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Men from Special Branch #1
Whisper His Name
Breaking the code to her heart...
Independent and stubbornly unmarried, Abbie Vayle has always been a little too smart for her own good. But she may have gone too far when she starts her own rare-book business--and accidentally acquires an antique book in Paris with a mysterious code scribbled in the margins....
Someone wants the book back--and is willing to kill to get it. The only trouble is, Abbie no longer has the book. It's locked away in the customs house in Dover. Now it's a race against time as Abbie stays one step ahead of her pursuers. The last person she wants to confide in is her best friend, Hugh Templar, whom she knows only as a formidable scholar who shares her passion for Roman antiquities.
But as Hugh keeps turning up where she least expects him, a few things begin to dawn on her....Not only is Hugh surprisingly--in fact incredibly--handsome without his glasses on, but he's strangely "professional" in how he handles her mysterious enemies.
Hugh is clearly not what he seems. And soon Abbie realizes that neither is she...as she discovers what it means to love with all her heart and soul.
Independent and stubbornly unmarried, Abbie Vayle has always been a little too smart for her own good. But she may have gone too far when she starts her own rare-book business--and accidentally acquires an antique book in Paris with a mysterious code scribbled in the margins....
Someone wants the book back--and is willing to kill to get it. The only trouble is, Abbie no longer has the book. It's locked away in the customs house in Dover. Now it's a race against time as Abbie stays one step ahead of her pursuers. The last person she wants to confide in is her best friend, Hugh Templar, whom she knows only as a formidable scholar who shares her passion for Roman antiquities.
But as Hugh keeps turning up where she least expects him, a few things begin to dawn on her....Not only is Hugh surprisingly--in fact incredibly--handsome without his glasses on, but he's strangely "professional" in how he handles her mysterious enemies.
Hugh is clearly not what he seems. And soon Abbie realizes that neither is she...as she discovers what it means to love with all her heart and soul.
386 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published March 2, 1999
25 people are currently reading
385 people want to read
About the author
Elizabeth Thornton
61 books154 followersMary Forrest George, née Baxter was born and educated in Aberdeen, Scotland, where she taught school for a number of years before establishing her own nursery school, St. Swithin Street Nursery School, an institution that is still going strong today.
She and her husband then emigrated to Canada with their three young sons. She taught kindergarten and Grade One for a number of years in Winnipeg, Manitoba, before becoming lay minister at a Presbyterian Church in Winnipeg.
As part of her continuing education, she enrolled in evening classes at the University of Winnipeg to study Classical Greek. Five years later, having completed an Honor's thesis on Women in Euripides, she received her B.A. (Classics Gold Medalist).
After reading her first romance, a Regency by Georgette Heyer, she was captivated by the genre. Hereafter, writing became her hobby. In 1987, her first book, a small Regency entitled, Bluestocking Bride, was published by Zebra books.
She is the author of twenty-four historical romances, and two novellas. She has been nominated for and received many awards including the Romantic Times Trophy Award for the best New Historical Regency Author and Best Historical Regency. Seven of her novels have been finalists in the Romance Writers of America Rita awards, Scarlet Angel, Strangers at Dawn, Princess Charming and The Perfect Princess, Shady Lady, The Marriage Trap, and The Bachelor Trap. Her books appear regularly on national best-selling lists and have been translated into many languages.
Elizabeth's hobbies include reading (particularly mystery and suspense novels, biography, and history), and traveling to do research for her novels. She is also an avid Harry Potter enthusiast.
She and her husband then emigrated to Canada with their three young sons. She taught kindergarten and Grade One for a number of years in Winnipeg, Manitoba, before becoming lay minister at a Presbyterian Church in Winnipeg.
As part of her continuing education, she enrolled in evening classes at the University of Winnipeg to study Classical Greek. Five years later, having completed an Honor's thesis on Women in Euripides, she received her B.A. (Classics Gold Medalist).
After reading her first romance, a Regency by Georgette Heyer, she was captivated by the genre. Hereafter, writing became her hobby. In 1987, her first book, a small Regency entitled, Bluestocking Bride, was published by Zebra books.
She is the author of twenty-four historical romances, and two novellas. She has been nominated for and received many awards including the Romantic Times Trophy Award for the best New Historical Regency Author and Best Historical Regency. Seven of her novels have been finalists in the Romance Writers of America Rita awards, Scarlet Angel, Strangers at Dawn, Princess Charming and The Perfect Princess, Shady Lady, The Marriage Trap, and The Bachelor Trap. Her books appear regularly on national best-selling lists and have been translated into many languages.
Elizabeth's hobbies include reading (particularly mystery and suspense novels, biography, and history), and traveling to do research for her novels. She is also an avid Harry Potter enthusiast.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 34 reviews
May 30, 2022
Why, oh, why did I listen to the naysayers and didn't pick up this book earlier? This book is a solid historical romance suspense. Unpredictable plots and the book is filled with twists and turns. A page turner and a riveting read. An easy 5 stars. RTC.
August 2, 2015
Whisper His Name failed to entertain. It was such a shame since it had a very promising start. Abbie and Hugh were the perfect leads.
Or so I thought.
It seemed that as the story progressed, Abbie became more and more frustrating. Dear Lord, if the woman just told the truth right at the beginning, it would have saved Hugh a whole lot of trouble. I liked her independence at first, but her insistence to do things alone bordered on stupidity already. Yes, she had noble intentions for her actions--she wanted to protect Hugh--but they ended up having the opposite effect. In the end, she created problems for him. Sigh. That was frustrating as hell.
And oh, not to mention that her actions were very unnatural, given the circumstances. I mean, who, in their right mind, would fantasise about a guy after getting attacked. After being threatened. After learning that their younger brother's life was in danger?
Who does that?
And oh, Hugh, how you transformed from such a cutie to an asshole in a heartbeat. Ugh. Fuck you.
The premise was very intriguing. It's just sad that it was all very poorly executed.
Or so I thought.
It seemed that as the story progressed, Abbie became more and more frustrating. Dear Lord, if the woman just told the truth right at the beginning, it would have saved Hugh a whole lot of trouble. I liked her independence at first, but her insistence to do things alone bordered on stupidity already. Yes, she had noble intentions for her actions--she wanted to protect Hugh--but they ended up having the opposite effect. In the end, she created problems for him. Sigh. That was frustrating as hell.
And oh, not to mention that her actions were very unnatural, given the circumstances. I mean, who, in their right mind, would fantasise about a guy after getting attacked. After being threatened. After learning that their younger brother's life was in danger?
Who does that?
And oh, Hugh, how you transformed from such a cutie to an asshole in a heartbeat. Ugh. Fuck you.
The premise was very intriguing. It's just sad that it was all very poorly executed.
June 26, 2019
2’5 Estrellas, pero mucho me temo que éste libro ha sido un quiero y no puedo. Tiene una trama interesante y bien pensada, y unos personajes que con unas circunstancias mejores o con un romance más sólido habrían funcionado mucho mejor.
En “Falsa apariencia” tenemos una historia tópica de la Regencia, pero no ésas historias de la regencia repletas de duques, condes, presentaciones en sociedad y fiestas en Almack’s. Aquí tenemos una historia de espionaje, que según lees la sinopsis y empiezas el libro promete mucho.
Los protagonistas, Abbie y Hugh son gente de buenas familias y con cierta influencia, pero ambos no son lo que se espera de ellos, Abbie es una solterona por decisión propia al no haber encontrado un hombre que la llene, lo que realmente la gusta es su propio negocio de venta de libros. En cambio, Hugh es un erudito, un hombre culto que gusta de desenterrar restos romanos en sus propiedades, y que en su vida más secreta fue espía.
Cuando empieza el libro Napoleón ya está preso en la isla de Elba y todo el mundo parece creer que la guerra ha terminado. Así es como Abbie y su hermano pequeño viajan a París y se ven inmersos en un extraño incidente, de repente Abbie es la propietaria de un objeto de valor incalculable que persiguen tanto el servicio secreto francés, como el británico. A consecuencia de ello, el hermano menor de Abbie, George, es secuestrado, y Abbie deberá devolver dicho objeto a Nemo, el más peligroso de los espías franceses.
Así es como Abbie se ve envuelta en una peligrosa persecución, y dividida entre su conciencia y su corazón, cuando no la quede más remedio que acudir a su amigo Hugh Templar para que la ayude a rescatar a su hermano, y a que toda ésa pesadilla acabe.
Bueno, pues con éste argumento tan interesante, se podía haber hecho una buena historia. La pena es que a mi me ha parecido que la trama estaba desaprovechada; no sé si habrá sido por el estilo de la autora, que todo hay que decirlo, no escribe mal, pero si las cosas se desarrollaran de otra manera, con giros más atractivos o sorprendentes, habría funcionado mucho mejor.
Por otro lado, ha tenido una serie de desatinos que no me han apañado mucho, por ejemplo, en ningún momento he entendido la relación de Abbie y Hugh, cuando empieza el libro te dicen que son amigos, muy buenos amigos, los mejores amigos, y en realidad hace apenas unos meses que se han conocido, y las veces que han coincidido son pocas ¿Cuándo ha llegado a afianzarse semejante relación? No se entiende. Lo siguiente que no se entiende es su romance, tan amigos son, y tan convencidos están de querer seguir permaneciendo solteros, y de que el matrimonio no es para ellos, que de buenas a primeras pasan a estar enamorados como si les fuera la vida; tampoco se entiende.
En cuanto a la trama de espionaje, otro quiero y no puedo. Pasan muchas cosas, que no entiendes por ningún parte, hasta he visto erratas con los nombres de algunos personajes y eso me ha hecho la lectura mucho más confusa, si fulanito ha dicho una cosa y menganito otra, pero me ponen el nombre de otro ¿Quién es quién? Por ésta parte me parece que ha sido error de traducción. En fin, la trama de espionaje habría sido mucho mejor, de haber tenido un ritmo más pausado y con una mejor explicación en la trama por parte de la autora, pero me ha resultado un barullo muy confuso, a pesar de que en las últimas páginas te desvele todo y quede bien.
De modo que la lectura no ha sido del todo un desastre, pero reconozco que si la trama de espionaje hubiese estado mejor desarrollada (que no pensada), me habría convencido, lo mismo que la relación de los protagonistas, que me ha dicho más bien poco, porque si no he entendido su amistad, menos su romance; lo que me parece una lástima, porque Hugh es del tipo de protagonistas que me gustan, pero le ha faltado chispa para encantarme.
“Falsa apariencia” no es el primer libro que leo de Elizabeth Thornton, en el otro caso su otra novela que leí tampoco me dijo mucho; así que tras dos novelas corrientuchas que no me han encandilado, creo que esta autora no es para mí, así que no sé si continuaré leyéndola.
En “Falsa apariencia” tenemos una historia tópica de la Regencia, pero no ésas historias de la regencia repletas de duques, condes, presentaciones en sociedad y fiestas en Almack’s. Aquí tenemos una historia de espionaje, que según lees la sinopsis y empiezas el libro promete mucho.
Los protagonistas, Abbie y Hugh son gente de buenas familias y con cierta influencia, pero ambos no son lo que se espera de ellos, Abbie es una solterona por decisión propia al no haber encontrado un hombre que la llene, lo que realmente la gusta es su propio negocio de venta de libros. En cambio, Hugh es un erudito, un hombre culto que gusta de desenterrar restos romanos en sus propiedades, y que en su vida más secreta fue espía.
Cuando empieza el libro Napoleón ya está preso en la isla de Elba y todo el mundo parece creer que la guerra ha terminado. Así es como Abbie y su hermano pequeño viajan a París y se ven inmersos en un extraño incidente, de repente Abbie es la propietaria de un objeto de valor incalculable que persiguen tanto el servicio secreto francés, como el británico. A consecuencia de ello, el hermano menor de Abbie, George, es secuestrado, y Abbie deberá devolver dicho objeto a Nemo, el más peligroso de los espías franceses.
Así es como Abbie se ve envuelta en una peligrosa persecución, y dividida entre su conciencia y su corazón, cuando no la quede más remedio que acudir a su amigo Hugh Templar para que la ayude a rescatar a su hermano, y a que toda ésa pesadilla acabe.
Bueno, pues con éste argumento tan interesante, se podía haber hecho una buena historia. La pena es que a mi me ha parecido que la trama estaba desaprovechada; no sé si habrá sido por el estilo de la autora, que todo hay que decirlo, no escribe mal, pero si las cosas se desarrollaran de otra manera, con giros más atractivos o sorprendentes, habría funcionado mucho mejor.
Por otro lado, ha tenido una serie de desatinos que no me han apañado mucho, por ejemplo, en ningún momento he entendido la relación de Abbie y Hugh, cuando empieza el libro te dicen que son amigos, muy buenos amigos, los mejores amigos, y en realidad hace apenas unos meses que se han conocido, y las veces que han coincidido son pocas ¿Cuándo ha llegado a afianzarse semejante relación? No se entiende. Lo siguiente que no se entiende es su romance, tan amigos son, y tan convencidos están de querer seguir permaneciendo solteros, y de que el matrimonio no es para ellos, que de buenas a primeras pasan a estar enamorados como si les fuera la vida; tampoco se entiende.
En cuanto a la trama de espionaje, otro quiero y no puedo. Pasan muchas cosas, que no entiendes por ningún parte, hasta he visto erratas con los nombres de algunos personajes y eso me ha hecho la lectura mucho más confusa, si fulanito ha dicho una cosa y menganito otra, pero me ponen el nombre de otro ¿Quién es quién? Por ésta parte me parece que ha sido error de traducción. En fin, la trama de espionaje habría sido mucho mejor, de haber tenido un ritmo más pausado y con una mejor explicación en la trama por parte de la autora, pero me ha resultado un barullo muy confuso, a pesar de que en las últimas páginas te desvele todo y quede bien.
De modo que la lectura no ha sido del todo un desastre, pero reconozco que si la trama de espionaje hubiese estado mejor desarrollada (que no pensada), me habría convencido, lo mismo que la relación de los protagonistas, que me ha dicho más bien poco, porque si no he entendido su amistad, menos su romance; lo que me parece una lástima, porque Hugh es del tipo de protagonistas que me gustan, pero le ha faltado chispa para encantarme.
“Falsa apariencia” no es el primer libro que leo de Elizabeth Thornton, en el otro caso su otra novela que leí tampoco me dijo mucho; así que tras dos novelas corrientuchas que no me han encandilado, creo que esta autora no es para mí, así que no sé si continuaré leyéndola.
February 25, 2016
Abbie Vayle is threatened. Either she produce a book or her brother dies. But Abbie doesn't know what book the baddies want. When she discovers where the book may be she journeys to retrieve it and encounters her friend, Hugh Templar along the way.
It was a good book but Abbie bugged me with the way she lied to Hugh. It made no sense why she wasn't honest with him even after she knew he would find out the truth. But even though I didn't care for her I did like the story and I liked Hugh for the most part.
It was a good book but Abbie bugged me with the way she lied to Hugh. It made no sense why she wasn't honest with him even after she knew he would find out the truth. But even though I didn't care for her I did like the story and I liked Hugh for the most part.
October 13, 2018
TSTL heroin.
Lack of chemistry between H/h (even though there were quite a good deal of intimate scenes.
Mediocre mystery.
Lack of chemistry between H/h (even though there were quite a good deal of intimate scenes.
Mediocre mystery.
February 3, 2015
First things first, don't miss the gorgeous stepback courtesy of Inka. Hidden behind spoiler tags to keep the large image off the feeds.
Awesome, no?
"Nothing ever happened in Bath."
The girl: Abbie Vayle. Well into her twenties, she's on the shelf and happy to be there and run her little used book business and lead the quiet life. Quiet that is, until it seems that a highly coveted book with super-secret spy codes ended up in among her latest book acquisitions in Paris. The box of books that's been locked up in customs for weeks because she didn't want to pay the duty on it. Now everyone seems to want that book, including one of Napoleon's top spies and evil-doer.
"He was Napoleon’s master spy. An assassin. Everyone feared him, but no one knew anything about him. No one knew his real name. No one knew his nationality. What was known was that he was fluent in many languages and was a master of disguise."
The guy:Hugh Templar, a scholarly sort (or so we're led to believe), and Abbie's best friend (but her parents would like to see them more than best friends). He does have a bit of a mysterious past about his military service, but to Abbie he's just a man who like to potter around old Roman ruins and whatnot. Whyever does he keep showing up whenever she's in a pickle with those book chasing bad guys?
I really did enjoy this, and was quite surprised when I realized this was written by the same author who wrote Scarlet Angel and Tender the Storm, which were both wall-bangers for me. It appears her style may have changed over the years, or is Hugh the exception for not being an OTT alpha-male a-hole? *shrugs*
There's plenty of bad guys, close scrapes, mysterious doings and super-secret spy stuff to keep the story moving along, and while I did like this pair and the story a lot, they didn't exactly rock my world, so I'm knocking it down to three stars. Note: once the sexual tensions heat up, there's plenty of sex to be had and it's not all behind closed doors. Tastes vary in how much individual readers care to have in their romances.
Kindle copy obtained via library loan.
Awesome, no?
"Nothing ever happened in Bath."
The girl: Abbie Vayle. Well into her twenties, she's on the shelf and happy to be there and run her little used book business and lead the quiet life. Quiet that is, until it seems that a highly coveted book with super-secret spy codes ended up in among her latest book acquisitions in Paris. The box of books that's been locked up in customs for weeks because she didn't want to pay the duty on it. Now everyone seems to want that book, including one of Napoleon's top spies and evil-doer.
"He was Napoleon’s master spy. An assassin. Everyone feared him, but no one knew anything about him. No one knew his real name. No one knew his nationality. What was known was that he was fluent in many languages and was a master of disguise."
The guy:Hugh Templar, a scholarly sort (or so we're led to believe), and Abbie's best friend (but her parents would like to see them more than best friends). He does have a bit of a mysterious past about his military service, but to Abbie he's just a man who like to potter around old Roman ruins and whatnot. Whyever does he keep showing up whenever she's in a pickle with those book chasing bad guys?
I really did enjoy this, and was quite surprised when I realized this was written by the same author who wrote Scarlet Angel and Tender the Storm, which were both wall-bangers for me. It appears her style may have changed over the years, or is Hugh the exception for not being an OTT alpha-male a-hole? *shrugs*
There's plenty of bad guys, close scrapes, mysterious doings and super-secret spy stuff to keep the story moving along, and while I did like this pair and the story a lot, they didn't exactly rock my world, so I'm knocking it down to three stars. Note: once the sexual tensions heat up, there's plenty of sex to be had and it's not all behind closed doors. Tastes vary in how much individual readers care to have in their romances.
Kindle copy obtained via library loan.
August 18, 2018
The heroine is given a book in Paris, after Napoleon's exile to Elba, without knowing it. The young woman who gave her the book was a spy and was killed shortly afterward. Then the bad guys discover who possesses the book and the story takes off. The heroine has returned to England and taken up her friendship with a scholar who has a past she knows nothing about-- as a spy during Wellington's Peninsular campaign. So he is particularly situated to help her when the bad guys demand a book she knows nothing about. (Hmm, lots of things she's oblivious to) But she doesn't dare tell him because her brother has been kidnapped and threatened with death if she does anything but what she is told. So, there's lots of deceit and secrets and charging around England. It's a terrific, exciting romantic suspense historical romance. I liked it.
January 29, 2016
3.5 stars
I really looked forward to reading this book but I expected it to be better. I still thoroughly enjoyed Abbie and Hugh's story though.
Abby started out as a great heroine but then quickly turned into an annoying and hypocritical one. She was a disappintement to be honest. Hugh on the other hand was great. I like the silent, scholar guy who turns out to be much more than it looks like at first sight. Much of the action (and romance) in the book depended on the hero and heroine (especially heroine) constantly withholding information from eachother and it quickly got annoying.
Despite all it's faults, this is a historical, mystery romance with an engaging plotline and well worth the read in my opinion.
I really looked forward to reading this book but I expected it to be better. I still thoroughly enjoyed Abbie and Hugh's story though.
Abby started out as a great heroine but then quickly turned into an annoying and hypocritical one. She was a disappintement to be honest. Hugh on the other hand was great. I like the silent, scholar guy who turns out to be much more than it looks like at first sight. Much of the action (and romance) in the book depended on the hero and heroine (especially heroine) constantly withholding information from eachother and it quickly got annoying.
Despite all it's faults, this is a historical, mystery romance with an engaging plotline and well worth the read in my opinion.
July 13, 2022
Just finished this book at 2AM.
I am having mixed feelings.
I wanted to love this book more but I was quite frustrated by the heroine. I just couldn't understand why she would lie to the hero about her problems. I loved Abbie and Hugh whenever they are together in the same page, so it was a shame that Abbie spend most of the book hiding things from Hugh when they could have been the best partner in solving the mystery together. Oh wells..
I am having mixed feelings.
I wanted to love this book more but I was quite frustrated by the heroine. I just couldn't understand why she would lie to the hero about her problems. I loved Abbie and Hugh whenever they are together in the same page, so it was a shame that Abbie spend most of the book hiding things from Hugh when they could have been the best partner in solving the mystery together. Oh wells..
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 7, 2008
WHISPER HIS NAME - Okay
Thornton, Elizabeth - 1st in series
Independent and stubbornly unmarried, Abbie Vayle has always been a little too smart for her own good. But she may have gone too far when she starts her own rare-book business--and accidentally acquires an antique book in Paris with a mysterious code scribbled in the margins....
Someone wants the book back--and is willing to kill to get it. The only trouble is, Abbie no longer has the book. It's locked away in the customs house in Dover. Now it's a race against time as Abbie stays one step ahead of her pursuers. The last person she wants to confide in is her best friend, Hugh Templar, whom she knows only as a formidable scholar who shares her passion for Roman antiquities.
But as Hugh keeps turning up where she least expects him, a few things begin to dawn on her....Not only is Hugh surprisingly--in fact incredibly--handsome without his glasses on, but he's strangely "professional" in how he handles her mysterious enemies.
Hugh is clearly not what he seems. And soon Abbie realizes that neither is she...as she discovers what it means to love with all her heart and soul.
Spies, a code book, Napolitian - it was only okay.
Thornton, Elizabeth - 1st in series
Independent and stubbornly unmarried, Abbie Vayle has always been a little too smart for her own good. But she may have gone too far when she starts her own rare-book business--and accidentally acquires an antique book in Paris with a mysterious code scribbled in the margins....
Someone wants the book back--and is willing to kill to get it. The only trouble is, Abbie no longer has the book. It's locked away in the customs house in Dover. Now it's a race against time as Abbie stays one step ahead of her pursuers. The last person she wants to confide in is her best friend, Hugh Templar, whom she knows only as a formidable scholar who shares her passion for Roman antiquities.
But as Hugh keeps turning up where she least expects him, a few things begin to dawn on her....Not only is Hugh surprisingly--in fact incredibly--handsome without his glasses on, but he's strangely "professional" in how he handles her mysterious enemies.
Hugh is clearly not what he seems. And soon Abbie realizes that neither is she...as she discovers what it means to love with all her heart and soul.
Spies, a code book, Napolitian - it was only okay.
December 31, 2024
Abbie is a confirmed spinster and bluestocking, living on her own in Bath. After a jaunt to Paris with her brother she finds herself drawn into British espionage. Her close friend, Hugh, is a fellow scholar that like herself, decries ever marrying. Little does Abbie know that Hugh was a high ranking spy in the British army during the Napoleonic war. Trying to save her brother and protect the scholarly Hugh from a French assassin, Abbie journeys to London in search of a book.
A Regency romance with hard core spy tropes, the story starts with a dead drop from a French agent. The juxtaposition of romance and spy novel is finely balanced. Abbie is a great protagonist, with hidden resources that make her strong, but not overtly special. Hugh is complicated enough to believe his actions toward Abbie and to justify his character arc. Old school romance written in the '90's. Fun romp with a couple of spicy scenes. One of my favorite Regency romance from one of my favorite historical romance authors.
A Regency romance with hard core spy tropes, the story starts with a dead drop from a French agent. The juxtaposition of romance and spy novel is finely balanced. Abbie is a great protagonist, with hidden resources that make her strong, but not overtly special. Hugh is complicated enough to believe his actions toward Abbie and to justify his character arc. Old school romance written in the '90's. Fun romp with a couple of spicy scenes. One of my favorite Regency romance from one of my favorite historical romance authors.
January 12, 2016
A decir verdad, no me gusto mucho. La trama parecía entretenida en un inicio pero luego ya no me lo parecio. Otras veces me saco una sonrisa, pero no fue nada de otro mundom En cuanto a los personajes, Hugh si me gusto, de hecho, fue lo mejor. Es el caballero perfecto, educado y guapo. Abbie tambien me gusto al inicio pero luego me pareció que se volvía una protagonista un poco sosa a pesar de que me caia bien. En mi opinión, ella complico las cosas por si sola, si hubiera confiado un poco mas en Hugh tal vez todo se hubiera resulto más deprisa.
August 27, 2014
I actually liked this very much. I like a romantic suspense. I used to like scary books like Dean Koontz, but I don't really like not being able to sleep at night now! This is light suspense and action. I wish I knew more authors like this one. This is a new author for me.
November 21, 2011
This could have been a four star, but for some reason Thornton had the heroine weeping, sobbing, fainting, and tearing up on every page. Tears for everything, the good, the bad, and the really bad.
September 17, 2015
Hugh Templar? Really? Not a better name then that? Much if the ridiculousness in the book could have been avoided if Abbie would have just told the truth.
April 18, 2016
This was a lot of fun, interesting premise, spy intrigue mixed with romance, but I can't rate higher; I didn't believe the heroine would make the choices she did, too much false conflict.
January 25, 2018
leído en Abril 2014
Me gustó bastante, fue una historia bonita y entretenida!
Falsa apariencia
#1 Serie "Princesas"
UNA MUJER EN APUROS
Abbie Vayle es demasiado testaruda e independiente para la época que le ha tocado vivir. En 1814 no se entiende que una mujer guapa siga soltera a los veintisiete años. Claro que eso a ella no le importa, porque ahora su principal problema es salvar la vida de su hermano, que ha sido secuestrado. ¿A quién puede pedir ayuda? El único amigo que tiene es Hugh Templar, un hombre demasiado inmerso en sus libros para fijarse en las mujeres, un pusilánime que sería incapaz de enfrentarse a unos malhechores. ¿O no es así?
UN LOBO CON PIEL DE CORDERO
Hugh Templar tiene el convencimiento de que Abbie le oculta algo, y está decidido a averiguarlo. Aunque se ha visto obligado a disimularlo, la joven de inmensos ojos grises le ha robado el corazón y ha embriagado sus sentidos. Nadie mejor que Hugh, avezado espía al servicio de Su Majestad, para olfatear el misterio y detectar la amenaza. Abbie corre peligro, de modo que Hugh Templar no tendrá más remedio que quitarse la careta de sabio despistado para actuar... y esta vez se empleará a fondo en todos los frentes.
Me gustó bastante, fue una historia bonita y entretenida!
Falsa apariencia
#1 Serie "Princesas"
UNA MUJER EN APUROS
Abbie Vayle es demasiado testaruda e independiente para la época que le ha tocado vivir. En 1814 no se entiende que una mujer guapa siga soltera a los veintisiete años. Claro que eso a ella no le importa, porque ahora su principal problema es salvar la vida de su hermano, que ha sido secuestrado. ¿A quién puede pedir ayuda? El único amigo que tiene es Hugh Templar, un hombre demasiado inmerso en sus libros para fijarse en las mujeres, un pusilánime que sería incapaz de enfrentarse a unos malhechores. ¿O no es así?
UN LOBO CON PIEL DE CORDERO
Hugh Templar tiene el convencimiento de que Abbie le oculta algo, y está decidido a averiguarlo. Aunque se ha visto obligado a disimularlo, la joven de inmensos ojos grises le ha robado el corazón y ha embriagado sus sentidos. Nadie mejor que Hugh, avezado espía al servicio de Su Majestad, para olfatear el misterio y detectar la amenaza. Abbie corre peligro, de modo que Hugh Templar no tendrá más remedio que quitarse la careta de sabio despistado para actuar... y esta vez se empleará a fondo en todos los frentes.
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May 31, 2022I picked this up thinking it would be a quick read before leaving on a trip... it had been a while since I'd read a book by Thornton, but my memory was of jaunty romantic adventures, perhaps some suspense, but lightly so. This began with high stakes indeed - two quick deaths and an apparently psychopathic killer... Not quite what I was expecting.
Once I'd settled into it and readjusted my expectations, I enjoyed it on the whole.
I do gnash my teeth at heroines who find themselves in danger and lie to those who might be in a position to help. I suppose it was meant to be amusing that she saw the hero as a sort of nerdy fop most of the time, although his physique evoked gladiators...
She managed to make things far more complicated than necessary, but fortunately (oh! surprise!) everything works out in the end.
In the end it made for an exciting read during the road trip part of the trip.
Once I'd settled into it and readjusted my expectations, I enjoyed it on the whole.
I do gnash my teeth at heroines who find themselves in danger and lie to those who might be in a position to help. I suppose it was meant to be amusing that she saw the hero as a sort of nerdy fop most of the time, although his physique evoked gladiators...
She managed to make things far more complicated than necessary, but fortunately (oh! surprise!) everything works out in the end.
In the end it made for an exciting read during the road trip part of the trip.
May 14, 2021
I didn't particularly like Abbie. I have no idea why she felt she needed to lie to Hugh about her situation. If she had come clean and they had worked together I think it would have been a much better story as the intrigue with the book Abbie was handed was quite good. I liked Hugh. He was awesome. I didn't particularly like the ending. Apparently there's an epilogue you can get but I'm not that interested.
April 30, 2022
3.5
I liked the book up until the misunderstandings and bad communication at the end. And it never really felt like any of the legitimate grievances were resolved between the couple. They made up, but I couldn't really tell why other than the kissing and sex.
I liked the book up until the misunderstandings and bad communication at the end. And it never really felt like any of the legitimate grievances were resolved between the couple. They made up, but I couldn't really tell why other than the kissing and sex.
September 25, 2017
Spies and romance
A very enjoyable book which combines romance and historical spy story in equal amounts. 3.5 stars or 4 romance stars.
A very enjoyable book which combines romance and historical spy story in equal amounts. 3.5 stars or 4 romance stars.
November 1, 2018
This is the first book I've read from this author and I've really enjoyed it.
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February 23, 2020DNF
November 13, 2025
Just okay.
February 19, 2017
4.5 stars. There were moments when I was angry at the heroine but otherwise it's a very good book.
August 22, 2015
The Publisher's Weekly reviewer was right--"much of the action and romantic developments depend on the hero and heroine's repeatedly withholding information from each other--a device that quickly becomes tiresome to the reader."
Hugh I can understand, because he is bound by the Regency equivalent of the Official Secrets Act. But Abby? Maybe some people understand her unwillingness to confide in Hugh, but I personally think she's an idiot, especially with an assassin after her. Esp. when her brother's like is at stake as well as hers. Especially since she needs a man's help! Because it IS the Regency, after all. The fact that she escapes Nemo not once but twice is pretty ludicrous if he's the best France has to offer.
Hugh I can understand, because he is bound by the Regency equivalent of the Official Secrets Act. But Abby? Maybe some people understand her unwillingness to confide in Hugh, but I personally think she's an idiot, especially with an assassin after her. Esp. when her brother's like is at stake as well as hers. Especially since she needs a man's help! Because it IS the Regency, after all. The fact that she escapes Nemo not once but twice is pretty ludicrous if he's the best France has to offer.
October 1, 2015
This was just not my cup of tea. When I read a regency period book I look for the characters to follow some of the rules of that society. The author just set the characters in the period to take advantage of the Napoleonic Wars to create the plot to her story. I could have stuck it out but she took around 290 pages to write a 130 page book. She dragged out the story with continued back and forth mistrust between the characters. Now don't get me wrong, I give the author lots of credit for writing a book, something I could never do, and you might enjoy this story if you are not looking for authenticity of any kind and you just want a long mindless read.
June 18, 2016
I found this book through a goodreads giveaway that I didn't win. It sounded fun and was available through my local library.
And, I'm delighted that it crossed my path! It quite reminded me of the Joanna Bourne Spymasters series. I quite enjoyed those books and enjoyed this one, as well. The heroine was plucky, the hero had more layers than an onion, and the villain was sneaky and kept everyone on their toes. Overall, a quick read that kept me up past bedtime to finish the book.
I happy recommend it to anyone that enjoys romantic suspense!
And, I'm delighted that it crossed my path! It quite reminded me of the Joanna Bourne Spymasters series. I quite enjoyed those books and enjoyed this one, as well. The heroine was plucky, the hero had more layers than an onion, and the villain was sneaky and kept everyone on their toes. Overall, a quick read that kept me up past bedtime to finish the book.
I happy recommend it to anyone that enjoys romantic suspense!
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August 5, 2012Abbie Vayle starts her own rare book business and acquires an antique book in Paris with a mysterious code scrubbed in the margin. Someone wants the book back and is willing to kill for it.
I enjoyed this story. It was a well written mystery that had me guessing until the end.Abbie and Hugh were both smart and very likeable. There was no epilogue. However, the author notes can be obtained by contacting her. And so I did.
I enjoyed this story. It was a well written mystery that had me guessing until the end.Abbie and Hugh were both smart and very likeable. There was no epilogue. However, the author notes can be obtained by contacting her. And so I did.
October 30, 2015
Not as good as I'd hoped. Honestly, Abbie was a disappointment. I like my heroines to be much more forthcoming; I spent most of the book sighing and wishing Abbie were more like a Kleypas or Laurens heroine who usually let the hero in and then they can have an adventure together rather than this mess of a plot line that is constantly going back and forth between betrayal and "yay, they talked" moments.
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