4.5 Wine Glass #Audio #Review of Must Love Breeches by Angela Quarles

Title: MUST LOVE BREECHES
Series: Must Love Time Travel #1
Author: Angela Quarles
Narrator: Mary Jane Wells
Format: Unabridged Audiobook, 10 hours and 59 minutes
Published: March 29, 2016 (Unsealed Room Press)
ISBN: ASIN:B01DFCIL5K
Links: Goodreads | Amazon | B&N | Audible
Reviewer: Linda
Source: Author
Rating: 4 1/2 out of 5 Wine Glasses

She's finally met the man of her dreams. Only one problem: he lives in a different century.

HOW FAR WOULD YOU TRAVEL FOR LOVE?

A mysterious artifact zaps Isabelle Rochon to pre-Victorian England, and suddenly her love of historical authenticity collides with the reality that she’s a modern-day girl. But when a thief steals her card case, she determines to retrieve the time-traveling artifact. Now she must hunt down the case, navigate the pitfalls of stiff society London, conceal her origins, and resist her growing attraction to Lord Montagu, a viscount so hot, he curls her shower-loving toes.

Lord Montagu is resolved to avenge his sister and has no time for dalliances, despite the appeal of the strange but lovely Colonial. However, when his scheme for revenge requires a respectable match, he convinces Isabelle to masquerade as his fiancée. But he did not bargain for Ms. Rochon being his intellectual match or her irresistible allure.
Isabelle thought all she wanted was to return home, but as passion flares between them, she must decide when her true home, and her heart, lies.

Set in 1834 London, this time travel historical romance features a small cast of historical characters, including Ada Byron, Lord Byron's daughter, and Charles Babbage, inventor of the Difference Engine. It explores the often overlooked scientific developments of pre-Victorian London.

Linda's Thoughts:
If only she had lived back then... experienced a real ball... not this play-acting. "Wouldn't that be amazing to truly be at this ball in 1834?" she whispered. The silver under her thumb flared with heat. The room spun. The air, colors and sounds muted as if she was inside an abstract color painting. 

MUST LOVE BREECHES by Angela Quarles is a delightful historical time travel romance and a deliciously fun start to the author's Must Love Time Travel series. It is the story of twenty-nine-year-old Isabelle Rochon and the ‘Vicious Viscount’ Lord Phineas Montagu. Isabelle is in modern-day London vying for an internship at the British museum and trying to get her life back on track after a failed relationship and losing her family. While attending a historical reenactment ball, she is swept back in time to 1834 and discovered by Lord Byron’s daughter who then introduces her to the Lord Montagu, a renowned rake. At first, Isabelle is in denial believing everyone is taking the reenactment too seriously. But, she soon starts to realize that there are too many differences from the coat-check to the fact that all of her co-workers are nowhere to be found.

As Isabelle finally comes to the conclusion that a pre-Victorian silver card case is the instrument responsible for her time travel. Unfortunately, it is soon stolen from her. Hence, her attention turns to retrieving her case so she can return to her time where she feels that she needs to go. Along the way, she gets to meet some of the famous historical characters she is so intrigued with at the museum, including Ada Byron, soon to be Ada Byron Lovelace, the legitimate daughter of the infamous Lord Byron, and Charles Babbage, the inventor of the Difference Engine.

Lord Montagu has created his persona of a rake of the worst kind as a tool to seek revenge against those responsible for his sister’s untimely death. To continue with his deception, he needs to make plans to marry and he decides that Isabelle would make the perfect fake fiancée. She agrees in exchange for his protection and his assistance in finding her missing card case.

Each finds themselves in a pickle. Isabelle can’t give in to her growing attraction to Lord Montagu because she needs to return to her own time. Lord Montagu can’t get involved with her because she’s only his pretend fiancée. Their romance is yummy  steamy and the dialogue is greatly entertaining. Even though I knew this wasn’t real, it was written and performed so well that it seemed realistic and I loved it! Add in additional stunning twists and turns and I just couldn’t stop listening!

Following please find a few of my favorite quotes from Must Love Breeches:

"I believe I was about to do this." He angled his head and nibbled on her lower lip. A small moan escaped her. Emboldened, he deepened the kiss and found she did not hesitate to explore on her own. Blood rushed to his groin and stiffened his arousal. Never had he met a lady so comfortable with her sensuality. 
---

The rapid pulse in her wrist vibrated against his lips. His own rhythm matching the jumps in her heartbeat. He closed his eyes, breathed in her sweet scent one last time, and looked down into her eyes. She stared back at him, boldly assessing. God help him. He could not seduce her. He could not live with himself if he did. Expecting her to remove her hand, he closed his eyes again and sighed softly, willing his body to relax. Her hand slowly left his face. This is for the best. His heart and body ached at the loss and the unfulfillment of his desires. The next instant, her gentle hand stroked his chin and bottom lip and his whole body jerked. He kept his eyes closed, afraid to break the spell. Warm fingers slid down his neck. Shivers coursed up and down his spine. Sweet was the torment and fragile was his control as he felt it slip away. 
---

“Yes, especially if the lady is intelligent. I have never been one to tolerate fools, regardless of their sex, so it follows I also appreciate sense, regardless of sex.” 

Must Love Breeches was ably narrated by Mary Jane Wells. I was able to immediately tell who was speaking from each of her character’s voices. Her voice was crystal clear and the production was polished. Truly, she exponentially raised the enjoyment level with her performance. This was my first time both reading anything by Angela Quarles and listening to anything narrated by Mary Jane Wells. Theirs was a superb pairing and I sincerely hope they remain together for the rest of the series. I hope to check out more performances by Mary Jane Wells soon.

I love a good time-travel romance and this one hit all the right notes for me. It was well-written and well-paced with convincing characters. I can’t wait to listen to more of Ms. Quarles’ books in her Must Love Time Travel series. If you enjoy time travel romances, I would highly recommend that you take a ride back in time with Must Love Breeches! It’s utterly charming!


Suggested Reading Order: 
Must Love Breeches (Book #1)
Must Love Chainmail (Book #2)
Must Love Kilts (Book #3)