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toni_lee's review against another edition
5.0
Loved this book!! I cannot wait for the rest of the series to come out.
Only suggestion I would make is that there are a few phrases that are not true to the time period. Nothing I can point out now, but I do remember thinking that it wasn't right when I read it.
Only suggestion I would make is that there are a few phrases that are not true to the time period. Nothing I can point out now, but I do remember thinking that it wasn't right when I read it.
sassysmutlover's review against another edition
5.0
An addicting story! I could not put it down until the end and then wanted more. I could not even start to figure out who was behind everything. I was shocked to learn about her husband, but loved the ending. I love books with kids and you just have to love his ward.
waclements7's review against another edition
4.0
I was pleasantly surprised by this book. What sets it apart from other romances, I think, is the fact that the characters actually think about things and react in a realistic manner when presented with the usual tropes (secrets uncovered that a character has been hiding)--they _deal_ with things instead of storming off, leaving things hanging and undiscussed, and messing everything up. They act like adults. They take responsibility for their actions, and they explain them, and the other characters listen. It's amazing--they do all of this and, believe it or not, there's still a good story and the plot still succeeds, and it's still enjoyable. Yay! Intelligent characters! What a concept. It's such a refreshing change. I like that these books take place after the "Libertine Scholars'" exploits, as well, so that there's the mystery involved that includes all of them, as well as their personal stories.
Heavy on the romance, but also has historical details and the heroine using untraditional methods to escape her horrific marriage. Interesting ideas about how what one looks like doesn't represent the "inner beauty" of a person at all, and how people react to what they see as marred perfection, or imperfection. Especially in the sense that scars, in that case, seem to render someone as "not whole," as in the person is no longer complete, possibly no longer even as intelligent. I like the concept of a mental meeting of minds as more important, possibly, than physical attraction; or, rather, that a mental meeting of minds adds to physical attraction and makes superficial appearances unimportant.
Heavy on the romance, but also has historical details and the heroine using untraditional methods to escape her horrific marriage. Interesting ideas about how what one looks like doesn't represent the "inner beauty" of a person at all, and how people react to what they see as marred perfection, or imperfection. Especially in the sense that scars, in that case, seem to render someone as "not whole," as in the person is no longer complete, possibly no longer even as intelligent. I like the concept of a mental meeting of minds as more important, possibly, than physical attraction; or, rather, that a mental meeting of minds adds to physical attraction and makes superficial appearances unimportant.
novelesque_life's review
4.0
4 STARS
(I received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review).
"Desperate to escape her abusive past, Sarah Cooper disguises herself as a governess in the employ of Christian Trent, Earl of Markham, the man who, long ago, she fantasized about marrying. Despite the battle scars that mar his face, Sarah finds being near Christian rekindles her infatuation. A governess, however, has no business in the arms of an earl, and as she accompanies Christian on his voyage home, Sarah must resist her intense desires—or risk revealing her dangerous secrets.
One of the renowned Libertine Scholars, Christian Trent once enjoyed the company of any woman he chose. But that was before the horrors of Waterloo, his wrongful conviction of a hideous crime, and his forcible removal from England. Far from home and the resources he once had, Christian believes the life he knew—and any chance of happiness—is over . . . until his ward’s governess sparks his heart back to life, and makes him remember the man he used to be. Now Christian is determined to return to England, regain his honor, and win the heart of the woman he has come to love." (From Amazon)
An entertaining historical romance complete with a tortured hero who takes on a young ward. The heroine is a strong and also tortured. Two tortured heroes helping each other healing is inspiring.
(I received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review).
"Desperate to escape her abusive past, Sarah Cooper disguises herself as a governess in the employ of Christian Trent, Earl of Markham, the man who, long ago, she fantasized about marrying. Despite the battle scars that mar his face, Sarah finds being near Christian rekindles her infatuation. A governess, however, has no business in the arms of an earl, and as she accompanies Christian on his voyage home, Sarah must resist her intense desires—or risk revealing her dangerous secrets.
One of the renowned Libertine Scholars, Christian Trent once enjoyed the company of any woman he chose. But that was before the horrors of Waterloo, his wrongful conviction of a hideous crime, and his forcible removal from England. Far from home and the resources he once had, Christian believes the life he knew—and any chance of happiness—is over . . . until his ward’s governess sparks his heart back to life, and makes him remember the man he used to be. Now Christian is determined to return to England, regain his honor, and win the heart of the woman he has come to love." (From Amazon)
An entertaining historical romance complete with a tortured hero who takes on a young ward. The heroine is a strong and also tortured. Two tortured heroes helping each other healing is inspiring.
msmattoon's review against another edition
3.0
Enjoyable, and the mystery in the series is so interesting I need to keep reading to find out what's going on.
sadie_rae's review against another edition
5.0
Posing as widowed Sarah Cooper, Lady Serena applies for the position of governess to Lily, the Earl of Markham new ward. Sarah comes into Christian's, the Earl of Markham, life just when he needs it most.
Having been injured on the battle field he returned to England a Hero but scared, after being abandoned by his mistress and shunned by the lady's of the town he took to drowning his sorrows in drink and paid women. When he is accused of rape and rushed out of England he end's up in York, Canada where he thinks to spend the rest of his days. As time passes however his memories of the night in question become clearer and when his business partner dies leaving Christian guardian to his daughter Lily, he decides that it's high time to stop wallowing and clear his name.
Seeing an add for governess posted by Christian, seemed to be a God send for Serena. Fleeing her husbands abusive home it seems only right that the hero from her childhood fantasies would be the one to save her in her hour of need. Her plan was to become Lily's governess and live a safe but sheltered life, but fate seemed to have a different idea. From their first meeting Christian was attracted to her, and it seems that together they might be what the other needs to heal each other.
Upon their arrival in England however Sarah is almost immediately reviled as Lady Serena, and her plans seem to crumble around her. Added to that, it seems that someone is out to ruin Christian and when framing him for Rape and murder the first time didn't work, they're ready to try again.
I loved the twist and turns in this book, the author put in plenty of surprises to keep you guessing at what would happen next. She also set up a solid foundation for the other books to come in the series, plenty of action and mystery is sure to follow into the coming books! Put on my 'twenty one and up' shelf for what Selena went through in her marriage, it doesn't go in to much detail about it but still. 5 stars!
Having been injured on the battle field he returned to England a Hero but scared, after being abandoned by his mistress and shunned by the lady's of the town he took to drowning his sorrows in drink and paid women. When he is accused of rape and rushed out of England he end's up in York, Canada where he thinks to spend the rest of his days. As time passes however his memories of the night in question become clearer and when his business partner dies leaving Christian guardian to his daughter Lily, he decides that it's high time to stop wallowing and clear his name.
Seeing an add for governess posted by Christian, seemed to be a God send for Serena. Fleeing her husbands abusive home it seems only right that the hero from her childhood fantasies would be the one to save her in her hour of need. Her plan was to become Lily's governess and live a safe but sheltered life, but fate seemed to have a different idea. From their first meeting Christian was attracted to her, and it seems that together they might be what the other needs to heal each other.
Upon their arrival in England however Sarah is almost immediately reviled as Lady Serena, and her plans seem to crumble around her. Added to that, it seems that someone is out to ruin Christian and when framing him for Rape and murder the first time didn't work, they're ready to try again.
I loved the twist and turns in this book, the author put in plenty of surprises to keep you guessing at what would happen next. She also set up a solid foundation for the other books to come in the series, plenty of action and mystery is sure to follow into the coming books! Put on my 'twenty one and up' shelf for what Selena went through in her marriage, it doesn't go in to much detail about it but still. 5 stars!
jasmyn9's review
4.0
Two people on the run from their past, Sarah and Christian are thrown together by strange circumstances. Christian is trying to clear his name from a horrible accusation and wondering who would want to frame him for such a horrible crime. Banished to Canada, he makes friends and begins to raise funds to return to England.
Enter Sarah, applying for a job as governess to Christian's young ward. She has a dark secret she is trying to keep, and the men looking for her are getting closer and closer. Escaping to England with Christian seems like the perfect solution, but she must ensure that he never finds out who she really is or what she has done.
Of course, none of their plans go quite as expected. I'm not usually a fan of the deep dark secret theme, but it fit this story nicely. I understood Sarah's secret and why she had to keep it. But it does cause issues, as secrets will. It also comes out fairly early, so much of the story takes place after they have comes to terms with it and are now trying to help fix it. I really loved it.
The Libertine Scholars were a great group of friends. It looks like each book tells the story of one of the infamous rakes. They all be playing important parts in each other's story, too, which means I get to keep in touch with these great characters.
Enter Sarah, applying for a job as governess to Christian's young ward. She has a dark secret she is trying to keep, and the men looking for her are getting closer and closer. Escaping to England with Christian seems like the perfect solution, but she must ensure that he never finds out who she really is or what she has done.
Of course, none of their plans go quite as expected. I'm not usually a fan of the deep dark secret theme, but it fit this story nicely. I understood Sarah's secret and why she had to keep it. But it does cause issues, as secrets will. It also comes out fairly early, so much of the story takes place after they have comes to terms with it and are now trying to help fix it. I really loved it.
The Libertine Scholars were a great group of friends. It looks like each book tells the story of one of the infamous rakes. They all be playing important parts in each other's story, too, which means I get to keep in touch with these great characters.
rhymeswithshmo's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
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
3.0
wordsaftermidnight's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75