...

Lessons In French is a fun, historical romance set in England soon after the French Revolution. Trevelyn is French nobility with blood ties to the French royal family. Unfortunately, his background hasn’t made his life any easier. Instead, the family fortune and ties have meant a heavy burden for Trevelyn as he’s tried to reacquire the family estates and Dukedom with his limited resources. After their escape from France, his family settled in the English countryside with limited resources. When Trevelyn’s romance with Callie ends in disaster and he’s forced to leave, he never expects to return. When he does make it back to England, years later, he is surprised to find Callie living in her old home and unmarried.

His childhood friend and sweetheart, Callie, is of good background and considerable wealth, but Callie’s been unlucky in love. She had fallen for Trevelyn when they were younger and though she had made three matches since that time, each of the men had cried off. In her late twenties, Callie is helping her younger sister make a match and doubts that she’ll have a home of her own. When Trevelyn returns and speaks of love, while Callie knows that she can trust her old friend, her experience with men makes her skeptical. Trevelyn is willing to do whatever it takes to protect Callie and to prove his loyalty and love.

Lessons in French is a fun, satisfying romance! The friendship and banter between Trevelyn and Callie draw you in and provide a wondreful escape.

So....I don’t like Laura Kinsale novels. Well, actually, scratch that. I didn’t like Laura Kinsale novels. Okay everyone stop freaking out! Dark, twisted, and tormented isn’t for everyone you know. I never doubted her talent. Her dark tormented heroes are the stuff of legends in the romance writing biz. I mean this is a woman who has die hard fans that will wait years and years between books. This is an author so talented that she can write a love story about sado-masochists and get rave reviews. This is a novelist who Knows how to capture readers and write only Keepers. I just wasn’t one of her fans - until I read Lessons in French and fell in love with Callie, Trev, and a bull named Hubert.

Lady Callista Taillefaire has been having a rough time of it. Since her father passed away a year ago she’s been uncomfortable with the new lady of the house changing everything. Callie’s no beauty, rather shy, very smart, and loves raising cattle. She knows the best thing would be to marry and start a life of her own, but having been jilted three times she thinks it highly unlikely that even her vast fortune can find her a worthy mate. No, her heart belongs only to her sister Hermione and her prize bull Hubert. At least that’s what she thought until her childhood friend and sweetheart, Trevelyn, sweeps back into town filling her life with secrets and adventures again.

Nine years ago Trev was forced to leave town by Callista’s father because he was caught with his hand literally up her skirt. Now he’s come back to see his ill mother and set thing right. Unfortunately for a man like Trevelyn de Monceaux nothing is so simple. He isn’t the young man he once was, but he isn’t the man he’s been pretending to be either. He has secrets and trouble following him. But when he sees Callie alone at a ball his heart remembers all too well what she meant to him, and he longs to be with her once more.

Callie and Trev’s characters unfold slowly with every turn of the page. It’s wonderful watching their emotions move from the passion of young adulthood to a more mature and deeply accepting love. Trev is that kind of hero who we all want in our life. He sees Callie for everything she truly is and loves every aspect of her. In his eyes there is no good or bad stuff with Callie - it’s all just her and he loves every part. The same is true for Callie. She loves Trev and accepts him fully. She trusts Trev with all of herself. She lets him see her - the real her, which is why it’s so hard for her to deal with Trev’s secrets.

Kinsale knows how to write fully developed and realized characters. We don’t have any over the top heroines or heroes here. Both Trev and Callie are 100% believable as real people. They have flaws and weaknesses. They do stupid things. They have moments of sheer genius. And they are often funny as hell.

There is a ton of humor in this book. I often found myself LOL at the antics of bulls, and goats, and boxers, and even a sturgeon. Kinsale proves that she can write cute and witty with bulls in kitchens, drunk chef’s, and bar fights. But all of this doesn’t make this a "funny" book. The undertones of Lessons in French are often bittersweet. Loss is a running theme in this novel. Lost love. Lost family. Lost dreams. Lost hope. Lost time. As a spoon full of sugar helps the medicine go down, a dose of humor helps keep the bleakness at bay, but I still found myself feeling sorrow for most of the characters. Callie who must live under the thumb of a man, and can have her most beloved prize bull gambled away at his whim. Trev who wants to give his mother back a lost era. Hermione who wants to marry, but is afraid to leave her sister all alone. Trev’s mother who lost her husband and son because of a hopeless dream. Etc. Etc. No matter how light the read appeared to be, not once did I forget I was reading a Kinsale book.

But unlike other Kinsale books, the darker undertones didn’t bother me. What did was the length. This book could have easily been 100 or so pages shorter. There were too many twists, and red herrings in the plot for my liking. I loved the length to get to know Callie and Trev and watch their relationship grown and change, but there came a point where I was just waiting for the two to shut up and overcome the next, and the next, and the NEXT obstacle to their relationship so I could get my HEA.

Bottom Line: Read this book.

Nine years ago, the love of her left her for the continent. Since the Duc Trevelyn Davis d’Augustin left for France, twenty-seven years old Lady Callista Taillefaire has been jilted three times though she is not sure why. Now he is back and she suggests they become engaged so she can have an even number of marital jilting.

She wants nothing to do with the Duc although she also knows she still wants him. Instead she prefers raising cattle and making Hubert the love of her life as her bull would never break her heart; perhaps a few of the cows but not her. However, when Trevelyn is convicted of forgery and apparently headed away from England, Callie cannot just let him go.

This is an intriguing Regency romance that in many ways is typical of the genre although somewhat refreshed by Trevelyn’s interesting military escapades and a great final twist re why the heroine was jilted trice. More emphasis on Trevelyn and his past with his insalubrious uncouth valet would have added an additional invigorating element as why the aristocrat keeps this brute; yet fans will still enjoy this fine second chance at love.


Poor Callie is down in the dumps, having been engaged then left hanging three times. She now has quite the self-esteem problem. Along comes Trevelyan, with whom Callie has some interesting history, just in time to liven things up in her life. But Trevelyan has had his own issues recently, making him a wanted man.

There are elements throughout where you just want to shake the two of them and get them discuss things. But, we have to endure some of the characters’ stupidity in the name of suspense and fun. The two of them do seem well paired with Callie, the shy one and Trev, the bold, brash one. Sadly, it seems that the society of those times will erect every barrier possible to keep them from being together.

The book goes from extremes of proper English court (while the story takes place in a country town, the rules of society still apply) to the mischief that happens behind closed doors. We see some sadness as we learn Trev fought with Napoleon only to be captured by the English, though his loyalties always remained true. He was just a victim of circumstance while trying to stay alive to recapture a lost dream.

From the cover, I was immediately expecting Lessons in French to be a cheesy romance novel. What I wasn’t prepared for was the quick wit in Laura Kinsale’s writing. I very much enjoyed this book, with its crazy cow in a kitchen scenario and the main characters resorting to disguising themselves to make things happen. I have never as much cared about the outcome for a fictional animal as I did for Herbert (when you read it you’ll see what I mean.)

Lessons in French is a fun romp through Regency Romance, for sure!

Twenty-seven year old Callista Taillefaire has resigned herself to living out the rest of her days in the countryside as a spinster. It is widely known that she has already been jilted by three fiancés and she isn’t too hopeful of gaining any future prospects. With her father’s passing, and her sister about to be married off, she knows she will have to live under the thumb of her cousin’s new wife if she is to remain at Shelford Hall. Callie is withdrawn from society’s outings unless necessary and instead spends her days on her passion which is breeding prize winning cattle. Then her childhood sweetheart, Trevelyan Davis d’Augustin, suddenly returns after a nine year absence and her quiet little world becomes a whole lot more complicated.

Trevelyan Davis d’Augustin, the duc de Monceaux, met Callie in boyhood when his mother was giving Callie French lessons. He soon fell in love with the vivacious girl who’d often take part in his antics. Unable to control his youthful desires, he and Callie got caught up in each other’s explorations in her father’s carriage house one night. The furious Earl caught his daughter in the compromising position. After a confrontation, Trevelyan realized he will never be good enough to be a suitor for Callie and decided to flee the country in shame. A lot has changed since he’s left. Trevelyan is no longer a poor boy; he has procured a fortune for himself. Because of this, when he receives word that his mother’s health is failing, he feels he can return to the home he left behind.

As soon as Trevelyan and Callie are reunited, it is apparent that the old flames are still there. Callie, who has remained good friends with Trevelyan’s mother, insists on helping him nurse her back to good health. There joint effort puts them in each other’s close proximity often and soon the emotions they’ve kept buried from the past start pouring out. However, one of Callie’s former fiancés shows up to try to win over her affections as well, causing Trevelyan’s jealousy to spark. Callie is proud of the man Trevelyan’s become and dares to hope they could finally be together. Trevelyan hasn’t exactly been honest with Callie though in how he’s spent the past nine years or how his fortune has been gained. While he longs for her, he doesn’t feel worthy, but he’s determined to have her in his life while he can and sets out to give her one last adventure before he parts for good.

A truly fantastic read! LESSONS IN FRENCH is a warm, witty historical romance that is sure to delight and captivate. The engaging characters in the story are so wonderfully written you can’t help but love them. The hero and heroine both harbor hurts and insecurities, yet they are only added to their development as background information. Instead, their strengths and growth as a person is what is focused on. Humorous antics and enduring scenes make this a memorable read. This is a funny, heartwarming tale that stays true to Ms. Kinsale’s superb storytelling.

This was such a fun story. Ms. Kinsale is very talented when it comes to creating her characters and their witty dialogue. I thought Callie and Trev were amazing together - their chemistry, their conversations, the situations they can’t help but find themselves in - it was pure joy to read. Some of the secondary characters were quite fun too, I especially enjoyed Trev’s maman.

There really was never a dull moment for Callie and Trev. There were so many obstacles thrown in the way of their love - and on more than one occasion I questioned their "happily ever after." But needless to say, love conquers all, and I thought everything was wrapped up rather nicely.

I love a historical romance that takes place in the early 1800’s - and even more so when it relates to country life. I loved all the descriptions of the village and the local villagers as well as what information we received of life after the Napoleonic Wars.

All in all, Lessons in French has everything a reader is looking for in a light-hearted historical romance. You will laugh, you will cry, you will sigh - you really can’t ask for more.


There was great excitement when it was announced that Laura Kinsale had a new book coming out this year. I was pleased because she is a big name in historical romance circles in particular, but personally I wasn’t truly excited mainly because I have only read one of her books previously, albeit one of the classics - Flowers from the Storm. I am thinking that I am going to be more excited when we get news of the next book from Laura Kinsale, and now it is my intention to read through as much of her backlist as possible.

Lady Callie Tallefaire is the daughter of a duke, but at the age of 27, and having been jilted by fiances three times, she is resigned to the fact that she is never going to be married. Her cousin is now the duke, and his insufferable wife duchess, and Callie is waiting for the day when her younger sister marries so that she can move out with them. Callie is somewhat unique amongst her class. She is a lady, but she is also intensely passionate about her animals, in particular her prize bull, Hubert.

As youngsters, Callie was often caught up in escapades and adventures with her neighbour, Trevelyn d’Augustin. Trevelyn is a French emigre whose family escaped from The Terror with little more than the clothes on their back. However, when Callie and Trevelyn are caught in a somewhat intimate situation by her father, Trev is banished, returning to France ostensibly to try to regain his family’s lands.

After ten years, Trev has returned, and he is completely surprised to find that Callie is not yet married with children, and finds that the feelings that he once had for her are not as dead as he thought. Trev has returned to visit his sick mother, but in so many ways he is not anything like he initially seemed. I am very much a hero-centric romance reader, and in this book I was not disappointed. Gradually we get to know the man that Trev has become as a result of the life he has experienced, and it is fair to say that he hasn’t been living an elegant, or gentlemanly, life while he has been away.

Being the unmarried cousin to the current duke means that Callie is subject to the whims of her cousin and his wife. She is devastated when she finds out that he has sold her prize bull to one of her former suitors, Major Sturgeon, just before she is about to exhibit Hubert at the local show. It is to Trev that she turns in her despair, and there begins a series of misadventures featuring the two of them.

There is a definite sexual chemistry between Trev and Callie, but there is an underlying feeling of yearning, particular on Trev’s part. He is a man used to thinking on his feet. His plans quite often don’t necessarily work out as he intended, but he improvises as necessary, with often funny results, particularly as he leads Callie into some unlikely situations.

He is ,however, not what he seems, and neither Callie or his mother have any idea of exactly what is going on in his life until the very end of the novel. If there is a weakness with this novel, it is the ending. Suddenly we find out exactly how dangerous it is for Trev to have returned to England to see his ailing mother, and for him to remain there because of his attachment to Callie, and also some explanation of why Callie has been so unlucky in love for all these years. All’s well that ends well I guess.

I loved how unusual some of Trev’s past experiences have been and how they have influenced him, and I loved how certain he was in his feelings for Callie. Yes, he may have been tempted to walk away from Callie, but not because he didn’t love her, but because he did love her and he knew what her life may have been had she stuck with him.

Callie wasn’t quite as well defined for me. Whilst so many romance heroines are described as spirited (particularly the red haired ones who are so prevalent in historical romances) often they can be a bit too modern, or a bit too clever. There’s no doubt that Callie was intelligent, and she did have unusual interests for a woman of her time, but she did still seem to fit her time in terms of setting.

This novel is a welcome return from Laura Kinsale, and one that I enjoyed very much. Whilst the story was funny (with a touch of slapstick at times) and somewhat light, there were also well developed characters with interesting back stories, and plenty of depth lying just under the surface waiting to be discovered.


A great return for Laura Kinsale. I scarfed down this book in only a few days!

Here we find Lady Callista Taillefaire, who has been jilted not once, not twice, but three times! Even with her tremendous fortune, she can not keep a fiance. She comes to the conclusion that she will forever be a spinster and devotes all her time to her prized bull Hubert. However, her world is turned completely on its side when her first love (not one of the jilters, mind you) returns after he left years before.

Trevelyan d’Augustin (what a name!) has come back to take care of his ill mother. Not all is as it seems when it comes to this Frenchie. We find he is hiding a very many secrets, as to not drive his mother further into her ailment.

Of course, Callie and Trevelyan are constantly thrown together, thanks to that Hubert. And how the sparks do fly!

I found this book completely engaging from beginning to end. I always love historical romance novels when the heroine has been out of the schoolroom for at least a decade. Callie is a smart, driven heroine.

Kinsale is back in a big way. Her fans will not be disappointed with this one.


LESSONS IN FRENCH by Laura Kinsale is a delightful and wonderful Regency romance which is heartwarming. It has intrigue, mystery, secrets, wit, misunderstandings, miscommunications, lots of drama and a grand, sweet romance. This story is well written with depth and much detail. It is a page turning and fast paced story. It will hold you attention from the first page to the last page. The characters are delightful, witty and pull you into the story. The secondary characters are just as delightful. I would highly recommend the story especially if you enjoy a grand adventure. Reviewed by AAR

Rating: 4.5

“Funny, clever, and laced with whimsy, this lighthearted charmer is pure magic; a surefire winner for all collections.” A Starred Review!

FIVE STARS! After a long self-exile one of my all-time favorite authors, Laura Kinsale, has returned! I could not be more thrilled. This time the story is a light romance and, as usual, the author manages to weave animals into the tale. No small animal such as a hedgehog, porcupine, skunk, or ferret during this adventure though. Instead, I found myself enchanted by a humongous bull named Hubert.

All the characters are well developed, including the secondary ones. The story is well written with various sub-plots to keep things moving along smoothly. There is a bit of mystery, some exciting romps, and odd but lovable characters as well. Laura Kinsale’s stories are absolutely yummy!


Nine years ago, the love of her left her for the continent. Since the Duc Trevelyn Davis d’Augustin left for France, twenty-seven years old Lady Callista Taillefaire has been jilted three times though she is not sure why. Now he is back and she suggests they become engaged so she can have an even number of marital jilting.

She wants nothing to do with the Duc although she also knows she still wants him. Instead she prefers raising cattle and making Hubert the love of her life as her bull would never break her heart; perhaps a few of the cows but not her. However, when Trevelyn is convicted of forgery and apparently headed away from England, Callie cannot just let him go.

This is an intriguing Regency romance that in many ways is typical of the genre although somewhat refreshed by Trevelyn’s interesting military escapades and a great final twist re why the heroine was jilted trice. More emphasis on Trevelyn and his past with his insalubrious uncouth valet would have added an additional invigorating element as why the aristocrat keeps this brute; yet fans will still enjoy this fine second chance at love.

Twenty-seven year-old Lady Callista Taillefaire has come to terms with her life. She will remain a spinster, live with her younger sister and her future husband, and pursue her interest in breeding award-winning cattle. Being jilted by three potential suitors has left Callie feeling plain and unwanted. The only person who could change her life left ten years ago after her father found them in a compromising position. And now that very man stands before her.

Trevelyan Davis d’Augustin, Duc de Monceaux, has returned to England after his escapades in the war with Napoleon. Trying to retain his family’s lands and titles, he joined the French Army, but then defected to the British side where he remained until war’s end. His family had been saved from disaster when they were smuggled out of France during the Revolution and he felt more affinity to the English than to his parents’ land. Having to leave England after the fiasco with Callie broke his heart, and the last person he expected to see in the ballroom is Lady Callista. What astounded him even more is that she is not married. What could the men who jilted her be thinking?

LESSONS IN FRENCH is a lovely tale of redemption, lost and found love, and honor. Upon her father’s death, Callie and her sister became guests in their own home when her male cousin inherited the earldom. Callie’s sister is sure to wed soon, and Callie reckons she can deal with her future when the time comes. But with Trev’s reappearance, she realizes that settling for being a spinster may not be enough for her. Trev has several secrets he needs to keep quiet, but his initial reason to be in England is to care for his ailing mother. Callie is definitely complicating the situation, especially when her prize bull is lost in a wager by Callie’s cousin, and then the bull breaks out of his pasture and disappears. That is when adventure prevails for both Callie and Trev.

Laura Kinsale writes a fantastic romance filled with well-rounded characters and a unique plot. There is plenty of light-hearted humor, and also some serious events, making this lovingly written story pure enjoyment.


What a fun book. I loved it from the start. It is my first book by Laura Kinsale and I will definitely be checking out her backlist now.

From the start of the book I fell in love with Callie and Trev. Callie has been engaged three times yet never married and she feels she will spend life in spinsterhood and she is comfortable with that. Trev is one of those wounded men, he’s been a bad boy and doesn’t know if he can change his ways. He’s in love with Callie but doesn’t think he’s good enough for her so every time he gets close, he pulls away. Callie has always been in love with him too, but doesn’t think he returns her love. It’s a wonderful romance in that they keep getting close in the beginning of the book for Trev to pull away. But you know they love each other so you keep reading.

I loved the dialogue. Especially between Callie and Trev and Trev and his maman. The dialogue is very witty and had me laughing out loud several times when reading. I would have to say that Ms. Kinsale is a master of dialogue based on this book.

The plot got a little slow to me at times, but never too slow, I wanted to keep reading. I wanted to learn more about Trev and Callie and what crazy situation they would get into next.

If you love historical romance this is a book for you.

Callie has no intentions of marrying. After three disappointing engagements that left her a spinster at 27, she’s officially ’on the shelf’. This suits her just fine. No more parties. No more awkward conversations. She can spend more time with her prize winning animals.

Then Trevelyn, the duc de Monceaux, returns after nine years in France. Callie remembers the day he left. Her father found them in a compromising position in the carriage house. Now she wonders if he still feels the way he did all those years ago.

Unbeknownst to Callie, Trevelyn hasn’t lead a exemplary life in France. In fact, the lower profile he keeps the better. He wouldn’t even be back if it wasn’t for his poor sick mother. But now that he’s returned, those old feelings for Callie are coming back just as strong as before. How can he give her what she deserves when he’s on the run?

Lessons in French by Laura Kinsale is a Regency romance with more cowbell. Literally. There’s a big beast of a bull involved in the plot and it’s not Trevelyn. Hubert the bull and his adventures not only add humour to the story but give the lovers a reason to run around in disguise. Because running around in disguise is Zexy.

I’ve never read any books by Laura Kinsale but from the comments of other reviewers this is lighter than her other books. It is a really sweet story of old lovers rediscovering each other. The chemistry between Callie and Trevelyn was believable and I enjoyed their banter. I loved Callie. She has this complex after being dumped three times but it doesn’t make her change herself. She’s still true to who she is.

Kinsale doesn’t shy away from reality though when it comes to the life of a spinster. Callie’s life changed for the worse after the death of her father. She was no longer the mistress of her own home. Instead, her cousin’s wife takes her place and makes her feel like a burden. Yet Callie can do nothing except bite her tongue. The new mistress of Shelford Hall could toss her out anytime she pleases and Callie would have no legal rights to stay. Even her farm animals she loved and cared for weren’t her own.

Even though I enjoyed so many aspects of the novel, I found parts near the end of the story dragged and wanted Kinsale to wrap it up. 400+ pages was a bit too much. Still, eventually everything came together and a happy ending was achieved.

Recommended for romance readers.


Trevelyn and Callie experiencen a young love until the day her father catches them making out in the carriage house. Her father forbids her to see him again, but it’s not a problem since Trevelyn leaves. He’s gone for nine years until his return.

In the meantime, Callie has been jilted three times. She is now determined that she will not marry. Hopefully, she can see her younger sister married and her husband will be kind enough to let Callie live with them.

Callie doesn’t understand what is so wrong with her that she can’t find a suitable husband. She’s not beautiful but she’s pretty enough. She has money and is gentle and kind. But when Trevelyn suddenly returns, Callie realizes that only he can set her heart ablaze.

Trevelyn is shocked that Callie is unmarried upon his return, but doesn’t let the circumstance deter him. He is still as attracted to her as he was nine years ago. He would do anything for Callie, except give his heart.

Laura Kinsale spins such a fine web of a story, you find yourself ensnared from page one with no desire to be let go. The characters are full of depth and vitality, and the romance is both sweet and passionate. This is my first novel by Ms. Kinsale, but I will definitely be looking for her other works. A truly magical romance!

My Thoughts: At 18 years of age, Lady Callista Taillfaire was in love with Trevelyn D’Augustin and he with her. Unfortunately, her father did not approve and when he found them together in a state of semi undress, he whipped Trev and hustled his daughter into the house. Trev immediately took off for France and now after nine years he is back.

In the years Trev was away Callista managed to get engaged three times only to have her suitors renege for one flimsy excuse after another. This certainly didn’t help our heroine’s self esteem. She just assumed she was plain and that even her considerable fortune was not enough to entice a man to marry her. She has been contented raising her cattle, in particular her prize bull Hubert. Fate being what it is, all that is about to change.

When she runs into Trev at a dance she feels as if he had never left; her heart starts to race and her senses reel. Despite these feelings she tells him she has no intention of marrying. No more humiliation for our Lady Callista! The two are thrown together numerous times as Callista stops by to help Trev care for his ailing mother. Secretly, Trev’s mother plots to get the two together even though Callista has got herself engaged again to the first man who jilted her. With a lot of ups and down and quite a few hilarious shenanigans, the two of them finally realize they were meant for each other; but it takes some near misses with the law and some hijinks at the local livestock show to move things along.

A lot of the scenarios may have been predictable but they were so charmingly written with such witty dialogue, this reader didn’t mind at all. Along with the lighthearted frivolity there is a lot of chemistry between Trev and Callista. They are two characters who are so easy to like and root for. I really liked a lot of the supporting cast also, especially Trev’s mother with her fractured English and her sense of humor. All in all, a delightfully fun read. 4****