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The Lily Brand
Sent to France to battle Napoleon, Troy Scheverell, Earl of Revenhurst, is captured and purchased by a twisted and evil widow as a pleasure slave, until he escapes the Black Widow's web with the help of her beautiful young stepdaughter, Lillian. Original.
310 pages, Paperback
First published June 21, 2005
23 people are currently reading
216 people want to read
About the author
Sandra Schwab
24 books77 followersSandra Schwab has been delighting readers with her unusual historical romances since 2005. She particularly likes the quirky bits of history, so in her books, you’ll find Roman pet eels, Regency gentlemen with green hair, and medieval tournaments in Victorian Britain. She writes both m/m and m/f historicals - happy endings always guaranteed!
She lives in Frankfurt am Main, Germany, with a sketchbook, a ukulele (well, more than one), and an ever-expanding library.
She lives in Frankfurt am Main, Germany, with a sketchbook, a ukulele (well, more than one), and an ever-expanding library.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 35 reviews
March 28, 2016
Ahhhhh what a story...
When I read the synopsis I was already hooked.
Then I read the genres I saw the word DARK.
I said damn, whatever I gonna read it.
Part I
Ok, It was really good but 20 pages narrating the journey really? Unnecessary IMO
Part II
Part III
C'mon the slow pace is killing me!
Part IV
This is the shortest and most beautiful part
Part V
That ending so rushed UGH.
I was expecting more to be honest.
Sex scene or an epilogue, at least :/
I'd like to rate it higher. It could have been so much better but... 3.5
It's a really emotional reading :)
When I read the synopsis I was already hooked.
Then I read the genres I saw the word DARK.
I said damn, whatever I gonna read it.
Part I
Ok, It was really good but 20 pages narrating the journey really? Unnecessary IMO
Part II
Part III
C'mon the slow pace is killing me!
Part IV
This is the shortest and most beautiful part
Part V
That ending so rushed UGH.
I was expecting more to be honest.
Sex scene or an epilogue, at least :/
I'd like to rate it higher. It could have been so much better but... 3.5
It's a really emotional reading :)
October 29, 2008
Forever Marked: Troy Sacheverell, fifth earl of Ravenhurst, was captured in France. He'd gone to fight Napoleon, but what he found was much more sinister. Dragged from prison to an old French manor on the outskirts of civilization, he was purchased by a rich and twisted beauty. And more dangerous still was the stepdaughter who claimed him.
Lillian had not chosen to live with Camille, her stepmother, but none escaped the Black Widow's web. And on her nineteenth birthday, Lillian became Camille's heir. Her gift was a plaything: a man to end her naiveté, whose face and body were made for the boudoir. Yet even as Lillian did as she was told, marked that beautiful flesh and branded it with the flower of her name, all she desired was escape. In another place, in another world, she'd desired love. Now, looking into burning blue eyes, there was no place to run. No matter should she flee, no matter where she might go, she and this man were prisoners of passion, inextricably linked by the Lily Brand
So while her heart remains locked in ice, his burns with hate. Will they ever find true happiness?
Well, I recently read a medieval noir and this story is definitely a regency noir full of emotional angst!
We know from the beginning that Lily and Troy are both victims of the Black Widow. In different ways both will be scarred forever by Camille and her actions. Lily has lived with her since her father died and dreams of running away and leaving the castle where her stepmother subjugates men through pain, she is a sadomasochist, making them her personal sexual slaves. Troy is the latest to be brought to the castle and is intended as a plaything for Lily. Wanting the girl to follow in her footsteps Camille punishes Troy when he doesn't obey her and gives him to Lily to walk in the garden on a leash.
But soon Lily has the opportunity of escaping and takes Troy with her so he wont be blamed after her disappearance. On the outside she leaves him in the forest and proceeds to where her old nurse is waiting for her to take her to her grandfather in England.
As soon as Lily is presented in society it is only a matter of time till she meets Troy. She doesn't know it but we do and Schwab keeps us waiting in anticipation for their confrontation. While Lily has become an ice maiden trying to forget all that happened to her Troy burns with a rage that finds its mark in Lily. When they finally meet it is violent and painful.
Society being what it is they end up marrying and Troy takes Lily to the country where for while they mostly live separate lives. She believes he is entitled to hate her and does nothing to make him believe otherwise and it will take a long while for him to start seeing her as a human being and not just a heartless bitch. One may wonder why Troy doesn't decide to punish Camille instead of Lily, or at least both of them, but I thought he probably spent more time alone with her and she was present in every punishment he took so when he saw her she was the main focus of his rage, the woman who branded him.
Grade: B+
Lillian had not chosen to live with Camille, her stepmother, but none escaped the Black Widow's web. And on her nineteenth birthday, Lillian became Camille's heir. Her gift was a plaything: a man to end her naiveté, whose face and body were made for the boudoir. Yet even as Lillian did as she was told, marked that beautiful flesh and branded it with the flower of her name, all she desired was escape. In another place, in another world, she'd desired love. Now, looking into burning blue eyes, there was no place to run. No matter should she flee, no matter where she might go, she and this man were prisoners of passion, inextricably linked by the Lily Brand
So while her heart remains locked in ice, his burns with hate. Will they ever find true happiness?
Well, I recently read a medieval noir and this story is definitely a regency noir full of emotional angst!
We know from the beginning that Lily and Troy are both victims of the Black Widow. In different ways both will be scarred forever by Camille and her actions. Lily has lived with her since her father died and dreams of running away and leaving the castle where her stepmother subjugates men through pain, she is a sadomasochist, making them her personal sexual slaves. Troy is the latest to be brought to the castle and is intended as a plaything for Lily. Wanting the girl to follow in her footsteps Camille punishes Troy when he doesn't obey her and gives him to Lily to walk in the garden on a leash.
But soon Lily has the opportunity of escaping and takes Troy with her so he wont be blamed after her disappearance. On the outside she leaves him in the forest and proceeds to where her old nurse is waiting for her to take her to her grandfather in England.
As soon as Lily is presented in society it is only a matter of time till she meets Troy. She doesn't know it but we do and Schwab keeps us waiting in anticipation for their confrontation. While Lily has become an ice maiden trying to forget all that happened to her Troy burns with a rage that finds its mark in Lily. When they finally meet it is violent and painful.
Society being what it is they end up marrying and Troy takes Lily to the country where for while they mostly live separate lives. She believes he is entitled to hate her and does nothing to make him believe otherwise and it will take a long while for him to start seeing her as a human being and not just a heartless bitch. One may wonder why Troy doesn't decide to punish Camille instead of Lily, or at least both of them, but I thought he probably spent more time alone with her and she was present in every punishment he took so when he saw her she was the main focus of his rage, the woman who branded him.
Grade: B+
September 9, 2016
4.5
This is not your average romance book. No tingling skins, smoldering touches, flirty conversations of wit, sweet kisses. This is dark. With hatred, coldness and pain on so many different levels. What happens when humanity, pride and self-worth are ripped from the core of a person, leaving fragments of hate and vengeance behind? Troy happens. Despite all what he does, all the hatred simmering inside of him, I couldn't bring myself to hate him. Because he too was grotesquely wronged.
But Lillian, my God Lillian. This is one the first books where I think I have fallen in love with the girl. Frightened, cold, numb Lillian, whose soul was tortured by her stepmother. But inside her cold iciness, she possesses steel and strength. A smiling facade while she wept and broke on the inside. Chilling, truly, but admirable, and also a bit enviable. Beneath all her icy veneer, she is just a girl, who wants to breathe.
I really dont know how to go about writing this review. This is not a book which gives you a warm feeling and you "enjoy" reading it. Its a book you read with your heart broken, seeking a whiff of comfort from a character or the other. Its a book you read, allowing yourself a tiny glimmer of hope, thinking maybe things might get better now, or in the next page, or the next chapter perhaps.
On a side note I wanted to add some of the supporting characters are amazing.
This is not your average romance book. No tingling skins, smoldering touches, flirty conversations of wit, sweet kisses. This is dark. With hatred, coldness and pain on so many different levels. What happens when humanity, pride and self-worth are ripped from the core of a person, leaving fragments of hate and vengeance behind? Troy happens. Despite all what he does, all the hatred simmering inside of him, I couldn't bring myself to hate him. Because he too was grotesquely wronged.
But Lillian, my God Lillian. This is one the first books where I think I have fallen in love with the girl. Frightened, cold, numb Lillian, whose soul was tortured by her stepmother. But inside her cold iciness, she possesses steel and strength. A smiling facade while she wept and broke on the inside. Chilling, truly, but admirable, and also a bit enviable. Beneath all her icy veneer, she is just a girl, who wants to breathe.
I really dont know how to go about writing this review. This is not a book which gives you a warm feeling and you "enjoy" reading it. Its a book you read with your heart broken, seeking a whiff of comfort from a character or the other. Its a book you read, allowing yourself a tiny glimmer of hope, thinking maybe things might get better now, or in the next page, or the next chapter perhaps.
On a side note I wanted to add some of the supporting characters are amazing.
June 24, 2020
It could have been really good.
It was devoid of any sexual tension or love. They were strangers until the end when the author decided that finally someone had to get laid. It was abrupt and jarring, like it was thrown in at the last second. It's like a half baked cake, but someone forgot to add sugar, so it's thrown on on top at the last minute as if that would save it. It doesn't.
It really could have been great. Such a waste.
It was devoid of any sexual tension or love. They were strangers until the end when the author decided that finally someone had to get laid. It was abrupt and jarring, like it was thrown in at the last second. It's like a half baked cake, but someone forgot to add sugar, so it's thrown on on top at the last minute as if that would save it. It doesn't.
It really could have been great. Such a waste.
August 20, 2015
The beginning of this book has a fairy-tale or fairy-tale retelling feel about it. At about 20% in, the story becomes a somewhat dark regency story.
The story is good and the author has talent. I agree with some other reviewers that I might like this better on a second reading. This one drew me in, it is compelling and a little different. So, why a 3-star? The captivity and torture that Troy endures is mostly told not shown, hinted at but not enough detail, and seems of such short duration for a hardened soldier that also became a POW. I could not quite relate to the amount of anger, hatred, PTSD, etc. that entails. Perhaps I am jaded with similar subject matter in other books (contemporary and historical) that I need details and duration for the reaction and events that occur. I am not saying that there should not be emotional baggage, just that I thought reactions were a little overdone. Make sense?
Anyway, thanks to my friend for a book gift (best kind of present evah!).
The story is good and the author has talent. I agree with some other reviewers that I might like this better on a second reading. This one drew me in, it is compelling and a little different. So, why a 3-star? The captivity and torture that Troy endures is mostly told not shown, hinted at but not enough detail, and seems of such short duration for a hardened soldier that also became a POW. I could not quite relate to the amount of anger, hatred, PTSD, etc. that entails. Perhaps I am jaded with similar subject matter in other books (contemporary and historical) that I need details and duration for the reaction and events that occur. I am not saying that there should not be emotional baggage, just that I thought reactions were a little overdone. Make sense?
Anyway, thanks to my friend for a book gift (best kind of present evah!).
March 27, 2022
Editing and typo issues aside, this was an intense read. The beginning was rather disturbing, but it set the tone of the story. The rest of the book was a drama-filled Regency, which I liked. And dear Lord, was I happy when the H/h finally got their HEA; they went through a lot!
July 27, 2015
The Lily Brand by Sandra Schwab is a book I'd enjoy much more upon a second reading I think. I hated it at first, because my pet peeve is injustice. When someone helps someone else at his or her own risk, one expects gratitude rather than abuse. I can, in retrospect, make a case for PTSD, however, and find forgiveness through that.
In the end, however, this was NOT a true romance in my opinion. The last few chapters were, but the rest was emotional torture after an opening helping of depravity. The couple spent more time apart than together.
It was so unique, however, and I loved the supporting cast so much that I'm tempted to bump this to 4 stars, because the book WAS so well done. I just don't care for people being falsely accused despite the obvious facts to the contrary, and I like it even less when that poor soul takes it to heart and is neglected by the one whose very life she saved.
This was well-written. Overall, it was an engaging story—except for a LONG patch of mutual avoidance that ate up too many pages for my tastes. The supporting characters were the BEST, and I couldn't have gotten through the book without those gentleman.
In the end, I have very mixed feelings and feel like reading it again to be sure.
Amazon Kindle: http://amzn.to/1JoEoVW
Amazon Paperback: http://amzn.to/1Imve7c
In the end, however, this was NOT a true romance in my opinion. The last few chapters were, but the rest was emotional torture after an opening helping of depravity. The couple spent more time apart than together.
It was so unique, however, and I loved the supporting cast so much that I'm tempted to bump this to 4 stars, because the book WAS so well done. I just don't care for people being falsely accused despite the obvious facts to the contrary, and I like it even less when that poor soul takes it to heart and is neglected by the one whose very life she saved.
This was well-written. Overall, it was an engaging story—except for a LONG patch of mutual avoidance that ate up too many pages for my tastes. The supporting characters were the BEST, and I couldn't have gotten through the book without those gentleman.
In the end, I have very mixed feelings and feel like reading it again to be sure.
Amazon Kindle: http://amzn.to/1JoEoVW
Amazon Paperback: http://amzn.to/1Imve7c
January 6, 2013
The first chapter started off erotic. Two women go to a prison, feel up a man and take him off to serve as a sex slave. It went downhill from there.
One place this story didn't go was in the bedroom. Great pains were taken to show cruelty and perversity, but no sex. The man was beaten into submission and forced to lick cream off the woman, but she was fully clothed.
There is finally an escape and then a rather traditional historical. The woman is a total wimp.
Did not finish.
One place this story didn't go was in the bedroom. Great pains were taken to show cruelty and perversity, but no sex. The man was beaten into submission and forced to lick cream off the woman, but she was fully clothed.
There is finally an escape and then a rather traditional historical. The woman is a total wimp.
Did not finish.
June 4, 2018
A very romantic novel. Really nice. The female protagonist reminds me of the girl in HIS AT NIGHT, the wonderful novel by my admired Sherry Thomas. The fear, the trauma, the shock are exactly the same. The male characters take their time to see it but in the end love triumphs in Romanceland. A good read!!
January 1, 2013
I forgot how intense this was at times.
June 27, 2008
A very dark and very intense gothic romance.
February 19, 2014
There's something about this book. I've read it so many times and yet every year or so it pops into my head and won't leave me alone until I read it again....
August 9, 2012
Another great dark romance. A nice change.
December 14, 2025
This was my first book by Sandra Schwab but I can guarantee you that it isn't going to be the last. One of my favorite tropes in romance novels is when a tortured hero is saved by the heroine, which is exactly what happens here. Schwab puts an interesting twist on it, though: the heroine, under the cold eyes of her psychotic stepmother, tortures the hero herself.
Camille is an evil, brutal woman who uses men as playthings and refers to them as "it" and as "toys." She tortures them, mentally and physically, until they do whatever she tells her to. To a lesser extent, she treats her stepdaughter, Lillian, the same way. She wants to initiate Lillian to follow in her own footsteps and the hero, Troy, is to be her plaything. After branding him (yes, seriously), Lillian feels incredible guilt. It's the last straw. So she takes Troy with her to the gardens, to a secret passage where she plans to escape. After taking Troy with her partway, she abandons him with her gold cameo necklace to pay for his passage. Then the two of them part ways... until they meet again. DUN DUN DUN.
Now in England, Lillian is living with her aunt and grandfather. She is on the fringes of society and flirting with a man named Alex. But bad luck! Alex is the cousin of Troy, who hasn't forgotten what Lillian did to him. He stops their engagement by assaulting Lillian at a party, and only fate keeps him from going further. They end up forced into marriage to save Lillian's honor, and you could cut a knife through the tension between them, as Troy's hatred festers even as Lillian's guilt mounts.
This was just so well done. It's kind of a Gothic romance with a couple nods to bodice-rippers of old. Camille is a great villain-- she reminds me of Asharti in Susan Squires's THE COMPANION-- and I liked that the heroine and the hero both did cruel things to each other. It was also refreshing to see a book where the heroine repeatedly comes to the hero's aid. Lillian was cold because she had to harden her heart to tragedy, but it was really more of a self-defense tactic to keep from getting hurt. Juxtaposed against that icy exterior are softer moments where you get an idea of what she could have been like, if not for her trauma. The hero is the same way. Even though I wanted to scream at him for NOT TALKING TO HER, it actually made sense for his character because he was so full of bride.
I also loved that the secondary romance in this book was a gay couple. Since this book was published a while ago, that came across as pretty progressive. Especially since they weren't stereotyped at all. I loved Lord Allenbright and Mr. De La Mere. They were both great characters and the intimate scenes between them were as great as their more active roles to the plot. All of the other side characters were pretty interesting too, especially Antoine, Camille's right hand man, and Nanette, Lillian's nanny.
If you like dark romances and are okay with some light questionable content and enjoy it when the heroine gets to save the hero and everything is drenched in angst and anguish, this is the book for you. It's slow-burn as all get-out but that just makes everything that happens between them way more satisfying because it feels like you've earned it at that point. I can't wait to read more from this author!
4 stars
Camille is an evil, brutal woman who uses men as playthings and refers to them as "it" and as "toys." She tortures them, mentally and physically, until they do whatever she tells her to. To a lesser extent, she treats her stepdaughter, Lillian, the same way. She wants to initiate Lillian to follow in her own footsteps and the hero, Troy, is to be her plaything. After branding him (yes, seriously), Lillian feels incredible guilt. It's the last straw. So she takes Troy with her to the gardens, to a secret passage where she plans to escape. After taking Troy with her partway, she abandons him with her gold cameo necklace to pay for his passage. Then the two of them part ways... until they meet again. DUN DUN DUN.
Now in England, Lillian is living with her aunt and grandfather. She is on the fringes of society and flirting with a man named Alex. But bad luck! Alex is the cousin of Troy, who hasn't forgotten what Lillian did to him. He stops their engagement by assaulting Lillian at a party, and only fate keeps him from going further. They end up forced into marriage to save Lillian's honor, and you could cut a knife through the tension between them, as Troy's hatred festers even as Lillian's guilt mounts.
This was just so well done. It's kind of a Gothic romance with a couple nods to bodice-rippers of old. Camille is a great villain-- she reminds me of Asharti in Susan Squires's THE COMPANION-- and I liked that the heroine and the hero both did cruel things to each other. It was also refreshing to see a book where the heroine repeatedly comes to the hero's aid. Lillian was cold because she had to harden her heart to tragedy, but it was really more of a self-defense tactic to keep from getting hurt. Juxtaposed against that icy exterior are softer moments where you get an idea of what she could have been like, if not for her trauma. The hero is the same way. Even though I wanted to scream at him for NOT TALKING TO HER, it actually made sense for his character because he was so full of bride.
I also loved that the secondary romance in this book was a gay couple. Since this book was published a while ago, that came across as pretty progressive. Especially since they weren't stereotyped at all. I loved Lord Allenbright and Mr. De La Mere. They were both great characters and the intimate scenes between them were as great as their more active roles to the plot. All of the other side characters were pretty interesting too, especially Antoine, Camille's right hand man, and Nanette, Lillian's nanny.
If you like dark romances and are okay with some light questionable content and enjoy it when the heroine gets to save the hero and everything is drenched in angst and anguish, this is the book for you. It's slow-burn as all get-out but that just makes everything that happens between them way more satisfying because it feels like you've earned it at that point. I can't wait to read more from this author!
4 stars
February 19, 2023
I don't read a lot of Regency romances - I don't know if the period is just not an interesting (to me) as other historical era, or it's something else. But when an online friend reviewed this book, it sounded different and intriguing. I figured I'd give it a shot. If you like a slow buildup or dark romances, this might be worth a shot.
Troy (short for Murgatroyd - heavens!) has been captured in war and is in prison when Camille selects him for her stepdaughter, Lillian. Camille is also known as the Veuve Noire - Black Widow - and she is a dark character. She basically enslaves men, breaking them through physical and mental torture, using them as seravants and pets, and generally torturing them until they are fit only as hunting practice for her dogs or labor in the mines. Gee, what a peach. Lillian has been subjected to the displays and humiliations for years and has learned to bury her emotions deep and show no weakness outwardly. She is forced to brand (thus the title) Troy with her symbol, a lily, in her stepmother's presence. Later she treats his wounds and cares for him as best she can while outwardly betraying no feelings. It does convince her that she must escape France and her stepmother if she's to retain any of her humanity. Her plan is set in motion and she was walking the estate with Troy when she must go with only what she has on her and her cherished companion / nanny / servant, Nanette. She frees Troy but cannot take him with her as she flees to England.
Months later in England, she is being introduced to society and her grandfather is trying to find her a suitable match. Alex, Viscount Perrin, is courting her. But it turns out that he is the cousin of Troy - the Earl of Ravenhurst - and through a series of events, it is Troy that eventually is forced to marry Lillian. There is a slow build up to the conclusion and the ending did seem rushed to me. But overall it was a good story about finding redemption from your past. Both Lillian and Troy have to overcome their past and find a way to move on. They are both victims of PTSD, although their reactions are different to those past events. The novel also had some great supporting characters, including a gay couple (Earl Allenbright and Mr de la Mer).
Troy (short for Murgatroyd - heavens!) has been captured in war and is in prison when Camille selects him for her stepdaughter, Lillian. Camille is also known as the Veuve Noire - Black Widow - and she is a dark character. She basically enslaves men, breaking them through physical and mental torture, using them as seravants and pets, and generally torturing them until they are fit only as hunting practice for her dogs or labor in the mines. Gee, what a peach. Lillian has been subjected to the displays and humiliations for years and has learned to bury her emotions deep and show no weakness outwardly. She is forced to brand (thus the title) Troy with her symbol, a lily, in her stepmother's presence. Later she treats his wounds and cares for him as best she can while outwardly betraying no feelings. It does convince her that she must escape France and her stepmother if she's to retain any of her humanity. Her plan is set in motion and she was walking the estate with Troy when she must go with only what she has on her and her cherished companion / nanny / servant, Nanette. She frees Troy but cannot take him with her as she flees to England.
Months later in England, she is being introduced to society and her grandfather is trying to find her a suitable match. Alex, Viscount Perrin, is courting her. But it turns out that he is the cousin of Troy - the Earl of Ravenhurst - and through a series of events, it is Troy that eventually is forced to marry Lillian. There is a slow build up to the conclusion and the ending did seem rushed to me. But overall it was a good story about finding redemption from your past. Both Lillian and Troy have to overcome their past and find a way to move on. They are both victims of PTSD, although their reactions are different to those past events. The novel also had some great supporting characters, including a gay couple (Earl Allenbright and Mr de la Mer).
April 15, 2025
Been meaning to read this book for a long while. I have enjoyed the author's other books but never got my hands. on it. Thank goodness for TBR challenges ;)
Here we follow Troy and Lillian. Troy was captured in France and his luck keeps getting worse when he finds himself as a prisoner in an old French manor on the outskirts of civilization. He was bought by a rich and evil widow who gives him to his stepdaughter. Lillian had not chosen to live with her stepmother but no one escapes the Black Widow's web. However, Lillian is done and plans an escape to get her and Troy out of there. After they seperate, they think they will never see each other again....until they are reunited in England in proper society.
This was pretty dark at times. The characters went through hell at the hands of the Black Widow. I was hoping that they would see each other as fellow victims, but Troy has a lot of issues so it takes him a while. Trauma ya know.
This was an interesting format to the a-typical romance. Which was super refreshing. Things happen (no spoiler) and they are forced to marry, but he hates her. He blames her for what happened to him and she blames herself. It took a LOT of time for them to see sense and find their love. It took time, talking, and friends to help. I loved this.
Awwww the side love story was adorable. I want to see more of them. They were sweet beans for sure.
But yes. For sure some triggering topics so keep that in mind.
All-in-all, I liked this quite a bit. The beginning was dark for sure. I expected it but I was still like, "WHAT?" but I couldn't stop reading. I had to see how they would find each other and have their HEA. I'll give this 4 stars.
Favorite Character(s): Lillian and Troy's friends
Least Favorite Character(s): The Black Widow and Troy's cousin. Snakes.
Here we follow Troy and Lillian. Troy was captured in France and his luck keeps getting worse when he finds himself as a prisoner in an old French manor on the outskirts of civilization. He was bought by a rich and evil widow who gives him to his stepdaughter. Lillian had not chosen to live with her stepmother but no one escapes the Black Widow's web. However, Lillian is done and plans an escape to get her and Troy out of there. After they seperate, they think they will never see each other again....until they are reunited in England in proper society.
This was pretty dark at times. The characters went through hell at the hands of the Black Widow. I was hoping that they would see each other as fellow victims, but Troy has a lot of issues so it takes him a while. Trauma ya know.
This was an interesting format to the a-typical romance. Which was super refreshing. Things happen (no spoiler) and they are forced to marry, but he hates her. He blames her for what happened to him and she blames herself. It took a LOT of time for them to see sense and find their love. It took time, talking, and friends to help. I loved this.
Awwww the side love story was adorable. I want to see more of them. They were sweet beans for sure.
But yes. For sure some triggering topics so keep that in mind.
All-in-all, I liked this quite a bit. The beginning was dark for sure. I expected it but I was still like, "WHAT?" but I couldn't stop reading. I had to see how they would find each other and have their HEA. I'll give this 4 stars.
Favorite Character(s): Lillian and Troy's friends
Least Favorite Character(s): The Black Widow and Troy's cousin. Snakes.
June 23, 2023
This book was sold to me as a Laura Kinsale-esque novel, and so I went into the story expecting Laura Kinsale-levels of gorgeous, lyrical writing, tension and angst, complex and deeply developed characters, details that make the historical context come to life. Given my expectations, I was mostly satisfied with The Lily Brand, but I did have a few gripes.
I started The Lily Brand knowing about the disturbing premise -- the male lead, Royd, meets the female lead, Lillian, when he is taken prisoner by her stepmother. Lillian is forced to torture Royd under her stepmother's supervision. She eventually escapes her stepmother's chateau and frees Royd in the process.
A year or so later, Royd and Lillian are reunited. Royd exacts revenge by assaulting Lillian, publicly ruining her. He marries her to prevent her from getting engaged to his cousin.
For more than half of the book, Lillian and Royd are stuck in a loveless marriage. They avoid each other, haunted by the past that connects them. In the end, there is a very sweet, albeit rushed (?) resolution.
I thought Sandra Schwab handled the sensitive, disturbing material very well (ie she's an amazing writer). A lot of the times in romance novels, writers (Kinsale included) seem to use abuse/trauma as a gimmick or a plot device, but here, Schwab really fleshes out the extent to which the characters are destroyed by their respective traumas. She handles the matter with the sensitivity and the complexity it deserves.
That being said, for a romance novel, Royd and Lillian did not have nearly enough interactions. I am fine with a slow burn, but it seems that for most of the novel, we are stuck in Lillian's head as she traipses through the gardens of Bair Hall, and it is only around the 75% mark that we start to get deeply into Royd's perspective, and by then, the resolution of their relationship feels too rushed. Also, because the novel seems to be more rooted in Lillian's perspective, I felt Royd's character wasn't as fully developed as Lillian.
All in all, a very well-written book with a moody, gothic tone. Felt a bit like a psychological thriller at times -- maybe too many times given that I was expecting a romance.
A very generous 4.5/5 stars because the writing was good
I started The Lily Brand knowing about the disturbing premise -- the male lead, Royd, meets the female lead, Lillian, when he is taken prisoner by her stepmother. Lillian is forced to torture Royd under her stepmother's supervision. She eventually escapes her stepmother's chateau and frees Royd in the process.
A year or so later, Royd and Lillian are reunited. Royd exacts revenge by assaulting Lillian, publicly ruining her. He marries her to prevent her from getting engaged to his cousin.
For more than half of the book, Lillian and Royd are stuck in a loveless marriage. They avoid each other, haunted by the past that connects them. In the end, there is a very sweet, albeit rushed (?) resolution.
I thought Sandra Schwab handled the sensitive, disturbing material very well (ie she's an amazing writer). A lot of the times in romance novels, writers (Kinsale included) seem to use abuse/trauma as a gimmick or a plot device, but here, Schwab really fleshes out the extent to which the characters are destroyed by their respective traumas. She handles the matter with the sensitivity and the complexity it deserves.
That being said, for a romance novel, Royd and Lillian did not have nearly enough interactions. I am fine with a slow burn, but it seems that for most of the novel, we are stuck in Lillian's head as she traipses through the gardens of Bair Hall, and it is only around the 75% mark that we start to get deeply into Royd's perspective, and by then, the resolution of their relationship feels too rushed. Also, because the novel seems to be more rooted in Lillian's perspective, I felt Royd's character wasn't as fully developed as Lillian.
All in all, a very well-written book with a moody, gothic tone. Felt a bit like a psychological thriller at times -- maybe too many times given that I was expecting a romance.
A very generous 4.5/5 stars because the writing was good
December 6, 2016
This is a hard book to rate....while I was glued to the pages and riveted to the story, it was a disturbing and twisted tale. The characters reactions and emotions felt very real. The scenes were intense. Be prepared for degradation, torture and domination. Things get dark very quickly. Fortunately it doesn't last that long and while I had hoped for a bit more light to balance the darkness, at least I wasn't squirming through the entire novel. I understood the characters...Troy's hatred and vengeance made sense along with Lillian's coldness and remorse. Their inner strength shined through. I wish things had resolved sooner and we could have been brought into the light for a longer journey of healing.
September 8, 2024
Loved the story. Definitely unique!
Wished part 1 was longer though. Part two and three dragged and dragged… I found myself skimming alot of it.
But I loved how the writer portrayed their traumas. How it affected Lillian and Troy. How the same event caused two different results.
The ending was definitely rushed. I wished to see how he grew to gain her trust. Not suddenly boom, kill 3 people, we’re free, lets go make sweet sweet love!
Anyway, 3 stars for the uniqueness of the story.
Wished part 1 was longer though. Part two and three dragged and dragged… I found myself skimming alot of it.
But I loved how the writer portrayed their traumas. How it affected Lillian and Troy. How the same event caused two different results.
The ending was definitely rushed. I wished to see how he grew to gain her trust. Not suddenly boom, kill 3 people, we’re free, lets go make sweet sweet love!
Anyway, 3 stars for the uniqueness of the story.
September 15, 2025
Troy & Lily
Wow. Lily's stepmother is something else! She reminds me a lot of the Countess Bathory. The Countess MAY have been Sandra's inspiration for Camille, but Camille is definitely her own sociopath of pure evil. The fact that Lily and Troy escape both times is absotively posolutely nothing short of a miracle. I only wish there was more interaction between Troy and Lily throughout.
Wow. Lily's stepmother is something else! She reminds me a lot of the Countess Bathory. The Countess MAY have been Sandra's inspiration for Camille, but Camille is definitely her own sociopath of pure evil. The fact that Lily and Troy escape both times is absotively posolutely nothing short of a miracle. I only wish there was more interaction between Troy and Lily throughout.
May 21, 2018
Damn.
Damn damn damn damn DAMN.
THIS was a piece of art.
This is literally the only way I can describe how I feel right now about this book: https://giphy.com/gifs/realitytvgifs-...
Damn damn damn damn DAMN.
THIS was a piece of art.
This is literally the only way I can describe how I feel right now about this book: https://giphy.com/gifs/realitytvgifs-...
August 15, 2021
I am conflicted here, because I enjoyed a lot of this book, but really disliked others. I really appreciated the heroine, but rather disliked the hero, despite his ‘suffering’. So 3 stars, but I have looked at the author’s other books.
July 8, 2020
Interesting plot that actually worked here. While this is on the dark side and may not be for everyone, the romance was well-written.
October 25, 2023
You hateful, unbearable, unsightly little bitch. Do the world a favor and stop writing.
July 25, 2025
Troy and Lillian
This was a good book and it kept my interest until the very end. This was a love story between Troy and Lillian.
This was a good book and it kept my interest until the very end. This was a love story between Troy and Lillian.
August 12, 2025
The Lily Brand
I thought this book was well written. I found it quite interesting. I hope others will also. It is hard to believe that some people can be so evil.
I thought this book was well written. I found it quite interesting. I hope others will also. It is hard to believe that some people can be so evil.
October 25, 2023
I loved this story. A haunting beautiful story of resilience, of friendship, of hatred and love. Complex characters you'll fall in love with.
May 7, 2014
My my... This is really embarrasing, :$
I read this book in... 2009 maybe, it was during my historic-romance-harlequin phase, I don't even remember how it ended in my hands, my... virtual hands... my... hard drive actually.
Anyway, I wrote an stupid and huge review on my LJ (I was kinda stupid five years ago) and... Sandra Schwab just... commented my entry!! DUDE! It was like the first important thing that had happened in my life E-V-E-R!
It was amazing! 'cause my maternal tongue it's not English (ha! it's pretty obvious) and she just told me she had read my entire nonsense of review with a translator! A TRANSLATOR! DUDE! I guess it had been a terrible experience! Anyway, she had read it and had answered and... man I was terrible embarrased, and I'm still, 'cause the book hadn't been released (still hadn't)in my country and I had got it by... internet... so... I guess it was a clear example of how you should support the authors by buying their books.
And well, for what I remember... this book was awesome, and... I not saying anything else...
I read this book in... 2009 maybe, it was during my historic-romance-harlequin phase, I don't even remember how it ended in my hands, my... virtual hands... my... hard drive actually.
Anyway, I wrote an stupid and huge review on my LJ (I was kinda stupid five years ago) and... Sandra Schwab just... commented my entry!! DUDE! It was like the first important thing that had happened in my life E-V-E-R!
It was amazing! 'cause my maternal tongue it's not English (ha! it's pretty obvious) and she just told me she had read my entire nonsense of review with a translator! A TRANSLATOR! DUDE! I guess it had been a terrible experience! Anyway, she had read it and had answered and... man I was terrible embarrased, and I'm still, 'cause the book hadn't been released (still hadn't)in my country and I had got it by... internet... so... I guess it was a clear example of how you should support the authors by buying their books.
And well, for what I remember... this book was awesome, and... I not saying anything else...
April 17, 2018
Troy Sacheverell is captured by Lilian - a real tortured hero. His complete hatred of Lilian is understandable. After he escapes and learns her backstory through a gay friends - he realizes that Lilian is a good person. But the happy ending is a little too short. 10 pages are not enough to balance out the entire stressful time of the beginning. There is no epilogue either.
May 21, 2011
The ending kind of fell flat for me but other than that I thought this was such a gorgeous story. Very intense and dark.
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