Scan barcode
jackiehorne's review against another edition
4.0
3.5
Six years ago, a compromised Lady Cassandra Vernham refused to accept the hand of Baron Lakewood, calling both his honor, and her own, into question. Offered a home by her eccentric aunt after her family cast her aside, Cassandra has lived at the fringes of society, the target of thinly-veiled gossip and rumor. Lakewood's recent death during a duel, one purportedly fought over a lady he loved, reignites the scandal, particularly because Lakewood's friends, including the rakish Viscount Ambury, presume the lady was Cassandra. That Cassandra has also recently put up for auction a pair of earrings missing from Ambury's father's estate, earrings that Ambury purchased but now refuses to pay for, only put the two further at odds. So of course, physical sparks ensue. And soon Ambury has compromised Cassandra himself, in a far more damaging manner than ever Lakewood had...
What follows isn't the typical lust-at-first-sight lightweight historical; both Cassandra and Ambury are presented as complex characters, who think and act in ways that make sense for early Regency England. Cassandra's unconventional decision has a clear cost, a cost that Hunter depicts rather than glosses over. Hunter also shows gender mores in the midst of shifting; Aunt Sophie lived a far less constrained life than society deems appropriate for Cassandra (the Regency as the beginning of a closing down of many freedoms wealthy 18th century women were beginning to enjoy). I also appreciated the way Hunter showed that men and women can be physically attracted and enjoy sex without being in love, a situation Hunter depicts with sympathy and skill. And she also shows how sexual intimacy can lead to emotional intimacy, a choice to "let him send tethers into her heart that made her want him to be happy" (217). The shift from lust to love happens fairly late in the novel, though, and could have been more persuasively depicted. But the unexpected twists and turns of plot in the book's second half continue to add nuance to the protagonists, as well as to the secondary character family members.
One last caveat: why did Ambury decide to keep the final secret from Cassandra?
Six years ago, a compromised Lady Cassandra Vernham refused to accept the hand of Baron Lakewood, calling both his honor, and her own, into question. Offered a home by her eccentric aunt after her family cast her aside, Cassandra has lived at the fringes of society, the target of thinly-veiled gossip and rumor. Lakewood's recent death during a duel, one purportedly fought over a lady he loved, reignites the scandal, particularly because Lakewood's friends, including the rakish Viscount Ambury, presume the lady was Cassandra. That Cassandra has also recently put up for auction a pair of earrings missing from Ambury's father's estate, earrings that Ambury purchased but now refuses to pay for, only put the two further at odds. So of course, physical sparks ensue. And soon Ambury has compromised Cassandra himself, in a far more damaging manner than ever Lakewood had...
What follows isn't the typical lust-at-first-sight lightweight historical; both Cassandra and Ambury are presented as complex characters, who think and act in ways that make sense for early Regency England. Cassandra's unconventional decision has a clear cost, a cost that Hunter depicts rather than glosses over. Hunter also shows gender mores in the midst of shifting; Aunt Sophie lived a far less constrained life than society deems appropriate for Cassandra (the Regency as the beginning of a closing down of many freedoms wealthy 18th century women were beginning to enjoy). I also appreciated the way Hunter showed that men and women can be physically attracted and enjoy sex without being in love, a situation Hunter depicts with sympathy and skill. And she also shows how sexual intimacy can lead to emotional intimacy, a choice to "let him send tethers into her heart that made her want him to be happy" (217). The shift from lust to love happens fairly late in the novel, though, and could have been more persuasively depicted. But the unexpected twists and turns of plot in the book's second half continue to add nuance to the protagonists, as well as to the secondary character family members.
One last caveat: why did Ambury decide to keep the final secret from Cassandra?
bookloverchelle's review against another edition
4.0
A really great continuation of the Fairbourne Quartet series. Even though this is book two I feel that it can be read as a standalone. We see returning characters and the part they play in this story does not affect the reader’s enjoyment if you don’t know their backgrounds. But I’m always a fan of seeing the after the HEA story so it’s nice to revisit them. Lady Cassandra is in dire straits and has begun to sell off jewels to help supplement an income because she has been cut off from her family. But she needs the funds soon otherwise she and her aunt will lose their home. Viscount Ambury has been holding on to the funds for a reason, he believes the jewels she is selling are stolen. As these two try to unravel the secrets from generations past, can they find a way to work together even when their emotions become involved? A fun historical, mysterious romance. I enjoyed how the story was laid out and the reader discovered the answers, I felt it was very good pacing. Good read!
tessisreading2's review against another edition
3.0
One thing I really like about Madeline Hunter is her willingness to write unpleasant or ambiguous characters, both friends and villains. While this series is very much of the "ever-expanding group of friends" genre of romance novels - it's clear who the past couples are, and who the future heroes will be, and there is a LOT of involvement from them all - not everybody's role has to be clearly defined, and the resolution of the romance does not mean a happy resolution to everyone's interpersonal relationships. If some of the hero's friends dislike the heroine, they may not change their minds, and that's OK. Discovering why someone is a horrible jerk does not mean that they will ever stop being a horrible jerk. Not every character has to be reformed. And her secondary characters are generally a delight, which was definitely the case here. That said, this particular novel was fine but not terribly exciting. The heroine's motivation - preserving the safety of her aunt, who is descending towards (real, not humorous fictional) dementia - actually makes sense both in a historical context and an emotional one, but her escape plotting skills could use some serious work. The various obstacles in the path of a HEA seem a little contrived. But the characters are, as always, nice people with whom it's pleasant to spend time.
alisonb's review against another edition
4.0
I’m giving this 4 stars for the writing and 3 stars for the plot.
I was never satisfied with Cassandra’s justice regarding all the slandering of her. I also felt that up until the end Ambury was still waffling between Lakewood and Cassandra’s history. I just didn’t feel the love even when the declarations came.
The reveal of Sophie’s secret was extremely sad to me on behalf of the current Countesses sacrifice for her husband to experience love. I want a novella where the Countess meets someone after the death of her husband.
And Lydia!- that girl was so quiet and now she is a bit selfish. I didn’t like that she put Cassandra in a position to be blamed for taking her gambling and never defended her; instead she hoped that Cassandra’s married state wouldn’t inhibit them still engaging in fun (ie; gambling).
I was never satisfied with Cassandra’s justice regarding all the slandering of her. I also felt that up until the end Ambury was still waffling between Lakewood and Cassandra’s history. I just didn’t feel the love even when the declarations came.
The reveal of Sophie’s secret was extremely sad to me on behalf of the current Countesses sacrifice for her husband to experience love. I want a novella where the Countess meets someone after the death of her husband.
And Lydia!- that girl was so quiet and now she is a bit selfish. I didn’t like that she put Cassandra in a position to be blamed for taking her gambling and never defended her; instead she hoped that Cassandra’s married state wouldn’t inhibit them still engaging in fun (ie; gambling).
anasilva12's review
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
mmadeea1's review
adventurous
challenging
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
rachelini's review against another edition
3.0
This was a very un-romantic romance novel. It wasn't a bad book - it was an interesting story of people finding their way through a marriage of convenience. But it was weirdly unromantic, and I actually said "Really?" out loud when they declared their love.
virginiaduan's review against another edition
3.0
A solid entry in this quartet. I admit to being most curious about Penthurst, so undoubtedly, he will be the last in the quartet with Kendale being next.
Hunter is a good author and I enjoyed the unraveling mystery and the courtship unfold. I am glad for the lack of unnecessary drama and delay in the love story. That is most definitely refreshing!
Hunter is a good author and I enjoyed the unraveling mystery and the courtship unfold. I am glad for the lack of unnecessary drama and delay in the love story. That is most definitely refreshing!
lobo1tomia's review against another edition
4.0
A történet egyáltalán nem leplezi, romantika ide vagy oda, hogy mennyire kiszolgáltatott helyzetben voltak a 18. század végén azok, akiknek folt esett a becsületén. Cassandrát nemcsak a pletyka övezi és követi mindenhova, hanem szinte senki se bánik vele igazán tisztelettel, mert feltételezik, hogy bukott nő és ha már az, akkor egyáltalán emberszámba se kell venni.
Részletesen: http://olvasonaplo.net/olvasonaplo/2017/04/24/madeline-hunter-lady-cassandra-meghoditasa/
Részletesen: http://olvasonaplo.net/olvasonaplo/2017/04/24/madeline-hunter-lady-cassandra-meghoditasa/