A Touch of Scarlet (Gilded Promises #2) by Renee Ryan

A Touch of Scarlet (Gilded Promises #2) Reviews

• 
  Jennifer

  1.5 stars.
  
  I'm sad to say that this book was not for me. I don't like it when the h pines away for H for years when he sees her as nothing but the best friend of his little kid sister. I also don't like it when the h can't help but notice how handsome he is, how masculine his muscles are, how attractive his scruff is, etc. Unsurprisingly, the h in this book also does almost all the pursuing. I started skimming at about the 33% mark.
  
  The beginning of this story had promise even though I found the h's plight a bit boring since I can't really identify with the struggles of a wealthy debutante. Indeed, I found her difficulties to be silly and the solution obvious. Why couldn't she find something worthy to do? Certainly, there were people who needed help in New York City, but she couldn't think of any project or charity to lend her reputation and financial backing? I'm sorry to say I was bored by her "woe is me" attitude. The start of this story was interesting because of the H. His characterization in the beginning of this story was intriguing, but then his SECRET just dragged on and on. I didn't want to hear about it anymore. Do you remember how when you were a kid someone would taunt you on the playground, claiming that she knew a secret that involved you? And after wheedling and pleading and begging, she still wouldn't tell you? And finally you just said forget it, realizing that you really didn't care anymore? Well, that was me. I didn't care. I'm sad because then I had no reason to continue reading this book.
  
  I managed to finish it, but there was still a fair amount of masculinity noticing by the h and pushing away by the H. I would not read this again, but that’s just me.
• 
  Snooty1

  What have I done??? This was a PG romance. And by PG I mean a child could read this and felt that more should have happened.
  Then...the Bible was mentioned and forgiveness. Romance is not the place for this. If you're a Christian PG romance...you MUST label yourself as such.
  That is all.
• 
  Tricia Mingerink

  This whole series has been a good glimpse into early 1900's New York city society. The Christian aspect is light, but there.
  
  One thing that bothered me the whole series is the romances are extra sappy. Not steamy, necessarily, but sappy. So if you like extra sugary sweet romance, then these books are definitely for you.
  
  Still, they were enjoyable, easy reads and the narrator was decent.
• 
  Jaquelyn Scroggie

  This story was so much fun to read. A Touch of Scarlet is part of the Gulided Promises series. I have not read the first book, Journey's End, but didn't feel that it was necessary in order to enjoy this book. That being said Renee Ryan is an awesome author, and you can bet I'll be reading it soon. She kept me turning page after page dying to see what was going to happen next. I felt that I could relate to the struggles the characters were going through, and enjoyed visiting another period of time. This book follows Elizabeth and Luke as they figure out where life is taking them.
  
  Elizabeth has always been known as the perfect lady, and she is quick to do whatever her family asks of her. She's been taught that since the day she was born. The problem with always doing what you're supposed to is that you lose yourself in the process of making everyone else happy. Elizabeth has come to a huge fork in her life, she either goes to London to find a husband with a title, or follows her heart. No matter what she chooses, she decides that she is going to enjoy herself and go on a few adventures. Will Luke be her ally or will he stand in her way?
  
  Luke has known Elizabeth for what has seemed like forever. When he hears of her plan to press her boundaries, he worries about her reputation. Knowing the mistakes he made only makes him want to protect her from them even more. He knows that society is harder on women, and doesn't want to see her hurt. When he senses his feelings shifting from brotherly, to something else entirely he doesn't know what to do. He lives as if he is waiting for some thing bad to happen, and doesn't want to draw Elizabeth into the middle of anything. Surely she deserves someone better than him.
  
  I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys Historical Romance. I found the romance to be sweet and tastefully done. I could easily see the main characters coming to care for each other, no matter how much they fought it. I enjoyed seeing them work through their struggles and how they became stronger through them. I can't wait to see what is next from Renee Ryan. I received a copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion. All opinions expressed are my own.
• 
  Sally Lindsay-briggs

  Romance?
  
  A free Goodreads giveaway on Kindle that was somewhat religious. That was a plus. I did not like the heroines quest for the meaning of her life in her wealthy gilded cage. That was something I could not relate to. Her love was an interesting man but neither he nor any of the characters seemed realistic. Still, it was a somewhat good, light novel.
• 
  Barbara Whitaker

  Love Renee Ryan's books. Really enjoyed reading this one.
• 
  Brandy

  I was given an ARC copy for an honest review.
  
  New York, 1901
  
  Elizabeth St. James has a sterling reputation, that makes her a favored guest in the most exclusive homes in New York City. But Elizabeth despises being her mother's perfect 'specimen' and refuses to forgive her for her treacherous betrayal of the family. Now with two months before Elizabeth is to set sail for London to marry a British Lord, she resolves to live a lifetime of adventure- including kissing a man under the moon and stars. And Elizabeth has the perfect candidate in mind. Her dear friend, and her best friend's brother: Luke.
  
  Lucian 'Luke' Griffin is the brother of Elizabeth's dearest friend. And Elizabeth's good friend as well. He intends to protect Elizabeth from herself. From letting her adventures forever ruin her reputation. Luke knows to well the regrets that come from taking unnecessary risks. Soon his fondness for the sweet, beautiful, debutante gives way to more. But if either is to have a chance at true love and happiness, they must first have the courage to let go of the past.
  
  A Touch of Scarlet is Ms. Ryan's 2nd book in her Gilded Promises series. I am thoroughly enjoying this series. I liked Journey's End, and a liked A Touch of Scarlet even more. I immediately liked Elizabeth and Luke when we were introduced to them in book 1. And I liked them even more in their own story. I liked Elizabeth. She was a wonderful, sweet, feisty heroine. And I adored Luke. Such a wonderful, honorable, godly man who loved and protected his family and those he loved. I fell in love with him, right along with Elizabeth. I loved seeing Jackson, Caroline and everyone we met in book 1. There were some of the sweetest, most romantic moments ever in this book. I loved when Luke told Elizabeth: "When I kiss you properly Elizabeth, you will know." Sigh. And the last chapter had me teary eyed. Happy tears.
  
  This was a sweet, charming story about forgiveness. I look forward to the rest of the series.
  
  
• 
  Nova

  This is book #2 of Gilded Promises series. It is the story of Elizabeth St. James.
  
  Elizabeth is a charming debutante with a sterling reputation. She is one of the favored guests in the more exclusive homes in New York City.
  
  Behind the scenes, Elizabeth despises being her mother's "perfect" daughter. She refuses to forgive her mother for an awful family betrayal. Elizabeth is to set sail for London to marry a British Lord in two months time. She resolves to live a lifetime of adventure. She makes a list of things she wants to do- one of which is kissing a man under the starry skies. She decides that Luke is the one to make the list happen for her.
  
  Lucian Griffin is the brother of one of her dearest friends. He intends to protect Elizabeth from letting her adventure list spoil her stellar reputation. He learned the hard way about the regrets that come from taking unnecessary risks. His fondest for Elizabeth turns into deep affection.
  
  Can they each have a chance at true love and happiness? Do they have the courage to let go of their pasts? Do they have the grace to embrace forgiveness?
  
  I really enjoyed this second book of the series. I like how Elizabeth appeared in the first book, and that Caroline is in this story. I like how Elizabeth becomes her own woman, and learns what she needs to do in order to have a the future she wants.
  
  
• 
  Judy

  A delightful read!
  
  I thoroughly enjoyed this second book in the Gilded Promises series. The main character in this book was Elizabeth St. James, cousin of Carolyn who was the heroine in the first book. Again the story is set in 1901 and it is so interesting to learn about the strict social mores of that time period. The inspirational element of the story is done in such a way that it is not preachy.
• 
  Stacy

  Strength and love from within
  
  A sweet historical romance. The storyline felt authentic to the history of a woman's life fitting that era. Elizabeth was such a fun character to be entranced by. At the start you think she is just a strong willed rich girl, but then you realize she is just a young woman trying to find her true place. She wants to be a woman of her own making not her mother's daughter. She finally realized she had the strength all along to be herself.
• 
  Itzam

  Sweet story but as others in this serie,
  the plot owes you a lot at the end. At the beginning, the story develops strongly and so mysteriously at the beginning that you expect some amazing climax and end,
  and they never come. I’m going to say that it’s like a recipe never cooked, the ingredients and batter it’s there but it’s never put in the oven.
• 
  Kitten Peters

  Excellent continuation of the story
  
  Can anyone tame Lucas and win his heart. Book two brings Ms Saint James on a mission of rebellion. She will try the patience Lucas but will she find love and keep her reputation unblemished?
• 
  Carol Ann

  Adventure
  
  I enjoyed reading how Elizabeth becomes a woman of as substance and follows a cherished friends advice to seek adventure.
• 
  Traci

  It was a cute story felt it could of been developed a little more.
• 
  Melanie

  Enjoyable.
• 
  rob

  Fantastic
  
  This was a really good book I enjoyed the series and recommend it. I am looking forwards to the last book in The series.
• 
  Hilda Etherton

  A Touch of Scarlet was a great love story. Elizabeth St. James is a 20 year old young lady who has decided to go to England to find a husband, leaving in two months. Elizabeth is a young lady who can be depended on to do the right thing. In the meantime, Lucian Griffin has returned to America, her best friend, Penelope, older brother. She has had a crush on him and now as they encounter each other again, after a decade, her feelings are growing for Luke.
  
  Elizabeth wants adventure, but Luke says it will ruin her reputation, so he is faced with helping Elizabeth with her list of adventures, with caution. Finally a family situation has arisen and Elizabeth has declared her love to Luke, who has rejected her. The next morning Luke has realized how wrong he has been and realizes that he has fallen for Elizabeth.
  
  You have to read the book to find out the ending. It was a great book and thank you for letting read such a great book.
  
  Hilda E.
• 
  Hannah Pilley

  Great read!
  
  I thoroughly enjoyed watching as Elizabeth St. James' character slowly unfurled, as she discovered who she was and what she wanted. I loved the wit the characters displayed and the swoon-worthy scenes. It was a feast for the imagination!