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3.42 AVERAGE
3.42 AVERAGE
emotional
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Content Warnings
Graphic: Physical abuse, Sexual assault, Police brutality, Kidnapping, Classism
Moderate: Blood, Medical content, Sexual harassment, Injury/Injury detail
Libby/audio
I had high hopes for this, usually a good historical romance from a pro author can be depended on for a superior good old fashioned love story.
Sadly, i did not really enjoy this. The hero was too angry and gruff for me. He doesn't have the usual social class and manners. He is a gruff working man. I don't begrudge him that, but he is a little too brutish for me.
The fmc has memory loss. He suspects he knows who she is, and vows to take his revenge upon her.
It's clear from her general demeanor and knee jerk reactions and mannerisms that she is a kind humble person. Needless to say, i like her.
After a bit of bed ridden recovery time, some bait dangling and some investigating the story takes a dire turn. The story picks up a little at this point, after the half way point, and finally the relationship between these two developed a bit. I liked the story much more toward the end, but even that couldn't improve the overall feeling i got-so unfortunately, swing and a miss.
I had high hopes for this, usually a good historical romance from a pro author can be depended on for a superior good old fashioned love story.
Sadly, i did not really enjoy this. The hero was too angry and gruff for me. He doesn't have the usual social class and manners. He is a gruff working man. I don't begrudge him that, but he is a little too brutish for me.
The fmc has memory loss. He suspects he knows who she is, and vows to take his revenge upon her.
It's clear from her general demeanor and knee jerk reactions and mannerisms that she is a kind humble person. Needless to say, i like her.
After a bit of bed ridden recovery time, some bait dangling and some investigating the story takes a dire turn. The story picks up a little at this point, after the half way point, and finally the relationship between these two developed a bit. I liked the story much more toward the end, but even that couldn't improve the overall feeling i got-so unfortunately, swing and a miss.
informative
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
In 2017 I must have been crazy while reading this for giving it 4 stars. Brought it down to 2 now after re-reading it, and it’s even too generous.
It’s basically a soap opera in writing form and not even an exciting one.
Also, I wouldn’t trust Mr Morgan as a detective at all since we all could see from the first moment all the final revelations.
It’s basically a soap opera in writing form and not even an exciting one.
Also, I wouldn’t trust Mr Morgan as a detective at all since we all could see from the first moment all the final revelations.
Amnesia stories are my jam ❤️
Grant is a famous and successful Bow Street runner. Even though he's made a fortune by investing his payments in building and shipping, he still loves the thrill of the chase and solving cases.
He is called to a drowning at the Thames where he discovers the victim is actually still alive but with a terrible head injury. The attempted murder victim is the most well-known courtesan in London. Vivien wakes up in Grant's home with no memory of who she is or how she got there.
Grant has a strong dislike of Vivien despite his attraction to her appearance. After he rejected her flirtatious advances at a society event a few months earlier, she spread lies which embarrassed him. He sees this as his chance to return the favour, by seducing her, then rejecting her.
Unfortunately, the amnesiac Vivien is completely opposite in character to the scheming, worldly seductress he knew. The lady staying in his house is kind, considerate, intelligent and appears quite innocent. He falls for her despite his doubts of her sincerity.
Grant has some interesting internal conflict over how he is treating Vivien. He doesn't trust her and puts her in some very difficult situations without much sympathy for her feelings, but then also finds himself falling in love with the new woman he is coming to know.
Sweet Vivien has no idea how she could have possibly been happy as a courtesan. She's constantly embarrassed by the actions she supposedly enjoyed previously, and determines that regardless of her memory's return or not, she will never prostitute herself again. After Grant finds her attacker, she will turn over a new leaf.
I'm sure Lisa Kleypas wrote this in such a way that the reader can see quite early what is going on, but allows us to watch and pity poor Grant fumbling through until the secret is ultimately revealed in the most obvious way.
This book contains descriptive love scenes.
Grant is a famous and successful Bow Street runner. Even though he's made a fortune by investing his payments in building and shipping, he still loves the thrill of the chase and solving cases.
He is called to a drowning at the Thames where he discovers the victim is actually still alive but with a terrible head injury. The attempted murder victim is the most well-known courtesan in London. Vivien wakes up in Grant's home with no memory of who she is or how she got there.
Grant has a strong dislike of Vivien despite his attraction to her appearance. After he rejected her flirtatious advances at a society event a few months earlier, she spread lies which embarrassed him. He sees this as his chance to return the favour, by seducing her, then rejecting her.
Unfortunately, the amnesiac Vivien is completely opposite in character to the scheming, worldly seductress he knew. The lady staying in his house is kind, considerate, intelligent and appears quite innocent. He falls for her despite his doubts of her sincerity.
Grant has some interesting internal conflict over how he is treating Vivien. He doesn't trust her and puts her in some very difficult situations without much sympathy for her feelings, but then also finds himself falling in love with the new woman he is coming to know.
Sweet Vivien has no idea how she could have possibly been happy as a courtesan. She's constantly embarrassed by the actions she supposedly enjoyed previously, and determines that regardless of her memory's return or not, she will never prostitute herself again. After Grant finds her attacker, she will turn over a new leaf.
I'm sure Lisa Kleypas wrote this in such a way that the reader can see quite early what is going on, but allows us to watch and pity poor Grant fumbling through until the secret is ultimately revealed in the most obvious way.
This book contains descriptive love scenes.
funny
fast-paced
Overall the story and writing of this book were fine and mostly entertaining. My main issue is one I often have with romance novels. The main male character is overbearing and power-obsessed to the point where I find it not only unattractive, but also predatory and a bit creepy. Just because he suddenly realizes he loves the woman doesn’t excuse this behavior for me. I’ve read this author’s Ravenels series and her male characters are, in my opinion, much more likeable (and developed) in those.
When notorious courtesan Vivian Rose Duvall washes up on the Thames barely alive Grant Morgan is intent on finding out who was trying to murder her. With a case of amnesia, Vivian can not remember anything. As Grant gets to know Vivian though, she is not at all the woman he expected. She doesn't behave or react like the spoiled woman he met previously. With those changes in her Grant tries to resist the temptation in himself.
I liked the interaction between Grant and Vivian Duvall, it was interesting to see his conflicting emotions for how he was reacting to someone he thought he should despise. I greatly enjoyed the book and the characters, it was a well developed story that kept me on the edge of my seat about what was going to happen next. I like how the bow street runners can be a little rough and tumble while still mixing in with society.
I liked the interaction between Grant and Vivian Duvall, it was interesting to see his conflicting emotions for how he was reacting to someone he thought he should despise. I greatly enjoyed the book and the characters, it was a well developed story that kept me on the edge of my seat about what was going to happen next. I like how the bow street runners can be a little rough and tumble while still mixing in with society.
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Lovely read
Was recommended this book by a friend, and I wasn’t disappointed. Well written and good dialogue. There were even a few twists and turns I wasn’t expecting.
Was recommended this book by a friend, and I wasn’t disappointed. Well written and good dialogue. There were even a few twists and turns I wasn’t expecting.