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kenzee06's review against another edition
3.0
*I won this book in a GoodReads First Reads Giveaway*
Hmmm, what to say about this book? It was okay. I really wasn't too fond of the whole "hero out for revenge" theme. And that's what really kept me from liking the book. And then there was the action portion of the story (who is trying to murder the hero?), that was a little underdeveloped in my opinion.
I think I'd be interested in trying out a different book by Ramsey (the writing wasn't bad), but this one wasn't my cup of tea.
Hmmm, what to say about this book? It was okay. I really wasn't too fond of the whole "hero out for revenge" theme. And that's what really kept me from liking the book. And then there was the action portion of the story (who is trying to murder the hero?), that was a little underdeveloped in my opinion.
I think I'd be interested in trying out a different book by Ramsey (the writing wasn't bad), but this one wasn't my cup of tea.
fishgirl182's review against another edition
3.0
Really liked this one. I have noticed that I like stories of reunited lovers. Lots of angst. Full review to come.
tessisreading2's review against another edition
4.0
Once again, great book, stupid title. Ramsey does a great job showing the intertwined relationships not only of the hero and heroine but of their respective families, friends, and dependents, and gives them great depth without sliding into that familiar romance novel treacle. Even people who love each other don't always like each other, after all. As in "Heiress Without a Cause" she takes a familiar romantic plot but does a great job making it seem realistic and, in this case, manages to remove a lot of the creep factor. (The hero blackmails the heroine into becoming his mistress.) The suspense plot was just a distraction, frankly - the solution came out of nowhere, , and it seemed to be forgotten for chapters at a time.
My biggest problem would actually be that Ramsey creates this sprawling world with intertwined characters and things happening in the background and, just like real life, only gives us glimpses into those things - so in this book, for example, it's clear that - but rather than having a secondary romance which is explained and resolved, Ramsey introduces the characters and hints at their conflict, then reserves their romance for another book. Her novels don't feel self-contained, which is a big problem for me... especially since the sequels don't even exist and she's moved on to a new series. Given the deficiencies in plotting, frankly I think Ramsey could have done better by getting rid of the suspense plotline and throwing in a complete secondary romance.
Spoiler
the characters actually had the wrong solution brieflyMy biggest problem would actually be that Ramsey creates this sprawling world with intertwined characters and things happening in the background and, just like real life, only gives us glimpses into those things - so in this book, for example, it's clear that
Spoiler
Marcus and Lucia have a thing for each other, and Lucia has a mysterious pastexcel_spreadsheet_book_nerd's review against another edition
emotional
funny
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
eak1013's review against another edition
2.0
The hero in this book is even worse than the book before, but at least I've figured out why I keep reading these books so voraciously: Ramsey does an excellent "I will hold myself together in the face of extreme provocation and not only maintain my dignity but make equally cutting remarks in return" heroine, which I do adore. It's just that the extreme provocation is usually coming from the villain, not the hero.
And again, it's like I see the idea of what Ramsey's going for, the various plot mechanisms she sets in place to create the particular kind of tension she wants between the hero and heroine, but it's like the impact of those mechanisms get brushed aside, and the implications of what it means to be a person who does that sort of thing is never addressed. By which I mean the hero. Always the hero. Always being a raging dickbag. This one, after what I'm sure is a thoroughly unpleasant jilting, spends the next ten years manipulating the heroine's finances in secret so that she is ultimately unwittingly ruinously in debt to him, which he offers to write off if she will do whatever he says, in or out of bed, for four months.
I'm sorry; that's a shitty thing to do, and even if it's done out of hurt and to cover over love, it still makes you a shitty person to do it.
And even as the author does explicitly address the consent issues inherent of all of this (because of course there are still sexytimes in this scheme), she never addresses the conflict between describing the hero as a person hellbent on the humiliation and ruination of the heroine as revenge while also describing him as a wonderful person passionately in love with the heroine. I just. He never once apologizes for the scheme, even after he calls it off, and, I don't know, I just want it more narratively recognized that he did a bad thing.
But man I enjoy the viciously self-protective heroine, even as I seriously question her taste in men.
And again, it's like I see the idea of what Ramsey's going for, the various plot mechanisms she sets in place to create the particular kind of tension she wants between the hero and heroine, but it's like the impact of those mechanisms get brushed aside, and the implications of what it means to be a person who does that sort of thing is never addressed. By which I mean the hero. Always the hero. Always being a raging dickbag. This one, after what I'm sure is a thoroughly unpleasant jilting, spends the next ten years manipulating the heroine's finances in secret so that she is ultimately unwittingly ruinously in debt to him, which he offers to write off if she will do whatever he says, in or out of bed, for four months.
I'm sorry; that's a shitty thing to do, and even if it's done out of hurt and to cover over love, it still makes you a shitty person to do it.
And even as the author does explicitly address the consent issues inherent of all of this (because of course there are still sexytimes in this scheme), she never addresses the conflict between describing the hero as a person hellbent on the humiliation and ruination of the heroine as revenge while also describing him as a wonderful person passionately in love with the heroine. I just. He never once apologizes for the scheme, even after he calls it off, and, I don't know, I just want it more narratively recognized that he did a bad thing.
But man I enjoy the viciously self-protective heroine, even as I seriously question her taste in men.
kimmiereadsalot's review against another edition
3.5
3.5 stars
Much better than book 2. Loved Ellie. Nick grew on me. Hated his early cruelty though.
Overall a fun regency romp.
Much better than book 2. Loved Ellie. Nick grew on me. Hated his early cruelty though.
Overall a fun regency romp.
bookw0rmz's review against another edition
4.0
As always, the writing is beautiful, the characters are incredible and I don't think I'll ever get bored of the Muses of Mayfair!
eak1013's review
2.0
The hero in this book is even worse than the book before, but at least I've figured out why I keep reading these books so voraciously: Ramsey does an excellent "I will hold myself together in the face of extreme provocation and not only maintain my dignity but make equally cutting remarks in return" heroine, which I do adore. It's just that the extreme provocation is usually coming from the villain, not the hero.
And again, it's like I see the idea of what Ramsey's going for, the various plot mechanisms she sets in place to create the particular kind of tension she wants between the hero and heroine, but it's like the impact of those mechanisms get brushed aside, and the implications of what it means to be a person who does that sort of thing is never addressed. By which I mean the hero. Always the hero. Always being a raging dickbag. This one, after what I'm sure is a thoroughly unpleasant jilting, spends the next ten years manipulating the heroine's finances in secret so that she is ultimately unwittingly ruinously in debt to him, which he offers to write off if she will do whatever he says, in or out of bed, for four months.
I'm sorry; that's a shitty thing to do, and even if it's done out of hurt and to cover over love, it still makes you a shitty person to do it.
And even as the author does explicitly address the consent issues inherent of all of this (because of course there are still sexytimes in this scheme), she never addresses the conflict between describing the hero as a person hellbent on the humiliation and ruination of the heroine as revenge while also describing him as a wonderful person passionately in love with the heroine. I just. He never once apologizes for the scheme, even after he calls it off, and, I don't know, I just want it more narratively recognized that he did a bad thing.
But man I enjoy the viciously self-protective heroine, even as I seriously question her taste in men.
And again, it's like I see the idea of what Ramsey's going for, the various plot mechanisms she sets in place to create the particular kind of tension she wants between the hero and heroine, but it's like the impact of those mechanisms get brushed aside, and the implications of what it means to be a person who does that sort of thing is never addressed. By which I mean the hero. Always the hero. Always being a raging dickbag. This one, after what I'm sure is a thoroughly unpleasant jilting, spends the next ten years manipulating the heroine's finances in secret so that she is ultimately unwittingly ruinously in debt to him, which he offers to write off if she will do whatever he says, in or out of bed, for four months.
I'm sorry; that's a shitty thing to do, and even if it's done out of hurt and to cover over love, it still makes you a shitty person to do it.
And even as the author does explicitly address the consent issues inherent of all of this (because of course there are still sexytimes in this scheme), she never addresses the conflict between describing the hero as a person hellbent on the humiliation and ruination of the heroine as revenge while also describing him as a wonderful person passionately in love with the heroine. I just. He never once apologizes for the scheme, even after he calls it off, and, I don't know, I just want it more narratively recognized that he did a bad thing.
But man I enjoy the viciously self-protective heroine, even as I seriously question her taste in men.
fiarcurrin's review
4.0
I actually really enjoyed this book and the plot too. Well... The plot was a little iffy but it all worked out in the end I guess. The characters were cute and sweet and didn't fall in to the usual trope of past lovers with revenge schemes. I was pleasantly surprised by that.
savvyliterate's review
A not-so-merry widow… The widowed Marchioness of Folkestone is notorious for her parties, her art collection, and her utter disregard for the rules. But Ellie Claiborne knows her destruction is near. The new marquess is her first lover – the man whose sculpted body and sardonic grin haunt her every time she picks up her paintbrush. If he ever returns to claim his inheritance, her heart won’t survive seeing him again. A man determined to destroy her... Nicholas Claiborne hasn’t stepped foot in England since watching Ellie marry his cousin. He has no use for the gorgeous, heartless girl who betrayed him, or the title she abandoned him for. But when his business in India turns deadly, Nick must return to London to uncover a murderer – and take revenge on the woman he couldn’t force himself to forget. A love they can’t escape… Nick hates Ellie’s transformation from sweet debutante to jaded seductress. Ellie despises him for leaving her behind. Still, the sparks between them reignite the passion that should have been their destiny. As their demands of each other turn darker and a potential killer closes in, they must decide whether to guard the fragile remnants of their hearts — or find a way to fall in love all over again.
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