Sarah M Eden is one of my favorite authors. I have yet to be disappointed in one of her books. I have read many of her Jonquil brothers books and loved them. This book is about the parents of those boys. I loved Julia and felt her pain so severely. I enjoyed watching her learn to trust, and then failing in that trust, because that is what life is about, steps forward and back. I loved her growth and desire to grow and Lucas's growth and self realization.

I can't wait to read about the other 'Gents" as this series continues.

I received an ARC copy of this book for an honest review.

So much to love about this book. The cover. The time period. The Gents themselves (and, yes, I am looking forward to reading each of their stories). This book is like a Sunday afternoon drive. It may take a while to get to the destination, but it’s all about the journey anyway.

Calling all Jonquil brothers fans!!!! You are NOT going to want to miss this book. It was fabulous! If, like me, you have ever wondered about Mater and her love story with the Jonquil patriarch then today is your lucky day!

I've been so excited to read this book since it was first announced. I have loved Mater (Julia) in all of the books she's appeared in so far. It's a long list. If you haven't read any of Sarah M. Eden's books and have no clue to who I am referring, and you're a fan of regency novels, you need to just stop what you're doing and grab a copy of this book. I promise you'll thank me later. Then you'll be hooked and need to read all the other books in her Lancaster and Jonquil family series. *happy sigh* There's a whole lotta love for these books. Not just by me but by many, many other readers.

I keep thinking about Julia and Lucas's story had all the feels and emotions connected with it. Heartbreak...lots of heartbreak (not necessarily all connected with their relationship, well not directly -you'll understand when you read the book). Humor...I laughed out loud so many times, was in a fit of giggles many other times. Sorrow...to be honest I cried (I know not surprising for me but it touched me emotionally). Sweet friendship...a beautiful and messy friendship that spanned many, many years. A precious love...messy and unsure, strong and sweet, fighting and enduring, tender and true *sigh*

Add to all of the above a new group of friends. Lucas's friends. The ones called "The Gents." His five friends who make up the other stories in this series. The Gents who save each other. Who support and cajole each other. Who see behind the masks. Who mourn with each other. Who lift and strengthen each other. Who are the truest of friends. And quite frankly, an amazing aspect of this book. I loved the Gents. They truly had me laughing and cheering on their antics. And now I'm trying to be patient as I await each of their stories. No pressure Sarah M. Eden! *winks*

I've read the Jonquil brothers' books and this book gave so many little insights into many, many aspects of this group of brothers. I loved it. Each time I came across something that seems small but it would explain so much. My mind was constantly wandering back to the Jonquil brothers and my new little revelations of them.

Without giving spoilers (which I really want to just dive in and talk about soooooo many aspects of this book, but most especially Julia and Lucas's love story, but I won't...I'll be good...I'll let you read it and figure it out!) I loved figuring out the personalities of Julia and Lucas. What motivated them. What held them back. All the whys. Everything! Each layer that was added, or maybe you could argue removed, brought more clarity and connection for me as a reader. There's a reason why I've been captured by Sarah M. Eden's writing and this book proved to me again why. It was truly beautiful and fabulous and lovely!

If you've been anticipating this book, just go read it! If you've been debating about reading books by this author, just go read it! If you've never heard of this author, just go read it! Hee Hee! Ok, can you tell that I really loved this book? I'm just trying to encourage you all to take a chance in hopes that you will enjoy it as I have.

Content: Clean. Some kissing but nothing further. Talk of death and sorrow and loss.

I received a copy from the publisher, Covenant Communications, via NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions in the review are my own.

Happy Reading!!!

Normally I'm not a huge fan of marriage of convenience novels. They go on too long with too many misunderstandings and the couples never talk. This one is no exception and even after they work things out, it goes on too long. However, I was eager to read this after binge reading the Jonquils series all spring and summer. I adore this family and I really wanted to get to know Father. I really enjoyed that aspect of the book. The little "Easter Eggs" (nods) to the

Jonquils series are wonderful.

Philip is the son who most takes after Lucas. Lucas, known as "Jester" to his friends, hides behind a mask of comedy. He jokes and pretends everything is OK even when it's not. He's cruel to Julia at times but also sweet, tender, loving and romantic. To be fair to Lucas, what teenage boy/young man tells his plans to a little girl? NONE! Not even if they're childhood friends. Maybe he assumed her father had told her or maybe he was waiting until the last minute to make parting less painful. We never really learn why he didn't tell her he was leaving except that he was thoughtless. Later on, he is thoughtless and doesn't talk to her about his plans. He never asks what her hopes and dreams are and doesn't try to figure out how their differences can be reconciled. He still cares about Julia but he doesn't consider her thoughts and feelings much.

Like the brothers, I assumed Mater and Father fell in love at first sight and were inseparable until death did them part. However, Mater hints that the Jonquil men, including their father, make idiots of themselves in front of the women they love. Lucas is no exception. .

Julia, too, bears some of the blame for their early marital problems. She behaved rather immaturely when she heard the news of their impending nuptials. Julia sounded younger than 2o but I attribute that to the fact she hasn't had a Season or been anywhere outside the village other than to visit cousins in Berkshire. Julia is grieving the loss of so many people she loves and putting up walls to protect herself is easier than dealing with the pain. I don't really blame her for that but she needs to tell Lucas. Julia doesn't have any empathy for Lucas's grief either. He lost his siblings and hers and most recently, her elder brother STANLEY, one of his best friends. She doesn't consider that his jetting off on adventures is a way to keep from being alone with his feelings.

I liked little Julia, the feisty hoyden, game for any adventure. She sounds like a lot of fun but like her twin, I prefer reading and playing with my dolls to crazy, dangerous stunts. Lucas's goal is to recapture that magic childhood and bring back HIS Julia. He should be getting to know her as an adult and find some common ground. He makes a bit of a beginning, which is very sweet, but it's not enough to make up for his casual dismissal of her. I have a soft spot for him though because even though he's a dunderhead when it comes to love and romance, he is fundamentally a nice young man. (Yet, after bearing him 7 sons I'd be like GO AWAY on one of your mountain climbing adventures PLEASE! Don't come back until after I'm too old to have babies or birth control is invented).

I really appreciate how smart Julia is. She is vastly intelligent and all self-taught. Her governess sounded narrow-minded and stupid. I love how Julia has a thirst for knowledge and isn't afraid to go after it. She's opinionated and makes her thoughts known at a time when women were supposed to be ornaments to Society. (Elizabeth Poldark, that vapid doll is an excellent example of a Georgian woman). It's easy to see why Philip is attracted to Sorrel because young Julia is very much like Sorrel, intelligent and prickly.

Lucas's friends are a lot of fun. I enjoyed meeting them and seeing Lucas from their points-of-view. First we meet Kester Barrington, aka "Grumpy Uncle." I don't think Kes is grumpy at all. He's an introvert by nature and cautious. Just because he's the voice of reason, doesn't mean he's grumpy. He's just not crazy! I like him a lot and can relate to him best of all. No mountain climbing for me, thanks! "The King" turns up next. Digby LAYTON is silly but he's used to getting his own way and what he wants is for his best friend to stop being a dunderhead. His rule is gentle and benevolent. He surely must be Philip's godfather and sartorial advisor because he acts like a fop. I suspect he isn't and I find that affectation annoying but Digby is fun and makes people smike. Lord Aldick Benick, younger son of the Duke of Hartley, is the strong, silent type. He seems imposing. "The General" has a keen mind and likes to use his brain to strategically plan things, in this case, how his best friend is going to win over his wife. Henri Fortier aka "The Archbishop" is the peacemaker of the group. He also seems a little bit silly. I think he must be the namesake and godfather of "Holy Harry" Jonquil. (Henry is also Lucas's middle name). Finally, Niles Greenberry doesn't say much but he's up for anything and I expect his loyalty has earned him the nickname "The Puppy." They love Lucas like a brother and accept Julia as a sister and want to help but sometimes their plans interfere with the romance and Lucas (and the reader) is frustrated!

It was also fun to meet the Jonquil boys' grandparents. "Flip" gets his wit from his Jonquil grandparents. They're very much in love and share a wacky sense of humor. They can make the weather sound funny and interesting. I really like them, arranged marriage notwithstanding. Not as charming is Julia's father, Lord Farland. He means well and probably wants to make sure Julia is taken care of before he dies like his wife and son but he did her a disservice. Julia has never been anywhere or met anyone. Her only childhood friends are dead or married and moved away. It's heartbreaking to see her withdraw into herself. First, he should have at least sent her to a Little Season or a season in Bath, mourning or not. She could have attended informal gatherings, made friends with other girls on the verge of coming out and met gentlemen. No dancing, of course, but at least she could go for a drive or a walk with a gentleman, provided she was suitably escorted. Then the arranged marriage wouldn't have been such a shock and so confining.

We also meet the Duke of Kielder as a little boy of 6 or 7 and his parents, the Duke and Duchess. This is a deeply unhappy family. The Duke is a homebody and his wife is always itching to travel with her gal pals. He could, legally, forbid her from leaving home, but I think he cares about her and doesn't want to do that. He's unhappy she doesn't like to stay home. Little Lord Folkstone is lonely. He's so serious for such a young lad. Julia's heart goes out to him.

There's also a brief cameo by Robert Finley, a rotter. He's the awful, annoying boy in the neighborhood. He apparently takes after his father. I assume the Mr. Finley in The Kiss of a Stranger and As You Are is his son. Robert isn't as bad as the present Mr. Finley.

I really want to see more of Lucas and Julia as parents to 7 mischievous young boys but at the same time, it will be heartbreaking! Knowing what happens made this one a little tough to read. Poor Julia! How she endured so much loss, I don't know.

My only real complaint other than the length is that other than the fashions and dances, the time period doesn't really stand out. I would have liked to see more specifics about Georgian etiquette. For example: what were the Georgian mourning customs? Were ladies allowed to show emotion? I would have also liked seeing Julia learning how to be a wife from an advice book. She does acknowledge the law of the day makes her belong to Lucas and that, to her, is a misery. I'm not sure he can dictate the terms of her title in her marriage settlement though. Wouldn't Parliament have to redo the patent formally? Is she only the Baroness of Farland because she's the only surviving child or does the title normally pass through the female line? That makes a big difference for the grandchildren. (The Heart of a Vicar)

I also want to comment on the book design. It's so beautiful! The blank pages between chapters are covered in a forget-me-not design which carries over to the margins of the first page in the chapter. It's pretty even in black and white. I really like that.

One last comment: My rating for Adobe Digital Editions 4.5.11? half a star! It kept freezing on me and I had to borrow an android tablet and download the NetGalley app just to read this book.

I’ve read and really enjoyed both the Jonquil and Lancaster series by Sarah M. Eden and I overall enjoyed getting to know the world of the Jonquil parents! I liked Julia and I absolutely loved the Gents. That being said, while Julia never really communicated her issues with Lucas to him, Lucas as a character was so annoying. He said and did many unintentionally hurtful things to Julia and I do see how he doesn’t realize that they’re just pushing Julia further away.

Because I didn’t really like half of the romantic pairing, I can’t give this book more stars. But I’m definitely going to be reading the rest of what appears to be a series on the Gents, because I really liked their group and their friendship and also their friendship with Julia.

Bonus points for showing a bit of Adam, Harriet and the previous Duke showing some of what we’ve read about in the Lancaster siblings series.

I loved this book! My favorite series by Sarah Eden is her Jonquil brothers series so it was fun to finally hear the story of their Parents. I loved both Julia and Lucas and now I can’t wait to hear the stories for the rest of the “Gents”. The book had me laughing out loud in several parts- the whole group of characters were so entertaining. This was such a great read- if you haven’t already bought it you probably should!

Reading a book when you know how it ends is slightly heartbreaking, but the best kind of heartbreak. Julia and Lucas’ story is just that, the best kind of heartbreak. Sarah’s writing is always emotionally beautiful and wonderfully character driven. This book has all of that.

You ache for Julia and as much as you want to hit Lucas over the head, you ache for him as well. Sarah masterfully draws you into what they both need and the complexities of how those seemingly opposite needs are eventually met. A heartbreakingly tear filled love story for the ages. (I literally cried, a couple times.)

Being a prequel, it ironically is a beautiful culmination of Sarah’s regency novels. Not only do you get a glimpse of the young Duke of Kielder, a heartbreaking scene you will adore. You also see little bits of each of the sons, in the River Trent, in the climbing. And not just from Lucas, you can see many of their mannerisms effected by the other Gents as well. Leading to a delightful anticipation for many more compelling stories as fantastically written to come, in Sarah’s new Georgian Era series, The Gents.

“Forget me Not” is the first in this series and is the perfect ending of a new beginning.

Childhood friends and each the sole surviving sibling in their family, Julia and Lucas have known each other for years - but while he considers them still friends, she looks back on the past eight years and sees only him failing to keep his promises to her time and time again. So when a ball held by his parents turns out to be a surprise betrothal ball and they discover that they are to be married within the week, neither is happy - but whereas Lucas ultimately accepts that he'll have to make the best of things, Julia can only foresee a life forgotten, deserted and rejected by everyone she's ever cared about. Can the two find their way back to friendship over the gulf of years and insensitivity, or has her trust been too badly damaged? And can anything beyond friendship ever be possible?

I have to admit that there were times when this felt fairly dismal and hopeless - so it's probably not the best thing to read if you're looking for something to make you feel better when you're down. At the same time, it does have hope and (of course) a happy ending (I hope that's not a spoiler?), so if you can look through the 'down' bits to the 'up' bits, it's a lovely story. I have to admit that Lucas is quite painfully thick at times when dealing with Julia - 'just like a man!', as Miss Cornelia would have said. Nevertheless, there is hope that one day he will grow up and learn to use his brain to think about others, and meanwhile his group of friends does their best for him. All in all, I really felt for the characters, particularly Julia, and I very much look forward to seeing more of the Gents in future books.

Note that I received a complimentary copy of the book from NetGalley. I was not required to write a positive review and this is my considered opinion of the book.

Nottinghamshire - 1777

Lucas Jonquil of Lampton Park mourns the loss of his family members and friends who have passed away. Some died from illness and some in the war. He has decided to move to Brier Hill in the north of England which is the estate where the heir is meant to live. His parents understand and wish him well.

Julia Cummings has always though of Lucas as a big brother and is heartbroken that he is leaving her. She has also lost family members, including her mother, and Lucas said he would always be there for her.

Nottinghamshire - 1785

Lucas and his friend, Kester, have just returned to Lampton Park after taking their Grand Tour. It was a glorious year for them. They are two of a group of five friends known as the Gents and are as close as brothers. When Lucas sees Julia, he is happy that she has grown into a beautiful young woman. But she is cool to him because she is hurt that over the years he had promised to return but had not. She enjoys being by herself and has been studying mathematics and sciences.

Lucas’s parents plan a ball for their friends and neighbors to welcome Lucas home. Julia does now want to attend, but her widowed father insists that she go. At the ball, their parents announce that they are betrothed leaving them both stunned. In addition, they announced that they have a special license and they will be wed in a week. Julia refuses, and Lucas is upset that his parents did such a thing, but the parents say that they had decided this when they were just children and they have no say in the matter.

As they begin their married life in their new home, Julia is having a difficult time settling in. Lucas appears to be understanding, but there is a huge roadblock in the marriage that sticks out like the proverbial elephant in the room that she is expected to accept. Lucas loves to travel and plans to spend many months at a time with his Gents friends traveling the world. Um…hello…you are married now and you just do not go off on a lark leaving wifey waving her handkerchief at the door. So much controversy between these too but the elephant is still there for Julia to swallow. Nope. Nope. Nope. This did not set well with me and that is why I am only giving the story 3 stars.

Copy provided by NetGalley in exchange for a fair and honest review.

Passing thru the desert

Sarah Eden's books never disappoint. There are a few weaknesses to the story that readers need to be willing to accept, but if you're willing to go with the flow, it's such a delight!

This is a late-Georgian Era romance so people still wear rouge, face patches, & panniers, and powder their hair or wear powdered wigs, but it's at the point in time where those fashions are beginning to go out of style. Arranged marriages were the norm & one simply accepted it as one's duty toward one's family.

In this setting, we are introduced to Lucas Jonquil who has lost his last brother, & not long after that, loses his best friend, too. Lucas deals with his losses by turning in on himself, resolving to make the most of this life & goes off to see the world. He sees himself as living for the departed, but he's really living for himself.

Julia is his best friend's little sister, who frequently tagged along on their escapades & shared many of their scrapes. She is upset that her big brother has left her & her friend, Lucas, is leaving her, too. Lucas promises to stay in touch, but he's too busy "living" to write or visit.

Julia's bitterness, then, at Lucas's eventual return 8 years later is quite understandable. There's self-pity in it, but also so much pain & grief. Their unexpected reunion is a bit overdone though. Her rude words would have been shockingly poor manners in that time period & not likely to have been tolerated. Perhaps she could get away with it directed to just Lucas but certainly not in front of his parents or her father.

And given Julia's rather blatant animosity, I have a very hard time believing their parents wouldn't have recognized the need to talk to them of the betrothal before the ball. So I really feel that the beginning would have been *much* more believable if Julia had been politely cool & seemingly indifferent rather than openly hostile.

The story really begins once the two are married and have moved to Lucas's estate. He & Julia just can't seem to stop triggering each other. Enter Lucas's dearest friends, the Gents, to stage an intervention.

The Gents are a smidge over the top, but they are so much fun, you want to believe, and that's more than sufficient to keep you rolling with it.

The one final thing that I had struggled with was that we're supposed to believe Lucas was so focused on his positive memories of Julia that he talked about her constantly (his friend's little sister who's 8 or 9 yrs younger than him!), let alone has such an alleged level of affection, & yet ignored her completely - no visits or even letters for all those years, while he's visiting & writing all his other friends.

It would have been believable to have a big brother-ish level affection that slipped off his radar in all his busy-ness, & then he was reminded of again upon returning, but not more than that.

The dialogue is somewhat anachronistic but it's quite entertaining. That aspect alone made the story worth it to me. Lucas does a little growing, but Julia does the most by learning to stop running away & hiding emotionally, figuratively speaking, & learning to advocate for herself. The ending gives all the warm fuzzies for a satisfying happily-ever-after

*Romance level: sweet kisses, nothing graphic

I have to admit that I am a fan of everything that Sarah Eden writes, and Forget Me Not is no exception.!

Forget Me Not is the first book in a new series for Sarah Eden. In this delightful book, we are introduced to Lucas Jonquil, just home from a year's full of adventure on the continent. At a ball his parents and Julia's father unexpectedly announce the engagement of Lucas to his childhood friend Julia Cummings. Julia, nine years younger than Lucas, has endured so much sorrow in her young life, and feels forgotten and left behind, An arranged marriage does not make for marital bliss, especially with her childhood friend who always seems to be leaving her behind and forgetting her.

At university, Lucas has formed a strong bond with five other men; they call themselves the Gents. I fell in love with them as they show up at the home of Lucas and Julia and help shore up Lucas and Julia's faltering marriage. I am so glad that this is a series because I was charmed by each of the Gents. The relationship between the Gents is rich and deep, and they are full of fun. I eagerly await to hear their stories in the upcoming books in this series.

What a beautiful story!

Julia Cummings's and Lucas Jonquil's families are friends and neighbors, and the children grew up together. Unfortunately, Julia and Lucas have lost their siblings and they're the only ones left.

Despite the nine years difference in their ages, they were friends. As Lucas grew older he spent less time at home and his absence had a profound effect on Julia, who felt abandoned.

After returning home, Lucas and Julia are thrown in a match of convenience by his parents and her father, and find themselves married in a week.

The problems between them are not easy to overcome but slowly, and with the help of friends, Julia and Lucas learn to be friends again, and eventually fall in love.

This is a great beginning to a new series and I'm looking forward to reading the next books.

I received a copy from the publisher via NetGalley and this is my honest opinion.

A thoughtful and well-written novel with a enough humour to make a pessimist laugh. Kudos to Sarah Eden for such a wonderful plot. Definitely a recommend from me!

i liked the begging and where the story is headed. voices of the characters are varied distinct. I like the cover and it seems like an enjoyable read.

I received an ARC from the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

Forget Me Not is, as far as I understand, a prequel to Sarah M. Eden’s most popular series, the Jonquil Brothers, which I haven’t read, although I’ve gotten some hints about the role these characters play in that series that has me curious to try them.

However, as a story in its own right, it’s fairly charming, dealing with the complex emotions between Lucas and Julia years after he has broken her heart and left her in the midst of their mutual losses, and now returned. I rooted for him to win her over, not just because their parents expect them to marry and honor the contract between the families, but because the emotions between them felt genuine.

I also liked that it was just as much about his group of friends and the role they play in assisting in the courtship, a trend I hope continues over the course of the series.

This was a sweet and fun historical romance that really swept me away. If you love the genre and are looking for one with as strong a focus on friendship as romance, I recommend this one.

Julia and Lucas grew up together on neighboring estates. She was the little sister who tagged along but was fearless. They both suffered the deaths of siblings and Julia’s mother and are the only two left. Lucas decided to live each moment, travel, and embrace all that life has to offer. He leaves for eight years. Julia has built a wall around herself so as not to be hurt again and feel abandoned. When Lucas returns he finds Julia a changed person. When their parents announce their engagement at a ball without their knowledge, Julia and Lucas are shocked. Will they be able to find their way to a happy life?
I had a difficult time getting into this book. It did pick up speed but I was frustrated by Julia and Lucas not explaining themself to each other.

The first book in The Gents series, Forget Me Not, is a lovely romance. Part of the Lancaster series that will send you down a path that creates a love for regency/historical romance, I look forward to reading more from the author.

I loved this new title from Sarah that takes us back in time to meet Julia and Lucas, parents to the Jonquil brothers in her previously written series. What a funny and anguishing relationship they have, beginning as childhood friends, but forced into an unexpected marriage after years apart. I felt for Julia's heart as she navigated uncertain waters after growing up years that had left her lonely and feeling unwanted. Lucas was a perfectly delightful, occasionally obtuse young man new to marriage. His group of friends, The Gents, were magnificent. This is a delightful beginning to a new series of stories, this time pulling us back into the Georgian Era. I love it!

I have been looking forward to reading this book for as long as I've known of its existence. When I saw it come up on NetGalley I jumped at the chance to read it now instead of waiting for the book to come out. It did not disappoint! It was funny, sweet, and heart-wrenching all in one book. My heart ached for Julia in her loneliness. And in true Jonquil form, Lucas really blew it. Those Jonquil men are so dense sometimes but I love them so. If you've not read the series about the Jonquil sons yet you need to do that too. There are so many things in this book that are so much more meaningful knowing what comes later. So many things. Here's just one example but it is a big one. In the books for their sons, each of the boys talks about how their father would respond if he learned that they'd made a woman cry or mistreated one. We learn in Forget Me Not why that was so important to him to teach his sons. It touches my heart.

I love Julia and Lucas. And the Gents. They are so funny together. The banter is fun and at times charming. The flirting between Julia and Lucas is sweet. The loyalty of the Gents is wonderful. They are a wonderful band of friends.

I also loved seeing glimpses of families that come to be important in the other books such as the Finleys and Kielders. In the Finley's case, the apple doesn't fall far from the tree.

I loved this book and didn't really want to see it end but when it did my heart gave a swoony sigh. Now I really want Ms. Eden to write a book of the Jonquils that takes place between the end of this book and the death of Lucas. I can never get enough of the Jonquils.

I'm excited to read books for all the Gents.

No sex, language or violence
*I received a complimentary ARC of this book through NetGalley and voluntarily chose to review it.

I loved this story chronicling the arranged marriage of childhood friends Lucas and Julia. Years and circumstances have separated them and the announcement that they are to marry each other within a week (thanks to their meddling parents) is quite unsettling to both. Past hurts and misunderstandings widen the chasm between them and Lucas, bless his soul, cannot understand just where he went wrong.
Hilarity ensues as Lucas bumbles about trying to woo his new bride. Help arrives in the form of his five friends “the Gents” who endeavor to help Julia see the best qualities that Lucas has to offer and break down the walls of her heart. But oftentimes the best laid plans go awry.
It was a little confusing at first to have so many characters introduced to the story, but after a few chapters I felt like they were each essential and brought something to the table. I’m hopeful we will see each Gent get his own story in the near future. I loved the romance and the threads of friendship woven throughout the story. Beautifully done!
I was given this copy through Net Galley in exchange for my honest review. All opinions and ideas are my own.