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smzhou's review against another edition
3.0
although i can see why olivia acted the way she did, her character was not a fun one to read about and i got annoyed at her really quickly. she’s also constantly screeching and idk why that was the only word used.
would have liked to see a few more scenes between jack and henry bc they were really sweet. also i guessed who lovingdon was pretty early on in the book and i don’t like it.
would have liked to see a few more scenes between jack and henry bc they were really sweet. also i guessed who lovingdon was pretty early on in the book and i don’t like it.
topy_loving_books's review
4.0
Loved the MC to bits!!! The all universe and side characters are so well introduced and crafted that we want more of them and read the other books in the series.
Unfolding the hero personality and past as we read was a delight. A lot too unpacked. Maybe a bit too much and dark in the end. But it was a lovely unexpected surprised. I've got Kerrigan Byrne vibes. This his definitely a hero's (and his universe) book.
The heroin is less developed as a result, but I thought she was a good representation of her time, like Annabelle is in Secrets of a Summer Night by LK. She is a mother first and she'll do everything in her power for him. It's the first time that a 5 years old is portrayed so well. It was a delight to see his bond with Jack growing through the book. The kid was definitely the link that brought the MC together.
I haven't read much Heath's books but I definitely want to correct that, starting with the rest of this series. As it's all connected with her next ones (I've got MacLean and LK's vibes) I'm loving interconnected books that bring so much more depth to the universe the author is building.
Unfolding the hero personality and past as we read was a delight. A lot too unpacked. Maybe a bit too much and dark in the end. But it was a lovely unexpected surprised. I've got Kerrigan Byrne vibes. This his definitely a hero's (and his universe) book.
The heroin is less developed as a result, but I thought she was a good representation of her time, like Annabelle is in Secrets of a Summer Night by LK. She is a mother first and she'll do everything in her power for him. It's the first time that a 5 years old is portrayed so well. It was a delight to see his bond with Jack growing through the book. The kid was definitely the link that brought the MC together.
I haven't read much Heath's books but I definitely want to correct that, starting with the rest of this series. As it's all connected with her next ones (I've got MacLean and LK's vibes) I'm loving interconnected books that bring so much more depth to the universe the author is building.
sharonwb's review against another edition
4.0
Very strong book dealing with abuse and with a surprise ending. I felt the abuse and healing issue could have been dealt with on an even deeper level but I did enjoy the story and the HEA.
winterreader40's review against another edition
4.0
Jack Dodger has been given the guardianship of a Duke's son when he'd never really known the man at all. Olivia is livid that her late husband would leave her son's future in the hands of such an infamous scoundrel.
These two clash over everything until she starts seeing things in him she never expected to see, especially in his relationship with her son and the positive effect it seems to be having on Henry.
This was sweet but not overly emotional for me, I think I like the Scandalous Gentlemen series about these characters kids better, I didn't realize about the reading order for the 2 series at the time though, not that it matters because they are still great stories.
These two clash over everything until she starts seeing things in him she never expected to see, especially in his relationship with her son and the positive effect it seems to be having on Henry.
This was sweet but not overly emotional for me, I think I like the Scandalous Gentlemen series about these characters kids better, I didn't realize about the reading order for the 2 series at the time though, not that it matters because they are still great stories.
namaria's review against another edition
5.0
I loved the ending to this book just as much as I loved the ending to the first one. I read "Between the Devil and Desire" in a day and a half because the story was so intriguing and held so many suspenseful turns in it that I couldn't wait to read about what happened next.
I was really disappointed to learn the story of Frannie, "Surrender to the Devil," won't be released until July '09. I've added it to my Amazon wish list so I remember to get it when it's released! This series has been so interesting that I can't wait to read about Feagan's other children.
I was really disappointed to learn the story of Frannie, "Surrender to the Devil," won't be released until July '09. I've added it to my Amazon wish list so I remember to get it when it's released! This series has been so interesting that I can't wait to read about Feagan's other children.
seeinghowitgoes's review against another edition
3.0
Perhaps Heath needed a few novels to get the more obvious story twists out of the way, but this case of a man suddenly receiving an inheritance and guardianship of a young heir to a dukedom felt rather obvious and bashing you over the head with its subtext.
I wanted a bit more wickedness from Jack, especially knowing his status as owner of Dodgers, but was a little disappointed to see him in the stereotypical bad boy role without any actual badness.
Spoiler
Yes, Jack was his bastard son all along...! Who would have guessed, except everyone.I wanted a bit more wickedness from Jack, especially knowing his status as owner of Dodgers, but was a little disappointed to see him in the stereotypical bad boy role without any actual badness.
amberreadsromance28's review against another edition
5.0
This book addresses some darker subject matter but does it in a thoughtful and respectful way. It was such a beautiful story, and I think I liked this one more than the first one.
Jack Dodger has worked his way up from a childhood thief on the streets to a successful gentleman's club owner. He is surprised to learn he has been named the sole heir in Duke Lovingdon's will, but he has to be the guardian of Lovingdon's son Henry. This is devastating to the widow Olivia Lovingdon. She is shocked that her husband left everything to a notorious club owner and rogue. She is now forced to live in the same house with Jack Dodger. At first, they have a contentious relationship since Olivia is upset and judgemental of Jack. However, Jack steps up as Henry's guardian. He is so sweet and observant of Henry, and they build a close relationship. There is also some great caretaking in this when Olivia gets sick with a fever.
I loved how alpha and dominant Jack was with Livvy. Their first kissing scene was so hot. Jack started to fall for Livvy, and their relationship was so sweet. He was so good to her son, and I loved the scenes where they all went on outings together.
Jack has been through so much in his life. He has accomplished so much on his own when he shouldn't have to. It is such a sad story. I love it when the rake/cad falls in love with a good woman and change their ways.
TW: child abuse, SA, trauma.
Jack Dodger has worked his way up from a childhood thief on the streets to a successful gentleman's club owner. He is surprised to learn he has been named the sole heir in Duke Lovingdon's will, but he has to be the guardian of Lovingdon's son Henry. This is devastating to the widow Olivia Lovingdon. She is shocked that her husband left everything to a notorious club owner and rogue. She is now forced to live in the same house with Jack Dodger. At first, they have a contentious relationship since Olivia is upset and judgemental of Jack. However, Jack steps up as Henry's guardian. He is so sweet and observant of Henry, and they build a close relationship. There is also some great caretaking in this when Olivia gets sick with a fever.
I loved how alpha and dominant Jack was with Livvy. Their first kissing scene was so hot. Jack started to fall for Livvy, and their relationship was so sweet. He was so good to her son, and I loved the scenes where they all went on outings together.
Jack has been through so much in his life. He has accomplished so much on his own when he shouldn't have to. It is such a sad story. I love it when the rake/cad falls in love with a good woman and change their ways.
TW: child abuse, SA, trauma.
allieveryday's review against another edition
3.0
Umm.. so Jack is the duke's illegitimate son whommarries the duke's widow, the widow who had a son with the duke. So Jack essentially marries his stepmom and becomes his half-brother's dad, and any future kids would be....
Icky-ish ending aside, this is totally Jack's book. Livvy, the widow/step-mom, is less than half baked as a character. She is just a widow and a mom, no personality, no previous life really, no connections, nothing do endear or explain her to the reader. Jack comes off as a money hungry jerk but we learn why, we get to know him deeper than that. Ok it's not Livvy's book but by the end I still had no idea who she was at all.
Icky-ish ending aside, this is totally Jack's book. Livvy, the widow/step-mom, is less than half baked as a character. She is just a widow and a mom, no personality, no previous life really, no connections, nothing do endear or explain her to the reader. Jack comes off as a money hungry jerk but we learn why, we get to know him deeper than that. Ok it's not Livvy's book but by the end I still had no idea who she was at all.
salindajm's review against another edition
The romance didn't pull me in and the characters felt super one-dimensional