The Long Way Home (The Southwark Saga #3) by Jessica Cale
Historical Romance
Released: February 29, 2016
Self Published
Reviewed by Sheena
Favorite Quote: “Money, protection, gratitude, boredom, obligation, spite.”
“What about love?” she asked hopefully.
“I’ve seen all those things look like love,” he huffed. How will I know if I can’t see face that he keeps to herself? I would never forgive myself if I made a woman feel like that.”
Alice frowned. Jack couldn’t make a woman feel cheap if he tried.
The third installment of the Southwark Saga series takes us abroad to the opulent shadow court of Versailles. I am a huge (supremely ginormous) fan of Jessica Cale’s Southwark Saga. Raw, entertaining and deliciously mischievous, the residents of Southwark ensnare you, daring you to look away as they flounder and flourish, each citizen living their lives even more unapologetically than the next. A throwaway town chock full of highwaymen, whores, actresses, barmaids, the downtrodden and a variety of ne’er-do-wells, Southwark is teaming with life and is a character all its own. Which brings me to my first brush of “aww man” in the series; Alice and Jack spend 90% of the story abroad at the Kings court in Versailles! But- but-but- what about Southwark? I missed this little sub-cultured slip of a city as host of this latest novel. I missed the saga’s true home to distraction, and I hope the next installment resides firmly in this rotten town I love so much. Gah- plot location belly aching aside- this was a winner. Quiet and meek Alice has loved Jack from a far since she was fourteen and he was a young carpenter’s apprentice (among other things). One night Jack is forced to leave town for reasons Alice cannot piece together and they pine for one another for five long years. When fate lands Alice and Jack together again, love has to wait in line, as they play an intricate game of intrigue, falling in and out of trust with one another while desperately working to stay ahead of a vicious aspiring royal mistress and her poison ring that dares reach too close to the crown.
Poor Alice is a maiden of 19 and her hooker-beer slinging sisters can think of nothing but pushing her into the family whoring business. After all, it is Southwark.
“Are you waiting for someone to marry you? You the penniless fourth daughter in a family of tarts? Why would someone marry you, when they could have any one of the rest of us for a crown? You’re too old to believe in nonsense. Too bloody old, and I’m getting bloody tired of trying to get through to you. You’re dirt poor, you’re plain, and you haven’t got a lick of sense. You, my girl, will take what you can get. You can’t be a maiden forever.”
Alice clenched her teeth together so hard that her jaw hurt. Yes, I can.
Ahh. Gotta love that sisterly love eh? Right away, I donned my fatigues and waved my #FreeAlice banner. A young woman who is in love with love and determined not to sell herself short, despite the blackest of influences and negative support? Yes please!
After an ill-intentioned suitor and a gang of thugs chase Alice one night in Southwark, she finds herself unintentionally sold and shipped to France where she rather inexplicably saves the life of a wealthy viper, Ysabeau, the Marquise de Harfleur. Alice has a photographic, perfect memory that Ysabeau plots to use to her own ambitious ends. Alice’s lifesaving good deed whisks her to an opulent world she never thought she’d be a part of. Fancy dresses, beauty, powerful men and murder!
While Alice is brought to court and inspires favor from the king, Jack, who is in the armed services, gets wind that she has disappeared and may be in Versailles. A series of convenient coincidences puts him once again in Alice’s path. This time neither is able to turn off the flood of desire and longing and a quick marriage of convenience follows- most likely so that they are not falsely accused and hanged for plotting against the crown. Their farce of a marriage is a catalyst for a game of lying in wait and cat and mouse that was most exciting to unravel.
I did take question with some of Alice’s actions. She was clever and highly observant and spying for Ysabeau and the King but why oh why would she put herself in the position to be abused by Ysabeau time and time again. She figured out that the Marquise was peddling poison and yet still sipped from cups provided by Ysabeau? I get it, the first time, ok Alice has to take one for the team, but after that, I much rather she had found clever ways to turn the tables earlier on. Also, the witchcraft angle felt a little superfluous. Little things like this raised a few flags in my mind, but ultimately, the story was strong enough to take a little lump here and there. When they FINALLY overcome the obstacles that hinder their consummating their marriage, it is one of the most comical notions of the novel. Two words for you. Eunuch Allegations. *snickers*
On the whole, author Jessica Cale mixes historical drama, and suspense and the result is two of Southwark’s most pure of heart are thrown into the lion’s den and have to play their best court games with their cards held close to their chest. Never certain of who could be trusted, The Long Way Home kept my mind working and invested in the plot coming to ahead. These Southwark Saga novels flow very nicely into one another. I appreciated the glimpses into past characters lives as they coincided with Alice and Jack’s story. I recommend starting the book in order, or at the very least reading the phenomenal book two, Virtue’s Lady before starting The Long Way Home. I’m not sure I’d have the same reaction had I not been able to rely upon the sustained affection that rooted with the first two books in the series. Some mid series books need to tap into that well and this is one of them.
Grade: B
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