Scan barcode
A review by mdalida
Secret Desires of a Gentleman by Laura Lee Guhrke
3.0
I can't believe I barely liked a book modeled after Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice! I'm obsessed with Austen and usually also most of the books and movies based on her works. But, this one made me question why I liked Pride and Prejudice at all.
Why do I like that the Hero emphasizes social standing to make the Heroine feel inferior? Why do I like that he insults her and fumbles through an apology? UGH 😑
There is something at Austen did that this book tried to do, and I think that is that she made her hero more human. I'm definitely not a lover of Alpha males. It's hard to get through unless I see some cracks in that Alpha armor - early on and often.
Phillip The Marquess is one of the most arrogant, demanding, and overbearing heroes I've read in a while. He didn't make me rage like a few paranormal heroes did because they were Alpholes in the bedroom. He angered me because he belittled the heroine - often - due to her social standing and past attempted elopement with his younger brother. We'd get glimpses of Philip as a boy and teenager when he was friends with Maria, but that was really the only softness we even heard about for 80% of the book! So, we knew he could be tender, but then we are watching him be an arse to her for the most part. So essentially, too few cracks in the Alpha armor (some compliments, that keepsake from childhood, a few scattered hints at childhood yearning) and too infrequent.
I think a few passionate moments earlier on in the book would've helped me to feel their chemistry more. One kiss scene, one carriage scene, and one bedroom scene all at about 80% felt rushed. Again, there would be a tender moment and then it was smothered with anger and resentment for the next few pages and again and again until a last minute random and very public proposal. Meh..
I'll repeat a phrase I probably say too much: Heroes can make a book for me, but heroines are usually the ones to break it.
Phillip really didn't break this book for me, despite my aversion to Alphas or his arrogance. I like Mr Darcy, and there was something sad about a young teenager being in charge of an estate and trying to keep his family running while stuffing away emotions. But it was Maria that gave me a big thumbs down 👎🏽.
⚠️ SEMI ANTI CLIMACTIC SPOILER⚠️
Basically, she gave something up that annoyed the feminist in me. Read on if you wish. Nothing really dramatic to the story though..
Quite simply, she gave up her profession that she had been apart of since she was three, that she went to France to perfect, and that she had been saying she was in love with and had dreamed about for years! She gave it up after three months. Because he wanted her to because it wouldn't do for a woman of social standing. She fought about it and then capitulated because she loved him. I felt that fell into the "I'm just portraying a strong, independent front until a rich man comes to save me from dreadful work" vibe and it totally kicked the book and the heroine down a notch for me. 👎🏽
Why do I like that the Hero emphasizes social standing to make the Heroine feel inferior? Why do I like that he insults her and fumbles through an apology? UGH 😑
There is something at Austen did that this book tried to do, and I think that is that she made her hero more human. I'm definitely not a lover of Alpha males. It's hard to get through unless I see some cracks in that Alpha armor - early on and often.
Phillip The Marquess is one of the most arrogant, demanding, and overbearing heroes I've read in a while. He didn't make me rage like a few paranormal heroes did because they were Alpholes in the bedroom. He angered me because he belittled the heroine - often - due to her social standing and past attempted elopement with his younger brother. We'd get glimpses of Philip as a boy and teenager when he was friends with Maria, but that was really the only softness we even heard about for 80% of the book! So, we knew he could be tender, but then we are watching him be an arse to her for the most part. So essentially, too few cracks in the Alpha armor (some compliments, that keepsake from childhood, a few scattered hints at childhood yearning) and too infrequent.
I think a few passionate moments earlier on in the book would've helped me to feel their chemistry more. One kiss scene, one carriage scene, and one bedroom scene all at about 80% felt rushed. Again, there would be a tender moment and then it was smothered with anger and resentment for the next few pages and again and again until a last minute random and very public proposal. Meh..
I'll repeat a phrase I probably say too much: Heroes can make a book for me, but heroines are usually the ones to break it.
Phillip really didn't break this book for me, despite my aversion to Alphas or his arrogance. I like Mr Darcy, and there was something sad about a young teenager being in charge of an estate and trying to keep his family running while stuffing away emotions. But it was Maria that gave me a big thumbs down 👎🏽.
⚠️ SEMI ANTI CLIMACTIC SPOILER⚠️
Basically, she gave something up that annoyed the feminist in me. Read on if you wish. Nothing really dramatic to the story though..
Quite simply, she gave up her profession that she had been apart of since she was three, that she went to France to perfect, and that she had been saying she was in love with and had dreamed about for years! She gave it up after three months. Because he wanted her to because it wouldn't do for a woman of social standing. She fought about it and then capitulated because she loved him. I felt that fell into the "I'm just portraying a strong, independent front until a rich man comes to save me from dreadful work" vibe and it totally kicked the book and the heroine down a notch for me. 👎🏽