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middleburybooks's review
2.0
I absolutely love Johanna Lindsey but cannot recommend this book. In its time, it was not an uncommon love story and like all of her stuff it is well written, but she has much better work.
tuttidolci's review
1.0
THIS was written by Johanna Lindsey?! Color me shooketh. This reads like the typical, "bad" Bodice Ripper that people who hate on the sub-genre love to reference. In fact, I feel like I had to dumb myself down to read it and not roll my eyes or smack my forehead at every page.
What's ironic here is that I've always loved Johanna Lindsey titles and have known her as an author of epic, sweeping romances. However, this specific story is very removed from that. Truth is that had I read this book before any other Johanna Lindsey title, I probably wouldn't have picked up any of her other books.
Goes to show that even authors I love have had rough starts until they found their groove. Had to DNF this one at 63% read because it was just too cartoonish for me.
What's ironic here is that I've always loved Johanna Lindsey titles and have known her as an author of epic, sweeping romances. However, this specific story is very removed from that. Truth is that had I read this book before any other Johanna Lindsey title, I probably wouldn't have picked up any of her other books.
Goes to show that even authors I love have had rough starts until they found their groove. Had to DNF this one at 63% read because it was just too cartoonish for me.
adeselnaferreira's review against another edition
2.0
It's an ok book, but seriously what is wrong with women who forgive their lovers for beating them??? Are we still living in middle-ages? The book would have been better if the main character Christina woulnd't be so foolish and passive.
elmead's review against another edition
Consent is sexy and this book doesn’t have that at this point. The MMC proposes marriage and kisses the FMC without her consent. She refuses so his solution is to kidnap her and I’m not about that
Content Warnings
Moderate: Kidnapping and Sexual assault
twstdtink's review
2.0
I'm laughing as I write this review. "Captive Bride" was horrible. So horrible, I found it entertaining. The events are wildly unrealistic and illogical. People say and behave in ways that no normal person would. I'm pretty sure the main heroine has Stockholm Syndrome. That's not hot. Why is the author condoning this? Everyone in the story has the IQ of an 7-year old. They question nothing, believe everything that is said to them, and then refuse to believe anything that is common sense. "She took a bullet to save my life. But, she says she hates me. She must hate me!" "This guy who has acted shady for the entire book just handed me a note and said it was from someone else. I should believe him wholeheartdly, right? Of course!" I'm paraphrasing. But, it's that bad. At one point, a female character is unconscious for three days - because she WANTS to be - and then she wakes up and nurses her baby like nothing happened. I'm rolling my eyes so hard my head hurts.
rowenapotter2731's review
3.0
I am giving this 3.5 stars. I liked this book. It’s mindless, over the top romantic fun. Yes, there is some questionable parts to this book. There is some non-con in the beginning of their relationship, so if you have issues with that then I would be aware of it going in. It is also a bit misogynistic because of the historical romance aspect, plus it was written in 1977. There was a lot that was ok to put in books then that you just couldn’t do now. I read this book a long time ago, when I was in middle school, so over 20 years ago. My mother owned a lot of these types of books. Primarily Johanna Lindsey and Kathleen E. Woodwiss. This was a re-read and I probably would have thought this was a top tier romance back in the day, but then I found my own love in romances. I can still appreciate these romances for nostalgia. It’s not great, but it’s not bad either and I can enjoy it. Plus, these romances tend to have one of my secret fave romance tropes, the secret baby. Some people despise it, but I can’t help it. I’m a sucker for the secret baby trope!!
asahome's review
slow-paced
- Loveable characters? No
1.75
A woman is kidnapped by a man she refused to marry when he demanded it in London. Over the course of the four months he keeps her in his home, he usurps her will frequently to have sex with her. She falls in “love” with him and he with her, but the relationship is incredibly toxic even when she’s back in her home. Plus, she’s a bit much for me because she continuously responds naively to the men in her life who, in my opinion, are abusive to her.
Please don't mistake my "high" rating. This book is well written and it was a debut novel for the writer. She went on to write many other books with problematic relationships. She also wrote some of my favorite romance novels. My feelings towards this author and her works are mixed.
Please don't mistake my "high" rating. This book is well written and it was a debut novel for the writer. She went on to write many other books with problematic relationships. She also wrote some of my favorite romance novels. My feelings towards this author and her works are mixed.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Toxic relationship, Sexual content, Bullying, Emotional abuse, Rape, Sexism, Kidnapping, Sexual assault, and Sexual violence
Moderate: Xenophobia, Colonisation, Violence, Confinement, and Pregnancy
Minor: Blood
artsygirl_'s review
2.0
I liked the authors writing style but the story gave me a disgusted feeling. What was wrong with women in the 1970s and 1980s liking this type of trope??? It was crystal clear that the hero was vile. He came on too strong and the heroine rightfully rejected him and his response was kidnap and repeated assault. She fought him repeatedly and cried and even accused him of assault but he was brainwashing her and then she went into denial and claimed to be in love because he was hot. There was no love, just physical attraction between the captor and the victim. Even the supposedly nice friend zoned guy was demented in the end and forgiven for attempted murder of two people including a child, and injuring someone in the process, because he had a jealous psychotic break. Since no one died ...it was all forgiven and he was back to being the sweet childhood friend. I hope this author has better heroes and heroines in her other works because I did like the writing itself.
lucy_qhuay's review
3.0
Well, I've read many negative reviews of this book and I must say that it is not that bad. It was a bit disappointing but not because of the reasons some people gave.
First, let me just say that the heroine was never raped by the hero.
In fact, Philip told Christina that he would never rape her. He said that when they finally made love she would want it as much as he would.
This was what really happened:
Christina: Leave me! I hate you! I will never bed you!!
Philip: I will not rape you, though I said nothing about kissing and touching you...
Christina: No! I will not consent this! I hate you! Don't touch me!
Philip: When we finally make love, you will want it as much as I! I will not rape you!
Christina: Never! I hate you! Leave me alone!
Philip: *kisses her and touches her body* I want to bed you! Do you want me to go away? Tell me now!
Christina: Oh no, please don't go! I want you!
NEXT MORNING
Christiana: I still hate you!!
This whole situation was so boring!! o.O I just couldn't understand why is that that she was so focused on denying him and then he kisses her and suddenly she wants to have sex with him...
First, let me just say that the heroine was never raped by the hero.
In fact, Philip told Christina that he would never rape her. He said that when they finally made love she would want it as much as he would.
This was what really happened:
Christina: Leave me! I hate you! I will never bed you!!
Philip: I will not rape you, though I said nothing about kissing and touching you...
Christina: No! I will not consent this! I hate you! Don't touch me!
Philip: When we finally make love, you will want it as much as I! I will not rape you!
Christina: Never! I hate you! Leave me alone!
Philip: *kisses her and touches her body* I want to bed you! Do you want me to go away? Tell me now!
Christina: Oh no, please don't go! I want you!
NEXT MORNING
Christiana: I still hate you!!
This whole situation was so boring!! o.O I just couldn't understand why is that that she was so focused on denying him and then he kisses her and suddenly she wants to have sex with him...