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3.63 AVERAGE
3.63 AVERAGE
3.5, but I'll round up because it did get a tear out of me at the end.
This was my first time reading this author, and I will definitely be checking out her back catalogue. This was the start of a new series, but involved the children from a previous series, so now I'm thinking I should go back and read that one.
I thought we had a good depth of character with both the hero and the heroine. The hero is not just a rake, but a tortured rake (the best kind?). The heroine was spunky, but not annoying. She was supposed to be 19, so I could deal with some of her immaturity. Both characters changed and grew by the end - the hero more so than the heroine, but that was fine.
The plot wasn't overly angsty, but had enough action to keep it moving forward. I was slightly dubious of the leeway given to the heroine. She rocks up to the hero's house in the middle of the night multiple times, but it's OK because he's a family friend?
The writing was fairly good, with a few breaks in flow. Another bummer: my copy had been marked up by an overzealous (and incorrect) proof reader - words were crossed out and substituted. I hate it when people do that to library books.
In the end, I just wasn't feeling it quite as much as I have some other historicals.
This was my first time reading this author, and I will definitely be checking out her back catalogue. This was the start of a new series, but involved the children from a previous series, so now I'm thinking I should go back and read that one.
I thought we had a good depth of character with both the hero and the heroine. The hero is not just a rake, but a tortured rake (the best kind?). The heroine was spunky, but not annoying. She was supposed to be 19, so I could deal with some of her immaturity. Both characters changed and grew by the end - the hero more so than the heroine, but that was fine.
The plot wasn't overly angsty, but had enough action to keep it moving forward. I was slightly dubious of the leeway given to the heroine. She rocks up to the hero's house in the middle of the night multiple times, but it's OK because he's a family friend?
The writing was fairly good, with a few breaks in flow. Another bummer: my copy had been marked up by an overzealous (and incorrect) proof reader - words were crossed out and substituted. I hate it when people do that to library books.
In the end, I just wasn't feeling it quite as much as I have some other historicals.
This review was written with the help of Mrs. Julien's romance review template(tm).
[b:When the Duke Was Wicked|18053044|When the Duke Was Wicked (Scandalous Gentlemen of St. James, #1)|Lorraine Heath|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1377831101s/18053044.jpg|25337730] is a romance of the "friends to lovers" variety. The hero and heroine have known each other since they were young, as their families are very close. The heroine and the hero's younger sisters are BFFs. The hero grieves for his dead wife and had determined that he will never love another. The heroine believes she can get the hero to re-join polite society by asking for his advice to avoid fortune hunters. Hijinks ensue. The couple move forward together, secure in their love and commitment.
A historical romance set in Victorian London, [b:When the Duke Was Wicked|18053044|When the Duke Was Wicked (Scandalous Gentlemen of St. James, #1)|Lorraine Heath|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1377831101s/18053044.jpg|25337730] is the thirteenth book I've read by [a:Lorraine Heath|104926|Lorraine Heath|https://d.gr-assets.com/authors/1255228072p2/104926.jpg]. I generally find Ms. Heath's work to be entertaining, if only occasionally really good, but this was not one of her more memorable books. It was, however, acquired in an e-book sale for not very much money and allowed me to see how Grace, the best friend of Miranda from [b:Falling Into Bed with a Duke|24805225|Falling Into Bed with a Duke (The Hellions of Havisham, #1)|Lorraine Heath|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1428019547s/24805225.jpg|44443561] and Lovingdon, Miranda's half-brother actually got together. As they are frequently occurring supporting characters in that book, I wanted to see how they arrived at their HEA. I found [b:When the Duke Was Wicked|18053044|When the Duke Was Wicked (Scandalous Gentlemen of St. James, #1)|Lorraine Heath|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1377831101s/18053044.jpg|25337730] rather uninspiring, but while it was a bit of a dud, I will no doubt continue reading Ms. Heath's books (especially if I find them on sale) because every so often she produces a real gem. I would not recommend you start with this particular effort, however.
As I said above, the plot is a variety of the friends to lovers trope. Henry Stanford, the Duke of Lovingdon was everything that was dutiful and respectable until his wife and young daughter died. Blaming himself for the illness they contracted, and for the lie he told his wife on his deathbed (that he would keep them safe), he became consumed with grief and threw himself into debauchery and becoming a rake of the first order in an attempt to forget his formerly happy family life. He is handsome (of course), stubborn and rather single-minded. I found Lovingdon the biggest detriment to my enjoyment of this book, as he frustrated me immensely with his continued wallowing and his vow never to love another. There are many ways to love, dude! You can love your relatives, friends and spouse in different ways. Also, she died years ago. Get over yourself!
Lady Grace Mabry is lucky enough to have a huge dowry, but is worried that only cads and fortune hunters will be interested in her. She is clever, rather sneaky and convinced she can save Lovingdon from himself. Not entirely sure what she sees in him. She gets points for showing up at Lovingdon's town house and not blinking an eye when he opens the door while in the nude. She forces him to review all her suitors to give her advice on who's trying to dupe her. To do this, he has to show up at a number of society functions. She tells herself she is completely over her childhood crush on him (she was heartbroken when he married, even though she was a teen and he was a fair few years older than her), which is clearly not true. He doesn't think any of the men vying for her hand are good enough (he's not wrong) and gets crazy jealous at the thought of any of them touching her. If only his heart wasn't dead and buried along with his poor wife. Le sigh.
Once Grace is kidnapped by one of her suitors, Lovingdon comes to his senses and realises his true feelings for her. Will he be able to tell her before it's too late?
I forget if there are any significant subplots in the book. Some time is spent with the character Drake Darling, Grace's foster brother, who runs a gambling club. He's the hero of [b:Once More, My Darling Rogue|19099623|Once More, My Darling Rogue (Scandalous Gentlemen of St. James, #2)|Lorraine Heath|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1398312589s/19099623.jpg|27129061], a book which I refuse to read because Victorian Overboard is not a thing I will put myself through. You can read Mrs. Julien's review here, though.
While this book should have had Grace ending up with someone more awesome, I don't regret buying it for the price I paid. Anyone looking for really good Heath novels can check out [b:Lord of Wicked Intentions|15782195|Lord of Wicked Intentions (The Lost Lords of Pembrook, #3)|Lorraine Heath|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1356494824s/15782195.jpg|21498522], [b:The Duke and the Lady in Red|22864442|The Duke and the Lady in Red (Scandalous Gentlemen of St. James, #3)|Lorraine Heath|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1410993308s/22864442.jpg|42431510] or her most recent release, [b:Falling Into Bed with a Duke|24805225|Falling Into Bed with a Duke (The Hellions of Havisham, #1)|Lorraine Heath|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1428019547s/24805225.jpg|44443561].
[b:When the Duke Was Wicked|18053044|When the Duke Was Wicked (Scandalous Gentlemen of St. James, #1)|Lorraine Heath|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1377831101s/18053044.jpg|25337730] is a romance of the "friends to lovers" variety. The hero and heroine have known each other since they were young, as their families are very close. The heroine and the hero's younger sisters are BFFs. The hero grieves for his dead wife and had determined that he will never love another. The heroine believes she can get the hero to re-join polite society by asking for his advice to avoid fortune hunters. Hijinks ensue. The couple move forward together, secure in their love and commitment.
A historical romance set in Victorian London, [b:When the Duke Was Wicked|18053044|When the Duke Was Wicked (Scandalous Gentlemen of St. James, #1)|Lorraine Heath|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1377831101s/18053044.jpg|25337730] is the thirteenth book I've read by [a:Lorraine Heath|104926|Lorraine Heath|https://d.gr-assets.com/authors/1255228072p2/104926.jpg]. I generally find Ms. Heath's work to be entertaining, if only occasionally really good, but this was not one of her more memorable books. It was, however, acquired in an e-book sale for not very much money and allowed me to see how Grace, the best friend of Miranda from [b:Falling Into Bed with a Duke|24805225|Falling Into Bed with a Duke (The Hellions of Havisham, #1)|Lorraine Heath|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1428019547s/24805225.jpg|44443561] and Lovingdon, Miranda's half-brother actually got together. As they are frequently occurring supporting characters in that book, I wanted to see how they arrived at their HEA. I found [b:When the Duke Was Wicked|18053044|When the Duke Was Wicked (Scandalous Gentlemen of St. James, #1)|Lorraine Heath|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1377831101s/18053044.jpg|25337730] rather uninspiring, but while it was a bit of a dud, I will no doubt continue reading Ms. Heath's books (especially if I find them on sale) because every so often she produces a real gem. I would not recommend you start with this particular effort, however.
As I said above, the plot is a variety of the friends to lovers trope. Henry Stanford, the Duke of Lovingdon was everything that was dutiful and respectable until his wife and young daughter died. Blaming himself for the illness they contracted, and for the lie he told his wife on his deathbed (that he would keep them safe), he became consumed with grief and threw himself into debauchery and becoming a rake of the first order in an attempt to forget his formerly happy family life. He is handsome (of course), stubborn and rather single-minded. I found Lovingdon the biggest detriment to my enjoyment of this book, as he frustrated me immensely with his continued wallowing and his vow never to love another. There are many ways to love, dude! You can love your relatives, friends and spouse in different ways. Also, she died years ago. Get over yourself!
Lady Grace Mabry is lucky enough to have a huge dowry, but is worried that only cads and fortune hunters will be interested in her. She is clever, rather sneaky and convinced she can save Lovingdon from himself. Not entirely sure what she sees in him. She gets points for showing up at Lovingdon's town house and not blinking an eye when he opens the door while in the nude. She forces him to review all her suitors to give her advice on who's trying to dupe her. To do this, he has to show up at a number of society functions. She tells herself she is completely over her childhood crush on him (she was heartbroken when he married, even though she was a teen and he was a fair few years older than her), which is clearly not true. He doesn't think any of the men vying for her hand are good enough (he's not wrong) and gets crazy jealous at the thought of any of them touching her. If only his heart wasn't dead and buried along with his poor wife. Le sigh.
I forget if there are any significant subplots in the book. Some time is spent with the character Drake Darling, Grace's foster brother, who runs a gambling club. He's the hero of [b:Once More, My Darling Rogue|19099623|Once More, My Darling Rogue (Scandalous Gentlemen of St. James, #2)|Lorraine Heath|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1398312589s/19099623.jpg|27129061], a book which I refuse to read because Victorian Overboard is not a thing I will put myself through. You can read Mrs. Julien's review here, though.
While this book should have had Grace ending up with someone more awesome, I don't regret buying it for the price I paid. Anyone looking for really good Heath novels can check out [b:Lord of Wicked Intentions|15782195|Lord of Wicked Intentions (The Lost Lords of Pembrook, #3)|Lorraine Heath|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1356494824s/15782195.jpg|21498522], [b:The Duke and the Lady in Red|22864442|The Duke and the Lady in Red (Scandalous Gentlemen of St. James, #3)|Lorraine Heath|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1410993308s/22864442.jpg|42431510] or her most recent release, [b:Falling Into Bed with a Duke|24805225|Falling Into Bed with a Duke (The Hellions of Havisham, #1)|Lorraine Heath|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1428019547s/24805225.jpg|44443561].
I started listening to this audiobook and just could not finish it.
woah, yes.
This book brought depth and. feeling to what could have been either too saccharine or too depressing of a story. It was also hella sexy.
This book brought depth and. feeling to what could have been either too saccharine or too depressing of a story. It was also hella sexy.
What a lovely story. I haven't been moved like this in a long time. Lorraine Heath is one of my favourites and I hope she keeps on going writing HR.
actual rating: 2.5
The story itself was absolutely fine, as was the writing, but I never felt any chemistry between Grace and Henry - which is a pity because I had high hopes after having read about them in [b:Falling Into Bed with a Duke|24805225|Falling Into Bed with a Duke (The Hellions of Havisham, #1)|Lorraine Heath|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1428019547s/24805225.jpg|44443561].
I knew it was hopeless, but I thought Grace would be better off really moving on from her childhood crush on Henry, plus I found it more than a little creepy how much older he was, and how they knew each other when she was a little girl.
Besides, I really disliked how Henry kept compromising her while being so strict when it came to his own sister. That hypocritical attitude never was to my taste, it seems as if a woman is only truly worth protecting and honouring if she is somehow yours in some way, be it as a mother, sister, daughter or wife. It's just... gross.
And the comparisons between lively Grace and the wishy-washy dead wife were... troubling.
Which leads to the dilemma: this is a really well written story, but I hated the romance and how the characters were portrayed. Henry, for all his heartache, should have been less of a creep, and Grace should have been less naïve, considering all she went through.
Regarding what Grace went through: I REALLY LOVED that such a subject (can't say what it is, since it's a spoiler!) was addressed in HR and involving such a young girl as well, to help dispel the notion that it'll only happen in your later years. And I truly did love how the whole subject was handled.
I just couldn't get into the rest...
So read it and see for yourself because, as always, what doesn't work for me will work for other readers!
Pretty good I guess. I don't know, it just fell a little flat to me. Whatever. The smut was okay.
I forgot to write a sentence or 2 on this book when I logged it and now I don't remember why I gave it a low rating.
Very charming, though the gooey love language got to be a bit much. I really liked Grace.