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Sterling Trilogy #2
Un prometido perfecto
Orgulloso de su reputación de granuja, Justin Sterling acepta la apuesta de seducir y desflorar a la conocida como la Inalcanzable, la más exquisita debutante de la temporada que ha rechazado ya a múltiples pretendientes.
Sin embargo, lo que él no esperaba es que se tratara de la encantadora Arabella Templeton, la justiciera de su más bochornosa pesadilla de juventud, por lo que el afamado sinvergüenza tendrá que demostrar que sus intenciones son honestas si quiere conseguir el triunfo.
Sin embargo, lo que él no esperaba es que se tratara de la encantadora Arabella Templeton, la justiciera de su más bochornosa pesadilla de juventud, por lo que el afamado sinvergüenza tendrá que demostrar que sus intenciones son honestas si quiere conseguir el triunfo.
284 pages, Paperback
First published November 30, 2004
76 people are currently reading
1467 people want to read
About the author
Samantha James
91 books504 followersGrowing up in Joliet, Illinois, Samantha James had many childhood aspirations--being a writer was never one of them. When she was ten, she was certain she was destined to be an astronomer. That soon changed (happened a lot during those pre-teen years!) when she decided archaeology was in her future. Detective work was her next goal, thanks to the Trixie Belden mysteries she was reading, and before long, nursing beckoned (courtesy of the Cherry Ames series). In college, she set her sights on teaching history, then briefly entertained the notion of becoming a flight attendant, only to discover she did not like to fly.
Having been raised in a family of avid readers, she was rarely without a book in hand. Her tastes were rather eclectic. She got hooked on the Doc Savage series and Edgar Rice Burroughs after her older brother finished them, in her teen years, moved on to Agatha Christie, Daphne DuMaurier, and Phyllis A. Whitney.
In the meantime, the right guy came along. They met on a semi-blind date at an office Christmas party. She was told he wanted to go out with her, and he was told she wanted to go out with him. Six months later, the U.S. Army shipped him off to Germany--and she wrote faithfully at least three times a week--she often jokes this was the start of her writing career!
Marriage followed, as well as three daughters. Samantha left the detective work to her husband and turned her attention to raising their girls. When her youngest was six months old, two things happened: 1) she read Moonstruck Madness by Laurie McBain and scrambled to find every historical romance she could lay her hands on; 2) her older brother revealed he was writing and submitting his short stories to big-name magazines. As he put it, "I've been rejected by the best of 'em."
The seed was planted. Rejection was a dreaded word, but Samantha figured, "Well, if he can take it, so can I."
That summer, she wrote not one book, but three--longhand, in a notebook, during naptime. Bedtime. Any time she could. The burning desire to write was a long time in coming--she was nearing thirty by then--but she discovered that once she set pen to paper, she couldn't stop.
Those three manuscripts did get the dreaded rejection letter (they're still languishing somewhere in her attic), but she finally hit pay dirt with her fourth. Samantha's brother promptly proposed collaborating on a fantasy together--alas, still unwritten... Nowadays, she's firmly convinced she's the queen of rejected titles for her books. She's only managed to retain two original titles thus far, but writing is indeed a dream come true...
To date, her books have been published in numerous foreign countries (her daughters' number one choice for show-and-tell were always the foreign editions of Mom's books). Known for her heartfelt, emotionally charged "three-hanky reads", her books have been nominated for numerous awards, and have consistently hit the bestseller lists.
Maybe someday she'll do that fantasy-romance collaboration with her brother. For now, she's having a great time spinning dramatic, passionate tales of old...
Having been raised in a family of avid readers, she was rarely without a book in hand. Her tastes were rather eclectic. She got hooked on the Doc Savage series and Edgar Rice Burroughs after her older brother finished them, in her teen years, moved on to Agatha Christie, Daphne DuMaurier, and Phyllis A. Whitney.
In the meantime, the right guy came along. They met on a semi-blind date at an office Christmas party. She was told he wanted to go out with her, and he was told she wanted to go out with him. Six months later, the U.S. Army shipped him off to Germany--and she wrote faithfully at least three times a week--she often jokes this was the start of her writing career!
Marriage followed, as well as three daughters. Samantha left the detective work to her husband and turned her attention to raising their girls. When her youngest was six months old, two things happened: 1) she read Moonstruck Madness by Laurie McBain and scrambled to find every historical romance she could lay her hands on; 2) her older brother revealed he was writing and submitting his short stories to big-name magazines. As he put it, "I've been rejected by the best of 'em."
The seed was planted. Rejection was a dreaded word, but Samantha figured, "Well, if he can take it, so can I."
That summer, she wrote not one book, but three--longhand, in a notebook, during naptime. Bedtime. Any time she could. The burning desire to write was a long time in coming--she was nearing thirty by then--but she discovered that once she set pen to paper, she couldn't stop.
Those three manuscripts did get the dreaded rejection letter (they're still languishing somewhere in her attic), but she finally hit pay dirt with her fourth. Samantha's brother promptly proposed collaborating on a fantasy together--alas, still unwritten... Nowadays, she's firmly convinced she's the queen of rejected titles for her books. She's only managed to retain two original titles thus far, but writing is indeed a dream come true...
To date, her books have been published in numerous foreign countries (her daughters' number one choice for show-and-tell were always the foreign editions of Mom's books). Known for her heartfelt, emotionally charged "three-hanky reads", her books have been nominated for numerous awards, and have consistently hit the bestseller lists.
Maybe someday she'll do that fantasy-romance collaboration with her brother. For now, she's having a great time spinning dramatic, passionate tales of old...
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 123 reviews
November 22, 2018
What an amazing love story. Justin is a player and a rogue. He seduces Arabella to win a wager and he ends up married to her. Their marriage is bliss until the truth is revealed. Arabella feels hurt and betrayed but she loves her husband and he loves her back so she forgives him and their HEA is the sweetest.
I loved loved the broken hero. He seems wild and rebellious but in reality he is a vulnerable tortured and lonely man. He believes he is unworthy of love and he feels guilty after the death of his father and the abandonment of his mother. He feels unloved and unwanted. Loved how sweet and pure Arabella saved his soul. Swoon worthy epilogue with 3 kids and pregnant heroine. A reformed rake always melts my heart.
I agree with another reader. This is one of the best romances I've read in the last few years. I recommend! I am addicted to Samantha James's historical romances.
I loved loved the broken hero. He seems wild and rebellious but in reality he is a vulnerable tortured and lonely man. He believes he is unworthy of love and he feels guilty after the death of his father and the abandonment of his mother. He feels unloved and unwanted. Loved how sweet and pure Arabella saved his soul. Swoon worthy epilogue with 3 kids and pregnant heroine. A reformed rake always melts my heart.
I agree with another reader. This is one of the best romances I've read in the last few years. I recommend! I am addicted to Samantha James's historical romances.
December 7, 2025
Mmmm...
I don't remember the first book very well but I must've liked it because I got the whole series. I'm trying to finish all those languishing books at the bottom of my kindle but I kept finding excuses not read this one.
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🕮⋆˚࿔✎𓂃 𝐣𝐨𝐢𝐧 𝐦𝐲 𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐦𝐲 𝐟𝐮𝐥𝐥 𝐫𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐞𝐰
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I don't remember the first book very well but I must've liked it because I got the whole series. I'm trying to finish all those languishing books at the bottom of my kindle but I kept finding excuses not read this one.
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🕮⋆˚࿔✎𓂃 𝐣𝐨𝐢𝐧 𝐦𝐲 𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐦𝐲 𝐟𝐮𝐥𝐥 𝐫𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐞𝐰
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August 29, 2020
"A Perfect Groom" is the story of Arabella and Justin.
What happens when the big bad playboy is challenged to seduce the vicar's daughter? And what if they have a shared history, where they took pleasure in annoying each other..
In the second book of the Sterling trilogy, we see Justin Sterling, the infamous rake finally bow down to the unattainable belle of the ball, Arabella Templeton. She has always fascinated him, and he has been the bane of her existence. A childish bet leads to him taking the task of protecting her from unwanted suitors, and soon turns into an unlikely romance.
He is the scarred man who craves a home (but does not know it), she is the lost woman who wants love (and totally knows it). A very passionate romance with some drama, angst and loads of hot lovemaking. The issues were predictable, but still very fun to read. I think he was totally redeemable and an absolute sweetheart in most parts of the book. She was just nice!
Wonderfully sweet (and bred) epilogue.
Unsafe
3.5/5
What happens when the big bad playboy is challenged to seduce the vicar's daughter? And what if they have a shared history, where they took pleasure in annoying each other..
In the second book of the Sterling trilogy, we see Justin Sterling, the infamous rake finally bow down to the unattainable belle of the ball, Arabella Templeton. She has always fascinated him, and he has been the bane of her existence. A childish bet leads to him taking the task of protecting her from unwanted suitors, and soon turns into an unlikely romance.
He is the scarred man who craves a home (but does not know it), she is the lost woman who wants love (and totally knows it). A very passionate romance with some drama, angst and loads of hot lovemaking. The issues were predictable, but still very fun to read. I think he was totally redeemable and an absolute sweetheart in most parts of the book. She was just nice!
Wonderfully sweet (and bred) epilogue.
Unsafe
3.5/5
November 14, 2015
*Happy sigh*
It was a perfect comfort read and it induced me to create a new shelf! This was the first series I read the first and the second after each other straightaway. I really recommend that you pick up A Perfect Bride before this one. Not only is it slightly better but it also presents Justin and the family back story.
It was a notorious rake falling in love and I could not have been happier. She was compromised and they had to marry early. Quite similar to Devil in Winter and The Duke And I but I liked this more. They talked! It was so beautiful. And the sex scenes were lovely. I just loved everything about it. And the epilogue. *Dancing a small happy dance*
It was a perfect comfort read and it induced me to create a new shelf! This was the first series I read the first and the second after each other straightaway. I really recommend that you pick up A Perfect Bride before this one. Not only is it slightly better but it also presents Justin and the family back story.
It was a notorious rake falling in love and I could not have been happier. She was compromised and they had to marry early. Quite similar to Devil in Winter and The Duke And I but I liked this more. They talked! It was so beautiful. And the sex scenes were lovely. I just loved everything about it. And the epilogue. *Dancing a small happy dance*
November 23, 2025
esta autora me está gustando
Read
January 7, 2025DNF
I don’t know why the MCs rubbed me the wrong way. It could’ve been because the H was such a player or the h was constantly talking about how graceless and tall she was.
I don’t know but the combination didn’t work for me.
I don’t know why the MCs rubbed me the wrong way. It could’ve been because the H was such a player or the h was constantly talking about how graceless and tall she was.
I don’t know but the combination didn’t work for me.
December 21, 2011
Justin, the younger brother of Sebastian Sterling from THE PERFECT BRIDE, bets one of his buddies he can seduce "The Unattainable," the young woman who has set all the ton aflutter, before he realizes that she's the one girl who ever put him in his place (years back). So of course he seduces her by being at turns emotionally abusive and entreating, but it's all because his father was awful, so Arabella finds it in her heart to forgive him because he'll learn how to love properly. The dialogue is fine, except I'm already tired of James's heroes referring to women as chits, but the situation wasn't terribly compelling.
November 24, 2017
3.0 stars
I have to admit, that I skipped page 200 to 300 (but read the wedding night scene and the scene where Justin talked about his father) and then read only the last pages. But I think I can judge this novel well enough.
1) The blurb is SO misleading. "Arabella once stole his heart and owns it still"? That sounds like a "secretly in love" story, but I don't believe Arabella stole his heart, because he was 18 at the time and she was 10(!) and punched him in his face so hard he had a bleeding nose/lip afterwards. No, I don't think his heart was involved, he was only irritated why she hated/disliked him so much. So yes, he clearly remembers their last encounter, but not because she stole his heart (most likely his nerves but not his heart).
2) Why are rakes in historicals always not portrayed as rakes? Yes, he had sex with a lot of women (although not as much as everyone thought, of course), drank and gambled, not not too much and it was never really shown, because he was half reformed before the book started. And of course everything was just a show and not how he truly is. I liked him, that was not the problem, but I just don't understand why rakes cannot be rakes. Probably because true rakes will not be miraculously reformed by true love (in most cases). This is the reason why I don't like rakish heroes. Either they aren't shown to be rakes or it's unbelievable that they change so abruptly. And although he had some depth, thinking about his past, I felt like it wasn't enough or not included enough in the story. I wanted to know more about his past and his feelings and wanted his past to be more present. But for a rake he was very honourable and whereas I don't like rakes I liked honourable heroes. :D
BUT why in heavens name was he the "handsomest man in the England or probably the whole world"? I can live with handsome but the handsomest of all? Isn't that a bit too much? Where are the heroes with flaws? He must be so handsome even the sun forgets to shine when he steps into "her" sight. No, no, no. Not every hero in England can be the "handsomest hero" and I don't believe any man can be so handsome every woman swoons at his sight (that doesn't happen, but at least have the women of the ton want to have a taste... )
3) I like bets in historicals, because I like the discussions when the bet is revealed. Although the bet was a problem for Justin in the end he was nearly innocent and I thought it was an unnecessary problem. But Arabella refused to think and listen, not a good combination. At least it was an ending where the heroine had to do a bit of groveling. Only a little bit, because she pushed him away. Poor Justin. Yes, the bet itself was stupid, but he wanted to pay his friend the amount before Arabella and he got emotionally involved, but seemed to have forgotten about and/or secretly hoped that the bet remained a secret. Stupid hope. Nevertheless the ending was really emotional, whereas the rest of the story was not. There is no side story only the development of their love and it just wasn't enough to fill a whole novel. There was no real development, I couldn't see them falling in love and there weren't enough sweet moments. I liked the scene when she was drunk but overall I was missing the sparks flying and believable emotions, especially believable changes in emotions. All I got was cryptic messages like "He felt something change between them but couldn't define what", yes, I was unable to see the changes too!
4) Arabella was likeable was well. She was different than most heroines being tall and having read-hair and although she always had problems with her appearance I never felt like it defined her. Yes, she is unhappy and sometimes self-conscious but not always. What I really liked was what she said about her family, her family loves her very much and she had a happy childhood, but nevertheless sometimes she felt alone, with her parents so absorbed with each other. And because her parents travelled so much she never had a real home and was feeling a little lost. So overall she had some depth but mostly was the unconventional and often to direct beauty.
Conclusion:
I really liked the ending, it was emotional, and the characters were likeable, but I was missing emotions and development in their love story. :(
I have to admit, that I skipped page 200 to 300 (but read the wedding night scene and the scene where Justin talked about his father) and then read only the last pages. But I think I can judge this novel well enough.
1) The blurb is SO misleading. "Arabella once stole his heart and owns it still"? That sounds like a "secretly in love" story, but I don't believe Arabella stole his heart, because he was 18 at the time and she was 10(!) and punched him in his face so hard he had a bleeding nose/lip afterwards. No, I don't think his heart was involved, he was only irritated why she hated/disliked him so much. So yes, he clearly remembers their last encounter, but not because she stole his heart (most likely his nerves but not his heart).
2) Why are rakes in historicals always not portrayed as rakes? Yes, he had sex with a lot of women (although not as much as everyone thought, of course), drank and gambled, not not too much and it was never really shown, because he was half reformed before the book started. And of course everything was just a show and not how he truly is. I liked him, that was not the problem, but I just don't understand why rakes cannot be rakes. Probably because true rakes will not be miraculously reformed by true love (in most cases). This is the reason why I don't like rakish heroes. Either they aren't shown to be rakes or it's unbelievable that they change so abruptly. And although he had some depth, thinking about his past, I felt like it wasn't enough or not included enough in the story. I wanted to know more about his past and his feelings and wanted his past to be more present. But for a rake he was very honourable and whereas I don't like rakes I liked honourable heroes. :D
BUT why in heavens name was he the "handsomest man in the England or probably the whole world"? I can live with handsome but the handsomest of all? Isn't that a bit too much? Where are the heroes with flaws? He must be so handsome even the sun forgets to shine when he steps into "her" sight. No, no, no. Not every hero in England can be the "handsomest hero" and I don't believe any man can be so handsome every woman swoons at his sight (that doesn't happen, but at least have the women of the ton want to have a taste... )
3) I like bets in historicals, because I like the discussions when the bet is revealed. Although the bet was a problem for Justin in the end he was nearly innocent and I thought it was an unnecessary problem. But Arabella refused to think and listen, not a good combination. At least it was an ending where the heroine had to do a bit of groveling. Only a little bit, because she pushed him away. Poor Justin. Yes, the bet itself was stupid, but he wanted to pay his friend the amount before Arabella and he got emotionally involved, but seemed to have forgotten about and/or secretly hoped that the bet remained a secret. Stupid hope. Nevertheless the ending was really emotional, whereas the rest of the story was not. There is no side story only the development of their love and it just wasn't enough to fill a whole novel. There was no real development, I couldn't see them falling in love and there weren't enough sweet moments. I liked the scene when she was drunk but overall I was missing the sparks flying and believable emotions, especially believable changes in emotions. All I got was cryptic messages like "He felt something change between them but couldn't define what", yes, I was unable to see the changes too!
4) Arabella was likeable was well. She was different than most heroines being tall and having read-hair and although she always had problems with her appearance I never felt like it defined her. Yes, she is unhappy and sometimes self-conscious but not always. What I really liked was what she said about her family, her family loves her very much and she had a happy childhood, but nevertheless sometimes she felt alone, with her parents so absorbed with each other. And because her parents travelled so much she never had a real home and was feeling a little lost. So overall she had some depth but mostly was the unconventional and often to direct beauty.
Conclusion:
I really liked the ending, it was emotional, and the characters were likeable, but I was missing emotions and development in their love story. :(
October 21, 2025
3,5 stars.
October 27, 2015
Not poorly written at all. I just could not establish any connection with Arabella. Maybe her height scared me. Justin and Arabella fought a lot in the beginning. I suppose it should be read as chemistry. I just did not feel that way.
June 19, 2008
2nd book down. I liked this just as much as the 1st. I really smiled in some places with the verbal sparing the h/h did in the beginning. There was a bit of foreshadowing that makes you wait and wait for the results but all in all... great book... on to the last one!
April 18, 2012
I loved this tale. One of the best I've read in a while :)
March 8, 2017
Amé este libro!
August 19, 2023
Preface
Me? Crying over a rake? *sniffs* you are imagining things.
/A Perfect Groom/ was the first story where I believed that the rake truly, 100%, regretted his past. It was also the only story where I believed he would maintain his vows of fealty no matter what.
I did not anticipate feeling all chocked up about this story, nor to enjoy it quite so throughly. Arabella and Justin are my favorite couple from this series so far.
————————————————————————————
RATINGS:
Plot : 2.5 📚📚💫 Some + some more.
World Building(Immersion): 3 🌎🌎🌎 Submerged.
Angst : 4 👹👹👹👹 Twisting an ankle.
Funniness: 3.5 🌝🌝🌝💫 I laughed out loud more than once.
Scariness: ❎ Not scary.
Romance: 3.5 💖💖💖💫 Adorable.
Spice: 3.5 🌶🌶🌶💫 Blushing potential
Goriness: ❎ No gore.
Sadness: 3.5 🥲🥲🥲💫 Multiple tears.
Overall star rating : 4.5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫 On the edge of glory.

————————————————————————————
🚨🚨🚨MILD SPOILERS 🚨🚨🚨
The Chapters:
▫️Justin was more of a gentleman than his brother, in my eyes. He just had a really bad case of mommy and daddy issues. Not in a superfluous way either. It was believable.
▫️ I have to commend Samantha James. Her heroines are a breath of fresh air. I adored all of them, so far, which is why I kept on reading, even when the heroes made things that drove me mad. Justin was a cup of tea I would have left out to congeal. Yet through him meeting Arabella and his dedication to her, I found him almost endearing by the end.
Romance Safety:
Safe. H is a rake. h is a virgin. H comes to regret his part and becomes completely devoted to the h. There is no cheating and no others. The Epilogue is happy: they have a bunch of kids and another on the way.
————————————————————————————
🚨🚨🚨🚨 SPOILERS 🚨🚨🚨🚨
Some ( Very Random) Moments of Notice Along With (Sometimes) My Very Live Reactions Straight From My Notes App to You:
📌 “Love. For the swell of a heartbeat, an odd emotion churned in Justin’s gut. It wasn’t that he was incapable of that tender emotion. But he knew no woman could ever love him.”
Might be harsh but judging by your past behavior I wouldn’t blame them. It is hard to love and trust when all you have shown other women is that you are incapable of it.
📌 Perhaps all he needs is the right woman to tame his wickedness…” Georgiana’s voice trailed off
The most erroneous thought any woman - fictional or nonfictional - can have. A man will never change for anyone else but himself. But he will mask intent if he thinks in it there is something to be accomplished.
📌And then she felt the warm, wet wash of his tongue trace the very same path…
Arabella was speechless. By Jove, he’d licked her instead!
Okie, I want Justin humbled. But this is absolutely hilarious.
📌 Arabella winced. Another obscenely happy couple. What was it these days?
Worse than seeing obscenely happy couples is seeing none.
📌“She was mortified. She wanted to die. She wanted to sink through the ground, never to be seen or heard from again, lost in the middle of the earth. Lost anywhere, anywhere but here. A feeling of utter shame consumed her. And Aunt Grace looked ready to faint.
By then Sebastian had appeared as well. “Is there a problem?”
CAN THIS GET ANY WORSE?
📌 “Wilt thou have this woman as thy wedded wife, to live together after God’s ordinance, in the holy estate of matrimony? Wilt thou love her, comfort her, honor and keep her, in sickness and in health, and forsaking all others keep thee only unto her as long as ye both shall live?”
“I will.”
Quiet as his tone was, beneath was a note of such gravity, such clear, unfaltering conviction that Arabella was momentarily stunned.
I’m stunned. Stumped and trampled.
📌”And I know it wasn’t the wedding you dreamed of. I know I’m not the husband you dreamed of. But I would not—I will not—dishonor you.”
Damn why do I have tears in my eyes
📌 Why, I’ve heard it said ’tis a marvel you and your beloved still manage to recall each other’s names. Furthermore, had you been given the privilege of witnessing their first kiss as husband and wife—as I was—I daresay not a soul here would presume to question their devotion to each other.”
Arabella blinked. A part of her wanted to applaud the Dowager Duchess of Carrington.
She's an icon, she's a legend and she is the moment.
📌 Their first day back in London as husband and wife…and it was a disaster.
God I wanted Sebastian to suffer a bit but I am not particularly enjoying Justin’s suffering… why?
📌 Her lips parted. “Truly?”
“Truly.” His gaze captured hers, dark and searing. “The vows we took on our wedding day…I do not forget them, Arabella. I will not forget them. I do not know if I can be the husband you want, the husband you need, the husband you’ve dreamed of. But God help me, I will try.”
Me? Crying over a rake? *sniffs* you are imagining things.
/A Perfect Groom/ was the first story where I believed that the rake truly, 100%, regretted his past. It was also the only story where I believed he would maintain his vows of fealty no matter what.
I did not anticipate feeling all chocked up about this story, nor to enjoy it quite so throughly. Arabella and Justin are my favorite couple from this series so far.
————————————————————————————
RATINGS:
Plot : 2.5 📚📚💫 Some + some more.
World Building(Immersion): 3 🌎🌎🌎 Submerged.
Angst : 4 👹👹👹👹 Twisting an ankle.
Funniness: 3.5 🌝🌝🌝💫 I laughed out loud more than once.
Scariness: ❎ Not scary.
Romance: 3.5 💖💖💖💫 Adorable.
Spice: 3.5 🌶🌶🌶💫 Blushing potential
Goriness: ❎ No gore.
Sadness: 3.5 🥲🥲🥲💫 Multiple tears.
Overall star rating : 4.5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫 On the edge of glory.

————————————————————————————
🚨🚨🚨MILD SPOILERS 🚨🚨🚨
The Chapters:
▫️Justin was more of a gentleman than his brother, in my eyes. He just had a really bad case of mommy and daddy issues. Not in a superfluous way either. It was believable.
▫️ I have to commend Samantha James. Her heroines are a breath of fresh air. I adored all of them, so far, which is why I kept on reading, even when the heroes made things that drove me mad. Justin was a cup of tea I would have left out to congeal. Yet through him meeting Arabella and his dedication to her, I found him almost endearing by the end.
Romance Safety:
Safe. H is a rake. h is a virgin. H comes to regret his part and becomes completely devoted to the h. There is no cheating and no others. The Epilogue is happy: they have a bunch of kids and another on the way.
————————————————————————————
🚨🚨🚨🚨 SPOILERS 🚨🚨🚨🚨
Some ( Very Random) Moments of Notice Along With (Sometimes) My Very Live Reactions Straight From My Notes App to You:
📌 “Love. For the swell of a heartbeat, an odd emotion churned in Justin’s gut. It wasn’t that he was incapable of that tender emotion. But he knew no woman could ever love him.”
Might be harsh but judging by your past behavior I wouldn’t blame them. It is hard to love and trust when all you have shown other women is that you are incapable of it.
📌 Perhaps all he needs is the right woman to tame his wickedness…” Georgiana’s voice trailed off
The most erroneous thought any woman - fictional or nonfictional - can have. A man will never change for anyone else but himself. But he will mask intent if he thinks in it there is something to be accomplished.
📌And then she felt the warm, wet wash of his tongue trace the very same path…
Arabella was speechless. By Jove, he’d licked her instead!
Okie, I want Justin humbled. But this is absolutely hilarious.
📌 Arabella winced. Another obscenely happy couple. What was it these days?
Worse than seeing obscenely happy couples is seeing none.
📌“She was mortified. She wanted to die. She wanted to sink through the ground, never to be seen or heard from again, lost in the middle of the earth. Lost anywhere, anywhere but here. A feeling of utter shame consumed her. And Aunt Grace looked ready to faint.
By then Sebastian had appeared as well. “Is there a problem?”
CAN THIS GET ANY WORSE?
📌 “Wilt thou have this woman as thy wedded wife, to live together after God’s ordinance, in the holy estate of matrimony? Wilt thou love her, comfort her, honor and keep her, in sickness and in health, and forsaking all others keep thee only unto her as long as ye both shall live?”
“I will.”
Quiet as his tone was, beneath was a note of such gravity, such clear, unfaltering conviction that Arabella was momentarily stunned.
I’m stunned. Stumped and trampled.
📌”And I know it wasn’t the wedding you dreamed of. I know I’m not the husband you dreamed of. But I would not—I will not—dishonor you.”
Damn why do I have tears in my eyes
📌 Why, I’ve heard it said ’tis a marvel you and your beloved still manage to recall each other’s names. Furthermore, had you been given the privilege of witnessing their first kiss as husband and wife—as I was—I daresay not a soul here would presume to question their devotion to each other.”
Arabella blinked. A part of her wanted to applaud the Dowager Duchess of Carrington.
She's an icon, she's a legend and she is the moment.
📌 Their first day back in London as husband and wife…and it was a disaster.
God I wanted Sebastian to suffer a bit but I am not particularly enjoying Justin’s suffering… why?
📌 Her lips parted. “Truly?”
“Truly.” His gaze captured hers, dark and searing. “The vows we took on our wedding day…I do not forget them, Arabella. I will not forget them. I do not know if I can be the husband you want, the husband you need, the husband you’ve dreamed of. But God help me, I will try.”
November 2, 2023
A very satisfying romance. 🥰
January 9, 2019
He was a Perfect Groom to her 😊
March 26, 2012
3-1/2 star rating
Both Justin and Arabella were well developed, interesting characters, and they, combined with steady pacing and well written emotion, intrigued me from the start and kept me engaged the whole way.
Kudos to the author for the total lack of any single one-dimensional, evil antagonist. Justin's father vaguely served as the evil guy in this, but he was not present on the page, just in the backstory, contributing to Justin's internal conflicts. The story would have gone way down in my esteem had the father been present. It worked well. While it was predictable that Justin's wager with Gideon would come up again to hinder his romance with Arabella, it was handled well.
I didn't realize this was part of a series until I came here to rate it. I have to say I wouldn't care very much to read about Sebastian - he was an okay character, but not much beyond that, and I, having three brothers, found some of the dialogue between him and Justin unbelieveable.
Overall, I enjoyed the book very much - great escape - and I'll happily look for more from Samantha James.
Both Justin and Arabella were well developed, interesting characters, and they, combined with steady pacing and well written emotion, intrigued me from the start and kept me engaged the whole way.
Kudos to the author for the total lack of any single one-dimensional, evil antagonist. Justin's father vaguely served as the evil guy in this, but he was not present on the page, just in the backstory, contributing to Justin's internal conflicts. The story would have gone way down in my esteem had the father been present. It worked well. While it was predictable that Justin's wager with Gideon would come up again to hinder his romance with Arabella, it was handled well.
I didn't realize this was part of a series until I came here to rate it. I have to say I wouldn't care very much to read about Sebastian - he was an okay character, but not much beyond that, and I, having three brothers, found some of the dialogue between him and Justin unbelieveable.
Overall, I enjoyed the book very much - great escape - and I'll happily look for more from Samantha James.
May 10, 2023
Nuestra reseña en A la cama con... un libro
Entre 3 y 3'5 estrellitas.
Bastante entretenido, la verdad, con una pareja protagonista que he adorado, juntos y separados. Se lee muy bien, es ágil, divertido, con diálogos de los que me gustan a mí, fresquitos y que no quieres que acaben.
Tiene su poquito de trauma, su poquito de amor fraternal, su poquito de guarrerismo, su poquito de amor... y un final que me ha hecho bajarle nota porque tira por el suelo todo lo que se ha construido previamente. No es que el libro acabe mal, es que parece que a la autora no le ha interesado acabarlo y se lo ha dejado escribir a su niña de cinco años. Pueril y simplón a más no poder, ese final hace que el libro pierda mucho lustre (y que me haya cabreado).
Entre 3 y 3'5 estrellitas.
Bastante entretenido, la verdad, con una pareja protagonista que he adorado, juntos y separados. Se lee muy bien, es ágil, divertido, con diálogos de los que me gustan a mí, fresquitos y que no quieres que acaben.
Tiene su poquito de trauma, su poquito de amor fraternal, su poquito de guarrerismo, su poquito de amor... y un final que me ha hecho bajarle nota porque tira por el suelo todo lo que se ha construido previamente. No es que el libro acabe mal, es que parece que a la autora no le ha interesado acabarlo y se lo ha dejado escribir a su niña de cinco años. Pueril y simplón a más no poder, ese final hace que el libro pierda mucho lustre (y que me haya cabreado).
August 15, 2013
I give the book 4.5 stars.
This book reminded me of the reason why I love Rake Romances.I absolutely adored the H/h with all their misgivings and insecurities,how both of them empathised with each other and the deep understanding that they shared.A really good read.
This book reminded me of the reason why I love Rake Romances.I absolutely adored the H/h with all their misgivings and insecurities,how both of them empathised with each other and the deep understanding that they shared.A really good read.
March 23, 2016
It was... okay. I think the writing style made me feel like I was "reading" rather than allowing me to immerse myself in the story. I also had to re-read sections because it wasn't clear why certain characters were feeling they way they were. There was a lot of "wait, why is he/she mad?" going on.
January 22, 2010
My favorite of the series. Loved Justin and his red-headed amazon! They were simply wonderful together. Fun read.
December 21, 2013
Better than the first book. The first half of book was so stereotypical with no depth; second half was a bit better
February 19, 2017
Read again 2/18/2017
December 27, 2016
3.5 stars
June 4, 2021
This is a yearly re-read for me. The romance is ripe with misunderstandings, tension, attraction, desire, and warm fuzzies.
October 23, 2019
Oh, what a wonderful book. Samantha James did a wonderful job with this book. I’m keeping it simple people. Read this book when you can. I recommend it.
The love between Justin and Arebella is strong and deep. This shows how marriages can be tested and how the love that brings two together and weather the storms that try to weaken it.
The love between Justin and Arebella is strong and deep. This shows how marriages can be tested and how the love that brings two together and weather the storms that try to weaken it.
December 27, 2023
5 stars
A perfect groom, a perfect story, a perfect HEA
A perfect groom, a perfect story, a perfect HEA
March 4, 2024
Lo leí hace + de 15 años fácilmente, pero todavía lo recuerdo😊 si no recuerdo mal este fue el primero que leí de esta genero.... La Aurora flipaba😂 luego ya se acostumbro jjajjaaj
April 28, 2014
to put the past behind is to be prepared for a new dawn of the future. I totally relate myself with Justin. Proud and witty person he is. Because of my damn pride I think I'm damned but lucky Justin he was saved by Arabella and now I am waiting for my saving too. Until the Sun sets in the East and rise in the West, I am the moon in the east and my sun is waiting on the west. Anyway, the thing that I love about here is despite Justin's lie about him and Gideon's wager with Arabella, he became honest with her. Well not thoroughly, why? because the author made sure that we (as readers) understand the deeper character that our hero portrays. We must feel what he feels, his favorite line or how the way he talks, we must know what he TRULY thinks because that is the true meaning of differentiating your characters. That is character development. And I would like to applaud Ms. Samantha James for bringing her hero into life, for bringing Justin into a brick that only Arabella could have be broken.
Well what I meant to say is, he didn't lie... He just forgot to tell her about him and Gideon's bet. And honestly he does not put it in mind since; Before Gideon went to Paris Justin called off the bet, that means with or without that damned bet he will still choose Arabella above all. And isn't that a true nature of men during those times? Proud, selfish, quiet thoughts and they won't talk about mostly their fucking emotions. Well, most guys of today is still like that well anyways, the author does really preserve the idea that Justin, a man he is must portray a big deal in this story. The author must show that Justin, being born in that time, must think and act like a man of their time. (Despite his emotional issues regarding is parents) again, this is Character Development. And as I read further I saw changes with Arabella too but those changes didn't defy who she really is. And clap clap for this novella!
Meanwhile, while I was praising the way Justin were describe and act in this very amazing novella I gave it a four and changed it to a five because this is one the things I keep looking for in a story. A SATISFYING ENDING! I know an author who gives me that and that is the only one, Ms. Lisa Kleypas. No offense I love Julia Quinn and I'm enthralled with her works but I feel it lacks something in the ending. I don't feel satisfied. And when I found out this book I feel so blessed and happy that I fell in love with Ms. James. She gave me what I want. An Epilogue. That is more satisfying than I ever read this entire month of APRIL!
I totally recommend this and now at 3:04 in the morning I'm searching for more books by this author. It may not be as written as good as Ms. Kleypas or Ms. Quinn but it has wit and humor and sense and for crying out loud... I need to settle down. :]] hehe
That's it. Kudos!
Well what I meant to say is, he didn't lie... He just forgot to tell her about him and Gideon's bet. And honestly he does not put it in mind since; Before Gideon went to Paris Justin called off the bet, that means with or without that damned bet he will still choose Arabella above all. And isn't that a true nature of men during those times? Proud, selfish, quiet thoughts and they won't talk about mostly their fucking emotions. Well, most guys of today is still like that well anyways, the author does really preserve the idea that Justin, a man he is must portray a big deal in this story. The author must show that Justin, being born in that time, must think and act like a man of their time. (Despite his emotional issues regarding is parents) again, this is Character Development. And as I read further I saw changes with Arabella too but those changes didn't defy who she really is. And clap clap for this novella!
Meanwhile, while I was praising the way Justin were describe and act in this very amazing novella I gave it a four and changed it to a five because this is one the things I keep looking for in a story. A SATISFYING ENDING! I know an author who gives me that and that is the only one, Ms. Lisa Kleypas. No offense I love Julia Quinn and I'm enthralled with her works but I feel it lacks something in the ending. I don't feel satisfied. And when I found out this book I feel so blessed and happy that I fell in love with Ms. James. She gave me what I want. An Epilogue. That is more satisfying than I ever read this entire month of APRIL!
I totally recommend this and now at 3:04 in the morning I'm searching for more books by this author. It may not be as written as good as Ms. Kleypas or Ms. Quinn but it has wit and humor and sense and for crying out loud... I need to settle down. :]] hehe
That's it. Kudos!
February 21, 2021
4.5 stars! my first book by this author and i absolutely loved it!
i have always loved a reformed rake book so i might be a little biased in my rating but this book deserves the 4.5 stars.
let's just say i really loved the chemistry between the both of them as Justin's ease with words and teasing of Arabella and Arabella who always fumes at him for doing so. i felt it was really cute. what a fine picture they make, the most handsome man in England and the unattainable lady. it might have been an exaggeration for Justin's handsomeness. they pretty much get along well, even when they were fighting in the first few chapters.
i liked how the author made the characters very real, with them each having their insecurities and weaknesses, with Arabelle being insecure about her looks and Justin's sad family past. i did like how they embraced one another's pain.
Justin is..he's a surprisingly serious and caring man underneath the arrogant rake he shows to others. he's a really honorable guy, willing to do the right thing when he was caught kissing Arabella. i enjoyed seeing Justin's jealousy and inner thoughts as it shows the process of him falling in love. As for Arabella, I admit that I do not see much of her 'falling in love'.
as you can see, i really liked justin. on top of being husband and father material, he was the best hero for me, a rake and a wounded man on the inside who needed saving by a heroine. arabella, i was alright with her, good on her for sympathizing with justin on his sad family past and staying by his side, even crying for him.
the plot was honestly predictable but there wasn't anything wrong with that. i did like Justin groveled to Arabella and there was slight angst to it. it broke my heart to see Justin actually cry and their 'separation'.
the sex was hot and i just love that justin introduced Arabella to the pleasures of it. it warmed my heart when Justin was so gentle for Arabella's first time.
as much as i loved the book, i thought it would have better if we saw more of Justin and Arabella when they were younger. it would make it easier to relate to the story. or maybe it was mentioned in book 1, which i have not read.
i have always loved a reformed rake book so i might be a little biased in my rating but this book deserves the 4.5 stars.
let's just say i really loved the chemistry between the both of them as Justin's ease with words and teasing of Arabella and Arabella who always fumes at him for doing so. i felt it was really cute. what a fine picture they make, the most handsome man in England and the unattainable lady. it might have been an exaggeration for Justin's handsomeness. they pretty much get along well, even when they were fighting in the first few chapters.
i liked how the author made the characters very real, with them each having their insecurities and weaknesses, with Arabelle being insecure about her looks and Justin's sad family past. i did like how they embraced one another's pain.
Justin is..he's a surprisingly serious and caring man underneath the arrogant rake he shows to others. he's a really honorable guy, willing to do the right thing when he was caught kissing Arabella. i enjoyed seeing Justin's jealousy and inner thoughts as it shows the process of him falling in love. As for Arabella, I admit that I do not see much of her 'falling in love'.
as you can see, i really liked justin. on top of being husband and father material, he was the best hero for me, a rake and a wounded man on the inside who needed saving by a heroine. arabella, i was alright with her, good on her for sympathizing with justin on his sad family past and staying by his side, even crying for him.
the plot was honestly predictable but there wasn't anything wrong with that. i did like Justin groveled to Arabella and there was slight angst to it. it broke my heart to see Justin actually cry and their 'separation'.
the sex was hot and i just love that justin introduced Arabella to the pleasures of it. it warmed my heart when Justin was so gentle for Arabella's first time.
as much as i loved the book, i thought it would have better if we saw more of Justin and Arabella when they were younger. it would make it easier to relate to the story. or maybe it was mentioned in book 1, which i have not read.
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