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hookedbythatbook's review
4.0
Grace Burrows employs a writing style that takes a bit of time to adjust to, but once you do, you’ll find a well-crafted, interesting tale that will capture your attention and heart.
For Christian, it was probably a blessing in disguise that his wife, Helene, wasn’t alive anymore when he returned from the war. She sounded like she would not have been able to deal with all the changes his captivity had wrought. Whereas Gillian handled him with aplomb. She wasn’t afraid to discover and confront all the darkness lurking inside his head.
Christian and Gillian became very familiar with each other very fast. Their romance, in contrast, grew slowly and every action was considered thoroughly. There were strong parallels between the abuse they have both suffered. Christian came to see his suffering differently when compared to Gillian’s torture at the hands of her late husband. At one point he suggested that she was a prisoner of war too.
This thought from Christian summarized it perfectly: “He was a war hero for silently enduring a few months of Girard’s intermittent abuse, while Gilly remained emotionally imprisoned after eight years of silent torture, for which the law and Society both had guaranteed her tormentor impunity.”
The story also gives Christian’s jailor, Girard, a complex character that makes it more difficult to just outright hate him for his actions against Christian.
This is a rerelease of this book and it’s the second time I’ve read this story. I liked it better this time around and I can recommend it if you like historical romance. But be aware that there are heart-breaking issues (handled truly well) that might be hard to read.
Thank you to Netgalley for providing me with a copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
scoutmomskf's review
Good book, with a hero who is dealing with the Regency version of PTSD and a heroine who has a traumatic past of her own. The book opens with Christian as a prisoner of the French, being tortured and tormented in an attempt to get him to confess what he knows. Seeing what he went through made me ache for him, but also impressed me with the fortitude he showed in enduring it. He was determined to survive in order to take his revenge on them later. There was something a little odd about his treatment, and the memories of it carried throughout the book. When the war ended and he was released, he had to find his own way back to the British army. That arrival was not what he expected, and his treatment by his cousin was disturbing. I really liked Christian's dignified attitude as he attempts to prove his identity. I liked seeing Devlin St. Just again, and enjoyed his matter-of-fact treatment of Christian, both now and later in the book. Once Christian is back in London, he avoids contact with everyone, still attempting to deal with the physical and mental effects of his captivity. Everything changes when Gillian bursts into his life.
Gillian is recently widowed, ending her eight year marriage to a man three times her age, who was physically and mentally abusive to her. She was cousin to Christian's late wife and has been trying to watch over Christian's young daughter Lucy. Disturbed by the child's withdrawal and refusal to speak, Gilly confronts Christian, forcing him to see that he has a responsibility to Lucy. Her own past enables her to handle Christian with tact and sensibility for the most part, with a bit of steamroller tossed in when necessary.
I enjoyed seeing them get to know each other, as the two of them settled in to life at Severn, Christian's country estate. His return to health can be partially credited to Gilly, who doesn't fuss but makes sure that he has what he needs and is able to handle. I liked seeing how Christian reestablishes his bond with Lucy, and how their care for her helps bring him and Gilly closer together. Their friendship begins to grow into more, but there are some obstacles holding them back. Because of her marriage, Gilly is reluctant to put herself under the power of another man, even one such as Christian. There are also several accidents that happen to her, that Christian feels aren't actually accidents. This brings out a protectiveness in him that rubs up against Gilly's fears. On Christian's part, he feels that he really can't move on with his life until he deals with his past, which means following through on his vow of revenge. This is made somewhat more difficult by his knowledge that Gilly is against violence of any type.
There were some beautiful scenes between Gilly and Christian. I loved his patience and sensitivity as he learned more about what her marriage had been like. The part with the exposure of what she considers her biggest shame was especially moving. Gilly's way of helping Christian through his toughest moments was also beautifully realistic. I especially loved her tailoring efforts, and later her reaction to what Christian considered his worst scar.
The ending was great, as Lucy breaks her silence in time to reveal the truth about what had gone on during Christian's absence. Christian's confrontation with his tormentor yields satisfaction of a completely unexpected variety, and the truth of his captivity is exposed. I did suspect early on that this person was not what he seemed, and was happy to be proved right.
I loved the parts that Devlin St. Just played in the book. His early support of Christian, getting him safely to England from France, made the transition a bit easier. I also liked his visits to Christian, how he would listen to him without judging, dispensing practical advice. Some of the things he said made a huge difference to Christian's outlook. His presence at the end was also a big part of ensuring that all ended well.
Gillian is recently widowed, ending her eight year marriage to a man three times her age, who was physically and mentally abusive to her. She was cousin to Christian's late wife and has been trying to watch over Christian's young daughter Lucy. Disturbed by the child's withdrawal and refusal to speak, Gilly confronts Christian, forcing him to see that he has a responsibility to Lucy. Her own past enables her to handle Christian with tact and sensibility for the most part, with a bit of steamroller tossed in when necessary.
I enjoyed seeing them get to know each other, as the two of them settled in to life at Severn, Christian's country estate. His return to health can be partially credited to Gilly, who doesn't fuss but makes sure that he has what he needs and is able to handle. I liked seeing how Christian reestablishes his bond with Lucy, and how their care for her helps bring him and Gilly closer together. Their friendship begins to grow into more, but there are some obstacles holding them back. Because of her marriage, Gilly is reluctant to put herself under the power of another man, even one such as Christian. There are also several accidents that happen to her, that Christian feels aren't actually accidents. This brings out a protectiveness in him that rubs up against Gilly's fears. On Christian's part, he feels that he really can't move on with his life until he deals with his past, which means following through on his vow of revenge. This is made somewhat more difficult by his knowledge that Gilly is against violence of any type.
There were some beautiful scenes between Gilly and Christian. I loved his patience and sensitivity as he learned more about what her marriage had been like. The part with the exposure of what she considers her biggest shame was especially moving. Gilly's way of helping Christian through his toughest moments was also beautifully realistic. I especially loved her tailoring efforts, and later her reaction to what Christian considered his worst scar.
The ending was great, as Lucy breaks her silence in time to reveal the truth about what had gone on during Christian's absence. Christian's confrontation with his tormentor yields satisfaction of a completely unexpected variety, and the truth of his captivity is exposed. I did suspect early on that this person was not what he seemed, and was happy to be proved right.
I loved the parts that Devlin St. Just played in the book. His early support of Christian, getting him safely to England from France, made the transition a bit easier. I also liked his visits to Christian, how he would listen to him without judging, dispensing practical advice. Some of the things he said made a huge difference to Christian's outlook. His presence at the end was also a big part of ensuring that all ended well.
serialbookstarter's review
5.0
Thought provoking story about torture and captivity during wartime’s and during marriage. Christian was tortured as a prisoner of war and Gilly was a tortured wife. The love that blossomed between them as they dealt with their emotional traumas was sweet like incense. Christian truly was an amazing H and the love and patience he surrounded Gilly with was wonderful to watch. Love wins!
rainelle_barrett's review
5.0
I found the book to very entertaining. The characters actions or reactions fall into line with their motivations or set goals with the plot. These moments are logical to the outcome of the story. From my perception of the story, I thought Chris was very much in conflict with his PTSD. Most of the story Expressed how Chris tries to overcome this hardening medical depression.
The true light to Chris is his daughter Lucy,who is his light. The background story pulled me right in. Having Gillian being the heroine is simply marvelous. She was almost like Mary Poppins floating in and out of each room or some dilemma that’s hard for Chris to cross over. The book is a page turner.
Some of the more elegant or elaborate wording through me off which distracted my attention to the scenes in that part of the story. Keeping the wording simple in the book helps readers like me keeps the engage more in the book. The characters are all awesome. The emotions are very real and felt through the characters dialogue and actions. This is a wonderful story of love and romance.
Until next time my fellow readers… read on! I received a copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review.
The true light to Chris is his daughter Lucy,who is his light. The background story pulled me right in. Having Gillian being the heroine is simply marvelous. She was almost like Mary Poppins floating in and out of each room or some dilemma that’s hard for Chris to cross over. The book is a page turner.
Some of the more elegant or elaborate wording through me off which distracted my attention to the scenes in that part of the story. Keeping the wording simple in the book helps readers like me keeps the engage more in the book. The characters are all awesome. The emotions are very real and felt through the characters dialogue and actions. This is a wonderful story of love and romance.
Until next time my fellow readers… read on! I received a copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review.
erinarkin20's review against another edition
3.0
The Captive Duke is the first book in a new series by Grace Burrowes and enjoyed this one.
Christian Severn is our mmc and as the book opens, we learn he was captured by the French and has been tortured during his captivity. As he gains his freedom, he realizes he is coming back to a different world with his wife and son having died, he has to figure out what's important to him; life and family or revenge.
Upon his return, his late wife's relation, Gillian, Countess of Windmere, shows up and reminds him that while he lost his wife and son, he still has a daughter and she needs him. His daughter, Lucy, for some reason no longer speaks and Gillian has taken this as an opportunity to get away from the reminders of her failed marriage. As she pulls Christian back to life, they both find themselves healing their past pains and finding solace with each other.
I enjoyed how Burrowes developed these characters. Yes, a lot of the story revolves around their time together but they had very separate lives prior and we got to see what they were like before which helped to understand how they were when they were first together. I enjoyed the development of the relationship as well.
If you're looking for a new historical romance series to start, I recommend picking this one up. It has a great story, well developed characters, and a solid romance. I look forward to the next book in this series!
Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for the copy for review.
Christian Severn is our mmc and as the book opens, we learn he was captured by the French and has been tortured during his captivity. As he gains his freedom, he realizes he is coming back to a different world with his wife and son having died, he has to figure out what's important to him; life and family or revenge.
Upon his return, his late wife's relation, Gillian, Countess of Windmere, shows up and reminds him that while he lost his wife and son, he still has a daughter and she needs him. His daughter, Lucy, for some reason no longer speaks and Gillian has taken this as an opportunity to get away from the reminders of her failed marriage. As she pulls Christian back to life, they both find themselves healing their past pains and finding solace with each other.
I enjoyed how Burrowes developed these characters. Yes, a lot of the story revolves around their time together but they had very separate lives prior and we got to see what they were like before which helped to understand how they were when they were first together. I enjoyed the development of the relationship as well.
If you're looking for a new historical romance series to start, I recommend picking this one up. It has a great story, well developed characters, and a solid romance. I look forward to the next book in this series!
Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for the copy for review.
alisonb's review
5.0
This was a beautiful story of two people, who went through horrible things, and came together to find friendship and love.
I savored this story. I can see how this story may run somewhat slow for some, but I just loved Gilly and Christian and wanted to spend as much time as possible watching them grow together.
The dialogue between them was just mesmerizing and wonderful crafted in the nuances of words and actions.
I savored this story. I can see how this story may run somewhat slow for some, but I just loved Gilly and Christian and wanted to spend as much time as possible watching them grow together.
The dialogue between them was just mesmerizing and wonderful crafted in the nuances of words and actions.
lizzy_22's review
4.0
Swoony romance between two damaged people who find their way back to healing together. Loved it especially because it had an old romance flavor to it. Definitely reading on since, at the end of this one, we get a hint of how book two's protagonist (who tortured our hero!!) will be redeemed.
dakotars's review
dark
emotional
tense
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
3.5