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The Radwells #2
Una propuesta impropia
El cruel padre de la señorita Esme Canville está resuelto a casarla, pero ella está dispuesta a obedecer ciegamente sus órdenes. Por el contrario, se ofrecerá al célebre granuja St. John Radwell y disfrutará de la libertad de la que goza una amante.
St. John está empeñado en reformarse, por lo que no desea seducir a una virgen. Pero Esme es una joven decidida, hermosa y muy, muy tentadora…
St. John está empeñado en reformarse, por lo que no desea seducir a una virgen. Pero Esme es una joven decidida, hermosa y muy, muy tentadora…
317 pages, Paperback
First published July 1, 2007
33 people are currently reading
283 people want to read
About the author
Christine Merrill
242 books215 followersChristine Merrill has wanted to be an author for as long as she can remember. But one thing stood in her way: touch typing.
Six weeks spent on an IBM Selectric in her Sophomore year of high school proved that she would never be able to produce one readable page of manuscript, much less several hundred.
Twenty years passed, and she found ways to pass the time: marrying her high school sweetheart; having two sons; and taking an assortment of jobs in professional theater costume shops, including a miserable year and a half spent styling wigs for a certain hamburger-selling clown (who shall remain nameless, since I don't want to incur the wrath of a major American corporation) and a couple of weeks working on a TV movie with one of the sexiest men alive (whose name I'm happy to drop: Mark Harmon!).
During that time, someone invented word processing, and a reliable spell checker.
Christine returned to her childhood dream, only to discover that there was more to the whole writing thing than accurate typing. The next years were spent learning to tell stories that people might want to read, and trying to find someone who wanted to buy them. Her chance came when she won the RWA's Golden Heart Competition for unpublished manuscripts. The winning story, soon to be known as THE INCONVENIENT DUCHESS, was bought by the contest judges, the delightful editors at Mills & Boon, in Richmond, Surrey.
Christine is now busy writing her fifth book, and is more than slightly jealous that her manuscripts get to visit England, while she stays home in Wisconsin
Six weeks spent on an IBM Selectric in her Sophomore year of high school proved that she would never be able to produce one readable page of manuscript, much less several hundred.
Twenty years passed, and she found ways to pass the time: marrying her high school sweetheart; having two sons; and taking an assortment of jobs in professional theater costume shops, including a miserable year and a half spent styling wigs for a certain hamburger-selling clown (who shall remain nameless, since I don't want to incur the wrath of a major American corporation) and a couple of weeks working on a TV movie with one of the sexiest men alive (whose name I'm happy to drop: Mark Harmon!).
During that time, someone invented word processing, and a reliable spell checker.
Christine returned to her childhood dream, only to discover that there was more to the whole writing thing than accurate typing. The next years were spent learning to tell stories that people might want to read, and trying to find someone who wanted to buy them. Her chance came when she won the RWA's Golden Heart Competition for unpublished manuscripts. The winning story, soon to be known as THE INCONVENIENT DUCHESS, was bought by the contest judges, the delightful editors at Mills & Boon, in Richmond, Surrey.
Christine is now busy writing her fifth book, and is more than slightly jealous that her manuscripts get to visit England, while she stays home in Wisconsin
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews
March 24, 2022
Mumu' - per RFS
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Carissime fenici, eccoci qua con il secondo volume della serie The Radwells.
Il primo volume, I doveri di una duchessa, vedeva come protagonisti Marcus e Miranda, duchi di Haughleigh, oltre a loro emergeva come figura di spicco St John, fratello minore del duca, una vera spina nel fianco per il serioso Marcus.
St John si rivela subito una testa calda, un libertino che non si fa alcuna remora a sedurre la dolce Miranda, che dal canto suo, però, riesce a rimetterlo al proprio posto, evitando così che i due fratelli si sfidino a duello, con la promessa da parte dell’impenitente duca di partire il più lontano possibile.
Ed è proprio di ritorno dal suo lungo peregrinare come soldato che lo ritroveremo, cinque anni dopo, più maturo e riflessivo, o almeno questa era la sua intenzione, prima che Esme Canville si recasse in tarda sera a casa sua, offrendosi a lui come sua amante. La povera Esme è veramente disperata per arrivare a formulare una proposta simile, ma farebbe di tutto per non sposare il vecchio lascivo che quell’aguzzino di suo padre la vuole costringere a prendere come marito. A St John non rimane altro che correre dal fratello in cerca di aiuto.
In Come sposare un libertino assisteremo all’evolversi del rapporto tra i due fratelli, le vecchie e profonde ferite lentamente andranno rimarginandosi, grazie anche a Miranda, che farà quanto più possibile per cercare di riavvicinarli. Innegabile sin da subito l’attrazione che Esme e St John provano, ma che questi è deciso a ignorare. Alla giovane non resta altro che provare a scalfire, notte dopo notte, la spessa corazza che riveste il soldato. Saranno diversi i momenti piacevoli tra i due, non mancheranno scene esilaranti che si alterneranno a momenti di puro piacere.
Il racconto scorre veloce sotto i nostri occhi, i dialoghi non sono affatto scontati e le scene che si susseguono sono sempre ben descritte. Mi ha personalmente colpito il fatto che i protagonisti siano ben bilanciati tra loro, viene infatti dedicato a entrambi il medesimo spazio, non si avverte mai che uno venga messo in rilievo rispetto all’altra o che predomini un punto di vista. Abbiamo la possibilità quindi di poterci immedesimare tranquillamente a ognuno, nei loro sentimenti e nelle ragioni che determinano le loro scelte.
Libro assolutamente consigliato.
Piccola nota conclusiva: in ben due episodi avremo modo di conoscere Anthony de Portnay Smythe, l’affascinante gentiluomo (che tanto irreprensibile alla fine non si rivela), protagonista del terzo volume della serie.
.
Carissime fenici, eccoci qua con il secondo volume della serie The Radwells.
Il primo volume, I doveri di una duchessa, vedeva come protagonisti Marcus e Miranda, duchi di Haughleigh, oltre a loro emergeva come figura di spicco St John, fratello minore del duca, una vera spina nel fianco per il serioso Marcus.
St John si rivela subito una testa calda, un libertino che non si fa alcuna remora a sedurre la dolce Miranda, che dal canto suo, però, riesce a rimetterlo al proprio posto, evitando così che i due fratelli si sfidino a duello, con la promessa da parte dell’impenitente duca di partire il più lontano possibile.
Ed è proprio di ritorno dal suo lungo peregrinare come soldato che lo ritroveremo, cinque anni dopo, più maturo e riflessivo, o almeno questa era la sua intenzione, prima che Esme Canville si recasse in tarda sera a casa sua, offrendosi a lui come sua amante. La povera Esme è veramente disperata per arrivare a formulare una proposta simile, ma farebbe di tutto per non sposare il vecchio lascivo che quell’aguzzino di suo padre la vuole costringere a prendere come marito. A St John non rimane altro che correre dal fratello in cerca di aiuto.
In Come sposare un libertino assisteremo all’evolversi del rapporto tra i due fratelli, le vecchie e profonde ferite lentamente andranno rimarginandosi, grazie anche a Miranda, che farà quanto più possibile per cercare di riavvicinarli. Innegabile sin da subito l’attrazione che Esme e St John provano, ma che questi è deciso a ignorare. Alla giovane non resta altro che provare a scalfire, notte dopo notte, la spessa corazza che riveste il soldato. Saranno diversi i momenti piacevoli tra i due, non mancheranno scene esilaranti che si alterneranno a momenti di puro piacere.
Il racconto scorre veloce sotto i nostri occhi, i dialoghi non sono affatto scontati e le scene che si susseguono sono sempre ben descritte. Mi ha personalmente colpito il fatto che i protagonisti siano ben bilanciati tra loro, viene infatti dedicato a entrambi il medesimo spazio, non si avverte mai che uno venga messo in rilievo rispetto all’altra o che predomini un punto di vista. Abbiamo la possibilità quindi di poterci immedesimare tranquillamente a ognuno, nei loro sentimenti e nelle ragioni che determinano le loro scelte.
Libro assolutamente consigliato.
Piccola nota conclusiva: in ben due episodi avremo modo di conoscere Anthony de Portnay Smythe, l’affascinante gentiluomo (che tanto irreprensibile alla fine non si rivela), protagonista del terzo volume della serie.
April 8, 2018
I laughed and cried. Great writing, lovable characters. 😍
July 1, 2012
This is the first M&B book I feel like writing a review to: The story about a young woman who is tired of being treated brutally by her father and the path she chooses to escape him. Father wants her married off to some old man as the ultimate punishment that her mother left him. She is beaten and scared. And the only silver lining in her life is St John.How a very unladylike proposal ends up awaking a 33 year old man from his stupor (literally) and giving him a chance at love. I liked the story because it is very unique, Esme is very headstrong and tired of men taking control of her life without even asking what she really wants. She is the reason St John gets a chance to reconcile with his brother, the Duke. And she is also the reason he gets some refreshing sleep without drugs and nightmares. He has a reputation and is totally unwilling to ruin her. In his attempts to avoid her, he only ends up falling for her. Halfway through the book, you see an ending coming but the actual twists and turn only put Esme in an even better light.
March 11, 2014
This was nothing like the first book in the series.
I Skipped most of it and only read a sentence or two on each page .
I Skipped most of it and only read a sentence or two on each page .
June 23, 2022
I would give this 3-3/12 stars.
If you read the first book it is REALLY hard to like St. John at all after all the things he did in that book. If you can kind of block some of that out, this is a good redemption story. I did like how the author seamlessly went from showing his "devil may care" attitude and his more serious, scarred side. I loved his dialogue, especially with his brother (even if he's trying to redeem himself, he can' help being witty and sarcastic, which I loved).
But I had a hard time seeing why Esme was in love with him or him with her. Frankly, she chased after him way too much and yes she was desperate but I don't like reading about desperate women practically begging the guy to be with them. But what did she really know about him? He was handsome, he had a duke for a brother, he didn't hit his mistress when they fought. That was what made him a good candidate to ruin her, but not to fall in love. And when he tells her some of the terrible things he's done - kind of in a flippant way - she has almost no reaction. If I was told the guy I was interested in had betrayed his brother in the ways he had, I wouldn't be swooning over him. But she does.
I also couldn't see much that he could love about her. Did they have an intense attraction? Sure. Love? Eh.
What did save the story, was when they started playing cards together. That showed a level of intimacy and some sharing of each other (not just physically) - I just wish it had come sooner and there had been more depth to some of their conversations.
I also started to get a little irritated with St. John's pity party. I'm all for the tragic hero who overcomes his fears, etc but sometimes he just seemed a bit whiny to me, which was even more jarring considering how he's portrayed through most of the book as a confident man (although some of that is bluster). I just really didn't like how he could let her go - knowing that she was going home to an abusive father or an old husband. I just couldn't accept that if he loved her and cared about her so much, he would let her go. I get why it happened in the book - to create more suspense - it just didn't work for me.
I think I would have enjoyed this story more if I hadn't read the first book - again because St. John was despicable in that book. I did enjoy seeing Marcus again (loved him in the first book) and how his marriage had progressed.
So overall it was a decent story but just had some negatives for me. I do like this writer's style so I plan to read others by her.
If you read the first book it is REALLY hard to like St. John at all after all the things he did in that book. If you can kind of block some of that out, this is a good redemption story. I did like how the author seamlessly went from showing his "devil may care" attitude and his more serious, scarred side. I loved his dialogue, especially with his brother (even if he's trying to redeem himself, he can' help being witty and sarcastic, which I loved).
But I had a hard time seeing why Esme was in love with him or him with her. Frankly, she chased after him way too much and yes she was desperate but I don't like reading about desperate women practically begging the guy to be with them. But what did she really know about him? He was handsome, he had a duke for a brother, he didn't hit his mistress when they fought. That was what made him a good candidate to ruin her, but not to fall in love. And when he tells her some of the terrible things he's done - kind of in a flippant way - she has almost no reaction. If I was told the guy I was interested in had betrayed his brother in the ways he had, I wouldn't be swooning over him. But she does.
I also couldn't see much that he could love about her. Did they have an intense attraction? Sure. Love? Eh.
What did save the story, was when they started playing cards together. That showed a level of intimacy and some sharing of each other (not just physically) - I just wish it had come sooner and there had been more depth to some of their conversations.
I also started to get a little irritated with St. John's pity party. I'm all for the tragic hero who overcomes his fears, etc but sometimes he just seemed a bit whiny to me, which was even more jarring considering how he's portrayed through most of the book as a confident man (although some of that is bluster). I just really didn't like how he could let her go - knowing that she was going home to an abusive father or an old husband. I just couldn't accept that if he loved her and cared about her so much, he would let her go. I get why it happened in the book - to create more suspense - it just didn't work for me.
I think I would have enjoyed this story more if I hadn't read the first book - again because St. John was despicable in that book. I did enjoy seeing Marcus again (loved him in the first book) and how his marriage had progressed.
So overall it was a decent story but just had some negatives for me. I do like this writer's style so I plan to read others by her.
April 21, 2016
Sigh... I loved St. John, although I did hate him in the previous book..but this is a older a more mature St John and I was able to forgive Marcus in this book as well.... the backstory is mentioned by St. John but this book was more focused on the man St John could be once he let go of his pain and anger and shame at his previous behavior.
Esme is a gift... and living a nightmare... the fact that she ever sees St John as a heroic figure because he does not thrash his mistress who is throwing crap at him when he gave her the old heave ho......is sad. Esme has lived a nightmare these past few years, her father is a hateful vile abusive man whose whole goal is to torture his daughter to punish his wife (who fled). On the day she left, he thrashed and scarred Esme, he uses violence to control her and hide her.... and he has now picked her a lecherous husband of advanced years to make sure she is NEVER happy.
St. John is shocked to discover the woman across the way a his home in the night.... offering to be his mistress.... he is not used to playing the good guy nor protector and he is shocked at being tempted by her since she is not "beautiful" or provocative.....she is desperate to get away.....and then drinks a drink that St John has fixed to help him sleep and is unconscious..... so St john turns to his brother who "hates him" and his wife to help him..help her.... they agree to help her by hiding her as she has a "illness" while Miranda tries to find her another husband...while hoping that the interest she sees in St. John will bring his better parts to stand up for her......
The book was good, it was dramatic and of course ST John fails her in some aspects in trying to be the good man he is now... Esme does everything to seduce him as she loves him.... and once she does she cannot allow him to be trapped by the act that in some aspects frees her.... so she leaves him a letter stating her love and forgiveness and she returns to abuse and he tries to let her go..... and then he is made heir and is on even footing to win her but her father is set to reward his vile friend....who St John recognizes as a monster....and there sets a dramatic ending and St john becoming the man he always was beneath the pain and self loathing.... I loved St John and that he and Marcus were able to remember their childhood and the love... and loved the man St John was with Esme...loved loved loved the book and so happy I have the next one lined up!
Esme is a gift... and living a nightmare... the fact that she ever sees St John as a heroic figure because he does not thrash his mistress who is throwing crap at him when he gave her the old heave ho......is sad. Esme has lived a nightmare these past few years, her father is a hateful vile abusive man whose whole goal is to torture his daughter to punish his wife (who fled). On the day she left, he thrashed and scarred Esme, he uses violence to control her and hide her.... and he has now picked her a lecherous husband of advanced years to make sure she is NEVER happy.
St. John is shocked to discover the woman across the way a his home in the night.... offering to be his mistress.... he is not used to playing the good guy nor protector and he is shocked at being tempted by her since she is not "beautiful" or provocative.....she is desperate to get away.....and then drinks a drink that St John has fixed to help him sleep and is unconscious..... so St john turns to his brother who "hates him" and his wife to help him..help her.... they agree to help her by hiding her as she has a "illness" while Miranda tries to find her another husband...while hoping that the interest she sees in St. John will bring his better parts to stand up for her......
The book was good, it was dramatic and of course ST John fails her in some aspects in trying to be the good man he is now... Esme does everything to seduce him as she loves him.... and once she does she cannot allow him to be trapped by the act that in some aspects frees her.... so she leaves him a letter stating her love and forgiveness and she returns to abuse and he tries to let her go..... and then he is made heir and is on even footing to win her but her father is set to reward his vile friend....who St John recognizes as a monster....and there sets a dramatic ending and St john becoming the man he always was beneath the pain and self loathing.... I loved St John and that he and Marcus were able to remember their childhood and the love... and loved the man St John was with Esme...loved loved loved the book and so happy I have the next one lined up!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 11, 2013
My Favorite of the series. It is the story of Esme Canville and St John Radwell. St John was the villain in the first book of the series, The Inconvenient Duchess. In the years since the last novel, St John has transformed himself and is in the process of making himself into a respectable person. Esme, however, is looking for the villain. In order to avoid the arranged marriage her father has planned for her, Esme seeks St john to compromise her. St John, however, delivers her to his brother (with whom he continues to have a strained relationship). As could be expected, however, Esme and St John become involved in a relationship.
I enjoyed this book because of the character of St john. I really disliked him in the first book and almost stopped reading the book because of him. However, he has completely redeemed himself and I was deeply interested in how he has remade himself but still has to deal with his past. His care and consideration of Esme despite his temptation demonstrates how his character has changed.
The book is a lighter read and is not overly complicated or intense, but I enjoyed it and recommend it.
I enjoyed this book because of the character of St john. I really disliked him in the first book and almost stopped reading the book because of him. However, he has completely redeemed himself and I was deeply interested in how he has remade himself but still has to deal with his past. His care and consideration of Esme despite his temptation demonstrates how his character has changed.
The book is a lighter read and is not overly complicated or intense, but I enjoyed it and recommend it.
August 28, 2011
I liked Marcus, Miranda and Antony nothing else. It was repetative and the way Esme acted was aweful. The ending was rushed and rubbish.
If I could give this less stars I would.
If I could give this less stars I would.
March 15, 2018
Worth the read
I enjoy this author...she takes formula historical romance and switches enough to keep the story fresh. This book was a little slow in the center, but most of the things there worked through the end of the tale. No spoilers - lets just say there are things at the end which surprised me. Good job.
I enjoy this author...she takes formula historical romance and switches enough to keep the story fresh. This book was a little slow in the center, but most of the things there worked through the end of the tale. No spoilers - lets just say there are things at the end which surprised me. Good job.
October 14, 2017
Leído en feb 2011
February 15, 2019
Wow what an enjoyable adventure of two damaged souls n their love story with flirtation, family plotting, a duel, great dialogue n drama
April 24, 2019
Tre stelle e ½
January 18, 2022
Drawn out in parts but an enjoyable read.
November 3, 2016
Esme Canville is desperate. She's been subjected to her father's abuse since her mother abandoned them, and now her last hope for escape through marriage is gone: the man her father has chosen to marry her off to is old, and just as cruel as her father.
Banished to her room, she watches out the window and sees a shocking scene: Cpt. St. John Radwell and his mistress having an argument. St. John has let his mistress go, but what's so amazing to Esme, giving her an idea and a glimmer of hope, is that despite the mistress screaming and throwing things, St. John remained calm and never laid a hand on her.
St. John needs a mistress; Esme needs an escape. He's a kind man, and while becoming a mistress will ruin her in the eyes of society, she's been kept from society anyway, so it's no great loss.
So she sneaks out of the house at night and propositions him.
St. John, however, has been trying to turn over a new leaf. He's tired of war, and semi-estranged from his family after trying to seduce his brother's bride (in the preceding book, which is still in my TBR pile). The last thing his reputation needs is to seduce a virgin, and a lady. Adding to the urgency is his last chance to make something of himself: an inheritance he'll receive only if he remains scandal-free for a year. So he swallows his pride and bundles her off to his brother's house for safekeeping.
Banished to her room, she watches out the window and sees a shocking scene: Cpt. St. John Radwell and his mistress having an argument. St. John has let his mistress go, but what's so amazing to Esme, giving her an idea and a glimmer of hope, is that despite the mistress screaming and throwing things, St. John remained calm and never laid a hand on her.
St. John needs a mistress; Esme needs an escape. He's a kind man, and while becoming a mistress will ruin her in the eyes of society, she's been kept from society anyway, so it's no great loss.
So she sneaks out of the house at night and propositions him.
St. John, however, has been trying to turn over a new leaf. He's tired of war, and semi-estranged from his family after trying to seduce his brother's bride (in the preceding book, which is still in my TBR pile). The last thing his reputation needs is to seduce a virgin, and a lady. Adding to the urgency is his last chance to make something of himself: an inheritance he'll receive only if he remains scandal-free for a year. So he swallows his pride and bundles her off to his brother's house for safekeeping.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 3, 2014
Historical English romance with an abused well born young lady and a Duke's younger son with a very bad reputation.
So the author flipped the usual story of the older wild guy seducing the younger innocent, but still having an innocent but she seduces the older guy who is trying to stay out of trouble. Cute story and well written by Christine Merrill who can write just as well as Lisa Kleypas and Mary Jo Putney but is not as well known in the Historical Romance genre. St. John has made a lot of mistakes, the worse is probably the total lack of discretion, but he has stayed out of trouble for the past five years as he fought the war against France. But his bad reputation is what gets him Miss Esme Canville's attention and eventually her love.
Sad story at times because there is lots of perversion and physical abuse mentioned, but not actually spelled out in detail.
197 pages and bought used
3 stars
So the author flipped the usual story of the older wild guy seducing the younger innocent, but still having an innocent but she seduces the older guy who is trying to stay out of trouble. Cute story and well written by Christine Merrill who can write just as well as Lisa Kleypas and Mary Jo Putney but is not as well known in the Historical Romance genre. St. John has made a lot of mistakes, the worse is probably the total lack of discretion, but he has stayed out of trouble for the past five years as he fought the war against France. But his bad reputation is what gets him Miss Esme Canville's attention and eventually her love.
Sad story at times because there is lots of perversion and physical abuse mentioned, but not actually spelled out in detail.
197 pages and bought used
3 stars
October 24, 2015
Deuxième épisode de la saga des Radwell, on retrouve ici John Radwell, le frère cadet de Marcus, duc de Haughleigh que l'on avait déjà eu l'occasion de croiser dans La duchesse insoumise.
Cinq ans ont passé depuis le premier tome, et on assiste au retour de John après avoir servi dans l'armée au Portugal. La guerre l'a changé et il aspire à une vie respectable. Ses projets semblent néanmoins compromis lorsque Miss Esme Canville décide de se jeter littéralement à son cou pour qu'il la déshonore, espérant ainsi échapper au mariage arrangé par son père abusif.
Les deux héros ont en commun d'avoir quelque chose à fuir, John, son passé de libertin, Esmé, son avenir arrangé par son père, et si Esmé est persuadée que John est la solution à ses problèmes, John doute qu'elle le soit pour les siens.
Leur histoire est plaisante et j'ai bien aimé avoir également l'occasion de renouer un peu avec les personnages principaux du premier tome, Miranda et Marcus.
Cinq ans ont passé depuis le premier tome, et on assiste au retour de John après avoir servi dans l'armée au Portugal. La guerre l'a changé et il aspire à une vie respectable. Ses projets semblent néanmoins compromis lorsque Miss Esme Canville décide de se jeter littéralement à son cou pour qu'il la déshonore, espérant ainsi échapper au mariage arrangé par son père abusif.
Les deux héros ont en commun d'avoir quelque chose à fuir, John, son passé de libertin, Esmé, son avenir arrangé par son père, et si Esmé est persuadée que John est la solution à ses problèmes, John doute qu'elle le soit pour les siens.
Leur histoire est plaisante et j'ai bien aimé avoir également l'occasion de renouer un peu avec les personnages principaux du premier tome, Miranda et Marcus.
May 27, 2013
WOW! After reading The Inconvenient Duchess, I couldn't wait to read the story of St. John Radwell. It was worth the wait. I was brought to tears in Chapter 10. This is a book I will forever own. The book was engaging, emotional, witty and honest. I loved how the author tenderly, yet openly shared the emotional aftermath of war (even for back in that time period). I loved how the author provokingly drew emotions out of the reader when addressing St. John's addiction. Even in that time period needing drugs and desperately trying to get off of them were a struggle. I loved how the author shaped St. John's character and his will to reform and want better.
The book was so well written and it seemed surreal as if I was right there in the scenes with them. There is nothing negative I can say about this book. Well, I kind of wish it didn't end or at least had an epilogue.
The book was so well written and it seemed surreal as if I was right there in the scenes with them. There is nothing negative I can say about this book. Well, I kind of wish it didn't end or at least had an epilogue.
November 12, 2011
I'm glad I won a basket of Christine Merrill's books at the Write Touch Conference. This second book of hers has a delightful hero who just can't help himself. St. John Radwell is a bad boy who's discovered his inherent good nature, but no one believes the tiger can shed his stripes. Into his life comes Esme Canville who just won't quit seeing him as the hero of her unusually decadent dreams. Esme is a persistent young woman, for good reasons of her own, but while she's engaging, I have a bit of trouble with her behavior even though the author provides her with clear motivation. Her innocence is somewhat at odds with her desires for a woman who has been sheltered in this society. Nonetheless, this is a delightful read.
December 30, 2012
The rake from the first book, St John, finds himself back in London after fighting in Portugal, and the unlikely saviour of miss Esme.
Esme sees no other way out of the clutches of her father and the old man he has chosen to be her husband, than to ruin herself, and who better to ruin her than the notorious neighbor wanting a new mistress?
Regency romance, a rake who wants to save a damsel in distress but not marry and a sister in law who knows true love when she sees it, even if the people in love doesn´t.
Lovely series and can´t wait to see what the next book has in store for us readers.
Esme sees no other way out of the clutches of her father and the old man he has chosen to be her husband, than to ruin herself, and who better to ruin her than the notorious neighbor wanting a new mistress?
Regency romance, a rake who wants to save a damsel in distress but not marry and a sister in law who knows true love when she sees it, even if the people in love doesn´t.
Lovely series and can´t wait to see what the next book has in store for us readers.
January 2, 2017
This book about Esme and St. John was just okay. Not quite close to the tropes we expect in historicals, because there was too much about St. John's relationship with his brother. The first half of the book dwells a whole lot on his brother and him, not to mention his longing for Miranda, his brother's wife. The book later is refocused to Esme and Radwell and that's where it gets very good. Her father abuses her and Radwell wants to save her from the match with Halverston, but doesn't know the whole truth.
I found it a bit strained. The romance is good though, all in the second half of the book.
I found it a bit strained. The romance is good though, all in the second half of the book.
May 18, 2015
Love the Radwells
This story was just as good as the first one. St John amends his ways and reconciled with his brother. Loved all the characters but especially loved the relationship that finally developed between the brothers. The ending was perfect although I would have loved an epilogue of the families!
This story was just as good as the first one. St John amends his ways and reconciled with his brother. Loved all the characters but especially loved the relationship that finally developed between the brothers. The ending was perfect although I would have loved an epilogue of the families!
October 27, 2012
I could barely stand the heroine throughout most of this book. The author did not do a good job of making her sympathetic in my eyes and she only came across as selfish. I liked the hero better but he was a little too fatalistic and woe-is-me. All in all this book left me really annoyed.
August 16, 2013
heh heh heh. this was SO MUCH FUNNIER than i was expecting. i don't know... maybe i was just really sleepy. maybe not. i stayed up until 2 am reading it. i. just. couldnt. stop. maybe i will read it again someday when i need a good laugh. or some light smut. lol
July 13, 2008
I actually liked the heroine in this book. She was far more brash and bold than the time period should dictate, but I think that is what endeared her to me.
September 29, 2009
Well written Regency romance.
Sadly I enjoyed her "Miss Winthorpes Elopement" a lot more than this Radwell series.
Sadly I enjoyed her "Miss Winthorpes Elopement" a lot more than this Radwell series.
February 8, 2014
I didn't care for the basic moral, or lack there of, throughout the book, or the sexual content to skip over.
November 8, 2015
I didn't think St John could redeem himself from the first book, but Christine Merrill did a good job of transforming him into a likeable character.
February 8, 2016
What a trilling love story. It seems so hopeless for Esme until he very end. I fell in love with the characters, especially St John and his journey from rake to respectable.
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January 31, 2021This book was even better than the first in the series. Esme and St John were both extremely strong, likable characters. Of course, I liked St John in the first book, even though I wasn't meant to.
October 11, 2012
Review pending
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