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sweetreads's review
Deb is a great character, but Julian is a total slime ball. The secret he is keeping from her is grossly manipulative.
The writing format is a bit odd at times. While written in 3rd person, the pov switches from one paragraph to the next without any mid-chapter breaks. It was getting a bit hard to keep things straight.
The writing format is a bit odd at times. While written in 3rd person, the pov switches from one paragraph to the next without any mid-chapter breaks. It was getting a bit hard to keep things straight.
jackiehorne's review
3.0
My first Brant book. Haven't read a Georgian historical in a long time, and I appreciated the historical details and ambiance Brant includes. Had the feel of a far older book, as it is one of those het romances where the female protagonist is kept in the dark about major secrets for a long time, while the male protagonist (and the reader) are in on it from the start. That narrative decision positions the female protagonist as a dupe and not very smart, even if the character we see on the page isn't (and Deborah Cavendish, while a bit of a chatterbox, is not stupid). Our male protagonist, Julian Hesham (the Marquis of Alston, son of the duke of Roxton), acts as arrogantly and as entitled as his station in life no doubt would have if he were a real Marquis. Thus it is no surprise that when his big secret finally comes out, Deb is outraged and immediately breaks with the man who is now her husband.
Most of the action in the story is taken by Julian; Deb's is largely a reactive role. And Julian turns out to be largely a victim, rather than a rake in need of redemption.
Most of the action in the story is taken by Julian; Deb's is largely a reactive role. And Julian turns out to be largely a victim, rather than a rake in need of redemption.
rebroxannape's review
3.0
I enjoyed this old fashioned historical romance which I listened to on audible. Alex Wyndham's narration was good, although, like most male narrators/voice actors he had a tendency to make the female characters sound slightly like stereotypical-sounding gay males. To be fair, it was not as distracting as it is with some male narrators and it was only true with the heroine, not with the other female characters.
I liked Deb. And I liked Julian though only at the beginning and the end. In the middle, he was very angry, cruel, and unjust to Deb for really no reason. He does admit his errors and apologizes most effectively, so I can live with it. I really enjoy the Georgian time-period. LB did a good job with a sword duel at the end although no one can match [a:Patricia Veryan|68595|Patricia Veryan|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1594949833p2/68595.jpg] when it comes to duels. The romance was good but didn't overpower the other plots and side characters. I especially enjoyed re-visiting Antonia and the elder Roxton, Julian's father, once again. There were some interesting reveals and some twists near the end that I didn't see coming. That is always welcome with me, especially in a genre that almost all of the final resolutions are inevitable.
There were several plot points were not very well supported. As I mentioned, Julian's treatment of Deb was one. His problems with some of her actions were all his fault. I didn't understand Deb's plans for an annulment of her first childhood marriage when she went and remarried him in an undisputed second marriage 10 years later. In the unlikely event that she was successful in getting an annulment, she still would be married to the guy by virtue of her completely voluntary and consummated second marriage.
I have not read a historical romance I could tolerate enough to finish, let alone enjoy, in a long time. Lucinda Brant is the exception.
https://rebekahsreadingsandwatchings.com/
I liked Deb. And I liked Julian though only at the beginning and the end. In the middle, he was very angry, cruel, and unjust to Deb for really no reason. He does admit his errors and apologizes most effectively, so I can live with it. I really enjoy the Georgian time-period. LB did a good job with a sword duel at the end although no one can match [a:Patricia Veryan|68595|Patricia Veryan|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1594949833p2/68595.jpg] when it comes to duels. The romance was good but didn't overpower the other plots and side characters. I especially enjoyed re-visiting Antonia and the elder Roxton, Julian's father, once again. There were some interesting reveals and some twists near the end that I didn't see coming. That is always welcome with me, especially in a genre that almost all of the final resolutions are inevitable.
There were several plot points were not very well supported. As I mentioned, Julian's treatment of Deb was one. His problems with some of her actions were all his fault. I didn't understand Deb's plans for an annulment of her first childhood marriage when she went and remarried him in an undisputed second marriage 10 years later. In the unlikely event that she was successful in getting an annulment, she still would be married to the guy by virtue of her completely voluntary and consummated second marriage.
I have not read a historical romance I could tolerate enough to finish, let alone enjoy, in a long time. Lucinda Brant is the exception.
https://rebekahsreadingsandwatchings.com/
mirrorchaser's review
3.0
Not my favorite read, but honestly, what did I think I was getting with a free Kindle book?
snance's review
2.0
Still not quite sure what I just read. Almost successful, but not. It was a kindle freebie, so I guess I got what I paid for.
detectivelily's review
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
rosannelortz's review
3.0
At the tender age of twelve, Deborah Cavendish is wakened in the middle of the night, drugged by laudanum, and joined in marriage to a lad only a few years older than herself. Then she is whisked back to her chamber and left to believe that the whole nightmarish episode was nothing more than a dream.
When Julian Hesham, the Marquess of Alston, returns to England after many years spent abroad, his reputation as the ton's most notorious rake precedes him. But contrary to popular opinion, the Marquess is not interested in women in general, just in one woman--his wife. Afraid that Deb Cavendish will only care for his title, Julian conceals the truth that their marriage is a fait accompli and sets out to woo her as an untitled gentleman with no great fortune to his name. But as time ticks by, the opportunity for revealing his secret passes and is gone. How will his dear wife react when she discovers the games that he has been playing with her, and will she have the wherewithal to get their marriage annulled?
This book, set in the mid-18th century, had a Gothic flavor to it that made one entirely sympathetic to Deb's predicament. The highhanded treatment she received from both her brother and her husband was despicable, as was the fact that she had no recourse. Many aspects of this book reminded me of Devil's Cub by Georgette Heyer, however, the author chose to add sexual situations to the plot that are absent in Heyer's stories. The imbroglio ending wrapped everything up nicely, and in the grand finale, despite all that she has been through, Deborah ends up with a happily ever after.
When Julian Hesham, the Marquess of Alston, returns to England after many years spent abroad, his reputation as the ton's most notorious rake precedes him. But contrary to popular opinion, the Marquess is not interested in women in general, just in one woman--his wife. Afraid that Deb Cavendish will only care for his title, Julian conceals the truth that their marriage is a fait accompli and sets out to woo her as an untitled gentleman with no great fortune to his name. But as time ticks by, the opportunity for revealing his secret passes and is gone. How will his dear wife react when she discovers the games that he has been playing with her, and will she have the wherewithal to get their marriage annulled?
This book, set in the mid-18th century, had a Gothic flavor to it that made one entirely sympathetic to Deb's predicament. The highhanded treatment she received from both her brother and her husband was despicable, as was the fact that she had no recourse. Many aspects of this book reminded me of Devil's Cub by Georgette Heyer, however, the author chose to add sexual situations to the plot that are absent in Heyer's stories. The imbroglio ending wrapped everything up nicely, and in the grand finale, despite all that she has been through, Deborah ends up with a happily ever after.
alicejm's review
adventurous
emotional
informative
lighthearted
relaxing
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
5.0
If you like HEAs with a slightly difficult journey to get to, this is for you. A very endearing cast in a sumptuous setting. The historical accuracy is spot on, very well researched! This is a relaxing and enjoyable love story that you can easily come back to again and again.
leighpenny's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
anastasiaadamov's review
3.0
Historical romance set in 18th century.
French was added to the mix.
I'm still ambivalent about the Georgian age and french parts.
I think I prefer Victorian and mostly England setting in my HR books.
Was not bad but I resented romantic scene curtain fall.
French was added to the mix.
I'm still ambivalent about the Georgian age and french parts.
I think I prefer Victorian and mostly England setting in my HR books.
Was not bad but I resented romantic scene curtain fall.