Jocasta and the Cruelty of Kindness: A feel-good Regency Romance (Sisters of Castle Fortune Book 2)

I am a prodigious reader and I love regency. These books smack of Georgette heyer But without quite so many unnecessary details whacking you over the head along the way. The characters are delightful even side characters are wonderfully developed. I love seeing the side romances blossom. And I look forward to more from these wonderful characters and this delightful author.

Well, I guess it is only 15 months or so since Georgette Fortune had her story, so the wait hasn't really been very long. I enjoyed Georgette's book quite a bit and it is fun to meet up again with this dysfunctional family, especially to see how happy Georgette and her husband are now, as newlyweds.In this new book, it's sister Jocasta's turn to find romance. In spite of the horridness of the Fortune father and his heir, the only male sibling, all the sisters are looking, it seems, for love. Baron Fortune, on the other hand, is just looking to marry off each daughter to the highest bidder. If I were one of these Miss Fortunes, I'd probably just be looking for any halfway decent man to get me away from my father and brother, but they, apparently, are more discriminating.Jocasta wasn't especially appealing in the first book and she wasn't, and isn't still, a happy camper. The man supposed to be courting her in the first book fell in love with a younger sister instead. Quite a blow to her self esteem. Not to mention that she feels there may be something deficient or unlovable about herself.So now she's just going through the motions in London society. Acting flirtatious and frivolous on the outside,but, you know, kinda crying on the inside. But beware anyone who tries to feel sorry for her. That compounds her injury. Too bad she's not close to anyone in her family and confides in no one so she only suffers in silence and pretends to be perfectly fine.Enter our hero, Damon Regis, the Devil King, who observes her from afar at a ball. No, it's not love at first sight. It's a "yes, she's exactly the one to serve my purposes." See, he has a young ward who he feels needs protection from an unsuitable (in our hero's eyes) suitor. Solution: Get that suitor interested in superficial, flirtatious Jocasta instead.Thus begins our story. He wants to use Jocasta for his purposes. Jocasta finds herself using him for purposes of her own. He's the only person around her whose company she finds peaceful. He is indifferent to her and cares nothing for her. She doesn't have to pretend around him.The development of their friendship, followed, of course, by the inevitable fall into love, is well done and realistic. However, I found it to be too slow and repetitive to give this novel more than three stars. And the fun and delight I found in the strange Fortune family in the first book was not quite there in the second. It felt a bit too been there/done that this time around.Nevertheless, this is entertaining and not badly written. It's not my favorite Cameron novel but it's not at the bottom of the list either. You will, BTW, get two romances here for the price of one book and also a continuation of two romances begun in the first story. All in all, it's a bargain at the price.

Alicia Cameron is a talented writer, and for that I raised it to four stars. There are two words that should not be used to describe the heroine or the hero, loped and gurgled. Please use a two word phrase in place of those two words. Loped equals slowly ran up the stairs. She gurgled equals she quietly laughed.But it took a while for Jocasta to realize she loves Damon. Kindness can be cruel. Kindness can be a vice. I loved the honesty between Jocasta and Damon, and that they were honest with themselves. When Jocasta was honest at the end to Lord Paxton, that was one of my favorite moments.The Duke of Enderby and Cecilia figuring out their own relationship is great!

I started reading these series and though it takes me a few days, I absolutely love the dynamics and storyline. I enjoyed the witty dialogue and aloof disposition of both Jocasta and Damon as well as the other characters Cecilia and Tom who finally realized they were meant for each other.

Frankly, I didn't care much for Jocasta in Georgette's story (Georgette and the Unrequited Love); she seemed so shallow & self-absorbed. However, she's much more sympathetic here as we're given new insights into her character, even if I'll admit that I couldn't entirely relate to her (when I'm unhappy I like lots of sympathy, lol).Jocasta is struggling with the jealousy from her suitor throwing her over for her sister (in the previous book), not because she wanted him, but because she longs for the happiness they share together.Damon is her perfect complement, being both similar to Jocasta & very opposite. He relates to her well enough to understand her. He brings her back to herself, but also helps her to know herself & mature.One of the more delightful aspects of the story is how everyone keeps underestimating Jocasta, including herself, and she takes everyone by surprise, including herself!Though the aspect of this series which I think I enjoy most is its ensemble feel & the growing sense of camaraderie. Just as in Georgette's story, we have the romance of the main couple with several secondary romances developing alongside, such that by the ending there's a triple dose of happily-ever-after to leave you with a warm glow & a sappy grin on your face! 😊*Romance level: passionate kisses, nothing graphic

This was a fun read, and cleverly done, as we watch a gazetted rake make an arrangement with the “fairy queen” Jocasta Fortune to “use” her for a purpose not initially known to her, but convenient as a cover for her own injured heart.We spend a lot of time with Georgette, now a marchioness, and her new husband, as well as with Justin Faulkes, all of whom featured prominently in the first Sisters of Castle Fortune book. We are also introduced to childhood friends, a young duke and his neighbor, Cecelia, as they awaken to adulthood and their feelings for each other.Well written, humorous and truly entertaining, this is a lovely escape from the buffets and worries of real life.Well done, Ms Cameron!

This is one of those engaging novels where the reader can spot the obvious attraction and love between the various couples long before they themselves are aware of it. This feeling of being "in the know " in no way detracts from the reader's enjoyment: we have the joy of puzzling out how on earth they are going to resolve the mess they have embroiled themselves in! The characters are really engaging , the fairy-like, impulsive heroine who is worried that she will hurt people with her harmless flirting, and the inscrutable, handsome hero with the reputation for excellence in all he does, who appears heartless and calculating. Jocasta has some unpleasant male relatives, her money- grubbing, callous father and brother, and some delightful sisters who range from the wildly poetic to the pragmatic. I hope that there be a sequel when her harum-scarum younger sister are launched onto society.

There was such a long gap between this book and Georgette’s story that I’d forgotten some of the characters. However, it didn’t take long for my memory to be jogged and to be reminded why I enjoy Alicia Cameron’s books. They seem like light frothy tales with a happy ending but there is usually quite bit in there about wider friendships and family relationships that make them that little bit different from others in the genre. The humour between long standing friends, the sense of the ridiculous that makes me smile and the new understanding between the sisters all play a part in Jocasta’s story just as much as the developing romance between more that one couple. Very enjoyable and I look forward to the next book in the series.

I discovered this author fairly recently and quickly bought her whole canon.The books are not formulaic, they are fun, clever and have a few storylines going at the same time, which (of course) the best books do.I like Ms Cameron's books so much, I'm buying the audible version as well, which is an honour bestowed on only a few authors (Heyer, Trollope, A., Allingham, Bryson and some Nix).Thank you for another book I know I shall read over and over. My only complaint is that I shall have to wait some time for another Cameron.

I love Heyer and Austen - I haven't generally succumbed to more recent Regency romance novels but on the strength of the reviews. I started trying out Alicia Cameron and I found them amusing - not as correct in Regency detail or manners as either of the above authors but not so glaring as to make them unreadable. I enjoyed them.Now I have read Jocasta and the Cruelty of Kindness and my view is wholly transformed. Ms Cameron is building a world here. Such a joy to see characters after the end of 'their' novel in newly wedded bliss as a background to newer stories and even just the occasional appearance such as Benedict Fenton involved in the carriage accident. I am working my way through chronologically but I am desperate to see how she deals with the rest of the Fortune and Fenton families and would also welcome finding out more about the married Fortune sisters and how they are fareing? Is even the abominable George Fenton capable of love? I recommend the whole series but this book, in particular, is splendid.

Another excellent outing! Familiar characters that tell their story with warmth and a little humour. It really feels like I know them. Can't wait to find out what happens to the rest of the sisters..x