A Night to Surrender audiobook

*4.5*Wow, this book marks a momentous occasion for me: I finally found a M/F historical romance that I could fall in love with!I get it now, folks, I get it. I finally understand why people read those books with the old-fashioned, bosomy women on the cover, embraced with some semi-naked man.A lot readers get into romance through different ways. Many of my friends cut their teeth on historical romance or harlequin romances. I, however, found my way to romance through urban fantasy. Though I've tried a few M/F historicals in the past (Suddenly You, Ten Reasons to Stay, The Madness of Lord Ian Mackenzie), the genre never spoke to me. Until this one. I think I have some idea as to why this book worked so well for me. 1) It was funny. This book was legit hilarious at times, and I just looooved the humor that the author infused into each scene. The book felt light and fun, even when it had its more tender, serious moments. 2) I loved the heroine. Susanna was an all-star heroine. Smart, funny, strong... she just worked for me in every way. 3)A damaged hero. A weakness of mine. I want to kiss the boo-boos and make them better. 4)The sex. This was WAY hotter than I expected it to be! It was sensual and raw and romantic. I loved the sex scenes and there were a good number of them. 5) Lastly and most importantly, the audiobook narrator. 5+++ stars for such a KILLER narration by Carolyn Morris. This was my first listen by her and I already am planning on listening to the rest of this series because I was so wowed by the narration. She did an awesome, awesome job and really made this book come to life. This book just might make me a historical lover after all.goodreads|instagram|twitter|blog

Precioso! Una historia increíblemente dulce, tierna y emotiva, que avanza tan fluidamente que es imposible despegarse de sus páginas. Con un estilo encantador, la autora nos sumerge en la comunidad de Cala Espinada y en el oasis que representa para una Inglaterra convulsa con la guerra contra las fuerzas de Napoleón como telón de fondo.Probablemente es posible encontrar más de un cliché, pero la autora los ha sabido desarrollar tan bien que pasan desapercibidos: con escenas muy originales, con diálogos inteligentes y divertidos, y siempre centrándose en la pareja principal como protagonista de cada uno de los conflictos que se suceden en esta "apacible" localidad costera.Muy buenos personajes secundarios, pero la pareja principal se roba todos los créditos, ambos adorables. Las escenas de ellos dos son realmente memorables.Hace tiempo que no disfrutaba tanto una novela de romance histórico. Muy, pero muy recomendada.

Dear book,If you are swept away by the romantic beauty of the Regency Era, and can allow yourself to forget all about the fact that everyone probably smelled terrible, there were no toilets, and most of us would have probably been stuck being a poor servant or wife of a dirt farmer and died early from something stupid like an infected hangnail..... this book is for you.Like all good romances, it all starts with a harmless little sheep-bombing. Bloody sheep - always in the road. What's a good military man to do? Obviously, get out the explosives to scare them away... and possibly scare the crap out of the town, take out a road, and cause general mayhem...Worth it!So, our fearless military leader meets his future love: a spinster who is determined to save her town from all of those terrified sheep and terrifying men. See, this town is a haven for spinsters and they have a strict "no boys allowed" policy that these men are infringing upon. And infringe they do! For some reason, the militia have a problem with the town's tavern being named "The Blushing Pansy" and the fact that the blacksmith is busy making pretty lockets for the women instead of weapons or horseshoes. They are supposed to be building an army in the town, but it's way too civilized. Too feminine. Too quaint.According to my favorite male character: "I should hate for it to be charming. Give me a dank, seedy, vice-ridden pustule of a village any day. Wholesome living makes my skin crawl." Oh, it's charming. It's so charming that these men are in danger of losing their...um.. manhood...don't worry, the ladies will package them up all pretty and let you have them back on your way out of town...The story was a push and pull of two strong personalities trying to achieve opposite goals. And, it was hilarious and really adorable. I loved all of the characters and devoured this book with the gleefulness of a young lamb frolicking in the meadow. (They do that, right?)

I admit that I am a hopper. 😂 That’s why although this book is the first in the series, I listened to the fourth book, “Any Duchess Will Do” first. And needless to say, I’m sure that is my favorite book in the series. 😌 That being said, although this book isn’t that heavy on humor as the fourth one, I loved the story of Bram and Suzanna just as fiercely. 😍 No wonder Tessa Dare’s books sell well because she really has that particular and unique sense of witty humor and the ability to make her readers hot and bothered. 😉True to her writing, the way Bram and Suzanna met was just hilarious and unfortunate. 😁 And they are both alphas in their own way, Bram being the head of a militia and Suzanna being the motherhen of Spindle Cove spinsters. They are both obstinate, determined and strong-willed so it isn’t a wonder that they end up in a lot of headlock situations. But love always happen in the strangest and most unexpected places and they fell in love irrevocably, madly and passionately soon. 😌 But things are not just as they seem to be and Bram and Suzanna might have to move mountains before they can find their happily ever after. Or blow up the sheeps! 😂Loved it, sexy, sweet, erotic and laced with a healthy amount of that bittersweet angst.☺️ I cried for one of the Bright twins and hated Suzanna’s genius but overly ambitious father. 😭 I loved learning the quirky, adorable and capable ladies of Spindle Cove and fell in love with the quaint, beautiful seaside village. 💜 Although I loved The narration of Eva Kaminsky who narrated the fourth book more, I admit Carolyn Morris did an equally wonderful job of narrating the hell out of this book. 👍 I loved her soothing voice. 😍 Enjoyed it, loved it and can’t wait to listen the rest of the series. A book well done, Miss Dare! A book well done! 👏5 nothing a little kiss can’t mend stars⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️Audio ratingStory - 4.5 stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫Performance - 5 stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️Narration - 5 stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️Overall - 5 stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

(6th June 2022 - Re-read for the 3rd time)I am re-reading all my 5 star rated romance novels. There are 60 on my shelf. This is book 1 on that list. (Tropes: Enemies to lovers, Wounded war hero, Spinster/wallflower (heroine also has scars)This is how my 1st re-read held up. ************Welcome to Spindle Cove! (nicknamed Spinster Cove)- “I’ve no idea why this place is called Spinster Cove. It ought to be Amazon Inlet. Or Valkyrie Bay.” It’s a village mostly inhabited and run by women.- “Tonight, we’re going to march down to that village, and we’re going to enjoy ourselves in our tavern.” “You mean the tea shop?” Fosbury asked. “But this is the ladies’ card night.” “ ‘But this is the ladies’ card night,’ ” Colin mimicked in a high-pitched voice.- “Here in Spindle Cove, we ladies have a schedule. Mondays are country walks. Tuesdays, sea bathing. Wednesdays, you’d find us in the garden.”If you want to know what they do the rest of the week you have to read the book. Even Bram (Victor Bramwell, the new Earl of Rycliff) is kept in the dark for a while. He is introduced to us by picking a fight with someone much smaller than him.- “Listen sharp, now.” He gave her ear a rough tweak and sank his voice to a low threat. “If you know what’s good for you, you’ll do as I say.” Though she spoke not a word, her reply was clear: You can kiss my great woolly arse. Bram “meets” Susanna Finch, Spinster Cove’s founder and reluctant leader, while shielding her from an explosion. - He rolled onto his side, giving her room to breathe. “Where did you come from?” “I think I should ask you that.” She struggled up on one elbow. “Who are you? What on earth are you doing here?” “Isn’t it obvious?” His tone was grave. “We’re bombing the sheep.” “Oh. Oh dear. Of course you are.” Inside her, empathy twined with despair. Of course, he was cracked in the head. One of those poor soldiers addled by war. She ought to have known it. Enemies to lovers is probably my favorite trope, especially when it’s packed with hilarity, sass and the main leads are so gaga for each other. - “I’ll have you know, I attended Cambridge for three terms.” “Truly?” She stared at him in mock astonishment. “Three whole terms? Now that is impressive.” - “You are my problem, Miss Finch. No, you’re not a nettle, or a burr, or a delicate blossom of any kind. You’re a goddamned powder keg, and every time I draw near you, we start throwing off sparks.” “I . . . I don’t know what you mean.” “Oh yes, you do.” He fingered the lacy edge of her cap sleeve, then slid a caress down her arm.- “It’s but a momentary interruption. Just this once.” “Just this once?” He made a dismissive noise, rifling through papers. “What about just now in the church?” “Very well, twice.” “Try again.” He stacked his papers and looked up, devouring her with his intent green gaze. “You invaded my dreams at least a half-dozen times last night. When I’m awake, you keep traipsing through my thoughts. Sometimes you’re barely clothed. What excuse can you make for that?” She stammered to form a response, her tongue tripping against her teeth. “I . . . I would never traipse.”- An elbow dug into her side. “Lord Rycliff’s dismounting, look.” Susanna resolved not to look. “He’s taking the musket from one of them. Perhaps he means to show them himself just how it’s done.” Susanna renewed her resolution not to look. The blades of grass beneath her fingertips were more interesting by far. And lo, here was a fascinating ant.- “I can’t stop thinking about you. All the time. Everyplace. I have work to do up there. Men to drill. A watch to organize. A castle to defend. But I can’t even concentrate, for thinking of you.” She stared at him. “You tell me why that is, Susanna. Keep in mind, you’re talking to a man who’ll march a hundred miles out of his way, just to avoid a romantic attachment.” “Attachment?” She forced a casual laugh. An unconvincing string of ha-ha-has. “A barrel of warm pitch couldn’t attach me to you.” He shook his head, looking perplexed. “I even like it when you snipe at me.”- “A beast is just what you want. A big, dark medieval brute to throw you to the ground, tear the clothes from your body, and have his wicked way with you. I know I’m right. I haven’t forgotten how excited you were in the aftermath of that blast.” The nerve of him! How could he tell? She lifted her chin. “Well, I haven’t forgotten the sound you made when I first touched your brow. It wasn’t even a moan, it was more like . . . like a whimper.” He made a dismissive sound. “Oh yes. A plaintive, yearning whimper. Because you want an angel. A sweet, tender virgin to hold you and stroke you and whisper precious promises and make you feel human again.” “That’s absurd,” he scoffed. “You’re just begging to be taught a hard, fast lesson in what it means to please a man.” “You’re just longing to put your head in my lap and feel my fingers in your hair.” He backed her up against a rock. “You need a good ravaging.” “You,” she breathed, “need a hug.” “You know what I think?” he said, coming closer. So close she could feel his breath wash warm against her cheek. “I think we’re having one of those vexing arguments again.” “The kind where both sides are right?” “Hell, yes.” And this time, when they kissed, they both made that sound. That deep, moaning, yearning, whimpering sound. That sound that said yes. And at last. And you are exactly what I need.- “I’ve never met a woman like you. You’re so much like me. It’s as though we’re two examples of some rare, exotic breed. Only I’m the male specimen, and you’re the female. Clever as you are, you must know what that means.” “Enlighten me.” “It means we should mate. We have a responsibility to Nature.”- And then she pressed a kiss to the exact center of his palm. A bolt of bliss streaked from the spot, rushing straight for his core. Bloody hell. A tiny kiss on his palm. He felt it everywhere. His knees went weak. He wanted to fall at her feet, lay his head in her lap for hours. I am your slave. He withdrew his hand, flexing it to disperse the sensation and get a grip on himself. Who could have guessed a fully grown man could be utterly felled by such a tiny, precise assault? Did the army know this? Maybe they ought to issue plate armor to protect soldiers’ vulnerable palms.- “If I’m such a remarkable leader,” he said, “why is it I can’t bring you in line?” “Because you don’t want to. You like me this way.” She smiled the smug little smile of a woman who was utterly convinced she was right. But she was wrong. He didn’t like her this way. He thought he might love her this way.- “What, pray tell, are these?” He displayed his newly hemmed cuff for her, pointing out the brass buttons studded there. “Oh, those.” She bit back a smile. “Aaron Dawes made the mold and did the casting. Every proper militia needs a symbol.” “Yes, but proper militias don’t choose a lamb.” “As I recall it, the lamb chose you.”His thumbnail traced the motto—a tiny crescent of Latin. “Aries eos incitabit. A sheep shall urge them onward?” “Be careful, my lord. Your three terms at Cambridge are showing.”- “Bram,” she whispered, unable to resist, “do you think you could love me, just a little?” He laughed. “Good Lord, no.” “No?” Susanna bit her lip, cringing inside. “Oh.” Oh dear. She dropped her gaze to his lapel, assessing her options. Could she bring herself to marry him, if he didn’t love her at all? Of course she could. The alternative flashed before her eyes—a future that appeared hopelessly lonely and grim. He touched her cheek, drawing her gaze back up to his strong, handsome face. “No, Susanna,” he said. “I cannot love you just a little. If that’s what you want, you must find a different man.” His green eyes were breathtaking in their intensity. His thumb brushed her bottom lip. “Because I can only love you entirely. With everything I am, and everything I ever will be. Body, mind, heart, soul.” Her heart soared. “Oh,” she finally managed. “That’s better. So much better.” She pulled him close for a kiss.

4 ½ stars – Historical/Regency RomanceAnother satisfying, steamy read from Tessa Dare and a great start to a promising new series! I loved the unique storyline, quaint setting, humor, quirky secondary characters, and especially the passionate, fun, and believable romance between a gruff, alpha military hero and spirited spinster heroine, who were perfectly suited for each other and totally combustible together.I can't wait for the next book, A Week to Be Wicked, to come out! 4 ½ stars!

Mi sexto libro del #RetoRita. Tras varios libros bastante malos de contemporánea, he tenido que volver al romance histórico para encontrar una historia que me convenciera, con una protagonista de armas tomar (nunca mejor dicho), que sabe lo que quiere y va a por ello. No conocía a la autora Tessa Dare, su forma de escribir me ha gustado mucho, así como la historia que ha creado. Una historia que ilustra muy bien lo que vivían/sufrían las mujeres en esa época por no ser lo que la sociedad esperaba de ellas.Aunque le ha faltado algo para ser inolvidable, la relación entre los dos protagonistas es muy bonita y sus tiras y aflojas bastante divertidos. Además, Spindle Cove esta repleto de secundarios que dan mucho juego, ¡voy a por ti Colin!

23ª Lectura del #RetoRitaPremiada con un RITA a la Mejor novela de Regencia en 2012, lo merece sin ninguna duda. Es un ejemplo perfecto de novela de regencia de esta segunda década del siglo XXI: centrada en la historia de amor y en los conflictos personales de cada protagonista, sin intrigas importantes ni antagonistas villanos que dificulten (o alimenten) la relación de pareja. Eso implica que el conjunto de personajes debe sostener la novela, y no es fácil lograrlo con todos. Tessa Dare lo hace y los borda. Nos podrán gustar más o menos, pero son auténticos, están bien definidos y actúan acorde con sus personalidades, la época y lugar en el que viven. Personalmente, los protagonistas no me han entusiasmado (no como los de la siguiente entrega “Siete noches de locura”), sin embargo, la novela sí. Es una mezcla de situaciones y personajes tan bien conseguida que me ha enganchado por completo y la he disfrutado de principio a fin. Lástima que en España solo se hayan publicado las dos primeras entregas de esta serie, porque Cala Espinada enamora, atrapa y nos deja con ganas de más. Una novela refrescante, divertida, con toques de originalidad y una calidad literaria indiscutible. La recomiendo encarecidamente a todas las lectoras de romántica histórica y a aquellas que busquéis una buena novela del género para unas horas de evasión.

While The Duchess Deal holds its place as my favorite Tessa Dare, this is a damn close tied for second with Romancing the Duke. Bursting with poignant, picturesque metaphors that time and again tie the landscape of Spindle Cove to our lead characters, A Night to Surrender painted a delicate world of wounded souls, small-town life, and the joy that comes when people move past their fears to embrace love and its healing power.Note: If you're a beta-guy only type, you might not enjoy this one too much. Bram is straight up alpha. But so is Susanna. There's an incredible line where he says, "Tell me you're mine" and she responds, "I'll say this. I claim sole possession of my body, my heart, and my soul. And tonight, I choose to share them all with you." His response? "That's...so much better." Yeah. That right there is alpha done right: two passionate people, claiming their intense desire for only each other, but ultimately respecting bodily autonomy and the gift that intimacy is when one entrusts their body to another!Bram and Susanna are a quintessential power couple and they sparked from the moment they met. There's a definite enemies-to-lovers vibe as they vie for influence over the villagers in Spindle Cove. And yes, as is the case with well done enemies-to-lovers, this book is HAWT. I mean it. Fan yourself, chug some ice water, HAWT. It's the steamiest Dare I've read, almost so much so that I could have gone without a few scenes, or not had complete description all the time (I love me a realistic, passionate, accurate sex scene; please don't get me wrong. I just really like it to propel the narrative or go a more express/metaphorical route).What made this book 5 stars was: 1) wildly good character chemistry 2) strong, I mean STRONG writing 3) related to that, unparalleled banter. Whip-smart, sassy, witty 4) a Trademark Tessa Dare RomCom that was feel-good & also addressed real issues like trauma, quack medicine particularly used to harm women at that point in history, and the real mental and physical cost of war.I love Tessa Dare, we know this. And I'm convinced she writes slamming first books for each of her series. Romancing the Duke (Castles Ever After #1), The Duchess Deal (Girl Meets Duke #1) and now this are my favorite Dares. Dive in, prepare to fan and swoon, and fall in love.

Out of all Tessa Dare’s books that I’ve read so far this one was my least favourite… don’t get me wrong, there were still plenty of things I absolutely loved and adored about it and I intend to read all of the rest novels in this series but… my main issue was with Bram… he was just not my type of hero… I don’t really like these arrogant and pushy types of men and he fell a bit over the line of what I don’t mind reading about… and unfortunately there were quite a few occasions when I just wanted to smack him for the way he behaved… worry not, he (sort of ) redeems himself at the end of the story ;) Susanna was a much more likable character for me… I adored how fierce she was in protecting Spindle Cove and every one in it :) their romance and relationship felt a bit too rushed but I enjoyed their banter… my favourite part of the story though, were the secondary characters… I mean, I am already very much interested in sooooo many of other stories in this series ;) even though I had my issues with the hero and some parts of the story, as always I loved the writing style… Tessa Dare is quickly becoming one of my go-to authors when it comes to a story that will make me laugh and swoon… ;) I am definitely picking up the sequel very soon :)XOXOA

3.5me gusta la forma de escribir de la autora. Me encanta su sentido del humor, las situaciones tan divertidas que plantea y esa ironía mordaz que llenan sus diálogos... el problema es que la pareja protagonista no me ha convencido. No voy a negar que el final es de lo más tierno... pero todo surge demasiado precipitado y pesa más la lujuria que el amor... Tan solo es mi opinión.De todas formas, seguiré de cerca a esta autora, porque ya he comentado que su estilo me gusta mucho y el libro en general es muy divertido