Reviews

Knave's Wager by Loretta Chase

abananaquit's review against another edition

emotional slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

mdalida's review against another edition

5.0

A romance novel without sex from Loretta Chase is unheard of for me - *was unheard of...

I read Lord of Scoundrels first, so going through her backlist was a bit of a shocker. But, this book was amazing. The conflict was well-written, IMO.

pippimonster's review against another edition

emotional funny lighthearted reflective slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

storytimed's review against another edition

1.0

Ugh. Dude is an asshole who needs to learn how not to harass people. Honestly, I just want the cool French prostitute to be happy. Barely a week after reading this book, and I've already forgotten all the characters' names.

guiltlesspleasures's review

emotional funny lighthearted medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

I’ll get my two irritations out of the way first. 

1. I had the worst time keeping Lord Brandon, Lord Robert and Sir Thomas straight. All those names just sound the same to me. 
2. I had to keep reminding myself that our heroine, Lilith Davenant, was only 28 years old. Chase wrote her so much older - I think this story would have worked even better if both she and Brandon were in their 40s. 

It’s been so interesting reading Chase’s books from the very beginning and seeing how her style develops. So far, this is by far the one with the most depth, the most elegant writing and the most complexity (in a good way). For example, if this had been her second book, Cecily and Robert would have been the hero and heroine (and I would have EATEN IT UP). It would have been light and fun and clever. 

With Knaves’ Wager, we get both that AND the darker, more grown-up story of Lilith and Julian. It’s a really effective evolution. 

There were some early 90s consent issues - he is a bit of a sexy bully at the start, basically stalking her. I just chalked it up to the time in which it was written and put it to one side. 

I will say that unlike Cecily and Lord Thomas, I didn’t find our hero and heroine lovable or even that likeable. So that’s probably why this is 4⭐️. But it wasn’t a fatal flaw, and it probably just shows they’re perfect for each other. 

eak1013's review against another edition

2.0

Two-quality, two-enjoyment. Just okay. Wagers are a bad idea, yanno? I did find the scheming niece to be a delight, though.

nejmia_remis's review against another edition

funny lighthearted relaxing fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? N/A
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.25

nononanette's review against another edition

5.0

Very dangerous liaisons

abbythompson's review against another edition

4.0

Georgette Heyer meets 10 Things I Hate About You.

Absolutely perfect specimen of a Regency romance: right down to the language. I will usually take a few linguistic anachronisms in the favor of character development, but Chase makes each story feel relevant and current, yet totally of its time.

baronessnyx's review against another edition

adventurous emotional lighthearted reflective sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.5

Lord of Scoundrels is my fave from Loretta Chase's offerings but this one ranks third. The start of the novel is plodding but the pay off towards the end where you get the angst and the grovelling is worth it imo.

There is a definitive groveling done by the main lead which I enjoyed a lot. 

Not bad for a historical romance book with no sex scenes. I'm doubly glad that Loretta Chase did not make the characters sleep together under false pretenses. It would have spoiled it for me. I do have some complaints because I wanted to see more Lilith's internal thought process when she decides to forgive Julian.