Once Upon a Tower audiobook

** spoiler alert ** This. Book. What a surprise. I have read a few EJ books, and liked them, but somehow never got to this one. 5 gut-wrenching, passionate stars.Firstly, both protagonists, Edie and Gowan, are very young. That makes a nice change, having the young hero. (That he behaved like a man much older was hardly surprising, given his parents’ behaviour and his early assumption of the Duke's title.)What impressed me was the problem around which the story revolved. There was no OW or unrequited love. No villain. They married quickly. The problem was the sex. And I would not have thought it could be done so well. Poor Gowan. He had tried to be honourable at all times. He found himself betrothed from the cradle, so had kept himself nice- shock, horror, a hero who is NOT promiscuous!- because he felt it would be betraying her if he slept with anyone else. Then she dies some months before the wedding, he goes on the hunt for another wife, because that is on his to-do list. He was not expecting to fall like a ton of bricks when he saw Edie across a ballroom floor.Here was a man who was the ultimate micro-manager. He lived by facts and reports, and never did anything without doing something else at the same time- he would have estate and business reports read to him while he dressed, he would read them in a carriage on the way to somewhere, he would have reports sent to him every day from every estate (and he had a bunch of estates), he was on the board for banks. I could go on. The man was a complete workaholic. It was fascinating how EJ described him. A man who took his responsibilities so seriously he was in danger of withering away emotionally. So when he falls hard for Edie the first time he sees her, he is so appalled, even disgusted, by his passionate reaction to her, he frantically makes a multi-step plan to marry her (no wooing required, just a generous contract with papa. Yes, technically he bought her) and to fit her neatly into his very well-regulated and planned out life. Basically, she would need an appointment to see him outside of the scheduled times he had allotted her. One of the scheduled times was at night in bed. Where he also had a plan: he would make it awesome for her and he absolutely WOULD NOT FAIL. Sound like a prat? Yes, but there was this deeply emotional, passionate man inside him that he had suppressed, and the story is about how he comes to terms with that aspect of his character, learning to embrace it.Our heroine, Edie, is a musician. Not just someone who likes to play. No, she is a world-class cellist who could have been a hugely successful professional player if not for the fact of her gender. Women just did not have music careers, unless they were opera singers, who were regarded as little better than whores. Her father, an Earl, was also a cellist and their music formed the basis for their relationship. This aspect was absolutely beautiful. No domineering, ambitious father here, but one who understood his daughter's passion and was prepared to support her in everything. (His marriage to a much younger woman, Layla, is almost on the rocks, and this sub-plot adds another heart-wrenching element to this story.) Well, we know how a cellist holds their instrument. You can imagine, it is not considered a very "lady-like" instrument to play! And initially, poor Gowan does not cope well when he realises how important her music is to her (and how gripped by lust and jealousy he is when he sees her playing.)So this book put me through the emotional wringer. At first, I was really angry with Gowan. He was over-scheduled and OCD. But gradually, the layers were peeled away and once I saw the man beneath the businessman, my heart ached for him. Their sexual encounters, two virgins, were a disaster. She does the unforgivable (she fakes it because it is so painful- he is huge, of course, - never talks to him about it because she thinks it is her fault, and he finds out) and things rapidly go downhill. I was so invested in their HEA. It was not funny. There is a speech that her step-mama, with whom she has a wonderful relationship, makes, where she lays it on the line for Gowan. I had the tears rolling down my face. He is devastated at the harsh truth of her accusations and when dad comes in (view spoiler)[ and punches him in the face, saying he is taking his daughter way and having the marriage annulled no matter what it takes (hide spoiler)] his humiliation and remorse are complete.When I rant about how heroes/heroines need to grovel if they do almost unforgivable things, I am talking about them doing more than acknowledging their mistakes in their own minds and feeling true remorse. I am talking about articulating this to their partner and asking for forgiveness, knowing they might actually not deserve it. A relationship needs to have this as a basis- admitting mistakes and forgiving them - for it to be truly, deeply strong. Most importantly, partners need to communicate. And Edie should have talked to him. But the constant interruptions by employees giving reports meant very little time alone with her husband (she also spent hours a day practising). Her virginal embarrassment regarding the topic did not help.I know this is only HR, but EJ has added a depth and emotional intensity to this story that really knocked me over. I just loved it. Onto my favourites shelf, and one of my very few 5 star reads.

Gowan Stoughton of Craigiever, Duke of Kinross, is organized and precise and everything follows a routine, just as it has for years. Knowing it is time to marry, when he meets the lovely Lady Edith Gilchrist and dances with her and finds her serene and likeable, he promptly asks for her hand in marriage. Edie, who was suffering from a high fever and was not quite herself the day of the ball, or after when she agreed to the marriage, finds herself betrothed to a man she knows nothing about. They exchange a few letters and Edie finds herself vastly relieved to find out Gowan has a sense of humor and that they seem to rub along well together. Passion quickly blooms and after they marry...disaster strikes. While they are compatible outside the bedroom, inside the bedroom is another story. Edie finds herself reaching out to her stepmother and when the truth of the matter reaches back to Gowan, tempers explode and hurtful words are spoken and leave a damaging impact. Determined to teach her husband a lesson, Edie retreats to the castles tower and awaits her husband. Will Gown realize how much his words hurt and help bridge the gap with Edie?Eloisa James' take on Rapunzel, with a bit of Romeo and Juliet thrown in as well, was a delight to read, plain and simple. The build up to Edie locking herself in the tower was very well done and thought out. I loved how straightforward she was to not just Gowan but his regimented staff as well. I absolutely loved her dedication to her cello and learning little snippets of how to care for a cello and such (a whole separate carriage was needed just to carry it). She takes no arguments from anyone and this is new to Gowan as everyone has always done what he says without question. He leads a very ordered life and reveals his true heart and feelings to almost noone. The heartbreak that follows his terrible words to Edie is raw and emotional. I also really enjoyed a secondary storyline involving Edie's father and stepmother. Edie has a close relationship with her stepmother and that was a pleasant experience to read! This was one of my favorite stories so far by the esteemed Eloisa James. Heartbreak, laughter, joy and determination make a sigh worthy romance that is sure to please many romance fans! 4 1/2 starseARC provided by Avon Books via edelweiss

3,5/5

Eloisa James has done it again.At least for a few pages towards the end, that was me. If you guessed this one would be a sendup of Rapunzel, you'd be right.Toss in some ShakespeareShake well and serve. Gowan Stoughton, Duke of Kinross, is a filthy rich duke, and he can buy any bride he chooses. He finds himself in bloody England, dragged off to be introduced to some chit named Edith. You couldn't pick a more Sassenach name, could you? But he takes one look, and, BAM!!Turns out Edith Gilchrist is the Perfect Woman. Gorgeous, blonde, curvaceous, smells pretty, and best of all, quiet. Gowan isn't the only guy to think so. He calls on her the next day only to find a dozen gents in the morning room ahead of him, armed with posies, candy and poetry—which he never thought to bring (she was supposed to faint at the title, you see). So he does what any filthy rich, self-respecting duke would do. Instead of courting her, he veers off to find her father and courts him. After he outbids the contenders, the object of his obsession meekly agrees to the betrothal. Having acquired his bride, Gowan sees no need to stick around and, oh, I dunno, get to know her. So he heads off to settle Estate Business. Meanwhile, Edie (she prefers this to Edith) recovers from the passing ailment that made her the unusually quiet, pale, fembot he met. Turns out that, well, she's a little bit bossy (but in a very nice way). She's not especially biddable. And she's a brilliant cellist—in fact, music is her number one priority, and she plans to keep it that way. Meaning that he'd damn well better get used to the fact that she's going to practice her playing morning, noon, and night, to the exclusion of pretty much all else. And she's not in any great hurry to have kids. Anyway, so their expectations are a bit different. But they meet and they dig each other. And the cello thing? Well, it turns out that a true musical gifting is pretty darned erotic. The Rapunzel/tower thing comes in much later after Gowan's nasty temper gets the best of him and he just has to say what's on his mind.This is one of those relationship-only stories that worked for me (more often I find myself skimming pages when the naval-gazing goes on too long). I liked the ending quite a bit, tho the epilogue was a bit too pat for me. I'll give it four stars.

"You're my heart, Edie. My Everything" When Gowan first see's Edith, he knows he must have her as his wife. As he is business partners with her father, it is a very simple matter for them to become engaged. He just never expected to feel so alive and is anxiously waiting for when he can truly take her as His. Edith is suprised but not shocked when she learns of the engagement, without her consent. She knows her father has her best interest at heart. After seeing her father and step mother, have such a emotional and stressful relationship, Edith wants nothing of the kind. Something practical and logical is what she would prefer. However as she and Gowan spend time together, and share some sensual embraces she knows that she could very easily fall in love with the Scot. After they get married however, their intimate relations take a down fall, and instead of being honest with Gowan, Edie keeps the truth to herself until it ends up blowing up in her face, and she hides herself up in a tower, believing that she is a failure as a wife. Gowan will have to lower his pride and humble himself in order to keep Edith as his own, because he couldn't bear losing her after he has found a womna he desperately loves.I have read a few books from this author, and whenever I have, I usually have a fun time with her stories. The last one I read was the Ugly Duchess, which was one of my favorite historicals to read. So I have been so excited to read this, so when I received the ARC from Avon and Edelweiss I was thrilled. I haven't read all of the fairy tale series, but I have read a couple and LOVED it so far. I do enjoy a strong romance that is based on the Fairy Tales. It almost bring a magic into the story, and there is always a HEA right? I had heard some good reviews about Once Upon A Tower, so I knew I would like it. I was blown away by how much I just LOVED this one. Its probably my favorite of her books so far.Gowan and Edith first meet at a ball, where they don't talk much, but dance and it seems to be enough for them both. Gowan knows from the first moment he dances with Edith, that she is the one he would choose as his wife. As the Duke of Kinross, he has quite a bit of wealth, prestige and power. But he finds himself falling in love with Edith fast, and a intense desire seems to escalate between them both. Edith doesn't know much about her Fiancee, and she wonders what type of relationship they will have. Edith is a talented cello player, just like her father, but has yet to be made known to the public. Music is life to her, it is everything...until she meets Gowan who introduces her to a new passion and a love. When she married Gowan there is quite a bit that she learns about her self and her new husband. When she begins to doubt herself and the outcome of their relationship, she could very well destroy the one thing that she holds most dear.Gowan is a Scot, handsome, a sexy brogue and is more than enough of a male to appeal to any woman. I just adored Gowan, he is possessive yet protective, and he is very sensual despite being a virgin. He definitely had my heart rate up. Edith is the type of heroine, you can't help but admire. I love how strong she is inside and out. She is very musically talented, but there is much more to her than meets the eye. She makes some mistakes, but I found that a admirable, she seems human and easier to relate with. I loved how she stuck with things when it really gets rough. Such a lovely pair. At first they are so different from each other, but I enjoyed seeing these two interact and it was quite a ride with all the bumps and hills these two had to climb over to get their happy ending. There was quite a bit that I liked about this one. I do love a fun romance based on a fairy tale...this one being Repunzel. There is quite a bit of playfulness at times, a deep sense of sensuality and even though this couple hits some strong conflict, it only helps strengthen their connection to each other. It has been a little while since I have enjoyed such a book. Such a deep riveting tale that is filled with enriching characters and a plot to take you on a adventure and passion. One you don't want to ever miss out on!!! A FAVORITE!!!

For other fun, bookish stuff, visit my blog! Once Upon a Tower is of course inspired by the tale of Rapunzel. Of the three books of James that I’ve read, this one is the most “realistic.” The female and male MC are both quite young and sexually inexperienced. The chemistry between them is very strong, but when they get married, their inexperience in the bedroom introduces major tension into the relationship; I don’t know that I’ve ever read a more realistic and raw depiction of a young couple’s sexual struggles. I even read their first unfortunate sexcapade out loud to my husband. His response? “Oh, damn.”So this is a more serious read than the other two here, and it will really pull at your heart strings. I’d also recommend it to any classical music fans out there; the female MC is an expert cellist, and James has really done her homework in this department.

When reading Eloisa's novels I have to be prepared for an emotional roller coaster ride. I experience joy, despair, laughter, & anger just like the characters. Sheer perfection can be found in her writing. This was a very refreshing look at marriage and it's intricacies. The pacing of the story had me skipping ahead to read a bit more and then go back because I didn't want to miss a word. The story flowed in such a manner that I had to know what happened next; it was uncomplicated with it's plot but complex with all the emotions.

A good ending to the series.I was wary going into this book since I was thoroughly disappointing by The Ugly Duchess. I was worried this one would follow in the footsteps of that novel. Thankfully it didn't. I won't say it's EJ's best novel but I think it rounded out the series well. As much as I love fairytale and retellings of them I hope that EJ does not decide to write any more, I do not think it is her strong suit.I enjoyed the secondary characters of Layla (the Heroine's stepmother) and Edie's father. I would almost have liked their story to be a little more developed and see more of Edie's father's side of things.The story was a little slow in the middle and dragged here and there but not for long and I enjoyed Edie finding her backbone.Also (slight spoiler) I enjoyed that both the hero and heroine were virgins. You rarely find a male virgin in romance novels and it was a unique view on things.I would recommend this book as the series or even as a stand alone if you're wary of other books in this series.

Content warnings, if needed, include: painful PIV intercourse (addressed by the narrative), the hero has a yell-y tirade at the end of the second act (also addressed, & foreshadowed early on).French fries on a cupcake, this was emotionally exhausting. E X H A U S T I N G. Or maybe it's the hour (3AM). Maybe it's Maybelline? No, I think this book just messed me the frick up. Harrowing and absorbing and ultimately relieving in the way it is when a narrative actually addresses the unlikeable things likeable characters sometimes do. (The rest of this review is going to be pretty spoiler-y.)I'm still endlessly delighted that both Gowan and Edith are sexually inexperienced at the outset, each the other's first kiss (among other such firsts), and though at times the book was difficult for me to read, simply because of how very, well, realistic it all proved, this mutual lack of inexperience (and lack of knowledge, particularly for Edith) and how it translates into their married life was I thought handled impressively if not -- well! The thing with romances is when the OTP finally falls into bed with each other, you expect it to be Perfect Roses &c, just because that's how works in the genre most often work. Here, not only are Edith and Gowan awkward (and oh, they are so very awkward), but Edith experiences severe discomfort and pain during PIV intercourse, and like -- not that that was fun to read, because it wasn't, these are the passages that were so difficult for me to read and that I do think people should be prepared for, possibly -- but all of this was incorporated very neatly in with the other conflicts, and I thought James did a surprising, admirable job of actually addressing this within the narrative and doing so in such a way that ultimately did not condemn Edith but acknowledged that Edith and Gowan have distinct physical needs that are compatible so long as they are aware and informed of their own and each other's needs.Similarly, in terms of matters addressed by the narrative, I was very pleased to see Gowan's, well, tirade at Edith taken apart, by Gowan to himself, by Layla and Edith's father, and then by Edith herself. Full disclosure: I kind of wanted to coldcock Gowan for the shit he said, but fortunately Layla and Lord Gilchrist stepped in to take care of that business. High fives to the Gilchrists!!!!!! I appreciate your support of my girl Edith. Major props. So anyway, yeah, Gowan Learns A Lot and he Apologizes Earnestly, Without Prompting, and I know this is like 47% my standards are just so low thx to years of subpar romantic narratives but God, that is so refreshing. Isn't it? It's so pleasant when, if a romantic hero has been an asshole, he's like, "Whoa, I was an asshole! I'd better go get down on my knees and apologize truthfully, recognizing my wrongdoings while expressing my sincere desire to avoid repeating such in the future!" Congratulations, you meet the basic standards for human decency. I'm proud of you, man. And while compromises are often reached in romances, here the compromises are dearly felt, and the reasons as to why they are so hard to reach -- Edith struggling to invest emotionally in anything outside of her music (as it is her one talent, she believes), Gowan too afraid of failure to allow anyone else to take charge of any aspect of his estates no matter how minor (as he is afraid of emulating his father) -- are not only known but also felt.Pretty much everything in this book was neatly interwoven, with Layla (Edith's youthful stepmother, BTW) and Lord Gilchrist's marital struggles first foreshadowing then mirroring Edith and Gowan's own troubles, and Susannah, Gowan's young half-sister, though quickly taken with Layla, neither foisted off nor forgotten. Even minor characters reveal surprising depths, particularly Gowan's factor, Bardolph, who winds up being a pretty A-OK guy, all told (boy, was that a ThunderShock [A. was paralyzed!*]), but it's the friendship between Edith and her stepmother, Layla, that proved to be the greatest, and most delightful, surprise. Edith's dearest friend and closest confidante is Layla (the reverse also holds true), and Layla is a constant presence throughout the book, strongly felt even when she is not there in person. It would have been easy, I think, to have Edith thoroughly cut off from her family and her home, everything she'd known before marriage, but this connection remains and remains integral both to Edith and to the narrative; and Layla's presence, and Edith's relationship with Layla, are both of them important to Edith's decisions and resolve in the final act of Once Upon a Tower. Maybe it's low standards again, but damn, how refreshing!On the whole, I enjoyed this a great deal, although at times I don't know if enjoyed is the word I would have picked. There are some ugly moments here and there, but James never disguises them or pretends they didn't happen, and that roughness, I think, makes Once Upon a Tower all the stronger.*This is a very topical Pokemon joke. Bulbapedia can help ya sort this one out.

Brief Review:It’s been a while since a historical romance book has captured me so completely. This just worked for me - it hit the right spot which was sore from IRL. I just loved the book, the characters and especially the writing. This was exactly what I needed this weekend with the doldrums and migraine I had. Stress relief galore!!Been a while since I’ve been so captured by a historical romance - maybe it was the fact that I read this physically instead of as an ebook. Or it good be that Ms. Jame just got this one right! 😉😉😁😁Full review to follow.

I pre-ordered this, and read it in one sitting. It was wonderful! I'm a picky reader, my favorite authors are Judith McNaught, Julia Quinn, and Eloisa James. Its a short list. I'll be honest, books can get expensive, so I like ones that are well written with enough of a story to satisfy me and draw me in. Eloisa James delivers with this one. The hero is a scottish man in a kilt. A ROMANTIC SCOTTISH MAN IN A KILT. As always, the woman is beautiful, but she has unique talents and quirks. The story is well written and beautifully told. The secondary characters are well developed, they all seem like people we would know. The book deals with real issues, like infertility, as well as sexual inexperience and adjustment to married life. It is a book that is worth not only reading, but buying and keeping. I give it 5 stars.