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katyanaish's review
2.0
This one was really disappointing.
I mean, come on. The hero was a complete dickbag. Let's run down the series of events.
Phillip has never had respect for Maria. From his appalled reaction at their first meeting (she was freaking SEVEN YEARS OLD and he was vaguely appalled that a servant child was daring to speak to him... and the fact that he had that level of arrogance as a 9 year old speaks volumes), to the way he casually discarded their friendship without a word when she was 15, he made it clear that he had less than zero consideration for her.
That brings us to the key problem: I do not believe Phillip has ever cared for any human being but himself. I don't know that I've ever seen a more self-centered character. And not only does that never change, he's never even called on it. From just deciding to be cruel to Maria in their childhood, snubbing someone who was supposedly a friend... to breaking up her relationship with his own brother because he was jealous? Stealing a hair ribbon - the ONLY token this poor girl has from her dead mother - and not even caring that she cried about its loss for days. This bit was from his own POV, mind you. He says that he never once even thought about returning it, even when she cried.
What the fuck is wrong with him? I don't believe he loves her. He's like a damn sociopath.
This amazing bit of dickery is followed up by ... her father dying. The only person she has left in the world. He can't be bothered to comfort someone who was once a friend (and someone we're supposed to believe he secretly loves) through this horrible experience that is not only emotional for her, but also terrifying, because now not only does she have no family, she has no money, and no idea what to do. And he gets jealous that she and his brother get close because her brother is actually a decent human being and tries to care for his sobbing friend. So, despite the fact that nearly everything that means anything to her in the world has died, he decides to take the last little bit of anything she has, and cast her out into the world to do... whatever. He doesn't care what, as long as she doesn't do it near him or his brother.
He is the Marquess of Assholery.
Then, when he trips over her as she's finally accomplishing her dream and opening her shop, he casually evicts her from the building, while casting aspersions on her character. That was so fucking out of line I don't even know where to begin. Being a woman in that era was hard enough. Assaulting her character? That could DESTROY her. (The irony here is that later he claims that they must marry to protect her reputation. Since when does this fuckbag care about her reputation?)
The shit cherry on top of this diaper sundae is his first proposal. I am hard-pressed to even begin to imagine a more condescending speech. It was so horrible I actually gasped aloud reading it.
**Here's a key thing. Up until this point, I was pretty into the story. I thought Maria was a great character: strong, intelligent, independent, marvelous. What she said while throwing his proposal back in his face was fabulous. I will admit that I couldn't imagine what Guhrke was going to do for Phillip's come-to-Jesus moment, to redeem him, but I really love her as an author, so I was excited to see.**
Then she went to have tea with her friends, and it all fell apart. This was about the 80% mark.
When she told the story to her friends, rather than be appalled at the shitty stuff Phillip said (I'll be frank - if someone "proposed" to my friend like that, I'd be headed to his place to make him pick his teeth up off the floor), they decide that it is terribly romantic, and wonder if Maria doesn't actually love him. They simply can't imagine why Maria would decline to marry this rich aristocrat who treats her like garbage and gives long speeches about why she's so far beneath him.
I was stunned. Stunned.
And from there, the book went down that trite, crappy path. He secretly loved her (though I don't buy it... I don't buy anyone doing what he did to someone they LOVE, because that's not what love is). She secretly loved him. Her dream of 12 years, the cake business she'd poured her heart into, was worthless, and she'd give it all up in a minute to be by his side always.
*vomit*
The only reason this book has any stars is because of how much I liked Maria, right up until the moment she decided that she would happily toss out her whole life to meekly follow whatever Phillip wants her to do... and I guess hope that he doesn't decide to randomly stop talking to her, send her packing, evict her, and/or otherwise repeat any of the horrible things he's done to her repeatedly throughout their lives. Thereby utterly gutting her character and making her into a caricature... the meek woman who never really wanted to have her own life at all, but simply wanted to be some strong man's kept woman, so she can flutter through her life without a care in her empty head.
Appalling. Terrible. Fucking disappointing.
I mean, come on. The hero was a complete dickbag. Let's run down the series of events.
Phillip has never had respect for Maria. From his appalled reaction at their first meeting (she was freaking SEVEN YEARS OLD and he was vaguely appalled that a servant child was daring to speak to him... and the fact that he had that level of arrogance as a 9 year old speaks volumes), to the way he casually discarded their friendship without a word when she was 15, he made it clear that he had less than zero consideration for her.
That brings us to the key problem: I do not believe Phillip has ever cared for any human being but himself. I don't know that I've ever seen a more self-centered character. And not only does that never change, he's never even called on it. From just deciding to be cruel to Maria in their childhood, snubbing someone who was supposedly a friend... to breaking up her relationship with his own brother because he was jealous? Stealing a hair ribbon - the ONLY token this poor girl has from her dead mother - and not even caring that she cried about its loss for days. This bit was from his own POV, mind you. He says that he never once even thought about returning it, even when she cried.
What the fuck is wrong with him? I don't believe he loves her. He's like a damn sociopath.
This amazing bit of dickery is followed up by ... her father dying. The only person she has left in the world. He can't be bothered to comfort someone who was once a friend (and someone we're supposed to believe he secretly loves) through this horrible experience that is not only emotional for her, but also terrifying, because now not only does she have no family, she has no money, and no idea what to do. And he gets jealous that she and his brother get close because her brother is actually a decent human being and tries to care for his sobbing friend. So, despite the fact that nearly everything that means anything to her in the world has died, he decides to take the last little bit of anything she has, and cast her out into the world to do... whatever. He doesn't care what, as long as she doesn't do it near him or his brother.
He is the Marquess of Assholery.
Then, when he trips over her as she's finally accomplishing her dream and opening her shop, he casually evicts her from the building, while casting aspersions on her character. That was so fucking out of line I don't even know where to begin. Being a woman in that era was hard enough. Assaulting her character? That could DESTROY her. (The irony here is that later he claims that they must marry to protect her reputation. Since when does this fuckbag care about her reputation?)
The shit cherry on top of this diaper sundae is his first proposal. I am hard-pressed to even begin to imagine a more condescending speech. It was so horrible I actually gasped aloud reading it.
**Here's a key thing. Up until this point, I was pretty into the story. I thought Maria was a great character: strong, intelligent, independent, marvelous. What she said while throwing his proposal back in his face was fabulous. I will admit that I couldn't imagine what Guhrke was going to do for Phillip's come-to-Jesus moment, to redeem him, but I really love her as an author, so I was excited to see.**
Then she went to have tea with her friends, and it all fell apart. This was about the 80% mark.
When she told the story to her friends, rather than be appalled at the shitty stuff Phillip said (I'll be frank - if someone "proposed" to my friend like that, I'd be headed to his place to make him pick his teeth up off the floor), they decide that it is terribly romantic, and wonder if Maria doesn't actually love him. They simply can't imagine why Maria would decline to marry this rich aristocrat who treats her like garbage and gives long speeches about why she's so far beneath him.
I was stunned. Stunned.
And from there, the book went down that trite, crappy path. He secretly loved her (though I don't buy it... I don't buy anyone doing what he did to someone they LOVE, because that's not what love is). She secretly loved him. Her dream of 12 years, the cake business she'd poured her heart into, was worthless, and she'd give it all up in a minute to be by his side always.
*vomit*
The only reason this book has any stars is because of how much I liked Maria, right up until the moment she decided that she would happily toss out her whole life to meekly follow whatever Phillip wants her to do... and I guess hope that he doesn't decide to randomly stop talking to her, send her packing, evict her, and/or otherwise repeat any of the horrible things he's done to her repeatedly throughout their lives. Thereby utterly gutting her character and making her into a caricature... the meek woman who never really wanted to have her own life at all, but simply wanted to be some strong man's kept woman, so she can flutter through her life without a care in her empty head.
Appalling. Terrible. Fucking disappointing.
hendriana's review
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
somasunshine's review
4.0
This was extremely entertaining. The last scene especially was also very dramatic in an endearing way. I don't know how to describe it. Also, of course, I love a good childhood-friends-to-lovers trope.
mdalida's review
3.0
I can't believe I barely liked a book modeled after Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice! I'm obsessed with Austen and usually also most of the books and movies based on her works. But, this one made me question why I liked Pride and Prejudice at all.
Why do I like that the Hero emphasizes social standing to make the Heroine feel inferior? Why do I like that he insults her and fumbles through an apology? UGH 😑
There is something at Austen did that this book tried to do, and I think that is that she made her hero more human. I'm definitely not a lover of Alpha males. It's hard to get through unless I see some cracks in that Alpha armor - early on and often.
Phillip The Marquess is one of the most arrogant, demanding, and overbearing heroes I've read in a while. He didn't make me rage like a few paranormal heroes did because they were Alpholes in the bedroom. He angered me because he belittled the heroine - often - due to her social standing and past attempted elopement with his younger brother. We'd get glimpses of Philip as a boy and teenager when he was friends with Maria, but that was really the only softness we even heard about for 80% of the book! So, we knew he could be tender, but then we are watching him be an arse to her for the most part. So essentially, too few cracks in the Alpha armor (some compliments, that keepsake from childhood, a few scattered hints at childhood yearning) and too infrequent.
I think a few passionate moments earlier on in the book would've helped me to feel their chemistry more. One kiss scene, one carriage scene, and one bedroom scene all at about 80% felt rushed. Again, there would be a tender moment and then it was smothered with anger and resentment for the next few pages and again and again until a last minute random and very public proposal. Meh..
I'll repeat a phrase I probably say too much: Heroes can make a book for me, but heroines are usually the ones to break it.
Phillip really didn't break this book for me, despite my aversion to Alphas or his arrogance. I like Mr Darcy, and there was something sad about a young teenager being in charge of an estate and trying to keep his family running while stuffing away emotions. But it was Maria that gave me a big thumbs down 👎🏽.
⚠️ SEMI ANTI CLIMACTIC SPOILER⚠️
Basically, she gave something up that annoyed the feminist in me. Read on if you wish. Nothing really dramatic to the story though..
Quite simply, she gave up her profession that she had been apart of since she was three, that she went to France to perfect, and that she had been saying she was in love with and had dreamed about for years! She gave it up after three months. Because he wanted her to because it wouldn't do for a woman of social standing. She fought about it and then capitulated because she loved him. I felt that fell into the "I'm just portraying a strong, independent front until a rich man comes to save me from dreadful work" vibe and it totally kicked the book and the heroine down a notch for me. 👎🏽
Why do I like that the Hero emphasizes social standing to make the Heroine feel inferior? Why do I like that he insults her and fumbles through an apology? UGH 😑
There is something at Austen did that this book tried to do, and I think that is that she made her hero more human. I'm definitely not a lover of Alpha males. It's hard to get through unless I see some cracks in that Alpha armor - early on and often.
Phillip The Marquess is one of the most arrogant, demanding, and overbearing heroes I've read in a while. He didn't make me rage like a few paranormal heroes did because they were Alpholes in the bedroom. He angered me because he belittled the heroine - often - due to her social standing and past attempted elopement with his younger brother. We'd get glimpses of Philip as a boy and teenager when he was friends with Maria, but that was really the only softness we even heard about for 80% of the book! So, we knew he could be tender, but then we are watching him be an arse to her for the most part. So essentially, too few cracks in the Alpha armor (some compliments, that keepsake from childhood, a few scattered hints at childhood yearning) and too infrequent.
I think a few passionate moments earlier on in the book would've helped me to feel their chemistry more. One kiss scene, one carriage scene, and one bedroom scene all at about 80% felt rushed. Again, there would be a tender moment and then it was smothered with anger and resentment for the next few pages and again and again until a last minute random and very public proposal. Meh..
I'll repeat a phrase I probably say too much: Heroes can make a book for me, but heroines are usually the ones to break it.
Phillip really didn't break this book for me, despite my aversion to Alphas or his arrogance. I like Mr Darcy, and there was something sad about a young teenager being in charge of an estate and trying to keep his family running while stuffing away emotions. But it was Maria that gave me a big thumbs down 👎🏽.
⚠️ SEMI ANTI CLIMACTIC SPOILER⚠️
Basically, she gave something up that annoyed the feminist in me. Read on if you wish. Nothing really dramatic to the story though..
Quite simply, she gave up her profession that she had been apart of since she was three, that she went to France to perfect, and that she had been saying she was in love with and had dreamed about for years! She gave it up after three months. Because he wanted her to because it wouldn't do for a woman of social standing. She fought about it and then capitulated because she loved him. I felt that fell into the "I'm just portraying a strong, independent front until a rich man comes to save me from dreadful work" vibe and it totally kicked the book and the heroine down a notch for me. 👎🏽
laurenjodi's review
5.0
Secret Desire of a Gentleman
5 Stars
Laura Lee Guhrke is either hit or miss for me. The previous book in this series is a total dud - See my 1 Star review here. Thankfully, this one is a huge improvement and is my favorite work of hers to date.
Maria and Phillip's romance is a charming and original retelling of two classic pieces, Sabrina and Pride and Prejudice. Phillip epitomizes the arrogance and superiority of Mr. Darcy and the staid respectability of Linus Larrabee. He is shocked and appalled at his reactions to Maria and it is fun watching his control evaporate with each and every conversation. Likewise, Maria has the intelligence and wit of Lizzie Bennet together with Sabrina's charm and adventurous spirit. Her ability to stand her ground with Phillip and outmaneuver him at every turn is a highlight of the story.
The back story revolving around Maria and Phillip's relationship as children and later as adolescents is skillfully woven into the narrative and adds an extra layer of intimacy to the romance. They two share intense chemistry that builds slowly and surely throughout the book.
Guhrke also incorporates several more modern elements within the series in general and in this book in particular. Set just before the turn of the century, the notion of women entering the workforce with all of the associated difficulties is plausible although the disparity in social classes between the heroes and heroines is more difficult to believe. Nevertheless, Guhrke makes is easy to suspend disbelief in this regard due to the intensity of the romance.
Overall, a very enjoyable read and I look forward to the final book in the series.
5 Stars
Laura Lee Guhrke is either hit or miss for me. The previous book in this series is a total dud - See my 1 Star review here. Thankfully, this one is a huge improvement and is my favorite work of hers to date.
Maria and Phillip's romance is a charming and original retelling of two classic pieces, Sabrina and Pride and Prejudice. Phillip epitomizes the arrogance and superiority of Mr. Darcy and the staid respectability of Linus Larrabee. He is shocked and appalled at his reactions to Maria and it is fun watching his control evaporate with each and every conversation. Likewise, Maria has the intelligence and wit of Lizzie Bennet together with Sabrina's charm and adventurous spirit. Her ability to stand her ground with Phillip and outmaneuver him at every turn is a highlight of the story.
The back story revolving around Maria and Phillip's relationship as children and later as adolescents is skillfully woven into the narrative and adds an extra layer of intimacy to the romance. They two share intense chemistry that builds slowly and surely throughout the book.
Guhrke also incorporates several more modern elements within the series in general and in this book in particular. Set just before the turn of the century, the notion of women entering the workforce with all of the associated difficulties is plausible although the disparity in social classes between the heroes and heroines is more difficult to believe. Nevertheless, Guhrke makes is easy to suspend disbelief in this regard due to the intensity of the romance.
Overall, a very enjoyable read and I look forward to the final book in the series.
lucy_qhuay's review
3.0
This book could have been great, but it ultimately didn't live up to its potential. Mainly, I was pissed with the hero and how he maligned the heroine for the entirety of the book, with no reason or proof whatsoever of what he was implying - that she was basically a gold digger and a slut. And then in the end, all of a sudden, he professed his undying love and all was forgiven. Nope. Not to me.
anotherhalima's review against another edition
the pacing was a bit of but still fun and forgettable