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merlin_reads's review against another edition
3.5
I found this book pleasantly surprising. Lady Caroline Delamarre leaves the restraining walls of her country home and heads to London. Thanks to a trust left from her mother, Caroline has the funds to care for herself. For the first time in forever, she’s free. She’s away from the overbearing eye of her brother and able to take life on how she chooses. And she chooses Phillip Montcalm, the Lord of the Rakes.
Phillip Montcalm, born a second son, knows his reputation with ladies and he’s rather bored with it. While making pleasantries at a season ball, he meets eyes with the Lady Caroline and his interest in piqued. He’s charming, smooth, and suave – not to mention, a dominating lover. From secret meetings in the garden to late night encounters, they begin a quiet affair.
This story takes us from sexual intimacy to emotional intimacy. Caroline doesn’t want any attachments and Phillip is the perfect one for this. She comes from the country where her late father and brother basically held her (like her mother before her) captive, dictating her every move. She grew up not wanting anything to do with love or marriage after seeing what it did to her mother. And Caroline leaves the first chance she’s able. It’s a tale of sexual awakening and growth – and not just from Caroline. Phillip also realizes that the life he leads is pretty meaningless and just maybe he wants a little bit more stability. Two people who don’t believe in love…you can see where this is going.
There was a great line where a friend of Caroline’s was explaining how everyone needs something to love in their life – even if it’s not a person. “But everyone needs something. There has to be that connection, that focus, to bind one to others. It’s the lifeline of the heart. Without it, we’re all adrift.”
A few minor issues: the pacing seemed off to me. We spent the first half of the book describing one ball, but then when Caroline’s brother comes to London to collect her, it’s summed up in a chapter. The beginning went on, while the ending was abrupt. Also, I noticed that the author misspelled Caroline in the beginning, but that’s more the editor’s problem.
There are secrets, lies, and betrayal all told with a beautiful London backdrop. Fancy parties, operas, ball gowns and cravats. Just a pure fun, steamy read.
I received a copy of this novel from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
Phillip Montcalm, born a second son, knows his reputation with ladies and he’s rather bored with it. While making pleasantries at a season ball, he meets eyes with the Lady Caroline and his interest in piqued. He’s charming, smooth, and suave – not to mention, a dominating lover. From secret meetings in the garden to late night encounters, they begin a quiet affair.
This story takes us from sexual intimacy to emotional intimacy. Caroline doesn’t want any attachments and Phillip is the perfect one for this. She comes from the country where her late father and brother basically held her (like her mother before her) captive, dictating her every move. She grew up not wanting anything to do with love or marriage after seeing what it did to her mother. And Caroline leaves the first chance she’s able. It’s a tale of sexual awakening and growth – and not just from Caroline. Phillip also realizes that the life he leads is pretty meaningless and just maybe he wants a little bit more stability. Two people who don’t believe in love…you can see where this is going.
There was a great line where a friend of Caroline’s was explaining how everyone needs something to love in their life – even if it’s not a person. “But everyone needs something. There has to be that connection, that focus, to bind one to others. It’s the lifeline of the heart. Without it, we’re all adrift.”
A few minor issues: the pacing seemed off to me. We spent the first half of the book describing one ball, but then when Caroline’s brother comes to London to collect her, it’s summed up in a chapter. The beginning went on, while the ending was abrupt. Also, I noticed that the author misspelled Caroline in the beginning, but that’s more the editor’s problem.
There are secrets, lies, and betrayal all told with a beautiful London backdrop. Fancy parties, operas, ball gowns and cravats. Just a pure fun, steamy read.
I received a copy of this novel from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
julieputty's review
Gave up at 40%. Toward the beginning of the book, Caroline meets annoying friend of brother at ball. Friend is shocked that she is not in the country.
Gabriel tells Philip that he arranged for Philip to have a meeting with his mistress Eugenia at the ball, not knowing that Philip and Eugenia have broken it off. Philip tells him. Gabriel is shocked.
At 40%-ish, Philip and Gabriel meet. Philip tells Gabriel that he met with Eugenia at the ball. Gabriel is surprised. Then he tells Philip that he arranged for Philip to have a meeting with Eugenia at the ball, not knowing that Philip and Eugenia have broken it off. Philip tells him. Gabriel is shocked.
Caroline meets annoying friend of brother at ball. Friend is shocked that she is not in the country.
It's as if the entire plot up until 40-ish percent was added on later and then no one went back and edited.
Gabriel tells Philip that he arranged for Philip to have a meeting with his mistress Eugenia at the ball, not knowing that Philip and Eugenia have broken it off. Philip tells him. Gabriel is shocked.
At 40%-ish, Philip and Gabriel meet. Philip tells Gabriel that he met with Eugenia at the ball. Gabriel is surprised. Then he tells Philip that he arranged for Philip to have a meeting with Eugenia at the ball, not knowing that Philip and Eugenia have broken it off. Philip tells him. Gabriel is shocked.
Caroline meets annoying friend of brother at ball. Friend is shocked that she is not in the country.
It's as if the entire plot up until 40-ish percent was added on later and then no one went back and edited.
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