it seem like two much was shoved in.
Overall, this was a great beginning to a great series.
Everything I Ever Wanted
4 out of 5
The toast of Drury Lane, actress India Parr has claimed the attention of London’s most impressive gentlemen – including the Prince Regent himself – with her talent and poise. Though her heart hasn’t been won, she is intrigued by the devilishly handsome South – yet equally determined to keep him from the dark, deadly secret that shadows her private life.
But South has other plans. A clever killer is afoot in London and he suspects India may be involved. Her charms have made her the confidante of many powerful men, and South intends to learn just how much she knows – by spiriting her away to a cottage where she will be safe from peril – but not from South’s powers of seduction. Now, night after night, in the name of justice, he plans to persuade India to reveal all…
What was interesting about this series was the timeline of the books were concurrent. While each man was immersed in a personal intrigue regarding the woman that he was falling for, it wasn’t enough to keep them apart. No matter what was happening, these four men would be there for each other.
When given his assignment by Colonel Blackwood, South has little notion that it will lead him to the woman that was meant for him. Though he is at first suspicious of her, his suspicions are soon laid to rest when he gets to know who India Parr really is.
India Parr has lost more than one person usually loses in a lifetime. Not used to having anyone champion her, India is at somewhat of a loss on what to make of the Viscount of Southerton. She soon realizes that South won’t be dispatched as easily as she had hoped. Though at first, she is leery of his intentions, it’s not long before she comes to depend on South.
This 2nd installment of the Compass Club was very satisfying. Giving more insight into not only the Compass Club, but their arch-enemies, the Society of Bishops, we soon realize that what is happening in the lives of the Compass Club may be related in the most unlikely of ways.
All I Ever Needed
4 out of 5
Lady Sophia Colley, daughter of the late Earl of Tremont, finds herself imprisoned in her own home by mercenary cousins who want her to marry the money her poor father failed to leave them. When the Marquess of Eastlyn arrives to rectify the false rumor that he and Sophie are engaged, the last thing he expects is to be entranced by her honey – hued eyes. East proposes on the spot, only to have Sophie turn him down flat.
But Sophie’s rejection of East is far from personal. In Fact, it’s all she can do to resist his charms… and her willpower is put to the ultimate test when he returns. The desire between them is impossible to deny, but deny it she must in order to protect East from a past intrigue that is about to place them both in very present danger. Now, they must work together in very close quarters, for only after they unravel a treacherous mystery will they be free to pursue the love of a lifetime…
When he finally arrives to dispel the rumor of their engagment, the Marquess of Eastlyn does not expect to find himself entranced by Lady Sophia Colley. When he does the honorable thing and proposes marriage, East is somewhat shocked when she turns him down flat.
It’s not long before East learns what Sophie’s reasons are for turning him down. Refusing any longer to accept her refusal, East does what he must to keep Sophie in his life. After returning to London with Sophie, East meets with the rest of the Compass Club to decide on how to bring the Society of Bishops down once and for all.
I really enjoyed Sophie and East’s book. Though Sophie is only trying to protect East, she’s not a matyr. She’s just a woman who is trying to protect the man she has come to love.
Beyond a Wicked Kiss
4.5 out of 5
Evan Marchman has just inherited a title, lands, and a fortune – but is miserable as the new Duke of Westphal, preferring the intrigue and adventures of the Compass Club to the responsibilities of an estate. More promisingly, he has also gained a ward – a beautiful woman who asks for his aid in unraveling a mystery that will drew them both into a world of hidden pleasures…
Headmistress of a ladies academy, Ria Ashby desperately needs West’s help to find a student who has disappeared without a trace. Yet she cannot help but be distracted by the promise of passion behind the duke’s green eyes and roguish grin. Soon their search for the missing girl leads them to a secret society comprised of the school’s board of governors – an inner sanctum where sensuality rules – and power seduces…
After inheriting the title from his late father, West wants nothing more than denounce his father and the title that goes with him. When he learns that he has a ward, no one is more surprised that West to find that his ward is none other than Ria Ashby.
When Ria comes to him begging him for help, West can do nothing other than help her. It doesn’t take long for him to figure out that Ria’s problem is intertwined with the Society of Bishops.
Though they were always sworn enemies of the Society of Bishops, the Compass Club soon realizes that they have come full circle. At one time young boys, now these young men must stop the Bishops from destroying innocent lives, including those of the women they love.
I loved this series. The only thing that makes me sad is that I have to cross four books off Jo Goodman’s backlist. My favorite of the series is tied between the 1st and the last. You’ll have to decide for yourself. I highly recommend this series (read in order, of course).
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Although I’d been reading Goodman for a number of years, it was this series that REALLY made me sit up and take notice and then search high and low for her backlist. Now I’m very firmly entrenched in her camp. I love the way you did this review because you really can’t separate them can you. Each is a part of the whole. I think it’s brilliant the way she’s written the time overlaps in all of them and we get to see the same scene from different points of view.
Of all of them, Beyond a Wicked Kiss is my favourite.
I know she’s not for everyone – her books tend to be more wordy than many of the books published today, but to me it seems as if each word is very carefully considered. It’s hard to explain, but it’s almost like a giant jigsaw puzzle where each piece is firmly placed with others around it fitting tightly together.
Another way where she really excells for me is in her dialogue. The repartee between the four friends, between the heroes and their lady loves is sparkling. I’m enjoying her all over again through your enjoyment!
I oh sooooooooo love her. love love love love… If I was ever gonna be a rabid fangrrl it would be for Jo Goodman. It has always shocked me that she isn’t more talked about or better known.
I always talk about her ;). I LOVE this series and since I am odd, well and didn’t know, I read Beyond a Wicked Kiss first. At the time it was her most recent book released. I often read out of order, so honestly I had no problem with it. Then I went back and found all the others. The CC was such a great idea. So many authors have series books, brothers, sisters, whatevs but this is the only one I *can think of* that has them all overlap like she does. And amazingly enough she did it really well.
Some can’t read her because she is too wordy, or they see her as boring when I see her words as lush. Could an editor red pen her down a 100 pages… sure. Do they have too? I don’t think so.
Her books almost always work for me and when they don’t they are C reads, the good, average read and I can only think of maybe one Goodman C for me.
You now need to read the Dennehy Sisters, my fave is the nun ;). Only in My Arms.
Oh and when you get a chance Casee can you please email me. Thanks!
Alright I read this review on my blackberry Casee and this is a great review sweets, I am SO going to read this soon…I’m on amazon.com right now buying these, that’s how much I want to read these books thanks to you…I will become acquainted with Jo Goodman in 2008 thanks to you…you’ve sold me!
I want to meet North and West…YUM!
Kristie,
I thought the way she wrote the timeline was brilliant, too. It was really interesting to see the same thing through a different perspective.
She is wordy, but I’ve really come to enjoy that. LOL
Sybil,
It’s really surprising to me that she isn’t better known.
I’m having trouble finding a few books on her backlist, but I think I have enough to tide me over until I hunt them down.
I emailed you. 🙂
Rowena,
Were you able to get them all?
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