Made the Grade: Must Love Series, Book 1

- This is an ARC book - Available Formats through Amazon.com: Kindle Edition - File Size: 1460 KB | Expected Release Date: September 3, 2014 | Publisher: Season Publishing | Obtained: NetGalley

"Must Love Breeches" [Must Love Series, Book 1] by Angela Quarles

Author's Book Description : She’s finally met the man of her dreams. There’s only one problem: he lives in a different century.

“A fresh, charming new voice” – New York Times bestselling author Tessa Dare

HOW FAR WOULD YOU TRAVEL FOR LOVE?

A mysterious artifact zaps Isabelle Rochon to pre-Victorian England, but before she understands the card case’s significance a thief steals it. Now she must find the artifact, navigate the pitfalls of a stiffly polite London, keep her time-traveling origins a secret, and resist her growing attraction to Lord Montagu, the Vicious Viscount so hot, he curls her toes.

To Lord Montagu nothing makes more sense than keeping his distance from the strange but lovely Colonial. However, when his scheme for revenge reaches a stalemate, he convinces Isabelle to masquerade as his fiancée. What he did not bargain on is being drawn to her intellectually as well as physically.

Lord Montagu’s now constant presence overthrows her equilibrium and her common sense. Isabelle thought all she wanted was to return home, but as passion flares between them, she must decide when her true home—as well as her heart—lies.

My Book Review : 3 out of 5 stars, travel through time with Isabelle (Belle)--a Southern historian working in London--where she meets some historical figures, gets thrown into a big cover up plot, and has the possibility of falling in love if only she allows herself too.

In truth, this novel charmed me from the very beginning. I liked the mystery of it all and her growing relationship with Phineas (Lord Montagu/Phin). In addition, I liked that Ms. Quarles stuck as close to the truth, when it came to the historical figures, as she could, as it was intriguing to learn more about them.

The chemistry between Phineas and Isabelle was undeniable. It was also, remarkably sincere in how they both grew to care for one another, but because of their personal goals and wants, they tried to deny themselves each other for the longest time. After a while, though that restraint (or in some cases--stubbornness) made me to get very annoyed with them both, because I wanted to watch their feelings grow yet they emotionally deny themselves for about 62% of this novel. Once you get to that point though the novel gets really good as you're thrown into Phineas' project and finally learn if Isabelle is willing to fully commit to Phineas or not.

I really did enjoy this novel. It was humorous, intriguing, with just enough romance to make me curious to see where everyone would end up.

Nevertheless, I'm surprised to say that even though I liked its epilogue, it's in the epilogue that it made it harder for me to believe the timeline that Ms. Quarles portrays for this novel. Since at the beginning of this novel Isabelle talks about her cell phone and if the dates that are listed in the epilogue are supposed to be "true" than some of the things she did with her cell phone just would not have been possible during that time period. Now, on the other hand, if you look at it that with Isabelle going into the past really did change history then never mind, I guess, as I might be wrong and in that "alternate reality" that could've happened. Yet, it's still hard for me to agree with. *shrug*

Overall, I'd recommend this novel to anyone who likes time travel romances!

Purchase This Book and/or The Other Books From It's Series Here :

Author's Novel Extras : Pinterest: Must Love Breeches | Must Love Breeches - Overview & Blog Tour Dates | Must Love Breeches, A Time Travel Romance (Excerpt) :: Chapters 1 - 4 | Oh, For A Title... | Is It Getting HOT in Here? A Steamy Kiss Blog Hop | Polishing my Pitch for the FF&P Fantasy on the Bayou Conference this weekend | Pull Out Those Pantsed Weeds in Your WIP | Make Sure Your Curtains Match the Drapes–Why Your Query’s Tone Matters | Happy Ada Lovelace Day! Who Was She? | Confessions of a Contest Whore... | Cover Reveal for MUST LOVE BREECHES | Weekend Writing Warriors – 7/6/14 | Weekend Writing Warriors – 7/13/14 | Weekend Writing Warriors – 7/20/14 | Stepping Through Time in MUST LOVE BREECHES–Weekend Writing Warriors – 8/3/14 | Stepping Through Time in MUST LOVE BREECHES–Weekend Writing Warriors – 8/10/14 | Meets Ada Lovelace in MUST LOVE BREECHES–Weekend Writing Warriors – 8/17/14 | MUST LOVE BREECHES Due Out Sep 3, Avail Now for Pre-Order | Meets the Hero in MUST LOVE BREECHES–Weekend Writing Warriors – 8/24/14 | Book Trailer Reveal for MUST LOVE BREECHES and Kickoff of Blog Tour


Author's Series Extras : Pinterest: Must Love Chainmail | Taking a short blogging hiatus | Ack! I have a plot hole! Techniques to Solve in an Early Stage

Author's Book Trailer :

Book Teaser(s) :

A sob escaped Isabelle's throat and she gripped the door handle tighter. She was stuck in the past. In 1834. How? And, more importantly, how could she get back? Was that even possible?
She had to find a way back.
To her house, her job, and oh God, her promotion. She couldn't allow that snake Andrew to beat her to it.
She lifted her skirt hem and peeked at her slippers--could it be that simple? She glanced around the room to make sure she was alone, clicked her heels together three times, and whispered, "There's no place like home."
She looked around. Same room. She shrugged. Oh, well. Of course, it couldn't be easy. ~ within Chapter 6

He sought to calm. "I am gratified by your concern, but my surgeon will attend it. You need not worry."
"Oh God, a surgeon?"
Her face and tone of voice, the expression of both, imparted the idea he had said he would rip a horrible monster from the bowels of hell to clean the wound. She had the strangest notions he had ever encountered.
"Yes, my surgeon is quite capable, I assure you."
"They don't still believe in leeches for that particular wound, do they? I can't remember..." A frown creased her brow and a look of concentration crossed her face, as if reviewing her memory. This woman puzzled him indeed.
"No doubt probable for this type of injury, to prevent inflammation. Quite routine." He hoped his tone of voice and the words themselves reassured her.
She reeled back as if struck, her face contorted. "You cannot be serious."
It was his turn to frown. "Of course. I am unacquainted with medical practices performed in America, but I assure you, my surgeon if one of London's best. I daresay superior to any you have there."
She curled her hands into fists and propped them on her hips. "Wow, of all the arrogant-- you don't know the half of it-- And I can't even--"
Her arms came toward him, and he honestly thought she would strike him again. ~ within Chapter 12

For more information on this book, series, and/or any other books by Angela, then please check out her website.