Nothing goes right for Eloise. The one day she wears her new suede boots, it rains cats and dogs. When the subway stops short, she’s always the one thrown into some stranger’s lap. Plus, she’s had more than her share of misfortune in the way of love. In fact, ever since she realized romantic heroes are a thing of the past, she’s decided it’s time for a fresh start.
Setting off for England, Eloise is determined to finish her dissertation on that dashing pair of spies, the Scarlet Pimpernel and the Purple Gentian. But what she discovers is something the finest historians have missed: the secret history of the Pink Carnation—the most elusive spy of all time. As she works to unmask this obscure spy, Eloise stumbles across answers to all kinds of questions. Like how did the Pink Carnation save England from Napoleon? What became of the Scarlet Pimpernel and the Purple Gentian? And will Eloise Kelly escape her bad luck and find a living, breathing hero all her own?
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"Taking the story of the Scarlet Pimpernel a step further, Willig creates a league of heroes named after flowers. It's a story within a story, as a grad student digs into their histories for her thesis. It's a playful little mystery filled with romance and some action. "
— Marissa (4 out of 5 stars)
" Great story about spies and love. "
— Joan, 2/15/2014" I enjoy this series. As with a lot of series, as the number of books increases, so does the amount of times you say "been there read that." "
— Elizabeth, 2/9/2014" If you like any of the following things: The Scarlet Pimpernel, semi-historical accounting of Napoleonic France, humorous historical romance (with an emphasis on the history part!), then you would love this book as I did. "
— Aimee, 2/2/2014" A very fun read. Perfect for relaxing on the beach enjoying the historical twists,intrigue, literary references, and of course the romance. "
— Lani, 1/31/2014" The premise was good, I enjoyed the book until the sex was introduced. Didn't finish it. "
— Gaelynn, 1/28/2014" LIGHT reading, kinda fun. "
— Angela, 1/27/2014" Chick lit turns swashbuckling: this made a good vacation read. Suitably fluffy and tongue-in-cheek, it is almost a parody on itself. Our spy hero and heroine are placed in 1803, yet think and speak entirely as modern young people; that was a disconnect that took a while to overlook. (Guess I've read too much Jane Austen and her ilk to know that people of the early 19th century, especially well-bred young men and women, were not so bold and open with each other, nor did they engage in passionate physical affection. If a single woman of that time period wanted to remain marriageable, a man's kiss on her hand was all she'd better permit.) But as pure entertainment the book succeeds, delivering a rollicking, romantic, roll-your-eyes, just-in-the-nick-of-time adventure story. "
— Kate, 1/20/2014" Just as amazing as ever -- review soon! "
— Senator, 1/14/2014" Pure fun. With romance mixed with history I didn't feel too guilty about indulging in this story. There were others in this series that I have enjoyed more, but this was good enough to get my attention. "
— Katie, 12/14/2013" Fun, light summer read. Didn't get too invested in it, which made it readable over vacation, but still cared at the end how everything would turn out. I may return to this series when I need something silly and lighthearted with secret plots and spies, and, of course, romance. "
— Stephanie, 11/26/2013" A bit silly... OK, a lot silly. I hadn't been expecting so much "chick lit" -- or wanting it-- so that definitely had impact on my star rating. I wish I could give it a 2.5; I don't think it deserves a 3, but I think it was too much fun to be a 2. A cute and easy read. "
— B., 11/26/2013" The espionage was interesting, but the sexual descriptions were excessive. I also felt like she left a lot of loose ends which I am going to assume are wrapped up in the rest of the series (which I will not be reading.) "
— Charlynn, 11/22/2013" Nice blend of historical fiction and chick-lit. "
— Lisa, 9/8/2013" i love these books! mix between chick lit and history and funny and fast-paced. "
— Amanda, 8/29/2013" I'm still only halfway through. One day, I'll finish it. "
— Kat, 7/30/2013" Not the best stuff ever written, but definitely good. I liked the Scarlet Pimpernel way back in grade school and this is totally based on that idea. Very fun historical espionage/love story. "
— Marisa, 9/6/2012" Loved it!! Can't wait to get the next one!!! "
— Meno-gal, 5/26/2012" Re-read but it's awesome "
— Heather, 3/9/2012" I really really liked it until I got to the smut half-way through-Darn it! "
— Katie, 10/5/2011" Highly entertaining if you like reading books in this era. A couple swear words and a little "romance" so if you are sensitive to either be aware that there is some of that in this book. "
— Nicola, 9/26/2011" Couldn't wait for the next book. Love the back and forth between modern day and historical periods. Love Willig's humor...I laugh out loud at times and giggle, too. "
— Jenn, 9/25/2011" I had to add a new shelf for this book... "abandoned". I did not see the point of going forward, it seemed predictable and the writing was too cutesy. Sorry but that is how I feel. "
— Valerie, 5/10/2011" I thought it was a little predictable,but enjoyed it all the same. "
— Gayle, 5/4/2011" Fun mystery book written for women! Based around English spies in the wars against the French - includes both modern and historical elements and romance. The whole series is great. "
— Sara, 4/28/2011" somewhat immature writing- who ever calls someone a fiend? Keeping language clean? Does have a copule of steamy sex scenes. "
— Melissa, 4/24/2011" Too sexy for the section of the library in which I found it, but mostly heart-galloping romance. "
— Ali, 4/23/2011" interesting set up, with the two time lines, but just hated the espionage premise. couldn't get into. skimmed the entire book. "
— Catherine, 4/17/2011" A pick up from the Scarlet Pimpernel. Didn't read the whole book as it got into a little more than kissing. Which I was not expecting. "
— Shelle, 4/10/2011" Sort of like the literary equivalent of a twinkie. "
— Sarah, 4/6/2011" I really wanted to like this book but it was so cliched it was almost satirical. I accept/expect some heroine silliness/hero lust/miscommunication in my romances, but it was just too, too much. "
— Lauren, 4/6/2011" I loved this book! I will definitely be reading the rest! Quickly! "
— Amy, 4/5/2011Lauren Willig is the USA Today bestselling author of more than twenty novels of historical fiction and historical romance, including the RITA Award–winning Pink Carnation series. An alumna of Yale University, she has a graduate degree in history from Harvard and a JD from Harvard Law School.
Michael Kramer is an AudioFile Earphones Award winner, a finalist for the prestigious Audie Award for Best Narration, and recipient of a Publishers Weekly Listen-Up Award. He is also an actor and director in the Washington, DC, area, where he is active in the area’s theater scene and has appeared in productions at the Shakespeare Theatre, the Kennedy Center, and Theater J.