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Rogues and Roses #2
Just Wicked Enough
What will she bid?
Desperate for riches, penniless Michael Tremayne, Marquess of Falconridge, is willing to auction away his only possession of value—his title—to the highest bidding American father. But Kate Rose was the last woman he had in mind to marry. The willful and headstrong Kate requires from marriage the one thing Michael is unable to give—powerful, unending love.
Kate refuses to give into her husband's sensual demands until he has earned her love. Michael is not one to back down from a challenge, but neither does he believe in playing by the rules. While he is unfamiliar with love, he is extremely intimate with passion. He is determined to convince Kate that one can substitute for the other. And what better way to convince her than by patiently and skillfully seducing her? Kate never thought marriage would be so mischievous... or that her husband would persuade her to be so sinful.
Desperate for riches, penniless Michael Tremayne, Marquess of Falconridge, is willing to auction away his only possession of value—his title—to the highest bidding American father. But Kate Rose was the last woman he had in mind to marry. The willful and headstrong Kate requires from marriage the one thing Michael is unable to give—powerful, unending love.
Kate refuses to give into her husband's sensual demands until he has earned her love. Michael is not one to back down from a challenge, but neither does he believe in playing by the rules. While he is unfamiliar with love, he is extremely intimate with passion. He is determined to convince Kate that one can substitute for the other. And what better way to convince her than by patiently and skillfully seducing her? Kate never thought marriage would be so mischievous... or that her husband would persuade her to be so sinful.
384 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published August 28, 2007
76 people are currently reading
1490 people want to read
About the author
Lorraine Heath
90 books4,376 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 183 reviews
March 16, 2010
Wow. My feelings about this book are actually pretty complicated.
First, I hated the heroine for fully 85% of the book. Hated her. She was completely unreasonable and nasty. Totally selfish and childish. Disdainful and ... biggest sin for a heroine in Beanbag Love World ... emasculating. Oh no, missy. Big mistake.
The hero, Michael Tremayne, Marquess of Falconridge, is impoverished, desperate and absolutely heartbreaking. He's got a vibe that puts people off, but it's mainly because he's so afraid of being rejected in life that he's got walls ten yards thick. He's not exactly rude, but he's not exactly charming either. He also has a big secret he's keeping that, while it doesn't seem damning in our time, was a big deal back then. So, he's got some baggage.
Our heroine, Kate, is an American heiress who has her own secrets. How in the world she thinks to sit in judgment of anyone else is beyond me. But one major thing about her that isn't under wraps is that she was in love once before and her family broke that relationship to pieces, causing her to turn her young, first love into an event of legendary status. Naturally, it's not deserving of the pedestal, but she's got herself to think about so don't distract her!
In any case, she resents our dear Michael and treats him pretty much like a dog. Her father has given her control of all the money, with full agreement from Michael, and she uses it with relish. If he doesn't want to do exactly what she wants, she's apt to say 'I might just stop the money flowing', which is pretty freakin' weak since he's got to come to her for every red cent anyway.
I hear you talking amongst yourselves. "Four stars, though, Beanbag? What's up with that?"
The final fifteen percent of the book is home to some of the finest and most well-deserved heroine-groveling I've ever read. Exquisite.
Honestly, the whole time I was reading it, I was near tears for Michael's fate. To be shackled to this nasty-bloomers hagette for life seemed just too cruel.
And also, to be even more honest, I would have loved to see more scenes of them 'accidentally' connecting. There were a few moments, but I love when the H/h find they've been enjoying each other's company for a while without realizing it, because -- of course -- they're meant to be together. But I need to see that happen on screen, as it were.
This book is a tough read in spots, particularly while a reader is mentally dissolving the heroine in toxic sludge, but also when we see glimpses of Michael's back story and his current feelings about himself and his situation. It's engrossing, even if it's difficult and, even with my Kate-hatred, I couldn't put the darn thing down. Michael just got into my brain and I needed to make sure he'd be okay.
All that said, the end is worth the trip, IMO.
PS: To those who know my hatred for Jo Beverley's Portia Malloren (Tempting Fortune), I can't tell you how much I wish she'd spent a good fifteen percent of the book groveling. She might have been redeemed.
First, I hated the heroine for fully 85% of the book. Hated her. She was completely unreasonable and nasty. Totally selfish and childish. Disdainful and ... biggest sin for a heroine in Beanbag Love World ... emasculating. Oh no, missy. Big mistake.
The hero, Michael Tremayne, Marquess of Falconridge, is impoverished, desperate and absolutely heartbreaking. He's got a vibe that puts people off, but it's mainly because he's so afraid of being rejected in life that he's got walls ten yards thick. He's not exactly rude, but he's not exactly charming either. He also has a big secret he's keeping that, while it doesn't seem damning in our time, was a big deal back then. So, he's got some baggage.
Our heroine, Kate, is an American heiress who has her own secrets. How in the world she thinks to sit in judgment of anyone else is beyond me. But one major thing about her that isn't under wraps is that she was in love once before and her family broke that relationship to pieces, causing her to turn her young, first love into an event of legendary status. Naturally, it's not deserving of the pedestal, but she's got herself to think about so don't distract her!
In any case, she resents our dear Michael and treats him pretty much like a dog. Her father has given her control of all the money, with full agreement from Michael, and she uses it with relish. If he doesn't want to do exactly what she wants, she's apt to say 'I might just stop the money flowing', which is pretty freakin' weak since he's got to come to her for every red cent anyway.
I hear you talking amongst yourselves. "Four stars, though, Beanbag? What's up with that?"
The final fifteen percent of the book is home to some of the finest and most well-deserved heroine-groveling I've ever read. Exquisite.
Honestly, the whole time I was reading it, I was near tears for Michael's fate. To be shackled to this nasty-bloomers hagette for life seemed just too cruel.
And also, to be even more honest, I would have loved to see more scenes of them 'accidentally' connecting. There were a few moments, but I love when the H/h find they've been enjoying each other's company for a while without realizing it, because -- of course -- they're meant to be together. But I need to see that happen on screen, as it were.
This book is a tough read in spots, particularly while a reader is mentally dissolving the heroine in toxic sludge, but also when we see glimpses of Michael's back story and his current feelings about himself and his situation. It's engrossing, even if it's difficult and, even with my Kate-hatred, I couldn't put the darn thing down. Michael just got into my brain and I needed to make sure he'd be okay.
All that said, the end is worth the trip, IMO.
PS: To those who know my hatred for Jo Beverley's Portia Malloren (Tempting Fortune), I can't tell you how much I wish she'd spent a good fifteen percent of the book groveling. She might have been redeemed.
October 21, 2021
Another lovely Lorraine Heath book.
But why are all her heroines always so stuck up and such shrews? The hero’s always tend to be boyfriend/husband material but the heroines have me rolling my eyes.
This heroine was annoying tbh, she was so demanding and rarely thought of the hero’s feelings
But why are all her heroines always so stuck up and such shrews? The hero’s always tend to be boyfriend/husband material but the heroines have me rolling my eyes.
This heroine was annoying tbh, she was so demanding and rarely thought of the hero’s feelings
July 27, 2022
Overall: ⭐️⭐️⭐️
Plot/Storyline: 📖📖📖📖
Feels: 🦋🦋
Emotional Depth: 💔💔💔💔
Sexual Tension: ⚡⚡
Romance: 💞💞💞
Sensuality: 💋💋💋
Sex Scene Length: 🍑🍑🍑
Steam Scale (Number of Sex Scenes): 🔥🔥-🔥🔥🔥I feel like this feels like more of a 2 steam book, but there’s 5 scenes (some are very short, all are on the vague side)
Humor: Just a few lines here and there
Perspective: Third person from both 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 )
Should I read in order?
It’s not totally necessary, but I think it would make the story better. Book 1 features a chaperone heroine, and this book’s heroine is one of her charges so you get to know Kate a bit in book 1. Falconridge, the hero, is in it just a bit.
Basic plot:
Falconridge is in desperate need of funds...desperate enough to auction himself off the highest bidder for an American heiress.
Give this a try if you want:
- Victorian time period (1888)
- Mix of country home and London setting
- Auctioned trope – hero auctions himself to the highest bidder for an American heiress
- American heroine, English hero
- Low to mid steam – really hard to count scenes here. This is one of Heath’s lighter books – light in the details. There are a number of scenes but I can’t say it’s a high steam book. Scenes are on the short side and very poetic and romantic and focus on the feelings instead of the specific parts.
Ages:
- For some reason I have it in my head the heroine is 20, but I could be wrong. Early 20s at most I think. Hero is friends with the previous book’s hero, who was 34 so I would guess a similar age.
My thoughts:
Ugh I’m so sad I didn’t like this book. I think a lot of people really like this book and I feel bad it didn’t work for me. Don’t listen to me! Just try it yourself!
Anyway, I found this whole book just made me depressed. And maybe I have enough of that in my life that I just didn’t enjoy reading it too. I didn’t end up loving either character. The whole book kind of felt like it was told to me in a monotone voice and didn’t make me feel much emotionally even though there were A LOT of possibilities for emotional reactions.
The hero and heroine seem to kind of bicker back and forth, and then when they started to get to know each other more, it just felt sad and yucky the way their intimacy progressed. I didn’t like book 1 because there was so much other man and other woman drama from them it drove me bonkers. So to have the heroine’s previous love interest introduced halfway through the book just ended up annoying me again.
This book had a lot going for it that I think I could have gotten into – for some reason Heath just doesn’t bring the emotional pull I need. I need more. More...I don’t know. Darkness? There’s some gutting things that happened in this novel but I just didn’t feel it.
I’ll put a few things below under the spoilers that are specifics.
A few other notes:
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): 🔥🔥-🔥🔥🔥I feel like this feels like more of a 2 steam book, but there’s 5 scenes (some are very short, all are on the vague side)
Humor: Just a few lines here and there
Perspective: Third person from both 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 )
Should I read in order?
It’s not totally necessary, but I think it would make the story better. Book 1 features a chaperone heroine, and this book’s heroine is one of her charges so you get to know Kate a bit in book 1. Falconridge, the hero, is in it just a bit.
Basic plot:
Falconridge is in desperate need of funds...desperate enough to auction himself off the highest bidder for an American heiress.
Give this a try if you want:
- Victorian time period (1888)
- Mix of country home and London setting
- Auctioned trope – hero auctions himself to the highest bidder for an American heiress
- American heroine, English hero
- Low to mid steam – really hard to count scenes here. This is one of Heath’s lighter books – light in the details. There are a number of scenes but I can’t say it’s a high steam book. Scenes are on the short side and very poetic and romantic and focus on the feelings instead of the specific parts.
Ages:
- For some reason I have it in my head the heroine is 20, but I could be wrong. Early 20s at most I think. Hero is friends with the previous book’s hero, who was 34 so I would guess a similar age.
My thoughts:
Ugh I’m so sad I didn’t like this book. I think a lot of people really like this book and I feel bad it didn’t work for me. Don’t listen to me! Just try it yourself!
Anyway, I found this whole book just made me depressed. And maybe I have enough of that in my life that I just didn’t enjoy reading it too. I didn’t end up loving either character. The whole book kind of felt like it was told to me in a monotone voice and didn’t make me feel much emotionally even though there were A LOT of possibilities for emotional reactions.
The hero and heroine seem to kind of bicker back and forth, and then when they started to get to know each other more, it just felt sad and yucky the way their intimacy progressed. I didn’t like book 1 because there was so much other man and other woman drama from them it drove me bonkers. So to have the heroine’s previous love interest introduced halfway through the book just ended up annoying me again.
This book had a lot going for it that I think I could have gotten into – for some reason Heath just doesn’t bring the emotional pull I need. I need more. More...I don’t know. Darkness? There’s some gutting things that happened in this novel but I just didn’t feel it.
I’ll put a few things below under the spoilers that are specifics.
A few other notes:
Content warnings:
Locations of kisses/intimate scenes:
Read
March 21, 2016An American heiress with a British lord. Not my kind of story but I tried. She had the money and lorded it over him asking for love. Not that I don't believe in love, dear Ms. Kate Rose, but I most certainly do not believe you can or should ask someone to love you.
I don't find it romantic at all for women or men to dream of love. It just isn't my kind of fantasy. Good for Kate to dream of blackmailing Michael by withholding money and sex. I find it distasteful.
Not rating because I can't get past Kate telling Michael that she wouldn't give him money or have sex with him unless he had proven that he loved her. My eyes rolled 3 times.
I don't find it romantic at all for women or men to dream of love. It just isn't my kind of fantasy. Good for Kate to dream of blackmailing Michael by withholding money and sex. I find it distasteful.
Not rating because I can't get past Kate telling Michael that she wouldn't give him money or have sex with him unless he had proven that he loved her. My eyes rolled 3 times.
September 2, 2013
When I was still reading the first half of this book, I was going to give it 3 stars for being an inoffensive take on a marriage of convenience: better done than most (Lorraine Heath's writing lost all of its soul when she made the switch from western historicals to cliched regencies/victorians but her prose is still better than most of what's out there) but nothing exceptional and still requiring a good deal of suspension of disbelief.
And then the heroine started to act like an insensitive moron when she kept meeting her ex-lover. Again, and again and again. She even agreed to meet him at her husband's residence: her reasoning was that meeting him in the house proper would be tacky but the gardens were okay.
She knew it was wrong but she still kept doing it until the very last pages. The last time it happened, she'd decided to be all noble and that it would be the right thing to meet the guy to tell him not to seek her out again. Lady, send him a note! He married someone else instead of waiting for you. You don't owe him anything. And your husband has caught you with him twice already! In public places! And on one of these occasions, you were being kissed and doing nothing much to extricate yourself from the situation.
I'm usually more annoyed with historical heroes because they're often written as overbearing jerks. Here the hero was certainly no angel but it was the heroine who brought the book down. I started the book feeling sorry for her and being admirative of the way she tried to get the most out of her marriage of convenience (after all, poor girl got hitched to a guy who auctioned himself for money and who actually would have preferred to marry her sister but took what he could get) but her behavior quickly took a turn for the worse.
Both leads had an opposite trajectory: Hero started off as a jerk and spent the rest of the book trying to make amends (sometimes clumsily). Heroine started off as the victim and behaved admirably under the circumstances but then turned into an unsympathetic idiot.
April 17, 2022
De 2 sterren zijn voornamelijk te danken aan de eerste bed scene halverwege het verhaal . Ok ze zijn getrouwd dus hij heeft bepaalde rechten - historisch correct natuurlijk ! - maar ik vond het niet ècht prettig om te lezen .
December 8, 2015
Michael Tremayne, Marquess of Falconridge, auctions himself off and finds himself betrothed to Kate Rose, American heiress. She wants love, he wants...something else? Allegedly it's money but really he wants someone to want him or something. I don't know: the man had a boatload of angst and I am dying of plague so you can't expect me to suss out the particulars. She has an old flame who keeps flitting about, and he has that boatload of angst to sink. And boners. The end.
1. I liked the portrayal of two different individuals attempting to navigate the perils of marriage??
2. But that said, whaaaat. Kate throws down the gauntlet very early that she will not go to bed with Michael until he knows her, loves her. Or something. Except then she continually shies away from any attempts at getting to know her. Part of it is entangled in her (physical) history with her former paramour, and part of it is her own insecurities over love and passion and all that stuff. Neither are developed enough.
3. Michael's boatload of angst was explained, for the most part. Rejection, being forgotten, a sense of insecurity: of course he opened himself up to ~feeling for Kate without realizing what he was getting himself into and I understood his stupidity. Whatever that means.
4. lsdfjdjk i can't believe he couldn't figure out her favorite color SERIOUSLY LET'S TRY ROY G BIV HOLY JEBUS.
5. Overall, a light froth of a novel that was entertaining but not overly engaging. Entertaining but not great?? CONFUSING?? I don't know. Heath, your adoration of (beautiful, of course) American heiresses in marriages of convenience intrigues me but hasn't yet landed.
1. I liked the portrayal of two different individuals attempting to navigate the perils of marriage??
2. But that said, whaaaat. Kate throws down the gauntlet very early that she will not go to bed with Michael until he knows her, loves her. Or something. Except then she continually shies away from any attempts at getting to know her. Part of it is entangled in her (physical) history with her former paramour, and part of it is her own insecurities over love and passion and all that stuff. Neither are developed enough.
3. Michael's boatload of angst was explained, for the most part. Rejection, being forgotten, a sense of insecurity: of course he opened himself up to ~feeling for Kate without realizing what he was getting himself into and I understood his stupidity. Whatever that means.
4. lsdfjdjk i can't believe he couldn't figure out her favorite color SERIOUSLY LET'S TRY ROY G BIV HOLY JEBUS.
5. Overall, a light froth of a novel that was entertaining but not overly engaging. Entertaining but not great?? CONFUSING?? I don't know. Heath, your adoration of (beautiful, of course) American heiresses in marriages of convenience intrigues me but hasn't yet landed.
October 26, 2013
Loved it. I have a 3 hour, 5 day a week commute and the radio gets old so I listen to audiobooks. This is definitely a reread (or re-listen for me).
I don't like that some of the reviewers are so critical of books of this genre. These books are written to fill a specific need and there are only so many story lines available, so appreciate the genre and base your opinion on the way the story is written, the dialogue between characters, the description of a steamy scene.
A marriage of convenience: Broke English Lord needs the daughter of a wealthy American businessman, but it's not just about money or marrying into the ton. The underlying reasons behind the marriage makes the story unique.
I love the hero, dark, mysterious and of course at the end, the heroine finally realizes all the little things he's done for her, showing her he has been learning who she is.
I don't like that some of the reviewers are so critical of books of this genre. These books are written to fill a specific need and there are only so many story lines available, so appreciate the genre and base your opinion on the way the story is written, the dialogue between characters, the description of a steamy scene.
A marriage of convenience: Broke English Lord needs the daughter of a wealthy American businessman, but it's not just about money or marrying into the ton. The underlying reasons behind the marriage makes the story unique.
I love the hero, dark, mysterious and of course at the end, the heroine finally realizes all the little things he's done for her, showing her he has been learning who she is.
April 24, 2020
Update Apr 2020
Tried to read it again last week and I ended up hating Kate so much, it was simply impossible. That woman obviously doesn't know any other words other than ME and WANT; "I want you to like ME", I want you to care for ME", "I want you to please ME", "I want you to want ME", ME, ME, ME... Unfortunately her father had Michael sign an agreement than no man in real life would sign (he techninally didn't give the money he promised to Michael, but to his daughter to do as she pleases with them), and as they say absolute power corrupts absolutely. Thus Kate ("You'll find me easy to please" ha!) became a small dictator, ordering Michael around. It's a pity that Michael was so meek and kindhearted, Kate just didn't deserve such a nice man. I wanted to read more about Michael, but I couldn't stand her.
Yet years ago I read and reread it, always disliking Kate, though never to such a degree, so the book is not bad. You just need patience and I don't have it right now.
Tried to read it again last week and I ended up hating Kate so much, it was simply impossible. That woman obviously doesn't know any other words other than ME and WANT; "I want you to like ME", I want you to care for ME", "I want you to please ME", "I want you to want ME", ME, ME, ME... Unfortunately her father had Michael sign an agreement than no man in real life would sign (he techninally didn't give the money he promised to Michael, but to his daughter to do as she pleases with them), and as they say absolute power corrupts absolutely. Thus Kate ("You'll find me easy to please" ha!) became a small dictator, ordering Michael around. It's a pity that Michael was so meek and kindhearted, Kate just didn't deserve such a nice man. I wanted to read more about Michael, but I couldn't stand her.
Yet years ago I read and reread it, always disliking Kate, though never to such a degree, so the book is not bad. You just need patience and I don't have it right now.
January 24, 2011
Once again, I accidentally borrowed a book that I had already read. But in my defense, I was just going through Heath's bibliography and didn't pay attention to the blurb. The added bonus was that when I read the previous book in the series, A Duke of Her Own, I really wanted to know more about Marquess Falconridge and Miss Kate Rose. How fortunate for me that they were the leads in this novel and that I loved it the first time - and loved it the second time as well!
This novel encompasses the best of this genre: strong, believable leads; realistic character growth; realistic love blossoming; and a fun plot. Sure, some plot devices are silly and cliche (eg: forced marriage, return of a first love), but Heath handles them well and makes for very moving scenes. I admit, I cried a few times.
I am so pleased that I found this book again. I usually don't remember plots of romances due to the sheer volume I read, but I remembered this one immediately upon reading the first paragraph. That's good writing!
Highly recommend!
This novel encompasses the best of this genre: strong, believable leads; realistic character growth; realistic love blossoming; and a fun plot. Sure, some plot devices are silly and cliche (eg: forced marriage, return of a first love), but Heath handles them well and makes for very moving scenes. I admit, I cried a few times.
I am so pleased that I found this book again. I usually don't remember plots of romances due to the sheer volume I read, but I remembered this one immediately upon reading the first paragraph. That's good writing!
Highly recommend!
January 27, 2013
To me there is something decidedly unromantic about money issues in a Romance Novel.
And if money happens to be a major plot ingredient, where the hero has to humble himself over and over again in front of the heroine for a few thousand pounds, then all the mush in the world can't redeem the story in my eyes.
Ms. Heath is an extraordinary writer and I'm sure had I cared enough to finish the book, I would have had some thing pleasantly remarkable to say now, but sadly I just couldn't.
And if money happens to be a major plot ingredient, where the hero has to humble himself over and over again in front of the heroine for a few thousand pounds, then all the mush in the world can't redeem the story in my eyes.
Ms. Heath is an extraordinary writer and I'm sure had I cared enough to finish the book, I would have had some thing pleasantly remarkable to say now, but sadly I just couldn't.
February 13, 2014
While reading I thought this must be one of the most beautiful novels I have ever read. I loved that it seemed it was from Michael's point of view most of the time. And that he was the one who was more vulnerable than Kate. Normally, in historical romances it is the other way around. It was refreshing for me and made me appreciate the way he fell in love with her. Sigh :)
March 24, 2016
A lovely read in parts. We meet characters from book 1 in this series, and the plot again was emotional. A bit teary for me too, as my mother had dementia.
Only 2 novels to this series - I wish there were more. This series doesn't appear to have been finished!
Only 2 novels to this series - I wish there were more. This series doesn't appear to have been finished!
September 7, 2019
#BookLove2019: Michael Tremayde
Me encanta la personalidad de Michael: reservado, orgulloso, un poco arisco, pero, completamente perseverante y decidido.
Es una historia de amor, con muchas confrontaciones, pero muy muy entretenida.
May 3, 2016
3.5 stars
That heroine is a complete hypocrite. At least, she comes to recognize her faults.
That heroine is a complete hypocrite. At least, she comes to recognize her faults.
April 25, 2014
5 stars.
Michael, a poor Marquess, needed fund desperately for his mother. He decided to auction his only possession, his title. Enter the heroine, Kate. Kate's father was one of the peers that had a lot of money but no title. So her father bid him for his daughter, Kate.
The problem was, Kate had been married before with Wesley Wedley the jerk (no, it wasn't his real name), when she's seventeen, but her marriage was annulled. Wesley Wedley the jerk had tasted his dessert, tho, if you know what I mean. Kate had been in love with him so now she wouldn't accept less in her marriage. She wanted a husband who knew her fav color. Geez. So Michael ended up courting his wife.
Michael was a boy - sorry, a man - who appeared as a cold hard man, but had a heart like a golden. You'll know what I mean after you read it.
He's so humble, eager to please, and the most unselfish hero I've ever met. I didn't even find a flaw in him (or maybe it's just me). All I could see throughout the book was he's so worthy of love.
He's so unselfish that when he knew she love the Wesley Wedley bastard, he just accepted it and gave her permission to pretend he was someone else while he loved her. He didn't kiss her and didn't make even a tiny sound when he made love to her so he wouldn't ruin her fantasy *sounds of my heart fell*
He's trying so hard to worth her only affection, because he knew that she would never love him like she loved the Wesley Wedley *sounds of my heart broken to pieces*
And the most part that triggered my emotion was Michael tried to save Wesley Wedley from getting shot, because he knew she loved him NOOOO!! *at this point my heart had already bleeding for him*. I wanted to hug him, gave him comfort and love he deserved all along.
And you know what the Wesley Wedley the jerk did after Michael saved him?? He wanted to leave Michael to die! WHAT A JERK!! I would be so happy to shot him myself. *cut his p**** more likely!*
So you see why I said he's the most unselfish hero I've ever met, so worthy of love I wanted to shed my tear for him..eh, I actually did. He's trying to please everyone but him.
Kate...was a find heroine. I didn't dislike her nor hate her, I just found that I wasn't really satisfied with her. I mean, I need more from her to decide she's worthy enough for my Michael *ups!* But well, since Michael's happiness was her, then yeah, it's okay.. humph..
This book was so good, and to think I skipped the first chapters, ugh! But I just can't repeat it. I despised myself!! Things I'm sure was 3/4 of books was worth a gold. Who I'm kidding, my Michael's worth of golds.
"If it pleases you."
And in his words, as always, Kate heard the echo of I love you.
Still melting for him right now <3 <3 <3
Michael, a poor Marquess, needed fund desperately for his mother. He decided to auction his only possession, his title. Enter the heroine, Kate. Kate's father was one of the peers that had a lot of money but no title. So her father bid him for his daughter, Kate.
The problem was, Kate had been married before with Wesley Wedley the jerk (no, it wasn't his real name), when she's seventeen, but her marriage was annulled. Wesley Wedley the jerk had tasted his dessert, tho, if you know what I mean. Kate had been in love with him so now she wouldn't accept less in her marriage. She wanted a husband who knew her fav color. Geez. So Michael ended up courting his wife.
Michael was a boy - sorry, a man - who appeared as a cold hard man, but had a heart like a golden. You'll know what I mean after you read it.
He's so humble, eager to please, and the most unselfish hero I've ever met. I didn't even find a flaw in him (or maybe it's just me). All I could see throughout the book was he's so worthy of love.
He's so unselfish that when he knew she love the Wesley Wedley bastard, he just accepted it and gave her permission to pretend he was someone else while he loved her. He didn't kiss her and didn't make even a tiny sound when he made love to her so he wouldn't ruin her fantasy *sounds of my heart fell*
He's trying so hard to worth her only affection, because he knew that she would never love him like she loved the Wesley Wedley *sounds of my heart broken to pieces*
And the most part that triggered my emotion was Michael tried to save Wesley Wedley from getting shot, because he knew she loved him NOOOO!! *at this point my heart had already bleeding for him*. I wanted to hug him, gave him comfort and love he deserved all along.
And you know what the Wesley Wedley the jerk did after Michael saved him?? He wanted to leave Michael to die! WHAT A JERK!! I would be so happy to shot him myself. *cut his p**** more likely!*
So you see why I said he's the most unselfish hero I've ever met, so worthy of love I wanted to shed my tear for him..eh, I actually did. He's trying to please everyone but him.
Kate...was a find heroine. I didn't dislike her nor hate her, I just found that I wasn't really satisfied with her. I mean, I need more from her to decide she's worthy enough for my Michael *ups!* But well, since Michael's happiness was her, then yeah, it's okay.. humph..
This book was so good, and to think I skipped the first chapters, ugh! But I just can't repeat it. I despised myself!! Things I'm sure was 3/4 of books was worth a gold. Who I'm kidding, my Michael's worth of golds.
"If it pleases you."
And in his words, as always, Kate heard the echo of I love you.
Still melting for him right now <3 <3 <3
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 31, 2012
This was another really great read from Lorraine Heath... jeez, she can make me swoon like nobody's business! Love it!
I overall enjoyed this story and the characters. It was a little uncomfortable at times at the way the situation with Michael, Kate, and money was set up... a twist on the marriage of convenience thing. I loved Michael and could really relate with him to the point that I had tears in my eyes at one point. I'm glad that both characters grew and came out better people in the end.
I was disappointed we didn't get more closure for Jenny, Jeremy, or Alex, as this is the last book in the series. I really came to care about those secondary characters, and wanted them to have their HEA, especially Jenny and Jeremy...a final redemption for Alex rather than just being rebuffed by Jenny would have been nice as well, especially with his sister, Louisa.
The reason I love to read Lorraine Heath's books is because she always brings up a facet of love to think about. For me, I think this one is about showing love or saying the words. Can you be satisfied by being shown love and not hearing the the words "I love you" - a matter of "actions speak louder than words" for sure.
I love the emotion these books bring... just so much fun to read!
I overall enjoyed this story and the characters. It was a little uncomfortable at times at the way the situation with Michael, Kate, and money was set up... a twist on the marriage of convenience thing. I loved Michael and could really relate with him to the point that I had tears in my eyes at one point. I'm glad that both characters grew and came out better people in the end.
I was disappointed we didn't get more closure for Jenny, Jeremy, or Alex, as this is the last book in the series. I really came to care about those secondary characters, and wanted them to have their HEA, especially Jenny and Jeremy...a final redemption for Alex rather than just being rebuffed by Jenny would have been nice as well, especially with his sister, Louisa.
The reason I love to read Lorraine Heath's books is because she always brings up a facet of love to think about. For me, I think this one is about showing love or saying the words. Can you be satisfied by being shown love and not hearing the the words "I love you" - a matter of "actions speak louder than words" for sure.
I love the emotion these books bring... just so much fun to read!
May 1, 2025
This has been a super light reading year for me. Yikes. My thing at the beginning of the year was to read more historicals, less contemporaries. But somehow that just turned into avoiding reading and just watching movies. (I have AMC A-List and I've been going to the movies, like, twice a week. According to Letterboxd, I've watched 50 movies this year).
Anyways, I liked this book a lot. We got off on the wrong foot slightly but I did enjoy it. I really liked Kate, our heroine. The top reviews complain about Kate's awful brattiness but like.. I don't see it? Michael has a really sad backstory but he's a pretty huge jerk to Kate for most of the story. This isn't a flaw of the book and I liked how they both sort of grovel near the end. But I have no idea how you can come out of a story like this and go "man, I hated that bitch heroine".
Definitely a 3.5/5 but what's the harm in rounding up? I've got some extra desk time today so I'll try reading something else.
Anyways, I liked this book a lot. We got off on the wrong foot slightly but I did enjoy it. I really liked Kate, our heroine. The top reviews complain about Kate's awful brattiness but like.. I don't see it? Michael has a really sad backstory but he's a pretty huge jerk to Kate for most of the story. This isn't a flaw of the book and I liked how they both sort of grovel near the end. But I have no idea how you can come out of a story like this and go "man, I hated that bitch heroine".
Definitely a 3.5/5 but what's the harm in rounding up? I've got some extra desk time today so I'll try reading something else.
February 10, 2008
My Take:
This book was enjoyable- a true guilty pleasure worth every moment. Despite it’s fairly mediocre plot, I couldn’t help but get emotionally involved with our heroes.
Yes, Michael is a secretive dolt, and Kate is obnoxious and selfish, but in so many ways they are like all of us, which makes it hard not to like them. Who secretly (or not so secretly) doesn’t want to fall madly in love, to have a guy prove to you he loves you for who you are, and even knows your favorite color? And who hasn’t had a moment when they felt utterly selfish for taking someone for granted and not noticing all the little things they did for us?
Perhaps the most wonderful thing about this novel is its utter sensuality. The sex scenes are a refreshing, focusing more on the mood than on the characters sexualities. They flowed well with the story and incorporated flawlessly into the novel.
Also, the book has some rather touching moments concerning real-life issues, which. Lorraine Heath manages to address without trivializing or taking away from the story.
Perhaps the worst part of the novel is it’s slow pace. We know they’re going to fall in love- can they hurry up already!
What to look out for:
1) Angst. This book has it in spades. Beware extreme acts of martyrdom, followed by pages of self-pity. There is no escape.
2) Poor naming. I don't think that every English lord is actually named after some sort of bird...
3) Euphemisms and cliches. There were endless mentions of "husbandly rights" followed by the infamous "I will not be denied" line. Really, for once I'd like to read about "wifely rights".
This book was enjoyable- a true guilty pleasure worth every moment. Despite it’s fairly mediocre plot, I couldn’t help but get emotionally involved with our heroes.
Yes, Michael is a secretive dolt, and Kate is obnoxious and selfish, but in so many ways they are like all of us, which makes it hard not to like them. Who secretly (or not so secretly) doesn’t want to fall madly in love, to have a guy prove to you he loves you for who you are, and even knows your favorite color? And who hasn’t had a moment when they felt utterly selfish for taking someone for granted and not noticing all the little things they did for us?
Perhaps the most wonderful thing about this novel is its utter sensuality. The sex scenes are a refreshing, focusing more on the mood than on the characters sexualities. They flowed well with the story and incorporated flawlessly into the novel.
Also, the book has some rather touching moments concerning real-life issues, which. Lorraine Heath manages to address without trivializing or taking away from the story.
Perhaps the worst part of the novel is it’s slow pace. We know they’re going to fall in love- can they hurry up already!
What to look out for:
1) Angst. This book has it in spades. Beware extreme acts of martyrdom, followed by pages of self-pity. There is no escape.
2) Poor naming. I don't think that every English lord is actually named after some sort of bird...
3) Euphemisms and cliches. There were endless mentions of "husbandly rights" followed by the infamous "I will not be denied" line. Really, for once I'd like to read about "wifely rights".
January 10, 2014
I gave this book a 3 star. Although I enjoyed the book the heroin in the story got on my nerves. She was so annoying and selfish.
The hero was my favorite part of the whole story. He did what he thought would impress the heroin.
The hero was my favorite part of the whole story. He did what he thought would impress the heroin.
December 12, 2024
This is one of the Lorraine Heath novels that is doing really difficult work and, therefore, may be off-putting to some readers. But when you take your personal opinions of the characters out of the equation, it becomes apparent that she is telling us something important. It reminds me of Once More, My Darling Rogue in that way.
Kate Rose is the younger daughter of an American business magnate who is destined to marry a titled man. Michael Tremayne, the Marquess of Falconridge is absolutely broke and needs an heiress to discharge his debts so he can take care of his many responsibilities. In an act of desperation, he auctions himself off to the highest bidder among a group of wealthy American fathers. Mr. Rose wins that auction and tells Michael he will be marrying his younger daughter, Kate. No one discloses to Kate any of these details. She goes into the marriage having had almost no contact with Michael while keeping her own secrets. In order to protect herself, she rebuffs Michael's advances and keeps him out of her bed.
This book digs into a number of complicated issues, including the emotional restrictions society places on young boys, childhood abuse, the nature of young love, family secrets and what it means to care for an aging and sick parent.
Kate has the most obvious issues early on in the book. It is clear from her storyline in the previous novel of this series that she had a great love but was forced to give him up, leaving her heartbroken. But Kate needs to grapple with her own role in that love affair. Did she really love Wesley and if she did, why did she give him up so easily? Since she gave him up, why is she so resentful of everyone else? And why does she prioritize her happiness over that of her husband, almost as if she's punishing him for what happened to her, despite the fact that he wasn't involved.
Michael has to confront his isolated, abusive childhood and how that has impacted his emotional maturity as an adult. He's also trying to care for a parent with dementia in a time when there was limited understanding of the brain and how it works. And because treatment is primitive, he carries substantial guilt for what he puts his mother through. Add on top of that the power imbalance due to the financial situation in his marriage and he is a tinderbox.
Lorraine Heath is not afraid to take big swings. She is not afraid to tackle uncomfortable subjects. She is not afraid to make her readers squirm while she takes on difficult situations. I spent a lot of this book being uncomfortable because things Kate said hit too close to him or I empathized with Michael's challenges with his mom. And while that doesn't make for the most pleasant reading experience, it does make for one that will stick with me.
4.5 stars, rounded up to 5 because Goodreads...
Kate Rose is the younger daughter of an American business magnate who is destined to marry a titled man. Michael Tremayne, the Marquess of Falconridge is absolutely broke and needs an heiress to discharge his debts so he can take care of his many responsibilities. In an act of desperation, he auctions himself off to the highest bidder among a group of wealthy American fathers. Mr. Rose wins that auction and tells Michael he will be marrying his younger daughter, Kate. No one discloses to Kate any of these details. She goes into the marriage having had almost no contact with Michael while keeping her own secrets. In order to protect herself, she rebuffs Michael's advances and keeps him out of her bed.
This book digs into a number of complicated issues, including the emotional restrictions society places on young boys, childhood abuse, the nature of young love, family secrets and what it means to care for an aging and sick parent.
Kate has the most obvious issues early on in the book. It is clear from her storyline in the previous novel of this series that she had a great love but was forced to give him up, leaving her heartbroken. But Kate needs to grapple with her own role in that love affair. Did she really love Wesley and if she did, why did she give him up so easily? Since she gave him up, why is she so resentful of everyone else? And why does she prioritize her happiness over that of her husband, almost as if she's punishing him for what happened to her, despite the fact that he wasn't involved.
Michael has to confront his isolated, abusive childhood and how that has impacted his emotional maturity as an adult. He's also trying to care for a parent with dementia in a time when there was limited understanding of the brain and how it works. And because treatment is primitive, he carries substantial guilt for what he puts his mother through. Add on top of that the power imbalance due to the financial situation in his marriage and he is a tinderbox.
Lorraine Heath is not afraid to take big swings. She is not afraid to tackle uncomfortable subjects. She is not afraid to make her readers squirm while she takes on difficult situations. I spent a lot of this book being uncomfortable because things Kate said hit too close to him or I empathized with Michael's challenges with his mom. And while that doesn't make for the most pleasant reading experience, it does make for one that will stick with me.
4.5 stars, rounded up to 5 because Goodreads...
November 5, 2019
Diversamente do que indica a sinopse desse livro, ao se colocar como “objeto” em um leilão privado para ricos pais americanos, Michael Tremayne, marquês de Falconridge, não estava colocando à disposição tão somente o seu título em favor de uma das suas mimadas filhas através do casamento, ele estava violando a si mesmo, pois tal ato representava a quebra de seu orgulho masculino, da sua dignidade. Para completar, o pai que o “arrematou” colocou-o como noivo de Kate, uma mulher temperamental, que não aceitava nada menos do que amor no seu leito. Rejeitado, Michael empreende uma paciente empreitada em busca de conquistar a afeição da esposa. O que ele não sabe é que Kate guarda um segredo, um amor do passado, o qual ela teve que abrir mão por imposição da família. Além disso, Michael também oculta de Kate alguém muito importante para si, e as razões pelas quais se viu em uma situação de endividamento. Pois bem. O livro é muito bom, tem personagens bem elaborados com um enredo de fundo intrigante. Michael é encantador, solitário, reservado, tem um ar triste, algo que remonta ao seu passado e a sua criação. Um homem lindo, mas não muito bem resolvido quando se trata de finanças e mulheres. De qualquer forma, tem um inegável carisma, especialmente quando busca de várias maneiras identificar a cor favorita de Kate e de agradá-la. Fiquei comovida quando suas verdadeiras circunstâncias são gradativamente reveladas ao leitor, não que seja profundamente dramático, mas para a época leva-nos a pensar que era situação desconhecida e por isso desafiadora. Kate, no entanto, não me conquistou. Profundamente mimada e protegida, me pareceu muito arrogante e cheia de si. Todas as vezes que ela, já na condição de marquesa, ameaçava “cortar” os fundos financeiros de Michael quando suas vontades se viam ameaçadas eu pensei comigo: que mulher petulante e cega!! Sim, que mocinha estúpida, eu diria assim. O certo é que ela melhora sensivelmente na reta final, fica toda fofa e carinhosa, mas minha antipatia por essa personagem não desapareceu completamente, muito embora ela venha a aprender o que é o amor. Como disse a mãe de Kate, de forma sábia, “o amor não é encontrado em palavras (...). É encontrado em momentos tranquilos, um olhar, um suspiro, um sorriso, uma alegria (...) E muitas vezes, isso é mostrado com sacrifício.”
October 8, 2023
3.5 stars
The story was more from his POV, she seemed a selfish narcissist for most of the story and he gave up his pride and dignity for her wealth. His reasons and attempts to please her were compelling but it’s not sweetly romantic nor worth having to read 80% of the book to find her likable. I rounded up because he was worth it.
The story was more from his POV, she seemed a selfish narcissist for most of the story and he gave up his pride and dignity for her wealth. His reasons and attempts to please her were compelling but it’s not sweetly romantic nor worth having to read 80% of the book to find her likable. I rounded up because he was worth it.
September 15, 2017
Pernikahan bisa saja diawali dgn cara yg salah. Tapi akan selalu ada solusi utk mendapatkan kebahagiaan dan cinta sejati bagi pasangan yg mengupayakannya. Itulah yg dilakukan Michael, Lord Falconridge, dan istrinya, Kate Rose. Mereka saling tidak mengenal satu sama lain di awal pernikahan. Kate menuntut Michael utk memberikan cinta. Michael yakin tidak bisa memenuhi permintaan Kate. Tapi Michael bersedia melakukan apa saja utk menyenangkan dan membahagiakan istrinya, termasuk mengorbankan nyawanya demi kebahagiaan Kate.
Sepintas, novel ini agak mirip plot ceritanya dgn Devil in Winter by Lisa Kleypas
. Pernikahan yg tidak kenal pasangannya masing-masing, istri yg memaksa selibat, dan baik Sebastian St Vincent (hero dlm Devil in Winter) maupun Michael bertekad membahagiakan pasangan mereka bahkan membayar dgn pengorbanan diri mereka. Tentu saja karakter Sebastian dan Michael berbeda seperti bumi dan langit, tetapi mereka tetap sosok unik dlm diri hero-hero novel romantis. Mungkin bagi Michael mencurahkan perhatian kpd Kate bukanlah pernyataan cinta, tetapi bagi saya, TINDAKAN JAUH LEBIH NYARING SUARANYA daripada yg mengucapkan "Aku cinta padamu" tetapi tindakannya pengecut spt si Wesley, pecundang mantan Kate ini.
Karakter Michael dan Kate memiliki kelebihan dibandingkan karakter H/H yg selama ini saya baca. Michael dan Kate terasa lebih "membumi' dan lebih realistis. Saya suka di scene pada wkt pemahaman Kate saat dia menyadari mencintai Michael dan mengetahui Michael mencintai dirinya dgn tindakan, bukan dgn kata-kata... duuuh itu menyentuh hati saya. Novel ini mengingatkan saya pada peribahasa bahasa Jawa "Witing tresno jalaran soko kulino" yg artinya jatuh cinta karena terbiasa. Tetapi harus ditambahkan kata "effort" alias upaya keras dari kedua pihak utk mengusahakan kebahagiaan mereka di masa depan spt Michael dan Kate ini.
Sepintas, novel ini agak mirip plot ceritanya dgn Devil in Winter by Lisa Kleypas
. Pernikahan yg tidak kenal pasangannya masing-masing, istri yg memaksa selibat, dan baik Sebastian St Vincent (hero dlm Devil in Winter) maupun Michael bertekad membahagiakan pasangan mereka bahkan membayar dgn pengorbanan diri mereka. Tentu saja karakter Sebastian dan Michael berbeda seperti bumi dan langit, tetapi mereka tetap sosok unik dlm diri hero-hero novel romantis. Mungkin bagi Michael mencurahkan perhatian kpd Kate bukanlah pernyataan cinta, tetapi bagi saya, TINDAKAN JAUH LEBIH NYARING SUARANYA daripada yg mengucapkan "Aku cinta padamu" tetapi tindakannya pengecut spt si Wesley, pecundang mantan Kate ini.Karakter Michael dan Kate memiliki kelebihan dibandingkan karakter H/H yg selama ini saya baca. Michael dan Kate terasa lebih "membumi' dan lebih realistis. Saya suka di scene pada wkt pemahaman Kate saat dia menyadari mencintai Michael dan mengetahui Michael mencintai dirinya dgn tindakan, bukan dgn kata-kata... duuuh itu menyentuh hati saya. Novel ini mengingatkan saya pada peribahasa bahasa Jawa "Witing tresno jalaran soko kulino" yg artinya jatuh cinta karena terbiasa. Tetapi harus ditambahkan kata "effort" alias upaya keras dari kedua pihak utk mengusahakan kebahagiaan mereka di masa depan spt Michael dan Kate ini.
January 8, 2023
**Trigger Warnings Below**
Heroine: Kate Rose, 20. Daughter of a wealthy American banker.
Hero: Michael Tremayne, about 30. Marquess of Falconridge. In financial difficulties and needs to marry an heiress.
Date: 1888
How they meet: Met off-page at the beginning of the season.
What happens: Michael needs to marry an heiress as soon as possible in order to meet his obligations. He decides to hold an exclusive auction, inviting a small number of very wealthy Americans to bid on him as a husband for one of their daughters. Kate’s father wins the auction, but with some stipulations: he will only pay if his daughter is happy and she will have control of her dowry. He has two daughters and the one Michael will be marrying has long said she only wishes to marry for love. Michael isn’t sure if he is capable of love, but has no choice but to go through with the marriage. Kate is told who she will be marrying, but not about the auction.
Trigger Warnings:
Verdict: After being disappointed by the first book in the series, this was a pleasant surprise. I found both the hero and heroine to be interesting characters, each dealing with their own pain. It was a nice twist for the woman to hold the power in an arranged marriage and I think that presented the opportunity for Michael to see she was someone to respect and someone who could be a true partner to him, before an intimate relationship began. The marriage forced Kate to live in the present rather than dwelling on her past disappointments. They each served as a catalyst for the other's personal growth, which is something I appreciate in a novel. I also really liked Kate’s revelation that if she had only paid attention she could have see how the undemonstrative Michael was showing her love in his own way. It wasn’t insta-love or insta-lust, but rather a gradual building of feelings between them which I find more satisfying.
Steam-level: Steamy but only mildly explicit
Rating: 4 stars
Heroine: Kate Rose, 20. Daughter of a wealthy American banker.
Hero: Michael Tremayne, about 30. Marquess of Falconridge. In financial difficulties and needs to marry an heiress.
Date: 1888
How they meet: Met off-page at the beginning of the season.
What happens: Michael needs to marry an heiress as soon as possible in order to meet his obligations. He decides to hold an exclusive auction, inviting a small number of very wealthy Americans to bid on him as a husband for one of their daughters. Kate’s father wins the auction, but with some stipulations: he will only pay if his daughter is happy and she will have control of her dowry. He has two daughters and the one Michael will be marrying has long said she only wishes to marry for love. Michael isn’t sure if he is capable of love, but has no choice but to go through with the marriage. Kate is told who she will be marrying, but not about the auction.
Trigger Warnings:
Verdict: After being disappointed by the first book in the series, this was a pleasant surprise. I found both the hero and heroine to be interesting characters, each dealing with their own pain. It was a nice twist for the woman to hold the power in an arranged marriage and I think that presented the opportunity for Michael to see she was someone to respect and someone who could be a true partner to him, before an intimate relationship began. The marriage forced Kate to live in the present rather than dwelling on her past disappointments. They each served as a catalyst for the other's personal growth, which is something I appreciate in a novel. I also really liked Kate’s revelation that if she had only paid attention she could have see how the undemonstrative Michael was showing her love in his own way. It wasn’t insta-love or insta-lust, but rather a gradual building of feelings between them which I find more satisfying.
Steam-level: Steamy but only mildly explicit
Rating: 4 stars
November 2, 2013
This was my first Lorraine Heath and though I have mixed feelings for this book, its definitely not going going to be my last book by her.. my main issue with this book was the heroine... much as I try I could not just like her.. I found it downright insulting to the hero that the heroine holds all the financial power.. I mean every little bit of transaction passes through her.. urghhh.. towards the end of the book though we see that she changes but not enough for me to like her... on the other hand inspite of the thing that the hero has to beg for each and every penny I found him quite likable.. ..I don't know what's bothering me.. I found the story quite engaging but didn't like certain aspects ..I didn't know why Michael fell in love with kate but I could feel his emotions somehow... they felt very real... overall I would give this book 3.5 for keeping me engaged on a cloudy afternoon.:-)
October 26, 2010
I barely finished this one and it's around a 2.5 rating. I was skimming through the second half just trying to get through it because I am a fan of the author.
The heroine was awful. I don't think I've read a book yet where I put the book down twice because I wanted to throttle the heroine. Sure, both H/h have annoyed me on occasion in plenty of reads but this one for some reason I was so intolerant of. Just as I thought she might be heading towards redemption, she'd say or do something else that made me cringe. She had the upper hand in one area and she capitalized on it. Just turned me off.
The heroine was awful. I don't think I've read a book yet where I put the book down twice because I wanted to throttle the heroine. Sure, both H/h have annoyed me on occasion in plenty of reads but this one for some reason I was so intolerant of. Just as I thought she might be heading towards redemption, she'd say or do something else that made me cringe. She had the upper hand in one area and she capitalized on it. Just turned me off.
February 20, 2016
Story and narration 3.5, our girl at points was spoiled and heart broken, this was an extremely fine line to walk. Readers picked sides quite frankly, I found myself siding with the lord more than the lady. But as her generous heart was shown, I appreciated her more. But, she really was pretty immature about love and what love was, which was annoying at times.
I found it interesting that the Roses (Series family) had 2 other siblings and the series stopped. I just don't think it resonated with the readers and the author dropped the series.
I found it interesting that the Roses (Series family) had 2 other siblings and the series stopped. I just don't think it resonated with the readers and the author dropped the series.
December 28, 2021
I liked this way more than the first in the series. I was completely crying in the end. This book had so many sad stories, a little boy raised by a terrible nanny, grows up to belive he is unlovable and can't love. He basically sells himself to an American heiress who only wants love. She of course completely misunderstands him, but when he almost sacrifices his life for her, she realizes how deep his emotions are. Plus they both have secrets that must come out, and when they do they there is a lot of mistrust that eventually is replaced by love.
March 12, 2017
What is your favourite color? Mine is ----Well I dont think Michel is interested in mine , he is only thinking of Kate's. Yes , they are a lovely couple and this isnt the typical historical romance that you expect. It is more realestic with more details about the hero ad heroines than many other historical romance books we read. I recommend it highly ,
And guess what the color is ........ ?? No I am not going to say , read it and find yourself.
And guess what the color is ........ ?? No I am not going to say , read it and find yourself.
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