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jackiehorne's review
3.0
I think I read this when it first came out; it felt awfully familiar. Or perhaps that's because I've read a bunch of Burrowes' books of late, and they all tend to follow the same pattern?
ilaurin's review against another edition
4.0
I really enjoy Grace Burrowe's writing. She has a clever but accurate vocabulary. Her stories are nice and her heroes deserve their happily ever after.
Nicholas is a gentle hearted giant with miss-conceptions on how to best protect the ones he loves. The heroine has had a rough time growing up and into adulthood but is strong and knows what she wants. The secret between them is stretched out but still a very enjoyable read.
Nicholas is a gentle hearted giant with miss-conceptions on how to best protect the ones he loves. The heroine has had a rough time growing up and into adulthood but is strong and knows what she wants. The secret between them is stretched out but still a very enjoyable read.
kathflynn's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
slow-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
3.5
jen286's review
4.0
This review was originally posted to Jen in Bookland
4.5 stars
Nicholas:Lord of Secrets was a great read. Nick is so kind and caring, even if he is a bit stubborn and won't share all his thoughts and feelings with others. He is a really great guy and I loved watching him and Leah find their way in this book.
Nick, who is known for being a big ladies man, has to find a wife. He promised his dying father he would marry before he passes so he is trying to do just that. The only issue? He doesn't want a conventional marriage. He is trying to find someone who will be okay with marrying him in name only.
Leah is not in a good home situation. Her father/guardian is a truly horrible person. He doesn't really care what happens to Leah he just wants her out of his house. He has always hated her and has never made her life easy, but there is talk of him marrying her off to a horrible guy who is much much older. Leah doesn't want that, but if she doesn't marry this guy things could be a lot worse for her.
Leah meets Nick one night when they are both trying to steal a minute alone. When Nick starts finding out what is going on in Leah's life, how those who are supposed to care for her don't seem to be, he has to step in and help. She doesn't want him to, but he cannot just sit by and watch something bad happen to her. He cares about her and wants her to be happy and safe.
When Nick proposes marriage to Leah to help both of them, her to get away from her father, him to have the wife he needs, she is unsure if she will. Really I didn't read the synopsis and was unsure if these two would get married. The first part of this book is Nick helping out Leah and trying to find a solution for her situation without marrying her. You can tell how much they both care for the other, which makes it hard on Leah. Can she be in a marriage where Nick refuses to let them be truly intimate? And why does he do that? He definitely has secrets, as does she, but he won't share them with her. The heartbreaking part is watching him struggle with what he feels he must do even when you can see he doesn't really want to. Once you find out his secrets, why he is trying to keep Leah at arms length, you do feel for him. Everything is resolved fairly quickly which is my one complaint for the book. It is just like instantly things are better and they live happily ever after. Not that it needed to be some long drawn out thing, but a little more from the ending would have been nice. Still a great read.
4.5 stars
Nicholas:Lord of Secrets was a great read. Nick is so kind and caring, even if he is a bit stubborn and won't share all his thoughts and feelings with others. He is a really great guy and I loved watching him and Leah find their way in this book.
Nick, who is known for being a big ladies man, has to find a wife. He promised his dying father he would marry before he passes so he is trying to do just that. The only issue? He doesn't want a conventional marriage. He is trying to find someone who will be okay with marrying him in name only.
Leah is not in a good home situation. Her father/guardian is a truly horrible person. He doesn't really care what happens to Leah he just wants her out of his house. He has always hated her and has never made her life easy, but there is talk of him marrying her off to a horrible guy who is much much older. Leah doesn't want that, but if she doesn't marry this guy things could be a lot worse for her.
Leah meets Nick one night when they are both trying to steal a minute alone. When Nick starts finding out what is going on in Leah's life, how those who are supposed to care for her don't seem to be, he has to step in and help. She doesn't want him to, but he cannot just sit by and watch something bad happen to her. He cares about her and wants her to be happy and safe.
When Nick proposes marriage to Leah to help both of them, her to get away from her father, him to have the wife he needs, she is unsure if she will. Really I didn't read the synopsis and was unsure if these two would get married. The first part of this book is Nick helping out Leah and trying to find a solution for her situation without marrying her. You can tell how much they both care for the other, which makes it hard on Leah. Can she be in a marriage where Nick refuses to let them be truly intimate? And why does he do that? He definitely has secrets, as does she, but he won't share them with her. The heartbreaking part is watching him struggle with what he feels he must do even when you can see he doesn't really want to. Once you find out his secrets, why he is trying to keep Leah at arms length, you do feel for him. Everything is resolved fairly quickly which is my one complaint for the book. It is just like instantly things are better and they live happily ever after. Not that it needed to be some long drawn out thing, but a little more from the ending would have been nice. Still a great read.
nelsonseye's review against another edition
4.0
Although some points were a bit rushed, a very compelling read. Loved the characters and look forward to reading about Nick's brothers and hopefully Leah's older brother too.
scoutmomskf's review
4.0
Good book. This is the story of Nicholas and Leah. Leah is the sister of Darius, from the first book in the series, which takes place at the same time as this one. Both Nicholas and Leah appear in that book, and some things alluded to there are explained here.
Nicholas is a big man with an even bigger heart. Like most men of his time, he had a pretty wild youth and has quite a reputation among a particular group of ladies. He's lately tired of that life and has spent more time with his ailing father, learning what he needs to know when he becomes the Earl of Bellefonte. The earl's greatest wish is to see Nicholas married. Nicholas knows he needs to marry, but there are reasons he doesn't want to have a typical marriage.
Leah is a woman with a past. A scandal years ago has put her firmly on the shelf. Her father, a nasty, vicious man, hates her and can't wait to marry her off. He has the perfect candidate - one of his cronies. Lord Hellerington is a randy old goat who has buried three wives. Leah is unwilling, but her father's threats against her brothers keep her in line. All she wants is to marry someone she can love and who will love her.
Nicholas and Leah met one evening when both tried to escape an uncomfortable Society function. Nicholas was pursued by two women determined to capture him, and Leah was avoiding her father's choice for her. The room was dark, and neither could see the other, making it easier for them to talk. Leah's story raises Nicholas's protective instincts, but without knowing who she is, there's no way for him to help her. Before they part ways, they share a kiss that neither one can forget.
When they meet again, and Nicholas learns who she is, he is determined to find a way to help her. He finds ways to spend time with her and quickly comes to realize that she may be the answer to his problem. Nicholas can marry Leah, satisfying his father's wishes, while at the same time protecting her from her father's plans. He feels guilty about offering her a platonic marriage, knowing that most women at least want children from their unions. However, Nicholas is adamant that he will father no children, with her or anyone else. Though she has reservations, Leah accepts his proposal.
I enjoyed the development of the relationship between Nicholas and Leah. There is a connection between them from the beginning that neither one can deny. I liked how easily they were able to talk to each other about anything, as long as they stayed away from Nicholas's reasons for staying out of Leah's bed. It doesn't take long for Leah to realize that she loves Nicholas. Unfortunately, getting him to reveal his secrets is an uphill battle, and one she isn't sure she can win.
Meanwhile, Nicholas's feelings for Leah grow stronger, as does his guilt. There were so many times I wanted to shake him and tell him to talk to her already. I ached for them both when they parted because it was so hard to be together under their current circumstances. I had to laugh at Nicholas because of the way he handled the separation.
The whole family knew that Nicholas and Leah were meant to be together, but getting through to Nicholas was much harder than anyone expected. I loved how his grandmother finally sat Nicholas down and got him to talk to her. Nicholas's shock when he discovered that he'd been wrong about his reasons for not having children left him speechless, then determined to return to Leah as quickly as possible. I loved their reunion, which was as sweet and intense as I expected. Even better was how Nicholas revealed that devastating secret he had kept for sixteen years. I ached for his pain, loved the big heart and sweet nature that showed the depth of who he is, and cheered for Leah's reaction. The icing on the cake was their visit to her brother Darius and the revelation of the secret he had kept.
I loved the importance of family in this book and series. I liked how Darius and Trent supported Leah when she needed them, and her determination to do what she must to protect them. Nicholas's love for his family was evident in everything he did. Even though he and his father had their differences, the love and desire for what was best were still there. He also loved his sisters and their families and was fantastic with the children. A big part of this book was also the reconciliation between Nicholas and his older, illegitimate brother Ethan. They were the best of friends as children and teens until they were driven apart by the earl. I liked seeing the steps they took to return to their old relationship. I also enjoyed seeing Nicholas confront Leah's father about his treatment of Leah and the things that Nicholas found out. I thought he got off rather easy, but it was still satisfying to see him get even a fraction of what he deserved.
Nicholas is a big man with an even bigger heart. Like most men of his time, he had a pretty wild youth and has quite a reputation among a particular group of ladies. He's lately tired of that life and has spent more time with his ailing father, learning what he needs to know when he becomes the Earl of Bellefonte. The earl's greatest wish is to see Nicholas married. Nicholas knows he needs to marry, but there are reasons he doesn't want to have a typical marriage.
Leah is a woman with a past. A scandal years ago has put her firmly on the shelf. Her father, a nasty, vicious man, hates her and can't wait to marry her off. He has the perfect candidate - one of his cronies. Lord Hellerington is a randy old goat who has buried three wives. Leah is unwilling, but her father's threats against her brothers keep her in line. All she wants is to marry someone she can love and who will love her.
Nicholas and Leah met one evening when both tried to escape an uncomfortable Society function. Nicholas was pursued by two women determined to capture him, and Leah was avoiding her father's choice for her. The room was dark, and neither could see the other, making it easier for them to talk. Leah's story raises Nicholas's protective instincts, but without knowing who she is, there's no way for him to help her. Before they part ways, they share a kiss that neither one can forget.
When they meet again, and Nicholas learns who she is, he is determined to find a way to help her. He finds ways to spend time with her and quickly comes to realize that she may be the answer to his problem. Nicholas can marry Leah, satisfying his father's wishes, while at the same time protecting her from her father's plans. He feels guilty about offering her a platonic marriage, knowing that most women at least want children from their unions. However, Nicholas is adamant that he will father no children, with her or anyone else. Though she has reservations, Leah accepts his proposal.
I enjoyed the development of the relationship between Nicholas and Leah. There is a connection between them from the beginning that neither one can deny. I liked how easily they were able to talk to each other about anything, as long as they stayed away from Nicholas's reasons for staying out of Leah's bed. It doesn't take long for Leah to realize that she loves Nicholas. Unfortunately, getting him to reveal his secrets is an uphill battle, and one she isn't sure she can win.
Meanwhile, Nicholas's feelings for Leah grow stronger, as does his guilt. There were so many times I wanted to shake him and tell him to talk to her already. I ached for them both when they parted because it was so hard to be together under their current circumstances. I had to laugh at Nicholas because of the way he handled the separation.
The whole family knew that Nicholas and Leah were meant to be together, but getting through to Nicholas was much harder than anyone expected. I loved how his grandmother finally sat Nicholas down and got him to talk to her. Nicholas's shock when he discovered that he'd been wrong about his reasons for not having children left him speechless, then determined to return to Leah as quickly as possible. I loved their reunion, which was as sweet and intense as I expected. Even better was how Nicholas revealed that devastating secret he had kept for sixteen years. I ached for his pain, loved the big heart and sweet nature that showed the depth of who he is, and cheered for Leah's reaction. The icing on the cake was their visit to her brother Darius and the revelation of the secret he had kept.
I loved the importance of family in this book and series. I liked how Darius and Trent supported Leah when she needed them, and her determination to do what she must to protect them. Nicholas's love for his family was evident in everything he did. Even though he and his father had their differences, the love and desire for what was best were still there. He also loved his sisters and their families and was fantastic with the children. A big part of this book was also the reconciliation between Nicholas and his older, illegitimate brother Ethan. They were the best of friends as children and teens until they were driven apart by the earl. I liked seeing the steps they took to return to their old relationship. I also enjoyed seeing Nicholas confront Leah's father about his treatment of Leah and the things that Nicholas found out. I thought he got off rather easy, but it was still satisfying to see him get even a fraction of what he deserved.
gasoline_allie's review
3.0
I love the "gentle giant" thing Nicholas has going on, and Leah was strong and had such a tragic past. Burrowes excels at hurt-comfort style romance, and I love it. That said, I didn't love this story. I thought Nicholas's big secret was kept long beyond the point of reason, and I thought that the way he's happy to be the Viscount of Variety but not sleep with his legal wife, made him a colossal hypocrite. Spoiler removed: I also felt like much of Leah's personal conflict just fizzled out, without real resolution. Even the way this book, book 2, was set before and maybe during book 1 of the series irked me.
But I loved Nicholas and Leah together, in spite of everything. Loved 'em. Their connection was so deep
Spoiler
I mean, he thinks his children will be born intellectually disabled. He's willing to take his chances with the demimonde, but not with a woman who could give him legitimate heirs. I understood that he felt he would not be able to protect his heirs--who would have to lead a more public life--from scrutiny and ridicule, but what the hell?But I loved Nicholas and Leah together, in spite of everything. Loved 'em. Their connection was so deep
planetarypan's review
4.0
This novel feels as rushed and hard to follow as Darius did, but at the same time, I really enjoyed the characters and felt for them. I like how all of Burrowes's novels are overlapping.