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3.76 AVERAGE
3.76 AVERAGE
First things first: please read this series. It's so damn good. I will do my best to find the right words to say how good in a second but if you at all like historical novels, read this series.
Set in the 1820s in Scotland, it's the story of David and Murdo. David is a lawyer and Murdo the son of a marquess, and while they should live in different worlds their paths cross and cross again. But since this is not just a good but excellent book - and the three volumes are really just one book, one story - it's more than that, capturing other stories as well as the political and sociological reality of that time. It also shows the slow acceptance and realization of one's self, and tells a simply beautiful love story that perfectly adapts to the difficulties of that time.
There is not one comma I didn't love in these books, I tell you, and I cannot urge everyone who's read this far enough to read this, because it's that good. And if you've read it and liked it read K.J. Charles's books as well and then be grateful that there are such books out there for us to read and discover.
Set in the 1820s in Scotland, it's the story of David and Murdo. David is a lawyer and Murdo the son of a marquess, and while they should live in different worlds their paths cross and cross again. But since this is not just a good but excellent book - and the three volumes are really just one book, one story - it's more than that, capturing other stories as well as the political and sociological reality of that time. It also shows the slow acceptance and realization of one's self, and tells a simply beautiful love story that perfectly adapts to the difficulties of that time.
There is not one comma I didn't love in these books, I tell you, and I cannot urge everyone who's read this far enough to read this, because it's that good. And if you've read it and liked it read K.J. Charles's books as well and then be grateful that there are such books out there for us to read and discover.
I think I was recommended this book at some point (although I can't remember who did rec it me) and it had been sat on my kindle for a little while, until I picked it up and I really wish I hadn't let it sit without being read straight away.
This was such a good book, there were definitely a few nights where I didn't want to put the book down because I just had to know what happened next. I felt bad for actually having to go to sleep, because I wanted to finish this book and find out more.
I really liked the whole book, I wasn't too keen on the internalized homophobia aspect of it (I think this is why I put off reading the book at first), but actually the author handled this really well. Sometimes you can get books that deal with that, then by the time they meet 'The One' it's all sunshine and roses, but this book didn't do that. I am glad that there was a small bit of resolution for the main character but he most definitely was not 'cured' of his doubts/fear/etc by any means and I liked that.
I've always enjoyed books where opposites attract so to speak and these two in this are most definitely opposites and it works so well. You can definitely tell the personalities apart in the book and even when it's not stated who is speaking you know which one of them said what.
The only reason I didn't give this 5 stars and I really wanted to, I desperately wanted to, was because we seemed to have lulls between the investigation side of things where nothing moved on (in my opinion) and then when the next bit came along there had been a jump. It was a little disjointed when they happened. Also I found that I kept forgetting I was in Edinburgh even with most of the descriptions going on, so I would love to have had something that distinctly screamed Edinburgh for me in the book.
I will be reading the next book though, because I really think the author is on to something with this series and I can't wait to read more, to discover more of this world they are creating.
Overall, a really great read, am looking forward to reading more.
This was such a good book, there were definitely a few nights where I didn't want to put the book down because I just had to know what happened next. I felt bad for actually having to go to sleep, because I wanted to finish this book and find out more.
I really liked the whole book, I wasn't too keen on the internalized homophobia aspect of it (I think this is why I put off reading the book at first), but actually the author handled this really well. Sometimes you can get books that deal with that, then by the time they meet 'The One' it's all sunshine and roses, but this book didn't do that. I am glad that there was a small bit of resolution for the main character but he most definitely was not 'cured' of his doubts/fear/etc by any means and I liked that.
I've always enjoyed books where opposites attract so to speak and these two in this are most definitely opposites and it works so well. You can definitely tell the personalities apart in the book and even when it's not stated who is speaking you know which one of them said what.
The only reason I didn't give this 5 stars and I really wanted to, I desperately wanted to, was because we seemed to have lulls between the investigation side of things where nothing moved on (in my opinion) and then when the next bit came along there had been a jump. It was a little disjointed when they happened. Also I found that I kept forgetting I was in Edinburgh even with most of the descriptions going on, so I would love to have had something that distinctly screamed Edinburgh for me in the book.
I will be reading the next book though, because I really think the author is on to something with this series and I can't wait to read more, to discover more of this world they are creating.
Overall, a really great read, am looking forward to reading more.
adventurous
mysterious
reflective
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
CW: dubious consent. Homophobia.
Encounter counter: 3
I don’t know, man. I liked some things. I absolutely hated some things. I’ll probably try book 2, but if it’s not a sight better than this one, I might give up.
Encounter counter: 3
I don’t know, man. I liked some things. I absolutely hated some things. I’ll probably try book 2, but if it’s not a sight better than this one, I might give up.
I really liked the incorporation of real historical events and spaces into this novel without it being exploitative. All the Edinburgh spaces were recognisable and the plotting of the book had the confidence not to rush either the detective plot or the romance plot.
Would have been 4 stars, I suspect, had it been directly sold as one with the sequel/sequels. It was fairly short and lacked a proper conclusion, so great start, but not an entire book. I adore the main couple and the setting. I highly recommend the audiobook if you are partial to Scottish accents.
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
dark
emotional
informative
mysterious
sad
fast-paced
Lust didn’t make you forget all the reasons you shouldn’t do something. It just made you not care. It made you not care, even knowing you would regret your actions later.
I have mentioned before, Historical Romance was my first love. I devoured everything I could by my favorite authors in that genre and even tried a few new ones that fit fine for the moment. I have been overjoyed to find historical m/m romance stories that translate just as well and give me that oh so special feeling as I read them.
Provoked showed up when I saw Susan’s review for it. It of course pinged every check mark on my list for a must read book and I was surprised, humbled and overjoyed when “Santa” proclaimed that I “had been a decent-enough girl this year” and I was gifted not only this book but the sequel as well. If I wasn’t already on board with this I know had them both on my Nook and in my greedy hands.
I was hooked quickly with this book, how can you not be when a romance opens with an execution… but as gruesome and hard as that was to read, it was necessary. Told through the POV of our lovely and rather lonesome Ginger David Lauriston, a man who legally defends those who cannot defend themselves. A man who stands on being true to oneself and his principals and a man who continually beats himself up over his “preference” for wanting men sexually. Oh David. I got your over-thinking and analytical side but you just killed me.
Of course someone of David’s nature needs to meet his polar opposite and the night at the Inn he shares meal at the taproom with Mr. Balfour. Balfour notices David and notices the way David looks at him.
I noticed the way you’ve been looking at me. And I know that look very well. I believe I know what manner of man you are, Mr. Lauriston. I’m confident that you and I are similar, in certain ways.
Oh boy. That there leads to one hell of a hot scene regardless of the setting. It was not the most romantic setting but the words, the actions and the emotions that come from that was amazing. It wasn’t ideal but oh the way both men give in to the moment; I get flushed just thinking of it.
David was used to this, getting what he wanted from random men when he felt himself “lapse” and then he would continue on per usual. But this, this encounter with Balfour has left him shaken. It’s a really good thing that Balfour shows up again when David least expects it.
I loved reading this story. It was dark, not dark in the way you would expect but there was this cloud that seemed to hang over the book as I read it. A touch of melancholy not only in the setting and the political/social uprising that was in the back ground as well as the quest of young Euan for revenge but this was a heavy dark. David constantly chastised himself for wanting men yet preached that he must remain true to who he was yet denied himself the pleasure of it. Balfour, my holy romantic heart that man was simply amazing. Never a man for a repeat performance he can’t seem to let go of David. Their shared moments, the small demands and jealousy each played off each other had my anxiety level so high that once I finished this I dove right into book two. I had to know where these two were headed. They are so easy to fall for and so hard to let go of. I don’t stay up until the wee hours of the morning reading anymore, it’s the rare book that hooks me that deeply and Provoked certainly did that.
This book was a high point of my week. I was beautifully told; from the story of lust and want to the back story of David and his family. Oh the talk with his father was so touching. I adored that Jonathan and David were brought up as it has become one of my favorite stores from the Bible and the way the author tied it in was lovely. I just simply loved how this was told.
I would suggest if you read this you have Beguiled ready to go. This does not end on a huge cliffhanger but I can guarantee you, when you read that last page you will be digging into Beguiled just as I did.