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Phillips & Talbot Family #2
The Reluctant Heart
THE RAKE'S WIDOW
Beautiful young Lady Serena Whitlow had a very brief but violently bitter taste of men and marriage. The fourth Earl of Whitlow taught her how horrendous a husband could be--before his sudden demise delivered her from bondage to that handsome brute.
Now Serena meant to stay free--even when the elegant Lord Peter Phillips chose her as his future bride...and even when Adrian, the dashing fifth Earl of Whitlow, proposed that he take his late cousin's place with her in the marriage bed.
Serena might be single-minded -- but her vow not to wed faced double danger as the two most attractive lords in London attacked her resolve with all the weapons of love at their command....
Beautiful young Lady Serena Whitlow had a very brief but violently bitter taste of men and marriage. The fourth Earl of Whitlow taught her how horrendous a husband could be--before his sudden demise delivered her from bondage to that handsome brute.
Now Serena meant to stay free--even when the elegant Lord Peter Phillips chose her as his future bride...and even when Adrian, the dashing fifth Earl of Whitlow, proposed that he take his late cousin's place with her in the marriage bed.
Serena might be single-minded -- but her vow not to wed faced double danger as the two most attractive lords in London attacked her resolve with all the weapons of love at their command....
Mass Market Paperback
First published January 2, 1990
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
December 14, 2020
2nd in series
1) The steadfast heart -not great
2) the reluctant heart - well written and developed
3) the awakening heart - very well written and developed
So I love Dorothy Mack’s writing style. Very much like Georgette heyer. Though her endings do drop off quickly where I would prefer a little development in the ever after. But otherwise her writing is great.
The only book she wrote that I didn’t care for was the first in this series, I’m not sure what happened to her great development of plot and characters in that book as it was sadly lacking. But it was worth reading to get the sense of the characters in this series.
This story was simple in plot and enjoyable to watch the hero and heroine’s relationship develop.
I read another review which criticized the heroine’s previous marriage of not being so bad to create her disgust of men, however you don’t have to be physically abused to have a disgust of men based on what we here of her previous marriage. He apparently demoralized her to think there was something wrong with herself as a wife. And then he was a drunkard, never around and with mistresses all the time. That would be enough to give me a disgust of men. Especially if he has acted as if he was in love with me to start with.
Unfortunately that review made me skip this book and read the 3rd in the series before realizing it was a series. Anyway, I’m very glad I eventually ignored that review and chose to read this story. I wish though I would have read it in order.
1) The steadfast heart -not great
2) the reluctant heart - well written and developed
3) the awakening heart - very well written and developed
So I love Dorothy Mack’s writing style. Very much like Georgette heyer. Though her endings do drop off quickly where I would prefer a little development in the ever after. But otherwise her writing is great.
The only book she wrote that I didn’t care for was the first in this series, I’m not sure what happened to her great development of plot and characters in that book as it was sadly lacking. But it was worth reading to get the sense of the characters in this series.
This story was simple in plot and enjoyable to watch the hero and heroine’s relationship develop.
I read another review which criticized the heroine’s previous marriage of not being so bad to create her disgust of men, however you don’t have to be physically abused to have a disgust of men based on what we here of her previous marriage. He apparently demoralized her to think there was something wrong with herself as a wife. And then he was a drunkard, never around and with mistresses all the time. That would be enough to give me a disgust of men. Especially if he has acted as if he was in love with me to start with.
Unfortunately that review made me skip this book and read the 3rd in the series before realizing it was a series. Anyway, I’m very glad I eventually ignored that review and chose to read this story. I wish though I would have read it in order.
June 26, 2025
Entertaining
Storyline : The storyline was quite interesting … there were concurrent sub-plots which I found added interest and intrigue. There was originality and creativity.
Characters: I enjoyed the characters… they were well developed and likeable, although somewhat rigid and stereotypical. I would have preferred more realism; it makes the characters more relatable.
Dialogue: The dialogue was well done … satisfactory and appropriate.
Writing: The writing was fine. There were few to no typos, few grammatical errors (except for the ubiquitous « … the duke and me… » instead of « … the Duke and I … ») and there were no flagrant slangs or colloquial expressions.
The only element which I found unsatisfactory is the fact that the story ended very abruptly … just when the story climaxed, it ended. Very disappointing. It felt unfinished. I would give this book 3.5.
Storyline : The storyline was quite interesting … there were concurrent sub-plots which I found added interest and intrigue. There was originality and creativity.
Characters: I enjoyed the characters… they were well developed and likeable, although somewhat rigid and stereotypical. I would have preferred more realism; it makes the characters more relatable.
Dialogue: The dialogue was well done … satisfactory and appropriate.
Writing: The writing was fine. There were few to no typos, few grammatical errors (except for the ubiquitous « … the duke and me… » instead of « … the Duke and I … ») and there were no flagrant slangs or colloquial expressions.
The only element which I found unsatisfactory is the fact that the story ended very abruptly … just when the story climaxed, it ended. Very disappointing. It felt unfinished. I would give this book 3.5.
October 4, 2021
Awful
The awfulness of this book is exceeded only by that of its predecessor The Steadfast Heart. Serene is a woman self-absorbed, arrogant, and despite her claims to the contrary, without real experience of the world. No matter how horrid & unpleasant her husband was initially, she was alone for the bulk of their marriage. She claims experience of being wooed but actually hasn’t been. She spurns all attempts. I have rarely disliked a heroine was much as I disliked her. What the hell Peter was thinking is beyond me. He is a fabulous character & deserves better
As with The Steadfast Heart, Dorothy Mack has lost her way with this book. Her writing of Serena’s character is contradictory. The mother & brother are mere foils, & the ecstatic way she writes of the Talbot marriage is a nonsense.
Avoid.
The awfulness of this book is exceeded only by that of its predecessor The Steadfast Heart. Serene is a woman self-absorbed, arrogant, and despite her claims to the contrary, without real experience of the world. No matter how horrid & unpleasant her husband was initially, she was alone for the bulk of their marriage. She claims experience of being wooed but actually hasn’t been. She spurns all attempts. I have rarely disliked a heroine was much as I disliked her. What the hell Peter was thinking is beyond me. He is a fabulous character & deserves better
As with The Steadfast Heart, Dorothy Mack has lost her way with this book. Her writing of Serena’s character is contradictory. The mother & brother are mere foils, & the ecstatic way she writes of the Talbot marriage is a nonsense.
Avoid.
January 29, 2020
Strength
In totality I enjoyed this book with its strong leading woman. I would however take exception to the last part of the book. I believe it went totally against the grain of Serena's character established throughout this book to give in to the Earl and agree to marry him without any thought. That was not her and was totally unnecessary to allow her and Peter to come together. Very enjoyable book with that exception.
In totality I enjoyed this book with its strong leading woman. I would however take exception to the last part of the book. I believe it went totally against the grain of Serena's character established throughout this book to give in to the Earl and agree to marry him without any thought. That was not her and was totally unnecessary to allow her and Peter to come together. Very enjoyable book with that exception.
April 19, 2020
One of the best books I have read, in awhile! Story moved along nicely, you felt the heroine’s fear and longing! And the story didn’t need explicit sex! But yet, it was sexy!
I am enjoying discovering this author, can’t wait to read more of her books!
I am enjoying discovering this author, can’t wait to read more of her books!
December 30, 2025
the Reluctant Heart
Fabulous story, well written great characters and exciting to read. Loved it from start to finish. I have read all of this series to this one and so far is the best.
Fabulous story, well written great characters and exciting to read. Loved it from start to finish. I have read all of this series to this one and so far is the best.
May 6, 2020
Realistic view of the aftermath of a bad marriage
Widow who was so traumatize by her marriage never wants to marry or let men close, handled well by author.
Widow who was so traumatize by her marriage never wants to marry or let men close, handled well by author.
July 10, 2020
Very good.
July 20, 2020
3.5 stars
February 15, 2021
Another great book
I love Dorothy Macks books. This one was very good reading.This is my first review. I like that her books are sweet and clean
I love Dorothy Macks books. This one was very good reading.This is my first review. I like that her books are sweet and clean
April 4, 2021
Another good book by Dorothy Mack.
December 31, 2022
An 1989 old style Regency with a very nice hero,a volatile heroine who had a terrible husband, a kind sister, a wicked Earl all combine to make a lovely story
March 12, 2023
Regency romance
April 30, 2024
It took a while to get Serena's story. I am glad there was a Peter to help her heal. I hope this doesn't spoil anything for future readers.
November 17, 2021
It was okay. I just didn't like the heroine (more a matter of preference than how the writer characterized the character). I do like the hero though and the Verity.
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April 30, 2009good one.
July 25, 2016
I really enjoyed this one, the dialogue and the characterizations were well done. A nice variation on a theme.
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews