The Geek Girls Series by Gina Lamm-review
3.5 of out 5 for this reader folks!
If you are a fan of historical romance, there may have been a time or two that you have fantasized about living in that era, meeting that rake/rogue that will rip off your bodice in the middle of a passionate argument and the begin to seduce you madly till you are completely sated and you get your happily ever after …. SIGH! I for one, have NEVER EVER NEVER (insert rolls eyes) had that fantasy .. What??? Liar you are screaming at your computer screen?? Okay maybe once I have had similar thoughts .. LMAO Just once though okay …?? 😉
The Geek Girl series by Gina Lamm (love the titles of her book) is all about our modern woman finding her way into the 1800’s and meeting Mr Right. I cannot tell you how many times I laughed out loud reading these two books. The way a woman acts today in comparison to the proper dress and deportment of the historical woman is so completely different it is nothing short of amusing when our leading ladies are scolded for language, have to wear stays, learn all about chamber pots and are driven mad with boredom because an IPod or some other kind of technology isn’t available!
Let’s get particular though and review these two books already!
_____________________________
BOOK 1 – The Geek Girl and the Scandalous EarlAmazon.com / Amazon.ca / Amazon.uk/ Barnes and Noble / KOBO / The Book Depository
DESCRIPTION; Release Date March 5, 2013
THE STAKES HAVE NEVER BEEN HIGHER…An avid gamer, Jamie Marten loves to escape into online adventure. But when she falls through an antique mirror into a lavish bedchamber—200 years in the past!—she realizes she may have escaped a little too far.
Micah Axelby, Earl of Dunnington, has just kicked one mistress out of his bed, and isn’t looking to fill it with another—least of all this sassy, nearly naked girl who claims to be from the future. Yet something about her is undeniably enticing…
Jamie and Micah are worlds apart. He’s a peer of the realm. She can barely make rent. She’s wi-fi. He’s horse-drawn. But soon the pair will do anything to avoid a Game Over.
REVIEW
This book is rated 4 out of 5 in my opinion.
Jamie Marten is a typical 2013 girl. She is a gamer, and coming off a bad break up. When she helps her best friend’s grandpa by moving antique furniture around, she is suddenly sucked into the glass of a bureau and throw out on the other side of a gentleman’s bedroom. Now however, she finds herself in the 1800’s. Dressed in a a pair of shorts, a tank top, and found in a room that is considered a big NO NO, Micah Axelby (our Earl) can hardly believe his eyes when he meets Jamie. Thinking she is mad (I mean really, how do you accept that a hot barely dressed woman jumped through your mirror from the 21st century), Micah reluctantly agrees to have Jamie stay at his place until she can figure things out.
It is then revealed that Jamie had been brought over because a spell had been cast by a busy body but well intended lady to find the Earl his true love. Resigned to the fact she is staying for awhile and powered by the instant attraction she feels for Mike, Jamie agrees to learn how be become a lady of the 1800’s (seriously this was HILARIOUS). In turn she convinces Mike through a game of angry birds on her IPhone that she is who she is. They both begin to realize that despite all the bantering, they are actually made for each other.
Living in this time is not easy for a woman, Jamie begins to learn. She finds herself in serious danger time and time again. Not only does she have a nasty ex mistress of Mike’s to deal with, but also a lady that the Earl had intended to have as his wife. Despite the danger, she falls in love with Mike, and Mike falls in love with her. When an attempt is made of her life however, Mike must convince Jamie to return back to her own time and breaks her heart in the process!
Jamie is a spitfire, and a perfect match for the Mike. These two can fight like it’s no ones business, but at at he same time they have the most tender moments. How much sacrifice is too much to be together though? If they stay together, what era will they live??? You’ll have to dive in to find out! 🙂
________________________________
BOOK 2 – Geek Girls Don’t Date Dukes
Amazon.com / Amazon.ca / Amazon.uk/ Barnes and Noble / KOBO / The Book Depository
DESCRIPTION: Release Date September 3, 2013
Leah Ramsey has always loved historical romance novels and dressing in period costumes. So when she has a chance to time travel and experience the history for herself, she jumps at it—figuring it can’t be too hard to catch the eye of a duke. After all, it happens all the time in her novels.Avery Russell, valet and prize pugilist, reluctantly helps Leah gain a position in the Duke of Granville’s household . . . as a maid.
Domestic servitude wasn’t exactly what she had in mind, but she’s determined to win her happily ever after. Even if the hero isn’t exactly who she’s expecting.
REVIEW
This was a 3 out of 5 read for me.
We briefly met Leah Ramsey in the first book as Jamie’s modern day BFF. She believes that if Jamie can potentially find love in the past .. well why can’t she? Leah finds that mirrored bureau, the spell caster and WHAM .. Hi 1800’s. Avery Russell works as the valet for the Duke of Granville and is suddenly shocked by the thump he hears coming from the Duke’s bedroom. Out pops Leah and voila … a scheme to have her work as a maid within the Duke’s home is devised. Leah has her eyes on the Duke, believing him to be her Mr Right (I mean it was easy enough for Jamie right??).
As Leah begins her duties (where is that Molly Maid service when you need them?), she not only gets a taste of true back breaking work (and is shunned by the remainder of the staff) but ends up becoming good friends with Avery. Avery is absolutely drawn to Leah, but he has troubles of his own when he is forced to take to a boxing ring to make money so he can afford to keep his ailing aunt medicated.
Leah is approached by proper lady (she knows all about Jamie via a housemaid that now works for her) and is afforded opportunity to leave her dirty work behind her and become a true lady who can captivate the prized duke. Through all the satin and lace however, it is Avery she pines for and begins to fall in love with. Avery has also completely fallen head over heals for Leah, but he is a simple valet with nothing to offer. Avery is also knee deep in trouble, and when Leah’s life is threatened, Avery has to decide between love and survival. Which will win??
OK, so these books were a little far fetched for me at times. Not so much the first book, but more the second one. I found the stories had a rushed feeling to them and I was never able to completely settle into a state of anticipation that I treasure when reading historical fiction. With regards to the second book, the acceptance of time travel was instant and I admit I was a little taken back with that! HOWEVER, as I have stated above these books are hilarious. I really enjoyed reading all about two woman trying to conform to a standard that would be completely foreign to them. I also loved reading about the men trying to understand them and in turn realizing that most of their modern ways are what is so endearing about them.
Certainly a light read, but you have to leave your brain out in left field to enjoy them! 😉 LOL
HAPPY READING!
Reviewed by Rachel T.
Copy supplied by Netgalley
