Reviews tagging 'Rape'

Beyond Scandal and Desire by Lorraine Heath

7 reviews

greylandreviews's review against another edition

dark emotional sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No

4.75

This was so good! Except for the miscommunication... it's always that.

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Abandonment and Death

Minor: Rape

allingoodtime's review against another edition

emotional hopeful reflective tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

Seeing those from the Trewlove family pop up in more recent books by this author, I figured it was time for me to get to this series so I could get their stories. It starts off with Mick, the oldest of the bunch. Their mom is a widow who also lost her children and started taking in by-blows for a fee. Some aristocrats who drop their babies on her doorstep aren’t so careful to cover their tracks. Mick knows who his father is and, after growing up poor and looked down upon, wants to make him acknowledge him as the true heir to the dukedom. To do that, he plans to take down the Duke’s son using the son’s betrothed to help matters along.

Aslyn was mostly raised by the Duke and his wife when her parents died. She grew up knowing she would marry their son, Kip. She loves Kip, but she also has a very narrow view of the world. The Duchess is a frail woman who is overly protective of Aslyn so Aslyn hasn’t seen much of how the world outside her bubble works. Once she does, it doesn’t take long for her to realize her love for Kip is more familial and it’s Mick who sets her on fire.

The way Mick and Aslyn cannot stay away from each other, even while resolving to do so over and over, is fantastic. I was afraid Mick would keep stringing Aslyn along while planning to ruin her in the long run, but he quickly changed his plan and wanted to keep her out of it. He knew he was not good enough for her due to their social positions, but he also knew Kip was not good enough for her. Keeping her out of the inevitable backlash once his plan was complete was important to him, yet he couldn’t keep from seeking her out repeatedly.

Aslyn has always followed the rules. Never given the Duke and Duchess any reason to mistrust her or be ashamed of her actions. Yet she now finds herself sneaking out at night, going to places she knows can be dangerous, and even standing up for herself and speaking her mind. Beneath the biddable lady is a woman with fire and passion. Not just for Mick, but for life.

Mick comes across as the bad guy at first, but he’s really quite the cinnamon roll. Everything he does is to help those in his community, his family, and the hapless children abandoned by their parents. I adore him. Plus, his groveling is on point!

This book did its job of piquing my interest in all of the Trewlove siblings along with endearing their mom to me. 

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Content Warnings

Minor: Rape and Addiction

elaineberaldo's review against another edition

lighthearted relaxing medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? N/A
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

I loved the book. The journey of the characters was well developed and the romance very satisfying. Beautiful ending

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Content Warnings

Minor: Rape

whichdirection's review against another edition

emotional lighthearted relaxing fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

The audacity to name your love interest McTrueLove is simply fantastic, and made me giggle repeatedly when I figured it out.
A little slow/wordy at times but enjoyable and entertaining. Good set-up for the rest of the series.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexual content

Moderate: Rape, Sexual assault, Addiction, Alcohol, Abandonment, and Classism

SA/R*pe/Abandonment:

It is revealed about 90% of the way through the novel that Mick is not a bastard, but the legitimate son of the duke & duchess; he was given away bc the duchess was SA’d and believed Mick to be the assailant’s child, not the duke’s, and they did not want the assailant’s child as heir. I marked it as moderate bc even though they don’t give many details, it is a rather major plot point.

Addition: Gambling, specifically cards

robinreading's review against another edition

medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.75

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Content Warnings

Minor: Rape and Murder

elizabeth_reads_'s review against another edition

• Strong character development? Yes

3.25

I've just decided I'm not of fan of romances where the hero uses the heroine for some sort of misguided revenge plot. Still looking forward to reading the rest of the series.

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Content Warnings

Minor: Rape

Off-page rape of a side-character is described in general terms. This happens towards the end of the book.

bookeduparchivist's review against another edition

emotional hopeful fast-paced

• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

5.0

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Infidelity and Addiction

Minor: Rape, Child abuse, and Child death