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3.52 AVERAGE
3.52 AVERAGE
A story set in a time of different rules, where women were regarded as property and were expected to blindly obey.
Judith has had an unusual upbringing for her era, taught to think for herself and educated, with a specific purpose in life. When her excuse of a father forces her path to change and marries her off to Gavin Montgomery, obeying is not something that comes easy to her and her independence is not something Gavin knows how to handle.
A few scenes that were simply facts of life at that time, are now beyond offensive and while I'm usually pretty tolerant, even I found their casual mentions of as something normal unsettling.
Their story gets complicated by a manipulative, self-centered ex and a selfish, entitled suitor among others, whose meddling causes problems for the couple that eventually bring them closer.
While Gavin's behavior is partly understandable given the time and situation, it's far from endearing and I hope I'll like his brother Stephen and hero of the next book in the series, [b:Highland Velvet|871835|Highland Velvet|Jude Deveraux|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1297705106s/871835.jpg|2455579] more.
Judith has had an unusual upbringing for her era, taught to think for herself and educated, with a specific purpose in life. When her excuse of a father forces her path to change and marries her off to Gavin Montgomery, obeying is not something that comes easy to her and her independence is not something Gavin knows how to handle.
A few scenes that were simply facts of life at that time, are now beyond offensive and while I'm usually pretty tolerant, even I found their casual mentions of
Spoiler
her rapeTheir story gets complicated by a manipulative, self-centered ex and a selfish, entitled suitor among others, whose meddling causes problems for the couple that eventually bring them closer.
While Gavin's behavior is partly understandable given the time and situation, it's far from endearing and I hope I'll like his brother Stephen and hero of the next book in the series, [b:Highland Velvet|871835|Highland Velvet|Jude Deveraux|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1297705106s/871835.jpg|2455579] more.
emotional
hopeful
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:
Yes
Content Warnings
Moderate: Domestic abuse, Rape, Torture
I enjoy the strong female characters and there is just enough drama to keep it interesting. It did feel as if it ended abruptly but its probably because she was setting up the next book.
emotional
lighthearted
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
One of my comfort reads.
It has many faults and it’s not the best romance book out there but there is just something about this whole series that just has my heart.
I don’t like how this really pits women against each other and the male lead’s faults aren’t really blamed at any point. It really has that whore and a Madonna thing going on.
It has many faults and it’s not the best romance book out there but there is just something about this whole series that just has my heart.
I don’t like how this really pits women against each other and the male lead’s faults aren’t really blamed at any point. It really has that whore and a Madonna thing going on.
I don't remember this book being as mediocre before, but nonetheless, I was somehow disappointed. The main characters were acting as if they had some mental instability, changing their mood, and motives in a matter of few pages. The plot seemed forced and I don't really know how I managed to finish the book...
I know that the genre isn't exactly full of gold and I shouldn't have my hopes up when I reach for a romance like that, but still... Jude Deveraux is something of a legend in the genre and I had my hopes high. Unfortunately I was disappointed.
I know that the genre isn't exactly full of gold and I shouldn't have my hopes up when I reach for a romance like that, but still... Jude Deveraux is something of a legend in the genre and I had my hopes high. Unfortunately I was disappointed.
Jude Deveraux is an author I first read many years ago and while some of her books definitely do not age well I do think the Velvet Montgomery Annuals Quadrilogy books do continue to be basically enjoyable to read. I have always enjoyed the interactions her characters have had and the places she sets the story. The plot can be a bit thin but overall I think it's a good beach read.
2/26/14 ETA: Okay I upped this from 3 to 4 stars, because I did really like it and it's much better than a lot of the 3 star books I have out there. It kept me engaged. I didn't skim, etc. I have a tendency to do this when a character or plot point irks me so bad I can't see the bigger picture. I think I did the same thing with [b:Lily|525619|Lily|Patricia Gaffney|https://d202m5krfqbpi5.cloudfront.net/books/1322372728s/525619.jpg|513465] and [b:The Demon Lover|353411|The Demon Lover|Victoria Holt|https://d202m5krfqbpi5.cloudfront.net/books/1258035430s/353411.jpg|3320485]. Maybe I should wait a week before writing my reviews. However, I do so love to rant when I'm in the moment :)
***original review***
This is my very first Deveraux and I definitely had a hard time coming up with the rating. Part of me feels like I should give it a 4, because the writing is certainly far superior to other things I've given 3's to. But in the last few chapters the hero lost the book that extra gold star.
From some of the reviews I've read, I expected to have problems with the hero because he was violent. Actually in the world of medieval romance, I didn't find him too bad.He slaps the heroine at the beginning of the book and rapes her on their wedding night. Granted, not a great start to a relationship, but he didn't seem to get any sadistic enjoyment from hurting her. After that he wants her willing and doesn't rape or hit her again.
Most of my problem was with Gavin's attitude. He acts like a class A jerk a lot of the time because he's very jealous (Judith is extremely beautiful and every man who sees her wants her). That's rather par for the course though in many romances. My problem was his attitude when it came to that crazy ex-lover of his that everyone but him could see through. It was because of that witch that their wedding night went awry. He was thrilled when he saw how beautiful Judith was and they were both making googly eyes at each other until Alice (the ex) turns up and cries crocodile tears while attempting a fake suicide. Judith witnesses this and is understandably not happy to hear her brand new husband swearing undying love to another woman on their wedding day. Gavin handles this by slapping Judith for daring to be angry and say something unkind about the sweet homewrecker Alice. Then he ends up raping Judith that night because she won't just 'get over it already' and go back to being the warm, attentive wife she was before she witnessed that scene with Alice. He reminded me more of a spoiled, petulant child than a true alpha hero. Plus, he's not the sharpest tool in the shed.
Gavin never actually cheats with Lady Alice (there is a kiss, which she initiated), but he keeps her on a pedestal as this vision of how a real lady should behave. He does quickly realize he desires Judith more than he ever desired Alice. Thankfully, he doesn't seem to really pine after her either or I'd have given up. I don't think he ever loved Alice to begin with. He's all about Judith from day one. It's "Lady" Alice who continues to seek him out. Problem is, he never seems to get it that she's trying to cause trouble in his marriage and is the #1 reason the two of them are often at odds. He always blames Judith for being unreasonable, shrewish, and jealous. He thinks she should have compassion for Alice since she had to go through the horrible devastation of losing him :P Dude really likes the idea that this woman is so hopelessly in love with him that she'll got to crazy lengths to cause trouble. His ego was only rivaled by his stupidity. Up to the very last chapter, he still couldn't believe that gentle, demure Alice would actually try to harm his wife. Surely she was just misunderstood.
However, despite my issues with the hero, the writing was good and the story engaging. I really liked Gavin's brothers who seemed to have inherited all the brains in the family. I'm holding out hope that their stories will be better.
***original review***
This is my very first Deveraux and I definitely had a hard time coming up with the rating. Part of me feels like I should give it a 4, because the writing is certainly far superior to other things I've given 3's to. But in the last few chapters the hero lost the book that extra gold star.
From some of the reviews I've read, I expected to have problems with the hero because he was violent. Actually in the world of medieval romance, I didn't find him too bad.
Most of my problem was with Gavin's attitude. He acts like a class A jerk a lot of the time because he's very jealous (Judith is extremely beautiful and every man who sees her wants her). That's rather par for the course though in many romances. My problem was his attitude when it came to that crazy ex-lover of his that everyone but him could see through. It was because of that witch that their wedding night went awry. He was thrilled when he saw how beautiful Judith was and they were both making googly eyes at each other until Alice (the ex) turns up and cries crocodile tears while attempting a fake suicide. Judith witnesses this and is understandably not happy to hear her brand new husband swearing undying love to another woman on their wedding day. Gavin handles this by slapping Judith for daring to be angry and say something unkind about the sweet homewrecker Alice. Then he ends up raping Judith that night because she won't just 'get over it already' and go back to being the warm, attentive wife she was before she witnessed that scene with Alice. He reminded me more of a spoiled, petulant child than a true alpha hero. Plus, he's not the sharpest tool in the shed.
Gavin never actually cheats with Lady Alice (there is a kiss, which she initiated), but he keeps her on a pedestal as this vision of how a real lady should behave. He does quickly realize he desires Judith more than he ever desired Alice. Thankfully, he doesn't seem to really pine after her either or I'd have given up. I don't think he ever loved Alice to begin with. He's all about Judith from day one. It's "Lady" Alice who continues to seek him out. Problem is, he never seems to get it that she's trying to cause trouble in his marriage and is the #1 reason the two of them are often at odds. He always blames Judith for being unreasonable, shrewish, and jealous. He thinks she should have compassion for Alice since she had to go through the horrible devastation of losing him :P Dude really likes the idea that this woman is so hopelessly in love with him that she'll got to crazy lengths to cause trouble. His ego was only rivaled by his stupidity. Up to the very last chapter, he still couldn't believe that gentle, demure Alice would actually try to harm his wife. Surely she was just misunderstood.
However, despite my issues with the hero, the writing was good and the story engaging. I really liked Gavin's brothers who seemed to have inherited all the brains in the family. I'm holding out hope that their stories will be better.
There’s absolutely nothing wrong with the writing that’s why I gave it 3 stars. But to think someone would recommend these series to me and call it romance and on top of that say that they have reread it numerous times. Surely, you must hate both me and yourself.
The writer pulled all the stops to make Gavin a villain and no time in redeeming him. I found his own reasoning to be so childish. He lacked remorse and the common sense to know when he had been wrong. He often even went as far as doing things that could not be forgiven with a simple apology.
It takes him nearly the whole book and numerous occasions where his wife is endangered to realize that his mistakes were the cause for their unhappiness. He is despicably vile to his wife, his foolishness causes her their child and still I am to think he is a hero in this story?
The writer really said no, there will be no redeeming qualities for this man and no, I will be taking any further questions and the editors just went right along with it.
The writer pulled all the stops to make Gavin a villain and no time in redeeming him. I found his own reasoning to be so childish. He lacked remorse and the common sense to know when he had been wrong. He often even went as far as doing things that could not be forgiven with a simple apology.
It takes him nearly the whole book and numerous occasions where his wife is endangered to realize that his mistakes were the cause for their unhappiness. He is despicably vile to his wife, his foolishness causes her their child and still I am to think he is a hero in this story?
The writer really said no, there will be no redeeming qualities for this man and no, I will be taking any further questions and the editors just went right along with it.
Jude Deveraux is an author I first read many years ago and while some of her books definitely do not age well I do think the Velvet Montgomery Annuals Quadrilogy books do continue to be basically enjoyable to read. I have always enjoyed the interactions her characters have had and the places she sets the story. The plot can be a bit thin but overall I think it's a good beach read.