Must Love Breeches by Angela Quarles (Audiobook)
Narrated by: Mary Jane Wells
Series: Must Love #1

3.5 stars - I am always up for a well written time travel romance. I love the awkward and unique moments that happen when one is not in their normal time period. I also love seeing how the author will create a happily ever after for these time crossed lovers. This book had both those things, plus some amusing parts and some really nice, -butterflies in the tummy- attraction. The only downfall for me, was that the story seemed to take a bit to get going, but once it had, I didn’t want to put it down. I look forward to reading the rest of the series!

I have never read any books by Ms. Quarles and honestly just chose this one due to the fact that Mary Jane Wells was narrating. She is a favourite of mine and with this story, she didn’t disappoint. She has a variety of voices and puts so much emotion and charisma in her narrations, that it just brings the stories to life. Well done!

~Paragraphs and Petticoats~ ( )

I received this book from a audiobook drawing. I enjoyed this book, I like time travel type books, it is definitely in the romance genre. There was enough suspense to keep me interested. The narrator kept it going. All in all a pleasant way to spend some time. ( )

I surprised myself by requesting this book from Audiobookloudnoise.com (kidding – it's now audiobookboom.com). I mean, I'm not a big romance fan, and I generally object to the time travel romance (been there, done that, got the torn bodice), and if I am going to pick up a romance novel I am not at all comfortable having the heavy–breathing parts read to me. And here … well, the cover art is embarrassing. I listened to the book at work, and every time someone came over to talk to me and I had to pause the Audible player, I sincerely hoped no one was paying much attention.

But the reason I generally object to the time travel romance is because so few of them are at all well done. From the sample, this seemed like it might be, and the narration sounded good, so I went for it. And I was very glad I did. It was fun.

The story: Isabelle Rochon, enthusiast of the Regency period, attends a reenactment ball and finds herself whisked back in time into the middle of an actual Regency ball in 1834. How and why, she has no idea, but it seems to have something to do with the antique card case she was handling when it apparently happened – which is promptly stolen from her on the street. She is fortunate enough to fall in with Ada Lovelace, who gives her shelter and a guide to this brave new world – and through whom Isabelle meets Lord Phineas Montagu, known as the Vicious Viscount, a man on a mission.

Some things could, perhaps, have been done better. For such a scholar and enthusiast of the period, Isabelle was alarmingly prone to lapsing into modern idiom and habits, and – to me – surprisingly slow to adapt all around. Naturally, I tend to think I'd do better – and of course I'm probably wrong. It just seems like it would be similar to an immersion course in French: much more quickly absorbed, as one has no choice.

"Running in a corset had been a mistake." It always is. I know this from experience.

The writing on the whole is self-assured and sure-footed in the period, which I think is one reason that Isabelle's anachronisms were so jarring to me. The Phineas point of view was lovely. I love the intoxication of the sight – and touch! – of an ungloved hand. And while sex-in-a-carriage is one of the squares on my Bad Historical Romance Bingo Card (patent pending), this version of sex–in–a–carriage is marvelous. And the twist in the tale, the little moment at the end which made me say "Wait, what?" and go back to hear it again? So good.

I love that I learned something new about Shakespeare in this. I had never heard of the Tate version of King Lear – and my hair either stood on end or went a bit grayer, reading that. Wow. Just wow.

I love Jane Wells's male voices; her Lord Montagu (Phineas) is velvety and very nice. In British mode she reminds me of Juliet Stevenson, and of Heather Ordover in her American. I tend to be as wary of Brits' American accents as they must be of Americans faking an English accent – have you heard some of the "Americans" they've used on things like the old Jeremy Brett Sherlock Holmes, or the Britcom of your choosing? But Ms. Wells's American accent is not half bad – though occasionally there's a little overlap. Overall really excellent.

This audiobook was provided by the author, narrator, or publisher at no cost in exchange for an unbiased review courtesy of AudiobookBoom dot com. Thank you! ( )

This is a review for the audio version

I love time travel romances especially those that involve going back to 19th century England rather than the Scottish Highlands. I find it difficult to find any Scottish Highland time travel books to rival Diana Gabaldon's Outlander series.

Mary Jane Wells manages to make the story sound like it is set in historical times. She makes a difference with Isabel who is a modern day woman but the other characters all suitably sound like they are from the past.
I loved hearing Isabelle's American accent and her cute inner thoughts about Lord Montague in juxtaposition to the English accent and formal dialogue of the time. I liked the humour in the story. Isabelle doesn't find it completely easy adjusting to the time period and her thoughts and observations are funny.

I really enjoyed the this book. Lord Montagu is a charming character and the romance between him and Isabelle was sweet. I liked that they had a mystery to solve but I would have liked it to be a bit more dangerous or exciting.
I found Isabelle's musings in her letters to Kate to be amusing and fun to read.

The final scenes that played out between Lord Montagu and Isabelle made a lovely romantic ending to the story and the epilogue gave a nice glimpse into what their lives were like further down the years.

I received a copy from the author in exchange for an honest 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)."

Read more of this review and TWO teasers here: http://frommetoyouvideophoto.blogspot.com/2014/08/made-grade-must-love-series-bo... ( )