Gypsy Lover

The premise was enticing, prim companion travelling with a half gypsy gentleman but it was totally boring. They are chasing her charge, who has run off with a mysterious man. They blather on and on about if she (the companion) will be comprimised by travelling with a man, and when they stop at his wicked half brother's house they go on and on about if she should stay there or continue on with they gypsy lover, trying to decide which would be less comprimising to her reputation. The scenes in the gypsy camp were interesting but I can't recommend this book.

This is a charming novel from Layton, one of the best writers of this genre in the business. Her trademark humor keeps the novel moving along nicely, and the characters are interesting and well-developed. The plot could be a little tighter, and it does take Daffyd a bit longer than it should have to come to his senses. With those minor caveats, this is a very nice way to while away an afternoon.

I bought this book based on the excellent reviews it was given by theromancereader.com and likesbooks.com, but frankly it took me forever to finish. Usually when I have trouble reading a book it is because the writing is terrible and the story ridiculous. That is not the case with this novel, I have to say that the author writes well and does not underestimate the intelligence of the reader. However, the story just didn't engage my attention. The hero and heroine go on, and on, AND ON about why they are not right for each other while they search for her runaway charge. And that is about all that happens for most of the novel. The sensual tension is almost non-existent and I just felt like I was on an endless road trip with two semi-boring people. This is my first book by this author and I'm not sure I'll try her again. It just was not worth the time and expense. Very dissapointing.

I own everything she's ever written. Her last three books in this series have been a slight disappointment. This book was actually the best of the three. I actually liked Meg and the Gypsy angle. I liked meeting new family members (hopefully more books are forthcoming). I just think she needs to work provide a more serious plot or problem in the story. The runaway heiress was a little ridiculous.

"Gypsy Lover," I think, ends the trilogy dealing with Geoffrey, the Earl of Egremont; his son, Christian ("The Return of the Earl"); and his two adopted sons, Amyas ("Alas My Love") and Daffyd ("Gypsy Lover") -- even though there is the potential for at least two more books in this series. All four characters had met in prison, where Geoffrey and Christian had ended up after being wrongfully convicted for a crime that Geoffrey hadn't committed. Daffyd and Amyas, both children then, had been convicted for theft. All four had been transported to Botany Bay, where, almost against all odds, they had survived and prospered. All four had then returned to England decades later in order to prove Geoffrey's innocence and gain him a pardon. "Gypsy Lover" is the story of how Daffyd, who because of his background (the illegitimate son of a noblewoman and a gypsy), and personal belief that love doesn't last and brings only pain and bitterness, and who has eschewed love and marriage, meets a young woman who seems almost tailored made for him, and the inner demons he has to struggle with in order to make the right decision.

When heiress, Rosalind Osbourne, runs away from home on the eve of her marriage to her childhood friend, everyone assumes that she has eloped with some adventurer -- esp when news that she's in the company of a dark haired man filters through to her family. So, in order to save Rosalind from an imprudent match, Rosalind's godmother, turns to her estranged and illegitimate son, Daffyd Reynard, for help. And as much as he despises his mother, Daffyd readily agrees to find Rosalind for her, just so that his mother will be in his debt. Daffyd expected that this task would be a tedious one (chasing after a headstrong young girl all over the country is not always enjoyable) and a bit dangerous (a dark, gypsy-like man asking about for a young girl could be misconstrued) but the last thing he expected was to encounter Miss Meg Shaw, Rosalind's charming companion, who insists that they join forces in order to search for Rosalind. Suspected of having abetted Rosalind with her runaway plans, Meg is determined to find Rosalind herself, even if it means that her reputation will be in shreds by the time she finds her. What should Daffy do? Join forces with Meg or carry on on his own? Especially when he suspects that there is something about the tempting and winsome Meg that would make him wish that he was not so wholly set against everlasting love, marriage and children...

Of the three books, I did prefer "Gypsy Lover" by a long shot. Meg and Daffyd were very appealing characters and very easy to sympathise and relate to; and the storyline was a well conceived and well written one as well -- though I will admit to getting a tad tired of how long it took for Daffyd to realise that he might have been wrong in assuming that he was not cut out for love and marriage. On the other hand there was much about this book to enjoy -- Edith Layton's short but vivid portrayal of gypsy life and the bit where Meg rescues Daffyd from certain death, to the touching scene where Meg openly admits her attraction to Daffyd -- all these were real gems and made reading the book worthwhile. And personally speaking, I was impressed by the fact that I was reading a historical romance novel in which the hero and heroine weren't constantly involved in a lovemaking scene every six pages or so -- special thanks to Edith Layton here. "Gypsy Lover" may not be to every reader's taste -- both Meg and Daffyd restrain from openly acting on their feelings and desires, always assuming that their acting for the other's best and allowing for the social conventions of their time to dictate their actions. But, their lack of action rings true (and sincerely), so that if you are a romance reader who appreciates it when an author respects the conventions of the period, you're bound to appreciate "Gypsy Lover