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3.53 AVERAGE
3.53 AVERAGE
emotional
fast-paced
With as terrible as the hero is in this book, I expected some epic groveling and was completely let down. Even with epic groveling, I don’t think this hero could have been redeemed, though. Also, the ending is very abrupt. I do not buy that this couple will live happily ever after.
I bought this series eons ago. I think my mom got me this one and then I got the other ones after that. Fair warning that this book was written in the 1980s so yes there is rape in this story-line and it feels a little jarring to read it and have others kind of ignore it. I have to say though that I ended up as a whole disliking this series. You don't really get to see the "women" in any of the series shine. The Montgomery men are just off-putting and don't listen for the most part and the hero in this one, Gavin, I had a hard time with.
"The Velvet Promise" takes place in the 1500s. Heiress Judith Revedoune wants to be a prioress. She doesn't want to marry and knows that being a prioress would give her more freedom than she would ever have as a wife. Gavin Montgomery though ends up being her betrothed. Judith starts to have "feelings" for Gavin and wonders if maybe this marriage will work. Until she spies Gavin with his mistress, Alice and then when she rightfully loses it he punishes her throughout their marriage and ends up feeling torn between Judith and Alice.
Look, Gavin sucks. Him being torn between Judith and Alice was just ugh. She's awful and he doesn't see it. Judith is punished again and again by Gavin and you just hope she can escape him. Judith if she had been born in another time and place would have been a pioneer. She is really smart, knows what she is doing, and how to run a household. I honestly was baffled that Deveraux set it up like Judith was just overcome with love for Gavin. I kept wondering why/how she was.
We get the other Montgomery's popping up in this one and some other characters that will re-appear in the later books.
When the book finally comes to an end as some other reviewers said it was abrupt and made zero sense.
"The Velvet Promise" takes place in the 1500s. Heiress Judith Revedoune wants to be a prioress. She doesn't want to marry and knows that being a prioress would give her more freedom than she would ever have as a wife. Gavin Montgomery though ends up being her betrothed. Judith starts to have "feelings" for Gavin and wonders if maybe this marriage will work. Until she spies Gavin with his mistress, Alice and then when she rightfully loses it he punishes her throughout their marriage and ends up feeling torn between Judith and Alice.
Look, Gavin sucks. Him being torn between Judith and Alice was just ugh. She's awful and he doesn't see it. Judith is punished again and again by Gavin and you just hope she can escape him. Judith if she had been born in another time and place would have been a pioneer. She is really smart, knows what she is doing, and how to run a household. I honestly was baffled that Deveraux set it up like Judith was just overcome with love for Gavin. I kept wondering why/how she was.
We get the other Montgomery's popping up in this one and some other characters that will re-appear in the later books.
When the book finally comes to an end as some other reviewers said it was abrupt and made zero sense.
adventurous
emotional
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I thought this was decent book with lots of drama. I was frustrated with almost every single character, and the villains seemed a little cartoonish. Both the main characters annoyed me at various points. I actually like the little side romances more than I enjoyed the main one. The end was satisfying enough for me to almost entirely forget my grievances with the characters though. This isn't my favorite book by this author, but it was entertaining. Like other Jude Deveraux books, this book has many elements that might be triggering, so I would not recommend to someone who is sensitive to certain topics.
TW:
TW:
Spoiler
rape, non-consent, abuse, cheating, murder, miscarriage, suicide, mention of a previous abortion
Rating: ⭐⭐
I was very disappointed by this book being that it is my first read by Jude Deveraux but also my first bodice ripper. I had high hopes for it, but being that the main "hero" is a complete asshole and the heroine is a puppy whimpering for his approval I can't find any room to enjoy it besides the side characters.
That being said- I understand women are heavily mistreated during this time period (and in general let's be real). Beaten, raped, abused, overall servitude to husbands, etc. However, I do not think we should gaslight women into falling in love with their rapists. Suggesting otherwise is unhinged.
What saved this book was the descriptions and diction of the author. Sure, her writing pissed me off of these two characters going through the motions, but I enjoyed her voice. I think there's potential for me with this author, but just not this specific book.
xoxo,
Emily
I was very disappointed by this book being that it is my first read by Jude Deveraux but also my first bodice ripper. I had high hopes for it, but being that the main "hero" is a complete asshole and the heroine is a puppy whimpering for his approval I can't find any room to enjoy it besides the side characters.
That being said- I understand women are heavily mistreated during this time period (and in general let's be real). Beaten, raped, abused, overall servitude to husbands, etc. However, I do not think we should gaslight women into falling in love with their rapists. Suggesting otherwise is unhinged.
What saved this book was the descriptions and diction of the author. Sure, her writing pissed me off of these two characters going through the motions, but I enjoyed her voice. I think there's potential for me with this author, but just not this specific book.
xoxo,
Emily
adventurous
lighthearted
medium-paced
emotional
lighthearted