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Rogues and Roses #1
A Duke of Her Own
Lady Louisa longs to marry for passion and love -- but will she find happiness in the arms of the duke?
Lady Louisa Wentworth knows she will never marry well--her family's impoverished estate has ensured as much. Resigned to spinsterhood, the proud beauty has agreed to chaperone a young American heiress who seeks a titled husband through the turbulent waters of London society.
The dashing Duke of Hawkhurst must marry wealth for the sake of his family. This well-heeled young American, Miss Jenny Rose, would do quite nicely. But the girl's infuriating chaperone seems determined to keep them apart. And worse still, Hawk finds himself far more attracted to the intoxicating Lady Louisa than to her innocent charge!
A romantic subterfuge is called for--as desperate Hawk plots to draw the heiress into a compromising position, making marriage a necessity. But when it's lovely Louisa instead who falls into his sensuous web, this game of hearts takes a passionate and most unexpected turn...
Lady Louisa Wentworth knows she will never marry well--her family's impoverished estate has ensured as much. Resigned to spinsterhood, the proud beauty has agreed to chaperone a young American heiress who seeks a titled husband through the turbulent waters of London society.
The dashing Duke of Hawkhurst must marry wealth for the sake of his family. This well-heeled young American, Miss Jenny Rose, would do quite nicely. But the girl's infuriating chaperone seems determined to keep them apart. And worse still, Hawk finds himself far more attracted to the intoxicating Lady Louisa than to her innocent charge!
A romantic subterfuge is called for--as desperate Hawk plots to draw the heiress into a compromising position, making marriage a necessity. But when it's lovely Louisa instead who falls into his sensuous web, this game of hearts takes a passionate and most unexpected turn...
384 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published October 31, 2006
124 people are currently reading
1548 people want to read
About the author
Lorraine Heath
90 books4,379 followersAlso writes Young Adult under Rachel Hawthorne, Jade Parker, and with her son as J.A. London.
Lorraine Heath has always had a soft spot for emotional love stories. No doubt because growing up, watching movies with her mom, she was taught that the best movies "won't half make you cry."
She is the daughter of a British beauty (her mom won second place in a beauty contest sponsored by Max Factor® during which she received a kiss from Caesar Romero, (the Joker on the original Batman TV series) and a Texan who was stationed at Bovingdon while serving in the air force. Lorraine was born in Watford, Hertfordshire, England, but soon after moved to Texas. Her "dual" nationality has given her a love for all things British and Texan, and she enjoys weaving both heritages through her stories.
When she received her BA degree in psychology from the University of Texas, she had no idea she had gained a foundation that would help her to create believable characters—characters that are often described as “real people.” She began her career writing training manuals and computer code for the IRS, but something was always missing. When she read a romance novel, she became not only hooked on the genre, but quickly realized what her writing lacked: rebels, scoundrels, and rogues. She's been writing about them ever since.
Her work has been recognized with numerous industry awards including RWA's RITA®. Her novels have appeared on bestseller lists, including USA TODAY and the New York Times.
The author of more than 60 novels, she writes historical and contemporary romance for adults and historical romance for teen readers.
Under the names Rachel Hawthorne and Jade Parker, she writes popular contemporary, historical, and paranormal romance for teens readers. She also writes young adult novels with her son under the name J. A. London.
Lorraine Heath has always had a soft spot for emotional love stories. No doubt because growing up, watching movies with her mom, she was taught that the best movies "won't half make you cry."
She is the daughter of a British beauty (her mom won second place in a beauty contest sponsored by Max Factor® during which she received a kiss from Caesar Romero, (the Joker on the original Batman TV series) and a Texan who was stationed at Bovingdon while serving in the air force. Lorraine was born in Watford, Hertfordshire, England, but soon after moved to Texas. Her "dual" nationality has given her a love for all things British and Texan, and she enjoys weaving both heritages through her stories.
When she received her BA degree in psychology from the University of Texas, she had no idea she had gained a foundation that would help her to create believable characters—characters that are often described as “real people.” She began her career writing training manuals and computer code for the IRS, but something was always missing. When she read a romance novel, she became not only hooked on the genre, but quickly realized what her writing lacked: rebels, scoundrels, and rogues. She's been writing about them ever since.
Her work has been recognized with numerous industry awards including RWA's RITA®. Her novels have appeared on bestseller lists, including USA TODAY and the New York Times.
The author of more than 60 novels, she writes historical and contemporary romance for adults and historical romance for teen readers.
Under the names Rachel Hawthorne and Jade Parker, she writes popular contemporary, historical, and paranormal romance for teens readers. She also writes young adult novels with her son under the name J. A. London.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 142 reviews
June 30, 2010
4 stars – Historical Romance
I’m a big fan of Lorraine Heath’s Scoundrels of St. James series and although this isn’t quite up to par with those, it’s still a good read, and I definitely felt a connection to the characters and was emotionally invested in the story.
Lady Louisa might be the daughter and sister of an earl, but rampant debt and elaborate spending habits have left her family’s estate in financial ruin. To earn money and avoid inevitable spinsterhood, she accepts the position of chaperone to the two daughters of the wealthy American Rose family and undertakes the challenge of finding them suitable, titled English husbands.
The Duke of Hawkhurst, Louisa’s brother’s best friend, is having financial trouble himself and begins a desperate, ruthless campaign to court and wed the eldest Rose daughter, Jenny, to win her immense dowry, but Louisa is determined to prevent the scoundrel Hawkhurst from earning her charge’s favor. When a library rendezvous takes an unexpected turn, Hawkhurst finds himself in a forced marriage, but is it to the right woman?
I liked Louisa and Hawkhurst, and they had a believable connection. I never doubted that they belonged together, but I got really frustrated at times with the perpetual misunderstandings and their tendency to internalize everything. Although there is a HEA, I would have liked a bit more explanation and sharing between the couple once they finally admitted their feelings (and perhaps a bit more groveling from Hawk) because it seemed a bit rushed and too easily wrapped up in that regard. Overall it’s a satisfying romance from Lorraine Heath, who has become one of my favorite authors. 4 stars.
I’m a big fan of Lorraine Heath’s Scoundrels of St. James series and although this isn’t quite up to par with those, it’s still a good read, and I definitely felt a connection to the characters and was emotionally invested in the story.
Lady Louisa might be the daughter and sister of an earl, but rampant debt and elaborate spending habits have left her family’s estate in financial ruin. To earn money and avoid inevitable spinsterhood, she accepts the position of chaperone to the two daughters of the wealthy American Rose family and undertakes the challenge of finding them suitable, titled English husbands.
The Duke of Hawkhurst, Louisa’s brother’s best friend, is having financial trouble himself and begins a desperate, ruthless campaign to court and wed the eldest Rose daughter, Jenny, to win her immense dowry, but Louisa is determined to prevent the scoundrel Hawkhurst from earning her charge’s favor. When a library rendezvous takes an unexpected turn, Hawkhurst finds himself in a forced marriage, but is it to the right woman?
I liked Louisa and Hawkhurst, and they had a believable connection. I never doubted that they belonged together, but I got really frustrated at times with the perpetual misunderstandings and their tendency to internalize everything. Although there is a HEA, I would have liked a bit more explanation and sharing between the couple once they finally admitted their feelings (and perhaps a bit more groveling from Hawk) because it seemed a bit rushed and too easily wrapped up in that regard. Overall it’s a satisfying romance from Lorraine Heath, who has become one of my favorite authors. 4 stars.
March 15, 2010
This was a good read. It made me stay up later than I meant to in order to read the conclusion, but I was left unsatisfied in a way.
The couple is Louisa, the younger sister of an impoverished earl, and Hawkhurst, an impoverished duke and one of the earl's best friends. Their chemistry is believable and some of their back story is very amusing.
You really wade through a lot of mercenary attitudes, though, along with one major machination by the hero that's hard to forgive.
But in the end I definitely rooted for the couple and I'm probably going to jump right to the next one in this short series.
I guess I was dissatisfied mainly because I felt the 'I love yous' came in place of true reconciliation. Louisa had every reason to think what she did, but she didn't really discuss that in any way. At least there was a nice epilogue, although not as elaborate as Heath has been known to deliver.
I've become a dedicated Heath fangirl, so I can honestly say I enjoyed this book. The conclusion could have been a bit more in depth, for my taste, though. But maybe that's just an addict wanting more. Could be. ;D
The couple is Louisa, the younger sister of an impoverished earl, and Hawkhurst, an impoverished duke and one of the earl's best friends. Their chemistry is believable and some of their back story is very amusing.
You really wade through a lot of mercenary attitudes, though, along with one major machination by the hero that's hard to forgive.
But in the end I definitely rooted for the couple and I'm probably going to jump right to the next one in this short series.
I guess I was dissatisfied mainly because I felt the 'I love yous' came in place of true reconciliation. Louisa had every reason to think what she did, but she didn't really discuss that in any way. At least there was a nice epilogue, although not as elaborate as Heath has been known to deliver.
I've become a dedicated Heath fangirl, so I can honestly say I enjoyed this book. The conclusion could have been a bit more in depth, for my taste, though. But maybe that's just an addict wanting more. Could be. ;D
July 1, 2012
I read this book because I’ve seen the author’s name come up repeatedly as recommended, and this is one of two titles the library had to offer me as an ebook.
I’m super glad that I didn’t take the gamble of buying, because I definitely was not crazy about this book. At first I just felt that in some way I couldn’t really articulate that it was not “well-written.” But since I’ve seen scores of reviews claiming certain books were well-written (which I thought were boiled tripe with poor-grammar sauce), I thought I should at least be able to identify specifics.
1.Errors that make me feel like the author doesn’t have a firm grasp of vocabulary make me crazy. This is one of those things that takes me out of the story. It pushes my buttons, I’ll admit, because if there’s one thing an author should have, in my opinion, it’s expertise in frickin’ language.
This particular book was far from the worst I’ve ever seen, certainly, but errors such as “eluded” when “alluded” is meant, or “fiercesome,” a word for people who can’t spell “fearsome"?
“Fiercesome” actually makes me feel like “She lol’d” is not far from appearing in future Victorian romances.
But while errors like this irritate me and reduce enjoyment, they’re not enough to say “badly written.”
2.Characterization of secondary characters tends to be one-dimensional, sometimes accented with decorative scarves. I’ll explain. The mother who employs the heroine is a rude dragon. She is rude and dragonish pretty much all the time. Towards the very end, we find out that she which explains her urgency and I suppose is meant to make her seem more sympathetic, but since she is not actually in that scene, it is no more than a scarf – an accessory, an afterthought. It doesn’t really change her or add dimension. The hero’s mother is melancholy regret, with a ‘talent with flower arranging’ scarf. The heroine’s brother is all ‘selfish ruthlessness’ with a ‘used to be not so bad’ scarf.’ Either that, or it’s just plain inconsistent characterization. The sister of the hero is all innocence, all sweetness, all light. I actually can’t think of what her scarf is. However, I’ve seen people refer to the way children are sometimes represented in romance as ‘plot moppets.’ I wish I could give appropriate credit, because if there’s anything that this sister is, it’s a plot moppet. (It doesn’t help that moppet is the hero’s term of endearment for her). She’s 17, but sounds like a 9-year-old. A sappy one. She has no idea why he might hesitate to give her a London Season, even though she’s illegitimate. At the same time, though, she is painfully aware of what a burden her illegitimacy is:
3. The heroine is a dope. She has moments like this:
Other idiotic moments include , on the rationale that her scandalous reputation will not cross the Atlantic. OK, all the characters involved in this plan deserve to be called dopes, but the heroine is the one who agrees to put it into motion. But seriously?? Are we to believe that all the Americans in England to snag prestigious spouses are not going to hear anything or bring the news back? That there wouldn’t be anyone who would not see her sleazy reputation as an opportunity to raise their own status by tearing down the status of the Rose family?
That’s just dumb.
4.The hero is a douchebag. As part of his plan to marry Jenny Rose, the American heiress, he decides to compromise her. But instead, the heroine comes in, and he bangs her in the library at a social event. Of course, they get caught. And, of course, it’s her fault.
Three things. First, relating back to my first feeling about the book – the quality of the writing – the fire boiled? Come on, author. Secondly, the blame issue. What are you, hero? Ten years old? Third, the drinking. Not that I’m opposed to a tipple here and there. Or even occasional outright drunkenness (woohoo!!), but this guy is constantly drinking whenever he’s moody, and there’s never any sign of effects – whether short-term or long-term. It’s just a cliché in this book. There’s one part in the book where he’s especially moody. He fills “to the brim” and “downs” a glass of brandy at least four times. Then he downs another unspecified amount. Unless those are Sherry glasses, well, hello, alcohol poisoning. Does any of this inhibit his ability to participate in a dramatic scene after? No. Does he have a sore head the next morning? No. Of course, he does admit the whole “have you and be done with you” thought process, so maybe that’s meant to be a sign of how his judgement is impaired. But I doubt it, because the scene simply doesn’t read that way.
All in all, I suppose technically, I should rate it 1 star, because I really can’t say I liked this book. However, it could’ve been worse.
I’m super glad that I didn’t take the gamble of buying, because I definitely was not crazy about this book. At first I just felt that in some way I couldn’t really articulate that it was not “well-written.” But since I’ve seen scores of reviews claiming certain books were well-written (which I thought were boiled tripe with poor-grammar sauce), I thought I should at least be able to identify specifics.
1.Errors that make me feel like the author doesn’t have a firm grasp of vocabulary make me crazy. This is one of those things that takes me out of the story. It pushes my buttons, I’ll admit, because if there’s one thing an author should have, in my opinion, it’s expertise in frickin’ language.
This particular book was far from the worst I’ve ever seen, certainly, but errors such as “eluded” when “alluded” is meant, or “fiercesome,” a word for people who can’t spell “fearsome"?
“Fiercesome” actually makes me feel like “She lol’d” is not far from appearing in future Victorian romances.
But while errors like this irritate me and reduce enjoyment, they’re not enough to say “badly written.”
2.Characterization of secondary characters tends to be one-dimensional, sometimes accented with decorative scarves. I’ll explain. The mother who employs the heroine is a rude dragon. She is rude and dragonish pretty much all the time. Towards the very end, we find out that she which explains her urgency and I suppose is meant to make her seem more sympathetic, but since she is not actually in that scene, it is no more than a scarf – an accessory, an afterthought. It doesn’t really change her or add dimension. The hero’s mother is melancholy regret, with a ‘talent with flower arranging’ scarf. The heroine’s brother is all ‘selfish ruthlessness’ with a ‘used to be not so bad’ scarf.’ Either that, or it’s just plain inconsistent characterization. The sister of the hero is all innocence, all sweetness, all light. I actually can’t think of what her scarf is. However, I’ve seen people refer to the way children are sometimes represented in romance as ‘plot moppets.’ I wish I could give appropriate credit, because if there’s anything that this sister is, it’s a plot moppet. (It doesn’t help that moppet is the hero’s term of endearment for her). She’s 17, but sounds like a 9-year-old. A sappy one. She has no idea why he might hesitate to give her a London Season, even though she’s illegitimate. At the same time, though, she is painfully aware of what a burden her illegitimacy is:
No one wants to talk about … my situation. They think if they don’t talk about it, then my feelings will be spared. But sometimes what is not said hurts as much as what might be said.Cue the dramatic self-destructive action so that the guilt of the hero can be ratcheted up. Plot moppet.
3. The heroine is a dope. She has moments like this:
After [her husband] made love to her once again, very slowly, he left her to see to his affairs.Seriously? “Affairs” is the normal word for matters of business. What kind of moron would think for a nanosecond that a husband would announce to his wife, in bed, that he was off to take care of his multiple other women? (This probably actually goes back more to the author’s insensitivity to language, but still. She gave a whole paragraph to this nonsense.)
As she stepped on to the terrace, she realized that until recently she would have thought he was talking about visiting other women, but she had not doubt he was referring to the affairs of his estates.
Other idiotic moments include , on the rationale that her scandalous reputation will not cross the Atlantic. OK, all the characters involved in this plan deserve to be called dopes, but the heroine is the one who agrees to put it into motion. But seriously?? Are we to believe that all the Americans in England to snag prestigious spouses are not going to hear anything or bring the news back? That there wouldn’t be anyone who would not see her sleazy reputation as an opportunity to raise their own status by tearing down the status of the Rose family?
That’s just dumb.
4.The hero is a douchebag. As part of his plan to marry Jenny Rose, the American heiress, he decides to compromise her. But instead, the heroine comes in, and he bangs her in the library at a social event. Of course, they get caught. And, of course, it’s her fault.
His anger seethed just below the surface, anger at Louisa for coming to the library to begin with. If she had stayed away, his trousers would have remained buttoned, her skirts would have remained lowered. But she had waltzed into the room, a temptation beyond measure. The fire in his blood had instantly boiled. Have her once and be done with it. Conquer and move on.
And yet he sat there tonight wanting her more than he’d ever wanted her.
He poured more brandy into his glass and downed it.
Three things. First, relating back to my first feeling about the book – the quality of the writing – the fire boiled? Come on, author. Secondly, the blame issue. What are you, hero? Ten years old? Third, the drinking. Not that I’m opposed to a tipple here and there. Or even occasional outright drunkenness (woohoo!!), but this guy is constantly drinking whenever he’s moody, and there’s never any sign of effects – whether short-term or long-term. It’s just a cliché in this book. There’s one part in the book where he’s especially moody. He fills “to the brim” and “downs” a glass of brandy at least four times. Then he downs another unspecified amount. Unless those are Sherry glasses, well, hello, alcohol poisoning. Does any of this inhibit his ability to participate in a dramatic scene after? No. Does he have a sore head the next morning? No. Of course, he does admit the whole “have you and be done with you” thought process, so maybe that’s meant to be a sign of how his judgement is impaired. But I doubt it, because the scene simply doesn’t read that way.
All in all, I suppose technically, I should rate it 1 star, because I really can’t say I liked this book. However, it could’ve been worse.
June 11, 2022
Overall: ⭐️⭐️⭐️
Plot/Storyline: 📖📖📖
Feels: 🦋🦋
Emotional Depth: 💔💔💔💔
Sexual Tension: ⚡⚡
Romance: 💞💞
Sensuality: 💋💋💋
Sex Scene Length: 🍑🍑
Steam Scale (Number of Sex Scenes): 🔥🔥 (Some may count this a touch hotter than me – the scenes were on the short side and not super descriptive)
Humor: Just a bit
Perspective: Third person perspective from both the hero and heroine
(These are all personal preference on a scale of 1-5 (yours ratings may vary depending what gives you feels and how you prefer you sex scenes written, etc) except the Steam Scale which follows our chart from The Ton and Tartans Book Club )
Basic plot:
Louisa is tired of being poor and knows no man is society is going to swoop up and save her with marriage. She applies to be a chaperone for a family of 2 American heiresses looking for husbands. Her brother and his two friends want introductions and her to put in a good word so their dowries can save their disastrous finances. But the more time Hawk spends with Louisa and the heiresses, the more time he can’t get just Louisa out of his head.
Give this a try if you want:
- Victorian time period – this one takes place in 1888
- Low to mid steam – there are a number of scenes but the details are on the vague/flowery side
- Brother’s best friend – they knew each other as children, but he is 8 years older than her so they didn’t spend a lot of time together
- Hero needs an heiress
- Focus on the relationship (no villain/murder to solve)
- Ruined heroine
- Working heroine (she’s a chaperone) and a Duke hero
Ages:
- Heroine is 26, hero is 34
My thoughts:
Well, I was excited for this one but sadly the hero ruined it all for me.
I enjoyed Heath’s writing – it’s been quite awhile since I’ve read her and I’m eager to read more. In this one, I did really love Louisa. She’s fed up with her useless, head in the sand brother, and decides to work for her own money since their estate is under major financial stress.
Hawk has known Louisa for years and never paid much attention. But now the attraction he feels felt pretty instant. And while I don’t love that, I was okay with that. But then we spent half the book with him chasing someone else. Yes, he was attracted to Louisa but it didn’t seem to make him question or stop pursuing one of her charges.
I adore ruined heroine and I got that here. But I was really disappointed in this scene. And after she was ruined I was hoping the book would turn around for me because the things that had kind of been irritating me would be out of the way. But afterwards I just got frustrated by different things.
I just never really connected with the hero. I never really felt their tension together, their longing, their love. And the ending was such a disappointment to me. I just wanted way more from this book. I wasn’t happy with the hero or the heroine by the end of this book.
Though I loved that the hero has never taken a mistress! Though he ruins it by talking about brothels so I guess that kind of negates it.
One line I loved!
“I’m sorry, Alex,” she said quietly, “but it is not my place to convince you that the ladies are worthy of you, rather you must convince me that you are worthy of an introduction.
Content Warnings:
Locations of kisses/intimate scenes:
Plot/Storyline: 📖📖📖
Feels: 🦋🦋
Emotional Depth: 💔💔💔💔
Sexual Tension: ⚡⚡
Romance: 💞💞
Sensuality: 💋💋💋
Sex Scene Length: 🍑🍑
Steam Scale (Number of Sex Scenes): 🔥🔥 (Some may count this a touch hotter than me – the scenes were on the short side and not super descriptive)
Humor: Just a bit
Perspective: Third person perspective from both the hero and heroine
(These are all personal preference on a scale of 1-5 (yours ratings may vary depending what gives you feels and how you prefer you sex scenes written, etc) except the Steam Scale which follows our chart from The Ton and Tartans Book Club )
Basic plot:
Louisa is tired of being poor and knows no man is society is going to swoop up and save her with marriage. She applies to be a chaperone for a family of 2 American heiresses looking for husbands. Her brother and his two friends want introductions and her to put in a good word so their dowries can save their disastrous finances. But the more time Hawk spends with Louisa and the heiresses, the more time he can’t get just Louisa out of his head.
Give this a try if you want:
- Victorian time period – this one takes place in 1888
- Low to mid steam – there are a number of scenes but the details are on the vague/flowery side
- Brother’s best friend – they knew each other as children, but he is 8 years older than her so they didn’t spend a lot of time together
- Hero needs an heiress
- Focus on the relationship (no villain/murder to solve)
- Ruined heroine
- Working heroine (she’s a chaperone) and a Duke hero
Ages:
- Heroine is 26, hero is 34
My thoughts:
Well, I was excited for this one but sadly the hero ruined it all for me.
I enjoyed Heath’s writing – it’s been quite awhile since I’ve read her and I’m eager to read more. In this one, I did really love Louisa. She’s fed up with her useless, head in the sand brother, and decides to work for her own money since their estate is under major financial stress.
Hawk has known Louisa for years and never paid much attention. But now the attraction he feels felt pretty instant. And while I don’t love that, I was okay with that. But then we spent half the book with him chasing someone else. Yes, he was attracted to Louisa but it didn’t seem to make him question or stop pursuing one of her charges.
I adore ruined heroine and I got that here. But I was really disappointed in this scene. And after she was ruined I was hoping the book would turn around for me because the things that had kind of been irritating me would be out of the way. But afterwards I just got frustrated by different things.
I just never really connected with the hero. I never really felt their tension together, their longing, their love. And the ending was such a disappointment to me. I just wanted way more from this book. I wasn’t happy with the hero or the heroine by the end of this book.
Though I loved that the hero has never taken a mistress! Though he ruins it by talking about brothels so I guess that kind of negates it.
One line I loved!
“I’m sorry, Alex,” she said quietly, “but it is not my place to convince you that the ladies are worthy of you, rather you must convince me that you are worthy of an introduction.
Content Warnings:
Locations of kisses/intimate scenes:
July 23, 2021
A bit disappointed after finishing this up. I didn’t care if anyone in this book had a happy ending, every single character was a terrible and selfish person.
April 13, 2022
De begeerde Hertog : Candlelight Historische roman 747
De 26 jarige Lady Louisa Wentworth is de ongetrouwde zuster van de Graaf van Ravensley . Helaas is het een verarmd graafschap en is er voor haar geen bruidsschat en omdat de meeste aristocraten eind 19e eeuw hetzelfde probleem hebben en dus allemaal op zoek zijn naar een rijke bruid is de kans dat er een geschikte huwelijks kandidaat voor Louisa opduikt verwaarloosbaar . Ze besluit daarom om zichzelf als chaperonne voor rijke Amerikaanse erfgenames aan te bieden .
Zo komt ze bij de rijke Amerikaanse bankiers familie Rose terecht . Er zijn 2 dochters die volgens Mevrouw Rose minstens een Hertog of een Markies aan de haak moeten slaan en de zoon moet ook aan een aristocratische vrouw gepaard worden .
De Hertog van Hawkhurst zit dringend om een rijke bruid verlegen en gaat de oudste dochter het hof maken , maar hij is de beste vriend van de broer van Louisa en zij kennen elkaar al jaren en zij vindt hem totaal ongeschikt als echtgenoot voor Jenny Rose .
Ik vindt het een beetje vreemd verhaal , er zijn meerdere personen die een verhaallijn hebben maar op het eind totaal vergeten lijken . Misschien dat die nog in deel 2 aan bod komen .
De 26 jarige Lady Louisa Wentworth is de ongetrouwde zuster van de Graaf van Ravensley . Helaas is het een verarmd graafschap en is er voor haar geen bruidsschat en omdat de meeste aristocraten eind 19e eeuw hetzelfde probleem hebben en dus allemaal op zoek zijn naar een rijke bruid is de kans dat er een geschikte huwelijks kandidaat voor Louisa opduikt verwaarloosbaar . Ze besluit daarom om zichzelf als chaperonne voor rijke Amerikaanse erfgenames aan te bieden .
Zo komt ze bij de rijke Amerikaanse bankiers familie Rose terecht . Er zijn 2 dochters die volgens Mevrouw Rose minstens een Hertog of een Markies aan de haak moeten slaan en de zoon moet ook aan een aristocratische vrouw gepaard worden .
De Hertog van Hawkhurst zit dringend om een rijke bruid verlegen en gaat de oudste dochter het hof maken , maar hij is de beste vriend van de broer van Louisa en zij kennen elkaar al jaren en zij vindt hem totaal ongeschikt als echtgenoot voor Jenny Rose .
Ik vindt het een beetje vreemd verhaal , er zijn meerdere personen die een verhaallijn hebben maar op het eind totaal vergeten lijken . Misschien dat die nog in deel 2 aan bod komen .
February 19, 2019
Yep, this is why I don't read Lorraine Heath books. Started out decent enough. Then. FLAT. H is not very likable. Goes on and on. Not bothering to write a full review.
August 28, 2012
* 4.5 stars *
This was so much fun to read. Just a really fun historical romance with a really great plot and characters. The writing was first rate. Loved it!
This was so much fun to read. Just a really fun historical romance with a really great plot and characters. The writing was first rate. Loved it!
June 29, 2019
Desde el comienzo es muy bueno. La determinación de Louisa de no quedarse de brazos cruzados y dejarse morir de hambre, me gustó. Esa vena realista, incluso sobre su orgullo, la necesidad de sobrevivir. La relación entre ellas es bastante graciosa, esa animosidad bajo cuerdas, las puntas y los resentimientos, pero sobre todo, la atracción. Algo que no pueden negar, él simplemente es encantador.
No me pasa por alto el hecho de que él tiene más de cuarenta y lo iban a casar con una de apenas 20 y algo.
No me pasa por alto el hecho de que él tiene más de cuarenta y lo iban a casar con una de apenas 20 y algo.
February 9, 2009
I had never read a book by Lorraine Heath before, but this was a fabulous romp! Interesting characters, a quick pace, and engaging plot line. I can't wait to read more books by this author.
February 14, 2012
This book was a total snoozer for more than half of the book. The characters were sort of unbelieveable and the pacing and action was repititious. The plot was also very jumpy and the hero was sooo not swoon worthy. In fact he was an insecure little phleeb and combined with all of the other male insecure phleebs, I pretty much did not give a rat's ass about him saving his legacy.
Basically the plot is this. The sun is setting on the good old days of the ton. Fortunes are in steep decline and the only way out for many of the "royalty" is to marry rich, brass American heirs and heiresses to ensure a financially solid continuation of the line. This would be a pretty wonderful plot device but the beggardly way in which the ton was basically ingnoring their personal Titanics and thier seedy and low rent way in which they approached scoring a wealthy savior was TACKY. I guess I could understand doing whatever one must to make sure they are financially sound but the cheesey, lazy way the males in the book would consider their predicament was stoooopid. They scoff at work, they scoff at re-imagining the move from an agrarian to an industrial lifestyle but yet they still are out buying bon-bons, keeping mistresses and holding balls. This element of the book really just stunk. The only character I did like in it all was the heroine Lousia. She had more balls than the entire group combined and she best represented a forward thinking ideal. There were no connections between the main characters and sex was very perfunctory as if the author sat around with several chapter of the book pasted up and threw darts at where the scenes of intimacy will go.
I like Ms. Heath, and granted this book is a bit old and maybe her writing style was developing but I have read her newer stuff and some of the same irksome element persist in her new works.
If you are looking for a keeper this book is NOT it. Try Lorrain Heath's newer stuff and skip this one altogether
Basically the plot is this. The sun is setting on the good old days of the ton. Fortunes are in steep decline and the only way out for many of the "royalty" is to marry rich, brass American heirs and heiresses to ensure a financially solid continuation of the line. This would be a pretty wonderful plot device but the beggardly way in which the ton was basically ingnoring their personal Titanics and thier seedy and low rent way in which they approached scoring a wealthy savior was TACKY. I guess I could understand doing whatever one must to make sure they are financially sound but the cheesey, lazy way the males in the book would consider their predicament was stoooopid. They scoff at work, they scoff at re-imagining the move from an agrarian to an industrial lifestyle but yet they still are out buying bon-bons, keeping mistresses and holding balls. This element of the book really just stunk. The only character I did like in it all was the heroine Lousia. She had more balls than the entire group combined and she best represented a forward thinking ideal. There were no connections between the main characters and sex was very perfunctory as if the author sat around with several chapter of the book pasted up and threw darts at where the scenes of intimacy will go.
I like Ms. Heath, and granted this book is a bit old and maybe her writing style was developing but I have read her newer stuff and some of the same irksome element persist in her new works.
If you are looking for a keeper this book is NOT it. Try Lorrain Heath's newer stuff and skip this one altogether
January 25, 2011
A well told regency romance that will certainly capture your attention. This is the story of the relationship of Hawke (Randolph Selwyn, Duke of Hawkhurst) and Lady Louisa Wentworth.
Louisa is the daughter of an earl but has no dowry therefore no marriage prospects, so she hires herself out as a chaperone to the Rose family from America. She is to help their daughters Jenny and Kate find themselves titled husbands. The Duke of Hawkhurst, along with Louisa’s brother Alex, Earl of Ravensley and another friend the Marquess of Falconridge want to vie for these girls but as they are rakes and only want the money, Louisa does not want them in the running for these girls. After Mrs Rose meets these men she is only interested in the Duke as the other titles are not good enough for her daughters.
As things turn out Louisa is compromised by Hawk and marries him so that he misses out on his heiress. She finds out though he is not the person she thought he was. It was a great story and I loved it.
Louisa is the daughter of an earl but has no dowry therefore no marriage prospects, so she hires herself out as a chaperone to the Rose family from America. She is to help their daughters Jenny and Kate find themselves titled husbands. The Duke of Hawkhurst, along with Louisa’s brother Alex, Earl of Ravensley and another friend the Marquess of Falconridge want to vie for these girls but as they are rakes and only want the money, Louisa does not want them in the running for these girls. After Mrs Rose meets these men she is only interested in the Duke as the other titles are not good enough for her daughters.
As things turn out Louisa is compromised by Hawk and marries him so that he misses out on his heiress. She finds out though he is not the person she thought he was. It was a great story and I loved it.
June 2, 2011
Because of a certain review about this book, i read it expecting dissapointment but until the end i was fascinated. Courage, love, loyalty, and passion (not presicely in that order)
One of the books that i will certainly remember, both the story and the title (a thing which im not really good at)
This was my first book of the author and certainly not the last. Maybe for a long time, for now i have become a fan.
One of the books that i will certainly remember, both the story and the title (a thing which im not really good at)
This was my first book of the author and certainly not the last. Maybe for a long time, for now i have become a fan.
March 19, 2015
I loved it, it is a more realistic story and even though my heart ached from time to time I enjoyed it so much.
August 23, 2017
Sudah berulang kali saya kecewa dgn novel2 author. Bukan gaya tulisannya, tapi karakter tokoh H/H nya selalu saja inkonsistensi. Kali ini tokoh Duke Hawkhurst dan Lady Louisa. Saya tidak masalah dgn deskripsi Lady Louisa sbg perawan tua yg mandiri. Atau keinginan kompetitif Hawk utk mendapatkan pewaris kaya. Permasalahannya adalah saat Louisa juga "menjual" Hawk krn yakin pernikahan mereka bukanlah yg diinginkan Hawk. Juga bikin sebel dgn sifat plin-plan Louisa dlm memilih pria2.
Begitu pula Hawk yg bersikap spt "ogah tapi mau" dan sering memberi sinyal yg salah diartikan Louisa. Kesalahpahaman yg digulirkan author sama sekali tidak memikat, tapi malah jadi lebih mirip drama picisan (yg tampaknya Hawk sudah mendapat bakat turunan dari ibunya). Karakter Hawk cuma tertolong krn sangat mencintai ibu dan adik tirinya.
Dan saya tidak suka penyelesaian ending ceritanya. Skandal masa lalu bukanlah cermin cinta sejati. Cinta sejati itu keluar dari hati yg terdalam, bukan dipicu oleh affair ataupun kecemburuan. Tolong deh, ini salah satu ending terburuk yg saya baca.
Begitu pula Hawk yg bersikap spt "ogah tapi mau" dan sering memberi sinyal yg salah diartikan Louisa. Kesalahpahaman yg digulirkan author sama sekali tidak memikat, tapi malah jadi lebih mirip drama picisan (yg tampaknya Hawk sudah mendapat bakat turunan dari ibunya). Karakter Hawk cuma tertolong krn sangat mencintai ibu dan adik tirinya.
Dan saya tidak suka penyelesaian ending ceritanya. Skandal masa lalu bukanlah cermin cinta sejati. Cinta sejati itu keluar dari hati yg terdalam, bukan dipicu oleh affair ataupun kecemburuan. Tolong deh, ini salah satu ending terburuk yg saya baca.
August 4, 2018
Lady Louisa Wentworth, on the shelf at 26 and impoverished in 1888, decides to offer her services to wealthy Americans bringing their daughters to England in search of wedding a title. She is hired by the Rose family to find dukes for their 2 daughters. Hawke, Duke of Hawkhurst, is looking to marry an heiress and wants to have Louisa steer Jenny Rose his way. As a friend of her disreputable brother she knows his reputation and balks. When Hawke gets desperate a scheme to compromise Jenny ends with Louisa being caught. Their attraction to each other and their discovery of each other's true character woven through the story make the situation difficult. well done.
August 18, 2024
Sometimes it's nice to read a story without having H/h suddenly become rich to solve their money problems. Sadly, none of the characters in here were my favourite. Hawk and Louisa's relationship truly felt what marriage of convenience was all about. They respected and were fond of each other but I just didn't feel the love between them. Plus, I preferred when there was a high stakes between the MC.
I definitely enjoyed the second book of this duology a lot more.
I definitely enjoyed the second book of this duology a lot more.
June 7, 2022
I am huge fan of Lorraine Heath, but not a huge fan of the poor dude in like/lust/love with the poor girl and they both need to marry for money and security.
I did enjoy the progression of this book, however. Both the MCs were a bit on the meh side and I have to admit - I liked the heroine's brother the best out of all the characters - even though he was rather dastardly!
I did enjoy the progression of this book, however. Both the MCs were a bit on the meh side and I have to admit - I liked the heroine's brother the best out of all the characters - even though he was rather dastardly!
June 17, 2024
I want the last 25 pages injected in my veins 🙌. Lorraine Heath the master of angst - how I love her works!!!
Read
December 18, 2024DNF @37% it was so slow and kept harping on the same things. Why were all the dudes named after birds?
May 1, 2022
**Trigger Warnings Below**
Heroine: Lady Louisa Wentworth, 26. Sister of the Earl of Ravensley. They are having significant financial issues, leaving Louisa without a dowry. She decides to find work as a social chaperone.
Hero: Randolph Selwyn, 34. Duke of Hawkhurst. Nickname: Hawk. He is a friend of Louisa’s brother. He is also suffering from financial issues and needs to marry an heiress.
Date: 1888
How they meet: They met off page when he was 14 and she was 6. She always managed to show up at the wrong time, and he found her irritating. He has avoided her as much as possible ever since. She believes him to be a bad influence on her brother.
What happens: Louisa has been hired by a wealthy American family to help their two daughters find titled matches. Louisa’s brother and two of his friends, including Hawk, are desperate to marry heiresses and are hoping Louisa will recommend them to the daughters. She does not see them as suitable matches due to excessive drinking and other bad behavior. Hawk decides the way to increase his chances with the older heiress is to get into Louisa’s good graces and this puts them in regular proximity.
Trigger Warnings:
Verdict: This is not a light and fluffy read. It was admirable how Louisa always tried to make the best of a bad situation and proved herself resourceful. However, she was naive about men and that put her in a precarious position. She was badly betrayed by her brother and also used by the man who would become her husband. Further, the two girls she was charged with were rather selfish and one in particular put her position in jeopardy with her reckless behavior. I felt rather sorry for her. The hero was too wishy-washy with his feelings towards her, even after marriage, but it was his plan that made me completely dislike him. I did not root for this couple. The “happy” ending in this one just wasn’t believable. I did find the small part of the story about Hawk’s family to be a bright spot.
Steam-level: Some steam, but only vaguely described (not explicit)
Rating: 2 stars
Heroine: Lady Louisa Wentworth, 26. Sister of the Earl of Ravensley. They are having significant financial issues, leaving Louisa without a dowry. She decides to find work as a social chaperone.
Hero: Randolph Selwyn, 34. Duke of Hawkhurst. Nickname: Hawk. He is a friend of Louisa’s brother. He is also suffering from financial issues and needs to marry an heiress.
Date: 1888
How they meet: They met off page when he was 14 and she was 6. She always managed to show up at the wrong time, and he found her irritating. He has avoided her as much as possible ever since. She believes him to be a bad influence on her brother.
What happens: Louisa has been hired by a wealthy American family to help their two daughters find titled matches. Louisa’s brother and two of his friends, including Hawk, are desperate to marry heiresses and are hoping Louisa will recommend them to the daughters. She does not see them as suitable matches due to excessive drinking and other bad behavior. Hawk decides the way to increase his chances with the older heiress is to get into Louisa’s good graces and this puts them in regular proximity.
Trigger Warnings:
Verdict: This is not a light and fluffy read. It was admirable how Louisa always tried to make the best of a bad situation and proved herself resourceful. However, she was naive about men and that put her in a precarious position. She was badly betrayed by her brother and also used by the man who would become her husband. Further, the two girls she was charged with were rather selfish and one in particular put her position in jeopardy with her reckless behavior. I felt rather sorry for her. The hero was too wishy-washy with his feelings towards her, even after marriage, but it was his plan that made me completely dislike him. I did not root for this couple. The “happy” ending in this one just wasn’t believable. I did find the small part of the story about Hawk’s family to be a bright spot.
Steam-level: Some steam, but only vaguely described (not explicit)
Rating: 2 stars
Read
August 3, 2023DNF. I'm not comfortable with the characters or plot.
January 24, 2016
Bintang 4
Rogues and Roses #1.
"Manakah yg lebih dulu, cinta atau gairah?"
Itulah pertanyaan yg diajukan oleh Rose bersaudari pada Louisa Wenworth, putri seorang earl yg terpaksa karena keadaan keuangan harus memutuskan menjadi seorang pendamping bagi wanita wanita Amerika kaya yg ingin bergaul dilingkungan bangsawan Inggris. Tak seperti Jenny Rose dan Kate Rose yg memiliki mas kawin dan menjadi incaran pria manapun karena kekayaan orangtua mereka, Louisa yg tanpa mas kawin tak pernah mengenal cinta apalagi gairah karena tak seorang pria pun menginginkannya sebagai istri. Dalam menjalankan tugasnya sebagai pendamping, tanpa disangka Louisa terjebak dalam pengkhianatan kakanya sendiri sehingga harus merasakan gejolak gairah yg seharusnya bukan untuk dirinya dan berakhir dalam pernikahan yg terpaksa.
Randolph Selwyn, Duke of Hawkhurst (yg tergabung dalam 3 burung putus asa) butuh suntikan dana yg besar untuj memenuhi impiannya agar dapat memperbaiki keuangan keluarga sehingga dapat membahagiakan ibu dan terutama adik perempuannya yg selama ini tak pernah diketahui keberadaannya oleh masyarakat bangsawan. Hal ini dikarenakan adiknya ini terlahir setelah ayah mereka telah lama wafat. Untuk mewujudkan kebahagiaan adiknya, Hawk memilih jalan pintas dengan cara menikahi ahli waris kaya dari Amerika. Mempersiapkan jebakan untuk Jenny Rose, Hawk malah tertangkap basah bersama Louisa sehingga Hawk harus bertanggung jawab menikahi Louisa untuk menghindari skandal. Tragisnya kesalahan itu terjadi karena pengkhianatan Ravensley yg juga mengincar Jenny Rose untuk dijadikan istri. Sungguh tega Ravensley menjadikan adiknya sendiri, Louisa sebagai korban keadaan untuk mengkhianati sahabat sendiri yg sangat mempercayainya.
Tak kenal maka tak sayang, tak sayang maka tak cinta...
Itulah yg dialami Louisa. Setelah menjalani pernikahan dan mengenal gairah, Louisa mengenal dan mengetahui keadaan Hawk yg sebenarnya. Louisa yg memandang buruk pada karakter Hawk yg selama ini dianggap Louisa sebagai pengaruh buruk bagi Alex, kakaknya. Louisa akhirnya mengetahui alasan sejati Hawk yg ingin menikahi Jenny dan alasan Hawk akhirnya berakhir menikahi dirinya setelah Hawk mengenalkan Louisa pada hubungan pria dan wanita. Semua alasan Hawk tercermin dalam tingkah laku Hawk pada sang ibu yg dititipkan pada Hawk oleh ayahnya untuk dijaga dan dijamin kebahagiaannya serta pada sang adik perempuan yg sangat dicintai Hawk dan tak pernah diketahui siapa ayahnya, untuk dijaga dan dilindungi Hawk serta diberi mas kawin agar mendapat kesempatan menikahi pria keturunan yg baik. Louisa jatuh cinta pada Hawk yg mencintai 2 wanita dalam keluarganya itu. Untuk itu Louisa mengorbankan cintanya pada Hawk agar Hawk dapat mewujudkan impiannya pada sang adik. Louisa mengundurkan diri dari pernikahan setelah mengetahui dirinya tidak hamil dan merelakan Hawk untuk Jenny.
Dilain pihak, belajar dari rasa percaya diri dan sikap optimis Louisa, Hawk yg awalnya selalu menyalahkan Louisa akan kegagalannya mendapatkan Jenny mulai menata kehidupan dan keluarganya. Hawk harus memilih antara cinta dan kasih sayang dengan uang dan kemudahan, ketika Hawk menyadari perasaan cintanya pada Louisa. Saat Louisa memutuskan membatalkan pernikahan mereka, Hawk harus menyampaikan kebenaran perasaannya walau Louisa tetap menginginkan perpisahan.
Rogues and Roses #1.
"Manakah yg lebih dulu, cinta atau gairah?"
Itulah pertanyaan yg diajukan oleh Rose bersaudari pada Louisa Wenworth, putri seorang earl yg terpaksa karena keadaan keuangan harus memutuskan menjadi seorang pendamping bagi wanita wanita Amerika kaya yg ingin bergaul dilingkungan bangsawan Inggris. Tak seperti Jenny Rose dan Kate Rose yg memiliki mas kawin dan menjadi incaran pria manapun karena kekayaan orangtua mereka, Louisa yg tanpa mas kawin tak pernah mengenal cinta apalagi gairah karena tak seorang pria pun menginginkannya sebagai istri. Dalam menjalankan tugasnya sebagai pendamping, tanpa disangka Louisa terjebak dalam pengkhianatan kakanya sendiri sehingga harus merasakan gejolak gairah yg seharusnya bukan untuk dirinya dan berakhir dalam pernikahan yg terpaksa.
Randolph Selwyn, Duke of Hawkhurst (yg tergabung dalam 3 burung putus asa) butuh suntikan dana yg besar untuj memenuhi impiannya agar dapat memperbaiki keuangan keluarga sehingga dapat membahagiakan ibu dan terutama adik perempuannya yg selama ini tak pernah diketahui keberadaannya oleh masyarakat bangsawan. Hal ini dikarenakan adiknya ini terlahir setelah ayah mereka telah lama wafat. Untuk mewujudkan kebahagiaan adiknya, Hawk memilih jalan pintas dengan cara menikahi ahli waris kaya dari Amerika. Mempersiapkan jebakan untuk Jenny Rose, Hawk malah tertangkap basah bersama Louisa sehingga Hawk harus bertanggung jawab menikahi Louisa untuk menghindari skandal. Tragisnya kesalahan itu terjadi karena pengkhianatan Ravensley yg juga mengincar Jenny Rose untuk dijadikan istri. Sungguh tega Ravensley menjadikan adiknya sendiri, Louisa sebagai korban keadaan untuk mengkhianati sahabat sendiri yg sangat mempercayainya.
Tak kenal maka tak sayang, tak sayang maka tak cinta...
Itulah yg dialami Louisa. Setelah menjalani pernikahan dan mengenal gairah, Louisa mengenal dan mengetahui keadaan Hawk yg sebenarnya. Louisa yg memandang buruk pada karakter Hawk yg selama ini dianggap Louisa sebagai pengaruh buruk bagi Alex, kakaknya. Louisa akhirnya mengetahui alasan sejati Hawk yg ingin menikahi Jenny dan alasan Hawk akhirnya berakhir menikahi dirinya setelah Hawk mengenalkan Louisa pada hubungan pria dan wanita. Semua alasan Hawk tercermin dalam tingkah laku Hawk pada sang ibu yg dititipkan pada Hawk oleh ayahnya untuk dijaga dan dijamin kebahagiaannya serta pada sang adik perempuan yg sangat dicintai Hawk dan tak pernah diketahui siapa ayahnya, untuk dijaga dan dilindungi Hawk serta diberi mas kawin agar mendapat kesempatan menikahi pria keturunan yg baik. Louisa jatuh cinta pada Hawk yg mencintai 2 wanita dalam keluarganya itu. Untuk itu Louisa mengorbankan cintanya pada Hawk agar Hawk dapat mewujudkan impiannya pada sang adik. Louisa mengundurkan diri dari pernikahan setelah mengetahui dirinya tidak hamil dan merelakan Hawk untuk Jenny.
Dilain pihak, belajar dari rasa percaya diri dan sikap optimis Louisa, Hawk yg awalnya selalu menyalahkan Louisa akan kegagalannya mendapatkan Jenny mulai menata kehidupan dan keluarganya. Hawk harus memilih antara cinta dan kasih sayang dengan uang dan kemudahan, ketika Hawk menyadari perasaan cintanya pada Louisa. Saat Louisa memutuskan membatalkan pernikahan mereka, Hawk harus menyampaikan kebenaran perasaannya walau Louisa tetap menginginkan perpisahan.
May 30, 2014
“Hawk?”
“Mmm?”
“Jenny and Kate are always arguing about which comes first, passion or love.”
“And?”
“So which do you think comes first?”
“In our case, sweetheart, I suspect they arrived at the same time.”
Well, that is a great read and I can't think of better ending. They say that when you wanted to know how would a man treat you when you will be living with him, just observe how he treats his sister and mother. I like the hero even in the start and despite the heroine's not so good impression of him. He does treats the women in his life with love and so much devotion. But he kind of lost himself at the middle part of the story. I never thought he would say such cruel thing to the heroine in her face when she's just concerned with him. I admire the heroine for having a brave heart! If I am her, I would gladly leave him and hope he would be happy without me (sarcasm). She's a good person. What I also love with the first part of story is that the anticipation is present. I'm always waiting when he would compromise Louisa to the point that I can't put the story down, well not until that happen. I was hoping it would be in the middle of the story because I wanted to know how they would led their lives as husband and wife. Fortunately, it did happened at the middle part but unfortunately, the author has not given enough glimpse of their married life. The Caroline thing became the focus that I think where the story lost its momentum. It would be okay to include that if this is a longer story, unluckily it's not. But nevertheless, I enjoy reading this story but not as much as I love other Heath's stories. It only tells us that the author may have a room for improvement at this time since it is written earlier than the good ones, she really did fill the room while improving and I think she needs another room to put her excess learning if I'm making any sense. I really l♥ve this author no matter what! That's my point. She is getting better and better.
I hope the book 2 would not be her brother's story. I still can't like him because of what he didto his very own sister! I suspected even at first that it was him who is secretly meeting with Jenny especially when his presence became scarce. *crossed-fingers* It would be Kate and the marquess.....
“Mmm?”
“Jenny and Kate are always arguing about which comes first, passion or love.”
“And?”
“So which do you think comes first?”
“In our case, sweetheart, I suspect they arrived at the same time.”
Well, that is a great read and I can't think of better ending. They say that when you wanted to know how would a man treat you when you will be living with him, just observe how he treats his sister and mother. I like the hero even in the start and despite the heroine's not so good impression of him. He does treats the women in his life with love and so much devotion. But he kind of lost himself at the middle part of the story. I never thought he would say such cruel thing to the heroine in her face when she's just concerned with him. I admire the heroine for having a brave heart! If I am her, I would gladly leave him and hope he would be happy without me (sarcasm). She's a good person. What I also love with the first part of story is that the anticipation is present. I'm always waiting when he would compromise Louisa to the point that I can't put the story down, well not until that happen. I was hoping it would be in the middle of the story because I wanted to know how they would led their lives as husband and wife. Fortunately, it did happened at the middle part but unfortunately, the author has not given enough glimpse of their married life. The Caroline thing became the focus that I think where the story lost its momentum. It would be okay to include that if this is a longer story, unluckily it's not. But nevertheless, I enjoy reading this story but not as much as I love other Heath's stories. It only tells us that the author may have a room for improvement at this time since it is written earlier than the good ones, she really did fill the room while improving and I think she needs another room to put her excess learning if I'm making any sense. I really l♥ve this author no matter what! That's my point. She is getting better and better.
I hope the book 2 would not be her brother's story. I still can't like him because of what he didto his very own sister! I suspected even at first that it was him who is secretly meeting with Jenny especially when his presence became scarce. *crossed-fingers* It would be Kate and the marquess.....
February 6, 2015
I found this to be a truly wonderful story. I love stories that make my heart ache right along with theirs. Louisa and Hawk had known each other for a long time. He was friends with her brother. But he had always avoided her. She felt he had always ignored her. They had been attracted to each other from the beginning. But Hawk had little to offer other than his title of duke. He was almost penniless. As was Louisa and her brother. Which is why Louisa struck out on her own and placed an advertisement as a chaperon for American heiresses. I loved her courage for doing that. She was rightly nervous but determined to try to find independence.
Hawk was attempting to attract one of those heiresses when he compromised Louisa by mistake, sort of. He set it all up and Louisa stepped in to stop it but got quite caught up in it. Her brother betrayed her and she and Hawk were forced to marry. You can imagine how that went. Up until the wonderful, heartfelt HEA. This was a very emotional story. One that will stay with me for a while.
Hawk was attempting to attract one of those heiresses when he compromised Louisa by mistake, sort of. He set it all up and Louisa stepped in to stop it but got quite caught up in it. Her brother betrayed her and she and Hawk were forced to marry. You can imagine how that went. Up until the wonderful, heartfelt HEA. This was a very emotional story. One that will stay with me for a while.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 28, 2021
This book has been on my TBR pile for quite some time. It is historically interesting as it takes place in 1880 and the English aristocracy is quite poor, at least the ones who haven't branched out from farming. Many rich Americans have come to England in search of a title for their daughters. Lady Louisa has decided to become a social companion to 2 American girls to help them find titled husbands. The problem is, she is willfully ignoring the fact that she is in love with the Duke she is trying to marry off to one of the Dukes, who has been secretly in love with her for years. But he is impoverished and needs to marry money. I truly did not know how that was going to work out, but it did in shocking way, and then of course there were chapters of misunderstandings. I will read the next one just to find out what happens to the American heiress, plus I am on vacation and that is one of the books I brought.
November 10, 2010
First book by Lorraine Heath that I didn’t like much. I don’t like the plot where men don’t have money and do not see any way out but marring money. The refusal to even consider employment or try to make profit of what you can do is silly to me. Yes the guy started seeing things differently at the end but it was kind of late for reforms. The heroine was great, strong willed character that I did not think deserved what our hero threw her way. The accusations he did were over the top when all she ever did was try to be honest and help out. Overall great female characters and awful male individuals except for the American guy, too bad he doesn’t have a story in these series, not even sure why they are only 2 out, I thought they must be 4 books. I want Mr. Rose’s story, rest can rot as far as I am concerned.
January 16, 2011
Enjoyable and quick read. I really liked the ending note that explained several facts about the late 19th century Victorian England. It made the situations far more plausible to know that these situations of becoming a social chaperone really existed. I like it when authors do their research!
With that said, there were a few minor character twists that I was pleasantly surprised by (in terms of not being able to see it coming) and a few that I did see coming. But that's okay as long as the ride is fun. I also liked that though it was a happy ending, the characters who were all struggling for funds didn't end up ridiculously rich or "suddenly" found gobs of money hidden somewhere. I definitely appreciated that!
With that said, there were a few minor character twists that I was pleasantly surprised by (in terms of not being able to see it coming) and a few that I did see coming. But that's okay as long as the ride is fun. I also liked that though it was a happy ending, the characters who were all struggling for funds didn't end up ridiculously rich or "suddenly" found gobs of money hidden somewhere. I definitely appreciated that!
April 20, 2011
I never want to put the book down. It made want to leave my job and read up to the ending. What captured me, is the sequels of the story is fast pace. It will not leave you a boring part. It's kind of different from the stories that I read, at least in the both the hero and the heroine are poor. ALthough, I got disappointed on the ending of the chapter, I was hoping that the hero will go after to the heroine in a dramatic way. It turned out, it ended so soon. That is the fault that I found in Lorraine Heath writing sometimes that flow story skips to much, that I have to go back to the previous page to get what happened to the next page. Nevertheless, I still enjoyed this book, that why I am giving it 3 1/2 stars.
June 10, 2013
It started strong, then lulled a little, then picked up again. Ms. Heath has become one of my go to authors and I enjoy her writing style and her stories. The only thing that irritates me about some of the heroes in these books is that when they say horrible things to the heroines the heroines just stand there and take it. I have to always remember that it was a different time but how I wanted her to just walk away every time he threw it in her face that it should have been Jenny in the Library! But, I guess it wouldn't have been much of a story, would it?
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