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laurenjodi's review against another edition
5.0
Thief of Hearts
5 Stars
Following an intense encounter with the notorious pirate known only as Captain Doom, prim and proper Lucinda Snow is unwillingly subject to the protection of her impertinent yet mysterious new bodyguard, Gerard Claremont. Despite their initial animosity, Lucy and Gerard cannot resist their mutual attraction. But a dangerous and destructive secret soon comes between them. Will Lucy and Gerard be able to overcome the obstacles that stand in their way?
I've never been a fan of pirate romances, but read this one for a challenge and it is very entertaining.
Although Lucy initially comes across as immature and weak willed, her strength of character quickly emerges, and she matures into a particularly engaging heroine. Gerard is quite typical of the dark and enigmatic hero with a traumatic past and a secret to hide. His internal conflict between his desire for revenge and his increasing attraction to and feelings for Lucy make him all the more compelling. Lucy and Gerard's chemistry and their snarky sparring are an absolute delight.
Medeiros's writing is excellent. Her descriptions, whether of the streets of London, the ballrooms of the ton or the decks of a schooner, are well-detailed and immersive. The secret keeping trope, which can be quite irritating, is handled well mainly because it is necessary for both plot and character development, and does not drag on unnecessarily.
All in all, this is a lovely romance with likable characters and a satisfying climax and resolution.
5 Stars
Following an intense encounter with the notorious pirate known only as Captain Doom, prim and proper Lucinda Snow is unwillingly subject to the protection of her impertinent yet mysterious new bodyguard, Gerard Claremont. Despite their initial animosity, Lucy and Gerard cannot resist their mutual attraction. But a dangerous and destructive secret soon comes between them. Will Lucy and Gerard be able to overcome the obstacles that stand in their way?
I've never been a fan of pirate romances, but read this one for a challenge and it is very entertaining.
Although Lucy initially comes across as immature and weak willed, her strength of character quickly emerges, and she matures into a particularly engaging heroine. Gerard is quite typical of the dark and enigmatic hero with a traumatic past and a secret to hide. His internal conflict between his desire for revenge and his increasing attraction to and feelings for Lucy make him all the more compelling. Lucy and Gerard's chemistry and their snarky sparring are an absolute delight.
Medeiros's writing is excellent. Her descriptions, whether of the streets of London, the ballrooms of the ton or the decks of a schooner, are well-detailed and immersive. The secret keeping trope, which can be quite irritating, is handled well mainly because it is necessary for both plot and character development, and does not drag on unnecessarily.
All in all, this is a lovely romance with likable characters and a satisfying climax and resolution.
clairetrellahill's review against another edition
3.0
The emotional beats resonated well but the plot unfolded in a way that seemed out of order to me
ria_mhrj's review against another edition
4.0
Despite presenting familiar and comfortable plots and characters, there's always something that surprises me in a Teresa Medeiros novel. Someone will say or do something unexpected or an arc will be lined up to head in a familiar direction only for something surprising to happen instead. Thief of Hearts is a delightfully fun Georgian pirate novel in which both the hero and heroine kept surprising me - the book outlined in the blurb and the one found between the covers are pretty different and I know which one I prefer.
kgroberts13's review against another edition
4.0
3.75 stars
The relationship central to the book was delightful - heart-wrenching and sigh-inducing, but the narrative went on with much more plot for much too long. Still, a lovely gem from the '90s historical romance books.
The relationship central to the book was delightful - heart-wrenching and sigh-inducing, but the narrative went on with much more plot for much too long. Still, a lovely gem from the '90s historical romance books.
whiskeyinthejar's review against another edition
5.0
This book had me at hello, great beginning. When Captain Doom says with a hand flat over his chest. "Your mistake, man," he said softly. "The little wench damn near got my heart." I do believe folks this is called foreshadowing.
I delight in stories where the characters conflict with each other and you can literately see as you read the characters change, grow, and come together. I can already sense Lucy is going to have a lot of growing up to do and I can't wait to see how Gerard pushes her into it.
Medeiros does a spectacular job of showing how Gerard brings Lucy alive.
Oooh loved the scene where Gerard and Lucy have supper in the carriage and Gerard's game of teasing Lucy backfires and she tells him "Why Mr. Claremont your spectacles are fogging up."
Truly heartbreaking when Lucy is confided to her room and looks out her window to see Gerard watching her window leaning against a tree in the wind. She lays her palm against the window and simply says "Good morning Mr. Claremont"
The dancing around each other is so delightful to read. Lucy constantly pushing, poking, and trying Gerard's patience in subtle ways and Gerard's constant fight to stay diligent in avoidance of any feelings for her. This is where the story really comes alive for me; Lucy and Gerard's battle to stay apart and together.
The scene where Lucy tells Gerard she loves him is completely perfect, with the cheroot falling out of his mouth to him walking away, and finally with Lucy whispering "Was it something I said?" to herself. You want to laugh but strangely at the same time your heart is bleeding for this couple.
Sometimes I was restless at the stalemate Lucy and Gerard seemed to be at. I thought it was going to be cured by the addition of Gerard's brother Kevin, and what a delight he was, but he didn't end up playing a large enough role. (Did Medeiros ever make a sequel with Kevin?)
There did come a point were I groaned with frustration, how many times can a couple be interrupted when they keep waiting so long to get together?
I couldn't help thinking "oh shit" when Lucy's father kills Gerard's man sent over to negotiate a deal. Gerard has to retaliate, even Kevin steps in front of him but to no avail, but then when Gerard kicks the door down to get to Lucy I found myself holding my breath because maybe just maybe this could be a good thing and finally something can be resolved between these two.
Now this was a story! The kind where you read the last page then sigh and sit there for a couple seconds digesting what you just read. The first part of the book had a lot of bittersweet poignancy for me and was terrific. The second part of the book did get a little long. I would have liked the courtroom scene to have come about earlier. However, even with this small complaint, this is a book you experience and savor not just read, toss away, and forget. Can you say Keeper?
A
I delight in stories where the characters conflict with each other and you can literately see as you read the characters change, grow, and come together. I can already sense Lucy is going to have a lot of growing up to do and I can't wait to see how Gerard pushes her into it.
Medeiros does a spectacular job of showing how Gerard brings Lucy alive.
Oooh loved the scene where Gerard and Lucy have supper in the carriage and Gerard's game of teasing Lucy backfires and she tells him "Why Mr. Claremont your spectacles are fogging up."
Truly heartbreaking when Lucy is confided to her room and looks out her window to see Gerard watching her window leaning against a tree in the wind. She lays her palm against the window and simply says "Good morning Mr. Claremont"
The dancing around each other is so delightful to read. Lucy constantly pushing, poking, and trying Gerard's patience in subtle ways and Gerard's constant fight to stay diligent in avoidance of any feelings for her. This is where the story really comes alive for me; Lucy and Gerard's battle to stay apart and together.
The scene where Lucy tells Gerard she loves him is completely perfect, with the cheroot falling out of his mouth to him walking away, and finally with Lucy whispering "Was it something I said?" to herself. You want to laugh but strangely at the same time your heart is bleeding for this couple.
Sometimes I was restless at the stalemate Lucy and Gerard seemed to be at. I thought it was going to be cured by the addition of Gerard's brother Kevin, and what a delight he was, but he didn't end up playing a large enough role. (Did Medeiros ever make a sequel with Kevin?)
There did come a point were I groaned with frustration, how many times can a couple be interrupted when they keep waiting so long to get together?
I couldn't help thinking "oh shit" when Lucy's father kills Gerard's man sent over to negotiate a deal. Gerard has to retaliate, even Kevin steps in front of him but to no avail, but then when Gerard kicks the door down to get to Lucy I found myself holding my breath because maybe just maybe this could be a good thing and finally something can be resolved between these two.
Now this was a story! The kind where you read the last page then sigh and sit there for a couple seconds digesting what you just read. The first part of the book had a lot of bittersweet poignancy for me and was terrific. The second part of the book did get a little long. I would have liked the courtroom scene to have come about earlier. However, even with this small complaint, this is a book you experience and savor not just read, toss away, and forget. Can you say Keeper?
A
smileychap's review against another edition
3.0
A strong 3.8/5. This was a very cute pirate HR, and I like the tension between the two mcs. This book carries classic tropes of: enemies to lovers, disguise, strong female protagonist etc etc. It was a very fun and compelling read, and I thoroughly enjoyed it!
rjordan19's review against another edition
4.0
3.5 stars
When I started it, I was totally engaged for about the first 1/3. Then, due to a number of reasons, my interest waned and I am just finishing it up now.
There's a lot to love about this book. I think you would enjoy this book if:
-you like plenty of action and plot changes
-you enjoy an antihero
-you like pirate stories
-you like a bit of mystery
-you like mixed class/a bit of enemies to lovers
Lucy is the daughter of the every so important and respected Admiral. She's lived a pampered, sheltered existence, enjoying the life of balls, gowns, etc. Except her relationship with her father breaks your heart. She is paying for faults that are not her own that her father can't forgive. Lucy is a different person around her father. Naive, weak, meek, she just wants that love so bad. And while she can be a little annoying, you just hurt for her too. And you want her to have everything she deserves in life. The best part of all this is how much Gerard brings out the best in her. That fire. That love. That spunk. I adored when they were together.
Gerard has had struggles his whole life. The beginning chapter sets up his life as a young boy, and your heart breaks for him. Cunning, smart, focused on revenge, yet tender, chivalrous to Lucy. He sees what she hides from her father, her true personality.
The first part of this book, I adored. It takes place on the sea and I was totally loving it. Lucy is kidnapped, the interactions between her and her captor I just loved. I wish the whole thing took place on the boat.
Gerard and Lucy meet on land, back in London. Gerard becomes her bodyguard and this is where it slowed down a bit for me. There were a lot of really sweet scenes. And funny. But I just kept waiting and waiting for their relationship to progress. It didn't get to the point I wanted. This book is pretty long, over 400 pages, and not overly steamy. I think I just wanted a bit more focus on the relationship, it was very focused on the revenge, the Admiral, the action. But none of this makes it a bad story. I think it's just not a favorite for me. This could have also been with Christmas being right around the corner and me watching Outlander, I just might have needed something different to pull me in.
When I started it, I was totally engaged for about the first 1/3. Then, due to a number of reasons, my interest waned and I am just finishing it up now.
There's a lot to love about this book. I think you would enjoy this book if:
-you like plenty of action and plot changes
-you enjoy an antihero
-you like pirate stories
-you like a bit of mystery
-you like mixed class/a bit of enemies to lovers
Lucy is the daughter of the every so important and respected Admiral. She's lived a pampered, sheltered existence, enjoying the life of balls, gowns, etc. Except her relationship with her father breaks your heart. She is paying for faults that are not her own that her father can't forgive. Lucy is a different person around her father. Naive, weak, meek, she just wants that love so bad. And while she can be a little annoying, you just hurt for her too. And you want her to have everything she deserves in life. The best part of all this is how much Gerard brings out the best in her. That fire. That love. That spunk. I adored when they were together.
Gerard has had struggles his whole life. The beginning chapter sets up his life as a young boy, and your heart breaks for him. Cunning, smart, focused on revenge, yet tender, chivalrous to Lucy. He sees what she hides from her father, her true personality.
The first part of this book, I adored. It takes place on the sea and I was totally loving it. Lucy is kidnapped, the interactions between her and her captor I just loved. I wish the whole thing took place on the boat.
Gerard and Lucy meet on land, back in London. Gerard becomes her bodyguard and this is where it slowed down a bit for me. There were a lot of really sweet scenes. And funny. But I just kept waiting and waiting for their relationship to progress. It didn't get to the point I wanted. This book is pretty long, over 400 pages, and not overly steamy. I think I just wanted a bit more focus on the relationship, it was very focused on the revenge, the Admiral, the action. But none of this makes it a bad story. I think it's just not a favorite for me. This could have also been with Christmas being right around the corner and me watching Outlander, I just might have needed something different to pull me in.
sarahconnor89757's review against another edition
3.0
Not a bad book, the twists were predictable but interesting none the less. The problem I have with it is, now that the book is over I have a feeling that within a boring week with each other the couple would become bored and restless and split up.
Good thing the book ended when it did.
Good thing the book ended when it did.