I'm rather discombobulated by this book. I spent the first half of the book being lukewarm at best toward it.

Sullivan is a rather nondescript hero to the story. A fairly mild by-blow of a blue-blood with a talent for horses. His life is neither super traumatic nor super blessed on any level. Nor is he so talented people just ignore the fact that he's not acknowledged.

Isabel is a spoiled brat, but not THAT much of a spoiled brat. She orders him around and blackmails him, but none of it with any particular venom or enmity. She's the daughter of a titled gentleman, the only daughter, and fears horses (for a good reason) but with no particular flare for the melodramatic.

Instead, they sort of quietly bicker and banter and blackmail and somewhere along the line actually like each other as people and by the time she was sneaking out to meet up with him in the barn, I realized I was sold on a book I didn't particular have a lot of feelings about.

By the time I finished it, I was even more at a loss for what to say about it in specifics. It feels like a meh book by a good author, but ... I've never read anything else by Suzanne Enoch, so I can't even say that with any certainty.

It was a GOOD book, though. And I ended up rather liking the journey that Isabel took, and still being mostly lukewarm toward Sullivan. I've read so many despicable, deeply unlikable heroes, and so many overly amazing lovely ones that honestly, Sullivan was kind of a breath of fresh, if slightly tepid, air. ( )

An interesting variation on the noble thief motif. Instead of a mysterious lady thief caught in the act by an alpha male who, instead of handing her over to the authorities, suddenly finds himself intrigued by his captive, in [b:After the Kiss|2391321|After the Kiss (Notorious Gentlemen, #1)|Suzanne Enoch|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1327938873s/2391321.jpg|2398333] the thief is a successful horse trader attempting to recover his deceased mother's stolen paintings. During one particular heist he's caught red-handed by an elegant young lady sneaking to the kitchen for a midnight snack. To prevent her calling for help, he kisses her and runs away before she can recover her composure. And so begins the romance between Sullivan, war hero but unrecognised illegitimate son of a wealthy lord, and Isabel, a sophisticated and (inevitably) strong-willed young lady.

Isabel being a titled lady and Sullivan an illegitimate commoner, their love affair is doomed from the start. Perhaps the only major flaw in this well-written novel (and it's a very big flaw) is the number of times Ms Enoch reminds the reader of the aristocrat-commoner conflict. Any intelligent reader will have understood the situation when it was first introduced, so the repetitions become tedious and condescending.

Fortunately there are plenty of other threads in this narrative and a goodly number of interesting side characters. The detailed description of how a horse is trained to saddle and how a beginner learns to ride were most welcome, giving the story an authentic feel.

The happy ending was a foregone conclusion from the first chapter of the book, and could have been given a little more space and colour, but overall this ranks as another of Ms Enoch's captivating historical romances. ( )

Thoroughly enjoyable regency. Though the ending is too convenient, I like that it critically explores the ridiculousness of social caste and its sexy and fun. It is hard to do both. Kudos Ms. Enoch. ( )

Could not stand "Tibby's" snobbish personality. The storyline was unbelievable and boring. A definite no go as far as I was concerned. Sorry I wasted my time. ( )

What a delightful Regency historical Suzanne Enoch has provided with "After the Kiss". This is the first story in her new trilogy 'The Notorious Gentlemen' which, according to her blog, will tell the tales of three friends who somehow end up on the wrong side of the law after returning from the Peninsula War (1808-1814). First up is Sullivan Waring, the 'natural child' of a peer, yet unacknowledged.

Sullivan is a successful horse breeder/trainer and has only turned to theivery to recover his mother's paintings which were unjustly taken from him while he was fighting on the Peninsula. His life and nighttime exploits are going well...until he steals a kiss in the course of one robbery.

Isabel can't believe the gall of that man. Not only stealing a painting, but a kiss! It's a good thing she grabbed his mask and caught a glimpse of him. But the next day she is stunned to find out that 'her' burglar is none other than famed horse breeder Sullivan. Isabel loves a mystery and uses her knowledge to blackmail Sullivan into training her new horse. Romance and mayhem ensue.

I've been a fan of Suzanne Enoch's books since I picked up my first one in the 1990s. Since then, I've read 'em all and although I enjoy some more than other, none have been 'stinkers'. Her books provide a pleasant escape from this world for a few hours, some sensual sex scenes, and grand HEAs. If you like regencies with a little steam...pick up "After the Kiss".

For a more in-depth review, check out queuemyreview.com ( )