Not the series' best, but a lot of fun

This was not what I expected.

I adored "Promise Me Heaven," fell head-over-heels for the darker and intensely erotic "All Through the Night," and was so excited to know that Connie Brockway had finally written the story of Giles, who was present in both of the earlier books as a rejected love interest and showed glimpses of unexplored depth.

I had read on the author's own website that this third book in the series would be very dark; that when we met Giles again, he would have changed a great deal from the earlier books. If that was Brockway's plan originally, something must have changed her mind along the way.First of all, we pick up Giles' story almost exactly where we left him at the end of "All Through the Night": engaged to scheming Sophia and unhappily accepting of the fact that he lost both Kat and Anne (heroines of the earlier books) to "better men." Secondly, "No Place for a Dame" has very little of the darkness that made "All Through the Night" an almost painful if ultimately rewarding romance. In fact, "Dame" is more lighthearted and comedic than even the first in the series. That's not a complaint, mind you; just not what I expected based on what I'd read.

If I had to choose a weakest book of the trilogy, I'm afraid it would be this long-awaited final chapter. That said, it's still a delightful, sweetly sexy romance with an unconventional, imminently likable heroine. Connie Brockway is always delightful, and Alison Larkin is a wonderful narrator for this series. The way Audible is pricing this series, any and all three are an incredible bargain.

I'm hoping to see more of Connie Brockway's work on Audible. In the meantime, if you haven't listened to "The Other Guy's Bride," you're in for a huge treat. It's delicious!

CAUTION: SPOILER BELOW. If you don't want to know how these characters meet and fall in love, don't read any further.

I was a bit disappointed that we didn't get to see Giles and Avery meet and discover each other. Instead, we learn that they've known each other for years, and have each secretly -and separately - longed for a deeper relationship with the other. That seems a bit like cheating to me. Silly, right? But for me, a big part of the sensual tension that builds between the couples in the first two books is in their first impressions of each other, the feeling of being drawn to the forbidden, the giving-in to physical temptation, accompanied however reluctantly by a realization that they are in love. In "No Place for a Dame," those moments of budding love are already in the past, and in fact there's nothing to keep these two people apart except for class distinctions that neither of them gives a fig about. The result is a romance that you can relax and enjoy, confident that it's headed exactly where it seems to be. That's not a bad thing, especially if "All Through the Night" left you emotionally exhausted from wanting that happy ending. But neither does it lead to those moments of OMG erotic discovery.

Still one of the best buys on Audible in my recent memory. Enjoy. And let's hope for more from Connie Brockway.

3 people found this helpful

definitely don't recommend

First book from this author and not impressed. There was too MUCH inner musings and useless unnecessary astrological talk that really didn't need to be there and was the bulk of this book. There was no chemistry AT ALL nor connection between the H/h.

42 chapters and the H/h realize they love the other at around ch 31.... They FINALLY kiss, briefly, on ch 33..... ch 35 finally delivered a poorly executed sex scene. All that wait for probably one of the most horribly bland and robotic feeling love scene.

The only reason I forged through was the narrator, Alison Larkin, keeping me engaged. So, Ms. Brockway, you should thank her for saving your book.

Well written book

Well written book but it was not like most historical romance books r u read. I just did not feel a good connection between the two main characters.

Great series

Love this book.
It's fun and sweet.
It is worth your time and money or Credit

Glad I brought it

I'm glad there was closure but would have loved for Viter to get his dissevered comeuppance.