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Banning Sisters #3
Disinvolta passione
Proprio vero che al cuore
non si comanda!
Nel corso di una furiosa lite, lady Elizabeth Banning tramortisce con un colpo alla testa il suo ultimo fidanzato e viene a trovarsi in una situazione molto scomoda. A trarla d’impiccio, dai tendaggi della finestra salta fuori un improbabile salvatore con una pistola in pugno. Si tratta dello spietato Neil Severin, sicario al soldo del governo, che doveva eliminare il cognato di Elizabeth e ora si ritrova ad aiutarla a portar via il fidanzato privo di sensi. Progetta allora di rapirla per usarla come esca per il suo obiettivo, ma qualcuno lo precede. E per salvarla, Neil rivestirà l’inconsueto ruolo di eroe, coinvolto in un’avventura che potrebbe costargli troppo cara…
non si comanda!
Nel corso di una furiosa lite, lady Elizabeth Banning tramortisce con un colpo alla testa il suo ultimo fidanzato e viene a trovarsi in una situazione molto scomoda. A trarla d’impiccio, dai tendaggi della finestra salta fuori un improbabile salvatore con una pistola in pugno. Si tratta dello spietato Neil Severin, sicario al soldo del governo, che doveva eliminare il cognato di Elizabeth e ora si ritrova ad aiutarla a portar via il fidanzato privo di sensi. Progetta allora di rapirla per usarla come esca per il suo obiettivo, ma qualcuno lo precede. E per salvarla, Neil rivestirà l’inconsueto ruolo di eroe, coinvolto in un’avventura che potrebbe costargli troppo cara…
262 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published December 1, 2010
94 people are currently reading
1252 people want to read
About the author
Karen Robards
126 books3,246 followersKaren Robards is the New York Times, USA Today, and Publishers Weekly bestselling author of more than fifty books and one novella. She has won multiple awards including six Affaire de Coeur Silver Pen Awards for favorite author.
Karen has been writing since she was very young, and was first published nationally in the December 1973 Reader's Digest. She sold her first romance novel, ISLAND FLAME, when she was 24. It was published by Leisure Books in 1981 and is still in print. After that, she dropped out of law school to pursue her writing career.
Karen was recently described by The Daily Mail as "one of the most reliable thriller....writers in the world."
Karen has been writing since she was very young, and was first published nationally in the December 1973 Reader's Digest. She sold her first romance novel, ISLAND FLAME, when she was 24. It was published by Leisure Books in 1981 and is still in print. After that, she dropped out of law school to pursue her writing career.
Karen was recently described by The Daily Mail as "one of the most reliable thriller....writers in the world."
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 180 reviews
May 22, 2011
Boring. That is one word to describe this book. It had some good parts but for the most part, I was bored with the book. There really seemed to be hardly any interaction between the H/h in the beginning part of the book. Plus, some of the scenes were just way too long.
The heroine was a "shameless" (pun intended) flirt even after her marriage to the hero. Even if she was doing it to make him jealous it just made me dislike her. Nor did I really care for the hero either. He did get a bit better than he was in the beginning but there wasn't anything redeeming enough about both characters to make me like them by the end.
I am usually a fan of Karen Robards books but this one just fell flat for me. Maybe she's written too many romantic suspense lately and has lost something in historical writing. I don't know. I just didn't enjoy this book. In fact, I skimmed the last few chapters or so. By that time I wanted to shoot the heroine and the hero.
The heroine was a "shameless" (pun intended) flirt even after her marriage to the hero. Even if she was doing it to make him jealous it just made me dislike her. Nor did I really care for the hero either. He did get a bit better than he was in the beginning but there wasn't anything redeeming enough about both characters to make me like them by the end.
I am usually a fan of Karen Robards books but this one just fell flat for me. Maybe she's written too many romantic suspense lately and has lost something in historical writing. I don't know. I just didn't enjoy this book. In fact, I skimmed the last few chapters or so. By that time I wanted to shoot the heroine and the hero.
July 24, 2016
If a Regency could read like an Indiana Jones adventure, this is it. It's definitely different and in a good way.
This is the first of her novels for me. Apparently it's the last installment of a series but it holds up as a stand alone novel. First 100 pp. were terrific: gripping opening, engaging H/h, though hero is darker in tone danger-wise than most of what I read. The story was suspenseful with unexpected things happening one after another. This review will lack clarity bec. I am not going to spoil the twists and turns if I can help it.
There's crackling tension. He's a state assassin on the run from assassination by his former handlers, she's a notoriously misbehaved young lady who will not be ruled by any man (in a time when married women were the legal chattel of their husbands, D'oh!). There are threats of kidnapping, debauchery by auction and every conceivable threat of murder/death: stabbing, shooting, garroting, drowning, being buried alive, etc., yet it all forms a coherent whole and a very fast-paced story.
There's no explaining ANYTHING without spoiling it so I can only say that this is a truly entertaining adventure-romance. Oh, and I can say, great writing, use of dialogue, the language was a treat.
Last great thing: back in society, the heroine Beth outdoes herself behaving like an incomprehensible bitch and I really started to dislike (read: detest) her but whammy! come to find out that while I was hating on her there's a last, unexpected plot twist and they achieve a HEA.
I will say, all in all, I got tired of the heroine's incessant contrariness. They were in peril time and again and she never does what he says, tho' he's the one who knows how to stay alive when there are goons out to get you. (But kudos to the author if she wanted me to feel as tense and as irritated at her as the hero presumably did.) Many times, I admired her contrariness on principle, she defends him rather than run and insists he save other women not just her, etc.; other times I wish just once she'd sit the fuck down, or duck the fuck out of the way or shut the fuck up. In other words, I don't love bratty heroines. But I did like the chemistry bet. H/h and given all the evil the hero did in his former life, perhaps she is his proper penance.
Ultimately, the brat bugged me too much to be 5 stars.
This is the first of her novels for me. Apparently it's the last installment of a series but it holds up as a stand alone novel. First 100 pp. were terrific: gripping opening, engaging H/h, though hero is darker in tone danger-wise than most of what I read. The story was suspenseful with unexpected things happening one after another. This review will lack clarity bec. I am not going to spoil the twists and turns if I can help it.
There's crackling tension. He's a state assassin on the run from assassination by his former handlers, she's a notoriously misbehaved young lady who will not be ruled by any man (in a time when married women were the legal chattel of their husbands, D'oh!). There are threats of kidnapping, debauchery by auction and every conceivable threat of murder/death: stabbing, shooting, garroting, drowning, being buried alive, etc., yet it all forms a coherent whole and a very fast-paced story.
There's no explaining ANYTHING without spoiling it so I can only say that this is a truly entertaining adventure-romance. Oh, and I can say, great writing, use of dialogue, the language was a treat.
Last great thing: back in society, the heroine Beth outdoes herself behaving like an incomprehensible bitch and I really started to dislike (read: detest) her but whammy! come to find out that while I was hating on her there's a last, unexpected plot twist and they achieve a HEA.
I will say, all in all, I got tired of the heroine's incessant contrariness. They were in peril time and again and she never does what he says, tho' he's the one who knows how to stay alive when there are goons out to get you. (But kudos to the author if she wanted me to feel as tense and as irritated at her as the hero presumably did.) Many times, I admired her contrariness on principle, she defends him rather than run and insists he save other women not just her, etc.; other times I wish just once she'd sit the fuck down, or duck the fuck out of the way or shut the fuck up. In other words, I don't love bratty heroines. But I did like the chemistry bet. H/h and given all the evil the hero did in his former life, perhaps she is his proper penance.
Ultimately, the brat bugged me too much to be 5 stars.
May 1, 2010
Good Lord this book was a long time coming!
In the tradition of the other Banning Sisters books, this novel was full of secret plots, spies, and intrigues.
I thoroughly enjoyed it. There was really never a dull moment, and every time it seemed that progress had been made, something else jumped forth to cause problems between them (just like I like it lol)
Sensitive readers should be aware that this novel contains attempted rape, kidnapping, and a sexual assault (some would call it "forced seduction", but honestly I think it may have crossed the line a bit).
It also has the dreaded "hero sees the heroine naked without her consent" thing which drives me NUTS in romance novels. Attention Authors: THAT'S NOT SEXY.
*heaves breath*
Despite that, however, it was a wonderful way to end the Banning Sisters Trilogy which started with Scandalous followed by Irresistible. Gabby/Nick and Claire/Hugh play a big part, as does their wonderfully meddlesome aunt.
I absolutely adored Neil, however. I know I may be alone in this, but one of the things I loved about him was that he actually, honest to goodness considered killing Beth -- just snapping her neck. Usually in romance novels (outside of Anne Stuart's creations of course lol), even the most hardened assassin hero would never consider killing an innocent woman who'd gotten in his way. I liked that he was all like "Man that sucks I'm gonna have to snap her neck. Oh well." (paraphrased of course :P)
The only thing keeping it from being 5 stars is the fact that the ending seemed really abrupt to me. Everything got wrapped up in a nice little HEA mind you; it's just that there was some fade-to-black smexin that seemed a bit out of place, followed by a short bit of action and then cut to what was practically an epilogue where Robards told us, rather than showed us how the rest of the stumbling blocks to Neil and Beth's HEA were quickly and tidily swept away. Knowing how long it's been since this book was supposed to come out (what is it, an 8 year wait?), it almost feels like Robards took the old dusty, unfinished manuscript off the shelf and spent a few days quickly whipping up an ending and sent if off to her editors so that she could just be done with it.
Still, despite that, it was a highly satisfying and attention-grabbing novel that I would highly recommend to any fan of the Banning Sisters novels (which, I admit, I suggest reading in order before picking up this novel, even though it could easily stand alone).
Solid 4 1/2 Stars.
In the tradition of the other Banning Sisters books, this novel was full of secret plots, spies, and intrigues.
I thoroughly enjoyed it. There was really never a dull moment, and every time it seemed that progress had been made, something else jumped forth to cause problems between them (just like I like it lol)
Sensitive readers should be aware that this novel contains attempted rape, kidnapping, and a sexual assault (some would call it "forced seduction", but honestly I think it may have crossed the line a bit).
It also has the dreaded "hero sees the heroine naked without her consent" thing which drives me NUTS in romance novels. Attention Authors: THAT'S NOT SEXY.
*heaves breath*
Despite that, however, it was a wonderful way to end the Banning Sisters Trilogy which started with Scandalous followed by Irresistible. Gabby/Nick and Claire/Hugh play a big part, as does their wonderfully meddlesome aunt.
I absolutely adored Neil, however. I know I may be alone in this, but one of the things I loved about him was that he actually, honest to goodness considered killing Beth -- just snapping her neck. Usually in romance novels (outside of Anne Stuart's creations of course lol), even the most hardened assassin hero would never consider killing an innocent woman who'd gotten in his way. I liked that he was all like "Man that sucks I'm gonna have to snap her neck. Oh well." (paraphrased of course :P)
The only thing keeping it from being 5 stars is the fact that the ending seemed really abrupt to me. Everything got wrapped up in a nice little HEA mind you; it's just that there was some fade-to-black smexin that seemed a bit out of place, followed by a short bit of action and then cut to what was practically an epilogue where Robards told us, rather than showed us how the rest of the stumbling blocks to Neil and Beth's HEA were quickly and tidily swept away. Knowing how long it's been since this book was supposed to come out (what is it, an 8 year wait?), it almost feels like Robards took the old dusty, unfinished manuscript off the shelf and spent a few days quickly whipping up an ending and sent if off to her editors so that she could just be done with it.
Still, despite that, it was a highly satisfying and attention-grabbing novel that I would highly recommend to any fan of the Banning Sisters novels (which, I admit, I suggest reading in order before picking up this novel, even though it could easily stand alone).
Solid 4 1/2 Stars.
May 10, 2010
Oh, I am so disappointed in this book! The story, which begins with such promise, seemed to me to just fall down 1/3 of the way through. The rest of the book felt rushed, and the ending tacked on. Robards is so much better than this book would have you think. Ugh. I'm going to re-read the first 2, then read this one again to see if my opinion changes.
April 13, 2010
Shameless by Karen Robards
Historical Romance – April 13th, 2010
5 Stars
Shameless is the third novel in Karen Robards’s Banning Sisters trilogy. This trilogy tells the stories of each of the Banning sisters: Gabriella, Claire and Elizabeth. The first book begins with Scandalous, then Irresistible and now concludes with the final story, Shameless.
Shameless is the story of the youngest and most headstrong sister Lady Elizabeth Banning. Despite her many seasons among the ton Lady Elizabeth is considered a heartbreaker and flirt due to the fact that she has become engaged three times and has scandalously broken off all three engagements. She is afraid of becoming a man’s property. During a house party, Lady Elizabeth is attempting to end her most recent engagement when she encounters Neil Severin. He is a wicked rogue and a secret government assassin. Despite Neil’s black reputation his ability to focus on the job has made him extremely successful. However, his legendary focus is disrupted when he encounters Lady Elizabeth in a difficult situation. He is immediately drawn to her and when he discovers that his most current target is someone Lady Elizabeth holds dear, it only complicates matters for him. What begins as an accidental meeting for these two strangers becomes an adventure for two people who draw out the best in each other.
Karen Robards does a fantastic job creating two main characters that you can enjoy as individuals. She takes the time to explore the different and complex natures to their personalities. The author did a particularly great job with Neil Severin character, I felt he was a bit darker than most historical heroic characters but she made him into a person who you can find redeemable and worthy of finding happiness. I truly loved how the author created characters that were interesting on their own but become even more compelling as the two character spent more time together. Karen Robards also did a fantastic job with the minor characters in the book. I found myself very interested in their lives and what might happen to them in the future.
As someone who loves historical novels as my favorite type of book to read I must say that Karen Robards does an absolutely wonderful job of creating an original and creative story with compelling and complex characters. I wanted to learn more about them and was extremely pleased when the book ended happily for them both.
I highly recommend Karen Robards latest Banning sister trilogy novel. I only suggest you triple your enjoyment and by reading the books in order to enjoy them most!
Reviewed by Mary from the Bookaholics Romance Book Club
Historical Romance – April 13th, 2010
5 Stars
Shameless is the third novel in Karen Robards’s Banning Sisters trilogy. This trilogy tells the stories of each of the Banning sisters: Gabriella, Claire and Elizabeth. The first book begins with Scandalous, then Irresistible and now concludes with the final story, Shameless.
Shameless is the story of the youngest and most headstrong sister Lady Elizabeth Banning. Despite her many seasons among the ton Lady Elizabeth is considered a heartbreaker and flirt due to the fact that she has become engaged three times and has scandalously broken off all three engagements. She is afraid of becoming a man’s property. During a house party, Lady Elizabeth is attempting to end her most recent engagement when she encounters Neil Severin. He is a wicked rogue and a secret government assassin. Despite Neil’s black reputation his ability to focus on the job has made him extremely successful. However, his legendary focus is disrupted when he encounters Lady Elizabeth in a difficult situation. He is immediately drawn to her and when he discovers that his most current target is someone Lady Elizabeth holds dear, it only complicates matters for him. What begins as an accidental meeting for these two strangers becomes an adventure for two people who draw out the best in each other.
Karen Robards does a fantastic job creating two main characters that you can enjoy as individuals. She takes the time to explore the different and complex natures to their personalities. The author did a particularly great job with Neil Severin character, I felt he was a bit darker than most historical heroic characters but she made him into a person who you can find redeemable and worthy of finding happiness. I truly loved how the author created characters that were interesting on their own but become even more compelling as the two character spent more time together. Karen Robards also did a fantastic job with the minor characters in the book. I found myself very interested in their lives and what might happen to them in the future.
As someone who loves historical novels as my favorite type of book to read I must say that Karen Robards does an absolutely wonderful job of creating an original and creative story with compelling and complex characters. I wanted to learn more about them and was extremely pleased when the book ended happily for them both.
I highly recommend Karen Robards latest Banning sister trilogy novel. I only suggest you triple your enjoyment and by reading the books in order to enjoy them most!
Reviewed by Mary from the Bookaholics Romance Book Club
August 31, 2020
Sinceramente.. no ha estado mal, pero tampoco me esperaba nada del otro mundo.
Es de esos libros típicos, sin más, con una manera de narrar muy simple, personajes dentro del estereotipo romántico, una historia con drama en medio.. y final feliz.
No me ha defraudado porque no esperaba más de la autora, aunque también reconozco que karen Robards me daba respeto y creía que su lectura sería peor. Así que sin más.
Claramente hay muchos libros del género mejores que éste.
Es de esos libros típicos, sin más, con una manera de narrar muy simple, personajes dentro del estereotipo romántico, una historia con drama en medio.. y final feliz.
No me ha defraudado porque no esperaba más de la autora, aunque también reconozco que karen Robards me daba respeto y creía que su lectura sería peor. Así que sin más.
Claramente hay muchos libros del género mejores que éste.
May 24, 2015
All these years, he'd thought heaven was past praying for. Now he knew he'd been wrong. He'd found heaven right here, in this red-haired snip of a girl he meant to cherish for the rest of his life.
My first historical fiction in paperback and I wasn't disappointed. Lady Elizabeth has an unbelievable character considering that it has an assassin theme on it. I always admire her strength in book 1 and book 2 but I thought about the onslaught of events and the normal thing to do is to cry in frustration but I didn't see any hint of her vulnerability. Neil and Lady Elizabeth are perfectly match. They are both headstrong and stubborn that can neutralize one with the other.
Banning Sisters trilogy has a mix of passion and scandal that readers of historical fiction will love the most.
February 10, 2017
Myslela som si, že príbeh Gabby, najstaršej zo sestier Banningových už nič nepredčí... našťastie som sa mýlila. Kniha o najmladšej sestre Beth to dokázala!
Od úplného začiatku až do samého konca to bola pre mňa priam čitateľská bašta. Recenziu nájdete tu: http://kokinakniznica.blogspot.sk/201...
Od úplného začiatku až do samého konca to bola pre mňa priam čitateľská bašta. Recenziu nájdete tu: http://kokinakniznica.blogspot.sk/201...
July 4, 2017
Wow! That is all I can say for the moment, WOW! I didn’t have much hope for the final book in the Banning Sisters trilogy, seeing as I liked the first, but didn’t find it utterly remarkable, and I found so much to nit-pick about the second, but in this series, Karen Robards saved the best for last!
Lady Elizabeth Banning is a fiery redhead who loves to set the beau monde on its ear. Having already jilted two fiancées, and trying to quietly end a third engagement and failing miserably, runs into what she thinks is a house-breaker. Instead of fearing the man, she enlists his help to ‘clean up’ the situation. Not knowing that Neil Severin is no burglar, but an assassin come to kill her beloved brother-in-law, lest he be killed himself, Beth is grateful for his help. Upon meeting Beth, Neil’s first thoughts are about killing her, to make sure there are no witnesses, however he is so entranced by her, he is unable to do so. Decided to kidnap her for his purposes a few days later, Neil is waiting for her in the park she frequents when she is kidnapped before he’s had a chance to! Tracking her down to a castle whose purposes at present is to sell women into prostitution, Neil attempts to rescue her. Beth, not knowing if she will be rescued, decides to enlist several other women to try and save themselves. They are successful, but only with Neil’s helping them escape, and much to his dismay, helping all the women to reach safety. Meanwhile, half of England is looking for Neil, and he is caught and heavily chained, only being spared his life thanks to Beth speaking up. In league with her new friends, Beth frees Neil to escape, and he insists she come along, she thinks because of a head injury, but really it’s because he wants to continue with his plan of drawing Beth’s brother-in-law, the duke out so he can kill him. Along the way, the truth of it comes out, and Beth, who is terrified of marriage, decides the safest thing to do would be to marry and attempt a resolution for everyone. Being married to her does help Neil’s case, as her brothers-in-law are wary to do, but agree. There is only one assassin left who wants to kill Neil, but as Neil reveals he is also a Marquess, everyone feels safe in the knowledge that Neil and the assassin will not move in the same social circles, especially since they fake Neil-as-the-angel-of-death-assassin’s own death.
I don’t even know what to say, I’m so happy I stuck with the series, because I loved it! I loved both Neil and Beth, I loved the story line, I loved the secondary characters, this is what I wanted from the first two! First, the characters! Beth is my kind of girl! I’ll admit, in the first two in the series, I was not a fan, she was a little too immature. But as a young lady, she’s probably very much like I would be if I were to be dropped in that era. Described as a hardcore flirt, who is known for jilting fiancées, she’s determined not to settle, and does not want a tyrant of a husband ruling her life. She knows the difference between right and wrong, but is not afraid to blur the lines a bit to get what she wants and do what should be done. Beth is a bright and vivacious woman, and it’s almost as if what you tell her is the proper thing to do, she’s itching to do the opposite, and is not afraid of society’s opinions of her, at least not too much. And if Beth is bright, then Neil is the opposite, he is the dark soul. Believing he is not good enough for Beth, he can’t help but want her anyway. She’s let him know that everyone is deserving of a second chance, and he begins to believe her, which is hard for him to do after years of living life literally day by day, hour by hour, minute by precious minute. The hard life as an assassin, and the hatred and grief that fueled his career has taken a toll on his soul, leaving him feeling damned. That Beth has cried for him, rescued him and married him to save his life leaves him a little shaky. But when Beth is shot, and Neil begs for Beth’s life from a God he felt had left him, I nearly cried! They are perfect for each other! Neil is tolerant and even amused by Beth’s antics, and Beth truly sees him as the man he is, not the job he did.
The other thing I really loved about this book is the story line. I haven’t come across anything else like it, and I think it’s well done. I like that there’s a slow buildup between the two main characters, and it’s not instant attraction. I love that besides Beth’s antics, there are no major rules broken. I don’t mind a few rules broken, but the major rule breakers, and lots of them, such as in second book in the series, take me out of the era, I read historicals to be in the era, not taken out.
Let me tell you, the secondary characters in this one are great! The girls Beth befriends in Trelawny Castle and escape with are a riot! I love that they fought to escape and worked together. Granted they needed Neil’s help, and he gave it only because of Beth, but they held fast together, and eventually became women Neil and Beth placed under their wings, but giving them employment and helping them find respectable positions. Mary, the mosquito as Neil calls her, is my favorite, she has such tenacity! A favorite character of mine throughout the series is the great Aunt Augusta, a no nonsense woman who is not afraid to share her opinions, and share them often. She’s not an affectionate aunt, but it’s obvious from her concern and constant lecturing of her nieces that she cares what becomes of them, and makes things easier for them in society.
This is definitely a keeper, one to read again and again! If you like the traditional regency era romances, with strong characters and a great story line, don’t hesitate!
Lady Elizabeth Banning is a fiery redhead who loves to set the beau monde on its ear. Having already jilted two fiancées, and trying to quietly end a third engagement and failing miserably, runs into what she thinks is a house-breaker. Instead of fearing the man, she enlists his help to ‘clean up’ the situation. Not knowing that Neil Severin is no burglar, but an assassin come to kill her beloved brother-in-law, lest he be killed himself, Beth is grateful for his help. Upon meeting Beth, Neil’s first thoughts are about killing her, to make sure there are no witnesses, however he is so entranced by her, he is unable to do so. Decided to kidnap her for his purposes a few days later, Neil is waiting for her in the park she frequents when she is kidnapped before he’s had a chance to! Tracking her down to a castle whose purposes at present is to sell women into prostitution, Neil attempts to rescue her. Beth, not knowing if she will be rescued, decides to enlist several other women to try and save themselves. They are successful, but only with Neil’s helping them escape, and much to his dismay, helping all the women to reach safety. Meanwhile, half of England is looking for Neil, and he is caught and heavily chained, only being spared his life thanks to Beth speaking up. In league with her new friends, Beth frees Neil to escape, and he insists she come along, she thinks because of a head injury, but really it’s because he wants to continue with his plan of drawing Beth’s brother-in-law, the duke out so he can kill him. Along the way, the truth of it comes out, and Beth, who is terrified of marriage, decides the safest thing to do would be to marry and attempt a resolution for everyone. Being married to her does help Neil’s case, as her brothers-in-law are wary to do, but agree. There is only one assassin left who wants to kill Neil, but as Neil reveals he is also a Marquess, everyone feels safe in the knowledge that Neil and the assassin will not move in the same social circles, especially since they fake Neil-as-the-angel-of-death-assassin’s own death.
I don’t even know what to say, I’m so happy I stuck with the series, because I loved it! I loved both Neil and Beth, I loved the story line, I loved the secondary characters, this is what I wanted from the first two! First, the characters! Beth is my kind of girl! I’ll admit, in the first two in the series, I was not a fan, she was a little too immature. But as a young lady, she’s probably very much like I would be if I were to be dropped in that era. Described as a hardcore flirt, who is known for jilting fiancées, she’s determined not to settle, and does not want a tyrant of a husband ruling her life. She knows the difference between right and wrong, but is not afraid to blur the lines a bit to get what she wants and do what should be done. Beth is a bright and vivacious woman, and it’s almost as if what you tell her is the proper thing to do, she’s itching to do the opposite, and is not afraid of society’s opinions of her, at least not too much. And if Beth is bright, then Neil is the opposite, he is the dark soul. Believing he is not good enough for Beth, he can’t help but want her anyway. She’s let him know that everyone is deserving of a second chance, and he begins to believe her, which is hard for him to do after years of living life literally day by day, hour by hour, minute by precious minute. The hard life as an assassin, and the hatred and grief that fueled his career has taken a toll on his soul, leaving him feeling damned. That Beth has cried for him, rescued him and married him to save his life leaves him a little shaky. But when Beth is shot, and Neil begs for Beth’s life from a God he felt had left him, I nearly cried! They are perfect for each other! Neil is tolerant and even amused by Beth’s antics, and Beth truly sees him as the man he is, not the job he did.
The other thing I really loved about this book is the story line. I haven’t come across anything else like it, and I think it’s well done. I like that there’s a slow buildup between the two main characters, and it’s not instant attraction. I love that besides Beth’s antics, there are no major rules broken. I don’t mind a few rules broken, but the major rule breakers, and lots of them, such as in second book in the series, take me out of the era, I read historicals to be in the era, not taken out.
Let me tell you, the secondary characters in this one are great! The girls Beth befriends in Trelawny Castle and escape with are a riot! I love that they fought to escape and worked together. Granted they needed Neil’s help, and he gave it only because of Beth, but they held fast together, and eventually became women Neil and Beth placed under their wings, but giving them employment and helping them find respectable positions. Mary, the mosquito as Neil calls her, is my favorite, she has such tenacity! A favorite character of mine throughout the series is the great Aunt Augusta, a no nonsense woman who is not afraid to share her opinions, and share them often. She’s not an affectionate aunt, but it’s obvious from her concern and constant lecturing of her nieces that she cares what becomes of them, and makes things easier for them in society.
This is definitely a keeper, one to read again and again! If you like the traditional regency era romances, with strong characters and a great story line, don’t hesitate!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 4, 2019
Akcia ..vsade sama akcia...az som sa zamyslela, ci stale citam historicku romancu 😂. Bolo to dobre..autorka pise fakt putavo...az na hlavnu postavu Beth. Boooze...nakopala by som ju niekam 😈. Nenormalne detinska a tvrdohlava. Nastastie tam bol dostatok inych sympatickych postav. Takze v konecnom dosledku sa mi cela séria pacila 😁😁😁.
May 10, 2025
This book was bonkers, but delightful. I throughly enjoyed it.
February 26, 2011
Lady Elizabeth, or Beth can’t quite make it down the aisle. She has had numerous engagements and has broken them all. Her reputation with the ton is hanging on by a thread. Beth is going to have much more worries than just her reputation though. By chance she meets Neil Severin, who sneaks into her family’s house to kill her brother in-law, The Duke of Richmond. Neil is a spy, and needs the Duke dead. When Beth inadvertently thwarts his plan, Neil comes up with an even better plan – kidnap Beth, which will certainty bring the Duke to him, and then the deed can be done.
But things go awry when someone else kidnap’s Beth – and Neil rushes off to claim his blackmail. From here it is quite the adventure between finding their way back to London and falling in love along the way.
Shameless is the first I have read by Karen Robards, but it happens to be the third in a trilogy. I think historicals with a spy hero can be tricky to pull off, but this one does a pretty good job of it. Because of his spy situation he becomes engaged in a conflict with the heroine- and then that conflict carries the story. Neil is a cold hearted hero, and Beth is very stubborn and independent. It is a nice pairing. Although Beth flirts and has been engaged numerous times, she is really naïve when it comes to romance. Neil is not used to being attracted to someone so much, so their romance scenes become a very sensual exploration. It takes a good while to get to there, but Karen Robards writes very hot scenes.
This book has a lot of adventure too. Poor Beth goes from being assaulted by an angry ex-fiancé, to kidnapping, being sold into sex slavery, and then an entire adventure to get back to London with Neil. Sometimes I questioned Beth’s bravado while handling these situations and Neil himself – having only lived a sheltered life in London. However, there is a scene in particular where she thinks she will be sold to the highest bidder for sexual favors where her terror really comes through. She accepts Neil pretty easily, but at the same time, he did rescue her so I went back and forth a lot.
Overall I liked this one – maybe a little too many mishaps along the way – but it has a nice colder hero and a heroine who pairs up with him nicely.
Rating: B-
But things go awry when someone else kidnap’s Beth – and Neil rushes off to claim his blackmail. From here it is quite the adventure between finding their way back to London and falling in love along the way.
Shameless is the first I have read by Karen Robards, but it happens to be the third in a trilogy. I think historicals with a spy hero can be tricky to pull off, but this one does a pretty good job of it. Because of his spy situation he becomes engaged in a conflict with the heroine- and then that conflict carries the story. Neil is a cold hearted hero, and Beth is very stubborn and independent. It is a nice pairing. Although Beth flirts and has been engaged numerous times, she is really naïve when it comes to romance. Neil is not used to being attracted to someone so much, so their romance scenes become a very sensual exploration. It takes a good while to get to there, but Karen Robards writes very hot scenes.
This book has a lot of adventure too. Poor Beth goes from being assaulted by an angry ex-fiancé, to kidnapping, being sold into sex slavery, and then an entire adventure to get back to London with Neil. Sometimes I questioned Beth’s bravado while handling these situations and Neil himself – having only lived a sheltered life in London. However, there is a scene in particular where she thinks she will be sold to the highest bidder for sexual favors where her terror really comes through. She accepts Neil pretty easily, but at the same time, he did rescue her so I went back and forth a lot.
Overall I liked this one – maybe a little too many mishaps along the way – but it has a nice colder hero and a heroine who pairs up with him nicely.
Rating: B-
September 4, 2016
The story of Beth, the youngest Banning sister and Neil Severin, a ruthless man with no morals.
Beth unexpectedly meets Neil when .
The first part of the book shows the two becoming close through their adventure and I enjoyed it a lot more than the second, where in the end they all live happily ever after.
Previous book reviews:
✦ Scandalous (Banning Sisters #1)
✦ Irresistible (Banning Sisters #2)
Beth unexpectedly meets Neil when .
The first part of the book shows the two becoming close through their adventure and I enjoyed it a lot more than the second, where in the end they all live happily ever after.
Previous book reviews:
✦ Scandalous (Banning Sisters #1)
✦ Irresistible (Banning Sisters #2)
June 3, 2011
This is the third in a trilogy--and the best one in my view. Neil is a government asassin who has been marked for elimination by the people who employed him simply because he's too good at what he does. He belives himself that he's without redemption, but he's not quite ready to die; he just wants to be left alone so he can retire. Elizabeth is the sister-in-law of the man who put the kill order out on Neil and Neil intends to use her to get to his boss. When someone kidnaps her, the fun and the race is on. In order to rescue her so he can kidnap her himself (uh-huh, you heard me right) he must also rescue six other women. Elizabeth is gutsy and compassionate and calls Neil's bluff at every turn--and she wins. Neil has met his match. The characters are well developed, the dialogue is witty, and the action is non-stop.
April 28, 2010
Picked up this book at the library today. Never have read anything by this author before, but what interested is the time period of 1800s (The high time of the English Ton). First chapter, already Miss Banning in a great deal of trouble; fixing to ruin her reputation. Hmmm........we shall see.
I finished this book last night; what a delightful read. I certainly will be reading more of Ms. Robards books. Her writing style is so skillful that you can perfectly picture the scenery and characters during the early 1800s. Also, she has crafted the early english prose with such ease that you can imagine the dialect flowing between the characters. Definitely recommend this book.
I finished this book last night; what a delightful read. I certainly will be reading more of Ms. Robards books. Her writing style is so skillful that you can perfectly picture the scenery and characters during the early 1800s. Also, she has crafted the early english prose with such ease that you can imagine the dialect flowing between the characters. Definitely recommend this book.
March 5, 2020
Really enjoyed this one. My favorite of the Banning Sisters series
October 22, 2010
I had to wait a long time for this conclusion to the Banning Sisters trilogy. I was not disappointed! I really enjoyed Beth's character, although sometimes I thought she pushed the envelope a bit to far just because she could. But, we all know people like this. I also enjoyed Neil's character, but didn't particularly like the light that was shed on Nick and Hugh (the male leads from the other two books).
Overall this was fun and entertaining. It was worth waiting for.
Overall this was fun and entertaining. It was worth waiting for.
July 21, 2022
Sorry I just didn't like it. Didn't finish...I thought it was boring.
The review above was written on July 28,2014.
Eight years later, I’ve just finished re-reading this book and I have changed my rating from 1 star to 4. This time, I thoroughly enjoyed myself in Neil and Beth’s story. There’s a lot of romantic interludes and the action is satisfying. Bravo 🎉
The review above was written on July 28,2014.
Eight years later, I’ve just finished re-reading this book and I have changed my rating from 1 star to 4. This time, I thoroughly enjoyed myself in Neil and Beth’s story. There’s a lot of romantic interludes and the action is satisfying. Bravo 🎉
Read
May 26, 2021Did not get past first chapter.
Did not stop an assault??? Focused on her breasts?? WTH?
Did not stop an assault??? Focused on her breasts?? WTH?
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 3, 2024
**MEDIUM to MAJOR SPOILERS**
This book is the third book of the Banning Sisters trilogy. It can be read as a standalone. I knocked it two stars for two different reasons. First, I thought the characters acted a little inconsistently. Second, I thought each of the main characters had a major flaw that was hard to get past.
When you are introduced to Neil, the main male character, you quickly realize he is not a hero. He is hiding in the shadows as Beth’s fiancé, William, begins to try to rape her and he does nothing. Fortunately, Beth’s own quick actions save her but she sees Neil immediately afterwards. Neil is an assassin there to kill someone at the ball that is happening on the other side of the door. Because Beth has seen him, he plans to kill her. He changes his mind after speaking to her but it is a close thing. Spoiler: later in the story, when Beth realizes that he would have killed her, her reaction is basically a shrug.
In another example of how far from being a hero that Neil is happens when he approaches a castle known for selling young virgins to the highest bidder. They endure rape at the hands of a debauched crowd. The author writes “In his current incarnation, even if it had been played out in front of his note, he would not have felt the slightest flicker of interest in what was occurring.” The author perhaps meant that he would not want to participate but it also came across that he would not help. And he would not have. He had planned to do nothing about what was going on. Spoiler: he gets drawn into caring about them and is part of the redemption story of the book. By the end of the book, Neil has gotten some of his humanity back.
While as a reader, you can be as quickly charmed by Beth as Neil was, it is still true that he is an assassin who has killed many people without hesitation. Beth simply was lucky. William had been set off because she wanted to break their engagement. He decides to rape her to ruin her and force her into marriage. Beth has broken off two engagements prior to theirs and he does not want to be a laughingstock. The only reason Beth pushed for the engagement and accepted it was because she had heard William’s older sister say that she did not think William would propose. As soon as Beth became engaged, she then wanted to break the engagement. I did not think her motivation was the best.
An event happens that results in Beth being on the run with Neil. Beth comes across as feisty and brave and willing to take on dangerous situations. In addition, she refuses to let the other women stay and suffer at the castle. While I did not care for her motivation surrounding the engagement, this part of the story redeemed her. Then, at the end, at a dance, I thought her behavior was a bit out of character (I decided not to give a spoiler here).
The first two times Neil and Beth consummate their marriage, Beth does not experience the big O. Neil had told her previously that he knows how to give women pleasure. The first time, he decides to just get it over with because she was not going to enjoy it anyway (she was a virgin). The second time, he was trying to show her he was not a good person and he is careless with her. Yikes.
The pace of the story was fast. The point of view alternated between Beth and Neil. The word choice was not always the right one. I thought the writing was good but the story had flaws. What I mean by this is that the descriptions were great. The flow was good. The dialogue was realistic. I liked the relationship between Beth and her sisters. But I did not care for the above.
Spoiler: about midway through the book, Neil is shot. He affects him momentarily but basically is fine almost immediately afterwards. It was unlikely.
At one point in the book, Beth mildly swears and Neil admonishes her. She says something about him being an assassin and he does not want her to swear? I agreed with her about the incongruity about it. The author does it again later and I felt this should have been left out.
I will not continue reading books by this author.
This book is the third book of the Banning Sisters trilogy. It can be read as a standalone. I knocked it two stars for two different reasons. First, I thought the characters acted a little inconsistently. Second, I thought each of the main characters had a major flaw that was hard to get past.
When you are introduced to Neil, the main male character, you quickly realize he is not a hero. He is hiding in the shadows as Beth’s fiancé, William, begins to try to rape her and he does nothing. Fortunately, Beth’s own quick actions save her but she sees Neil immediately afterwards. Neil is an assassin there to kill someone at the ball that is happening on the other side of the door. Because Beth has seen him, he plans to kill her. He changes his mind after speaking to her but it is a close thing. Spoiler: later in the story, when Beth realizes that he would have killed her, her reaction is basically a shrug.
In another example of how far from being a hero that Neil is happens when he approaches a castle known for selling young virgins to the highest bidder. They endure rape at the hands of a debauched crowd. The author writes “In his current incarnation, even if it had been played out in front of his note, he would not have felt the slightest flicker of interest in what was occurring.” The author perhaps meant that he would not want to participate but it also came across that he would not help. And he would not have. He had planned to do nothing about what was going on. Spoiler: he gets drawn into caring about them and is part of the redemption story of the book. By the end of the book, Neil has gotten some of his humanity back.
While as a reader, you can be as quickly charmed by Beth as Neil was, it is still true that he is an assassin who has killed many people without hesitation. Beth simply was lucky. William had been set off because she wanted to break their engagement. He decides to rape her to ruin her and force her into marriage. Beth has broken off two engagements prior to theirs and he does not want to be a laughingstock. The only reason Beth pushed for the engagement and accepted it was because she had heard William’s older sister say that she did not think William would propose. As soon as Beth became engaged, she then wanted to break the engagement. I did not think her motivation was the best.
An event happens that results in Beth being on the run with Neil. Beth comes across as feisty and brave and willing to take on dangerous situations. In addition, she refuses to let the other women stay and suffer at the castle. While I did not care for her motivation surrounding the engagement, this part of the story redeemed her. Then, at the end, at a dance, I thought her behavior was a bit out of character (I decided not to give a spoiler here).
The first two times Neil and Beth consummate their marriage, Beth does not experience the big O. Neil had told her previously that he knows how to give women pleasure. The first time, he decides to just get it over with because she was not going to enjoy it anyway (she was a virgin). The second time, he was trying to show her he was not a good person and he is careless with her. Yikes.
The pace of the story was fast. The point of view alternated between Beth and Neil. The word choice was not always the right one. I thought the writing was good but the story had flaws. What I mean by this is that the descriptions were great. The flow was good. The dialogue was realistic. I liked the relationship between Beth and her sisters. But I did not care for the above.
Spoiler: about midway through the book, Neil is shot. He affects him momentarily but basically is fine almost immediately afterwards. It was unlikely.
At one point in the book, Beth mildly swears and Neil admonishes her. She says something about him being an assassin and he does not want her to swear? I agreed with her about the incongruity about it. The author does it again later and I felt this should have been left out.
I will not continue reading books by this author.
August 4, 2021
3/5 stars! Maybe even 2.5…
This is a shame because I love the first two books in the banning sisters series. I felt the passion between the characters I loved the action, the plot and characters. But I have to admit Beth was never the most interesting sister because she wasn’t in it as much as her other sisters. I know it’s now her time to shine but honestly it was one of the most ridiculous plot lines ever it was like Karen Robards watched Poldark (even though Poldark the series came out a few years later, but, maybe the books are similar to the series) if anyone has seen Poldark especially some of the later series know what I mean.
I felt it had a really solid start and a great first 100 pages. Then it got really stupid. When Beth was kidnapped it seemed at first she was maybe kidnapped by William but then you realise she’s been kidnapped for human trafficking basically. She finds herself in a run down castle filled with other scared young ladies and then being raped one by one. It feels so light hearted when the situation is actually terrifying. It reminds me sometimes when reading YA because it’s not meant for children but still is intended for a younger audience some scenes which can be particularly horrifying are made light hearted. Beth suddenly had an idea to rush the men that kidnapped her with the other girls and it turns into this sort of silly action film sequence everything feels almost surreal. Like something out of pirates of the Caribbean it feels out of place.
Like all the girls are mostly common and talk with really over the top written out accents which is almost comedic when it reality if I was going to be sold for human trafficking I personally wouldn’t really be making light hearted comments. Idk I found it to be so over the top and stupid and anticlimactic. When she was kidnapped I was like oooo what’s going on here for it to just be kinda dumb. Unfortunately I thought this scene wasn’t going to take up much of the book but ends up actually be the majority of the book. It takes them forever to get away and all of the girls are just thinking about how good looking Neil is. I would be traumatised.
I found this whole scene just put me off the book entirely. I felt I knew exactly what was going to happen they would escape something would happen with William and then they would live happily ever after. Don’t get me wrong I love a happy ending. But i felt there was no build up for me. So passion, no tension. I do think it doesn’t help that this book was written nearly ten years after the first book I think maybe the first book two should of been left at two or written very close to each other. I felt like it had a completely different tone to the first two.
In conclusion I skipped most of the second half of the book because I just thought it was really silly makes me sound a bit boring but it felt so out of place. Really over the top and I just didn’t feel emotionally connected to anything not the action or the romance.
This is a shame because I love the first two books in the banning sisters series. I felt the passion between the characters I loved the action, the plot and characters. But I have to admit Beth was never the most interesting sister because she wasn’t in it as much as her other sisters. I know it’s now her time to shine but honestly it was one of the most ridiculous plot lines ever it was like Karen Robards watched Poldark (even though Poldark the series came out a few years later, but, maybe the books are similar to the series) if anyone has seen Poldark especially some of the later series know what I mean.
I felt it had a really solid start and a great first 100 pages. Then it got really stupid. When Beth was kidnapped it seemed at first she was maybe kidnapped by William but then you realise she’s been kidnapped for human trafficking basically. She finds herself in a run down castle filled with other scared young ladies and then being raped one by one. It feels so light hearted when the situation is actually terrifying. It reminds me sometimes when reading YA because it’s not meant for children but still is intended for a younger audience some scenes which can be particularly horrifying are made light hearted. Beth suddenly had an idea to rush the men that kidnapped her with the other girls and it turns into this sort of silly action film sequence everything feels almost surreal. Like something out of pirates of the Caribbean it feels out of place.
Like all the girls are mostly common and talk with really over the top written out accents which is almost comedic when it reality if I was going to be sold for human trafficking I personally wouldn’t really be making light hearted comments. Idk I found it to be so over the top and stupid and anticlimactic. When she was kidnapped I was like oooo what’s going on here for it to just be kinda dumb. Unfortunately I thought this scene wasn’t going to take up much of the book but ends up actually be the majority of the book. It takes them forever to get away and all of the girls are just thinking about how good looking Neil is. I would be traumatised.
I found this whole scene just put me off the book entirely. I felt I knew exactly what was going to happen they would escape something would happen with William and then they would live happily ever after. Don’t get me wrong I love a happy ending. But i felt there was no build up for me. So passion, no tension. I do think it doesn’t help that this book was written nearly ten years after the first book I think maybe the first book two should of been left at two or written very close to each other. I felt like it had a completely different tone to the first two.
In conclusion I skipped most of the second half of the book because I just thought it was really silly makes me sound a bit boring but it felt so out of place. Really over the top and I just didn’t feel emotionally connected to anything not the action or the romance.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 24, 2021
Girl meets boy. Boy considers himself to be "evil". Girl hears about boy's sad upbringing and begins to believe he's redeemable. Girl and boy fall in love. Boy now will be a good person. I will say I didn't find the female character TSTL for the most part and liked that she had a backbone. She also cared about others even though in lower stations. Also loved the bond she had with her sisters. The side characters I enjoyed as well.
SPOILERS NEXT.
Some things I found a little hard to believe. Firstly, the guy is an assassin and has killed enough people he's "lost count". Upon the main character learning this she is completely unfazed. She isn't shocked, scared, or nervous. If anything, now that she knows this information she treats him like he's even less of a threat to her. They also end up having sex next to a dead body at one point and again she's totally unbothered by it. Secondly, she is completely opposed to marriage. She has exed three fiances already to the detriment of not only hers but her family's reputation. One guy she refuses is a psychopath rapist so that's understandable the other two she just felt she didn't want to be tied down aka didn't want to become their property. Then after knowing a guy maybeeee a week her fears (she's held since childhood) magically disappear and wham bam she's ready to get hitched. Lastly, he of course is a rich millionaire guy who had a distant father who of course never loved him but has inherited everything none the less. He's also essentially been completely off the map for years and despite this within a couple of weeks he is able to establish who he is (no DNA, just vibes I guess) and get all the money that somehow has not been dispersed to other people in his absence.
I found the first and second sex scenes a little uncomfortable. Her now husband knows and witnessed for himself that she experienced a near sexual assault (Her dress was torn and she was physically assaulted. But was able to escape before she was sexually assaulted.). Despite this though he somewhat forces himself on her the first time even though he can tell she's uncomfortable. The second time he tries proving to her how "dangerous" he is and is forceful with her. She doesn't seem to mind in the end I just don't like how he didn't even consider how triggering he could've possibly been.
In conclusion, although this wasn't my cup of tea. I can see people who like "historical" smut books enjoying this and wouldn't be opposed to recommending it to friends that do.
SPOILERS NEXT.
Some things I found a little hard to believe. Firstly, the guy is an assassin and has killed enough people he's "lost count". Upon the main character learning this she is completely unfazed. She isn't shocked, scared, or nervous. If anything, now that she knows this information she treats him like he's even less of a threat to her. They also end up having sex next to a dead body at one point and again she's totally unbothered by it. Secondly, she is completely opposed to marriage. She has exed three fiances already to the detriment of not only hers but her family's reputation. One guy she refuses is a psychopath rapist so that's understandable the other two she just felt she didn't want to be tied down aka didn't want to become their property. Then after knowing a guy maybeeee a week her fears (she's held since childhood) magically disappear and wham bam she's ready to get hitched. Lastly, he of course is a rich millionaire guy who had a distant father who of course never loved him but has inherited everything none the less. He's also essentially been completely off the map for years and despite this within a couple of weeks he is able to establish who he is (no DNA, just vibes I guess) and get all the money that somehow has not been dispersed to other people in his absence.
I found the first and second sex scenes a little uncomfortable. Her now husband knows and witnessed for himself that she experienced a near sexual assault (Her dress was torn and she was physically assaulted. But was able to escape before she was sexually assaulted.). Despite this though he somewhat forces himself on her the first time even though he can tell she's uncomfortable. The second time he tries proving to her how "dangerous" he is and is forceful with her. She doesn't seem to mind in the end I just don't like how he didn't even consider how triggering he could've possibly been.
In conclusion, although this wasn't my cup of tea. I can see people who like "historical" smut books enjoying this and wouldn't be opposed to recommending it to friends that do.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 15, 2021
Disinvolta passione è il terzo volume della trilogia dedicata alle Banning ma si può leggere anche singolarmente considerato che ogni volume vede protagonista una sorella diversa.
I protagonisti sono Elizabeth Banning una ragazza che ha alle spalle due fidanzamenti finiti male per sua scelta ed ora sta per rompere il terzo ed è a questo punto che incontra Neil Severin, un assassino del Governo che una volta sfruttato ora deve essere eliminato.
Elisabeth è la più giovane, testarda, sfacciata e coraggiosa anche se ha paura di finire sotto il controllo di un uomo mentre Neil è un uomo freddo tanto che nonostante i numerosi omicidi non prova alcun rimorso.
Devo ammettere che questo romanzo non mi ha entusiasmato molto, anche se, tutto sommato la storia non è male.
Il romanzo non racconta solo una storia d'amore ma è fatta anche d'avventura (rapimenti, fughe e riscatti) ed è quello che rende la lettura più movimentata ma manca di una vera suspense. La trama, effettivamente è complessa e particolare soprattutto per aver ambientato una storia d'amore lontana dalle passeggiate al parco, balli, vestiti alla moda e pomeriggi tra amiche.
Sinceramente la caratterizzazione dei personaggi lascia un po' a desiderare, forse erano troppi e l'autrice non si è soffermata a delinearli come avrebbe dovuto (risultano troppo superficiali per i miei gusti) e poi avrei preferito una maggiore interazione tra i due protagonisti.
Lettura leggera ma mi sarei aspettata di più da quest'autrice.
I protagonisti sono Elizabeth Banning una ragazza che ha alle spalle due fidanzamenti finiti male per sua scelta ed ora sta per rompere il terzo ed è a questo punto che incontra Neil Severin, un assassino del Governo che una volta sfruttato ora deve essere eliminato.
Elisabeth è la più giovane, testarda, sfacciata e coraggiosa anche se ha paura di finire sotto il controllo di un uomo mentre Neil è un uomo freddo tanto che nonostante i numerosi omicidi non prova alcun rimorso.
Devo ammettere che questo romanzo non mi ha entusiasmato molto, anche se, tutto sommato la storia non è male.
Il romanzo non racconta solo una storia d'amore ma è fatta anche d'avventura (rapimenti, fughe e riscatti) ed è quello che rende la lettura più movimentata ma manca di una vera suspense. La trama, effettivamente è complessa e particolare soprattutto per aver ambientato una storia d'amore lontana dalle passeggiate al parco, balli, vestiti alla moda e pomeriggi tra amiche.
Sinceramente la caratterizzazione dei personaggi lascia un po' a desiderare, forse erano troppi e l'autrice non si è soffermata a delinearli come avrebbe dovuto (risultano troppo superficiali per i miei gusti) e poi avrei preferito una maggiore interazione tra i due protagonisti.
Lettura leggera ma mi sarei aspettata di più da quest'autrice.
March 16, 2019
Karen Robards has certainly found an unlikely heroine and hero in this rousing romance. Lady Elizabeth Banning has broken off three engagements. The fiery redhead is determined to never be any man's property. Neil Severin is a government-sanctioned assassin known as the Angel of Death. He breaks into the house where Beth is living with her married sister. Apparently the British government has decided to dispense with it's assassins and Neil is being hunted by other paid killers. Only Beth's brother-in-law knows his true identity and so Neil has decided that he must die. He breaks into the Duke's home with murder in his heart. But he comes upon the latest angry jilted suitor who has decided to rape Beth in order to force her into marriage. One thing leads to another and then another and then another. This heroine gets into more trouble than the perils of Pauline. And the mysterious tall, dark and handsome Neil is always there to rescue her. Beth does not realize that this man is following her because he intends to kidnap her in order to lure the Duke into his clutches. Very melodramatic, very romantic, very sexy, and a very quick read. Shameless is a fun book.
March 1, 2022
The beginning of this book is very intense and suspenseful. Several situations filled me with anxiety to the point that I couldn’t stop reading. Make sure you check trigger warnings on this one. I enjoyed the story building and the characters.
Unfortunately, I feel that this author drags her stories out to the point that they fizzle out. Most of us have that one friend who takes 30 minutes to tell a 10 minute story, and that’s exactly the impression I was left with by the halfway point of the book. The plot began at an incredibly fast pace and then comes to a screeching halt and crawls to the end. It’s frustrating. I do intend to finish this series, but I’m not likely to read more from this author.
Unfortunately, I feel that this author drags her stories out to the point that they fizzle out. Most of us have that one friend who takes 30 minutes to tell a 10 minute story, and that’s exactly the impression I was left with by the halfway point of the book. The plot began at an incredibly fast pace and then comes to a screeching halt and crawls to the end. It’s frustrating. I do intend to finish this series, but I’m not likely to read more from this author.
July 8, 2022
Una historia de romance historia con mucho salseo, acción y escenas subidas de tono.
Se lee muy rápido, ya que no paran de suceder cosas que te hacen seguir el libro sin interrupción.
No me ha gustado el comportamiento de Beth cuando llega a Londres después de todo lo pasado, me pareció una caprichosa y una desconsiderada. Como siempre el primer momento subido caliente de la pareja no me llega a gustar como los termina de escribir la autora pero lo llego a comprender.
Me ha gustado el cambio que da Neil a lo largo del libro y la personalidad de Beth tan fuera de lo común en algunos aspectos para esa época. Las chicas rescatadas son muy graciosas y crean momentos divertidos. El momento de los tres en la boda antes de la llegada de la novia es genial.
Se lee muy rápido, ya que no paran de suceder cosas que te hacen seguir el libro sin interrupción.
No me ha gustado el comportamiento de Beth cuando llega a Londres después de todo lo pasado, me pareció una caprichosa y una desconsiderada. Como siempre el primer momento subido caliente de la pareja no me llega a gustar como los termina de escribir la autora pero lo llego a comprender.
Me ha gustado el cambio que da Neil a lo largo del libro y la personalidad de Beth tan fuera de lo común en algunos aspectos para esa época. Las chicas rescatadas son muy graciosas y crean momentos divertidos. El momento de los tres en la boda antes de la llegada de la novia es genial.
July 4, 2025
Book 3 in the Banning sisters trilogy.
Youngest sister Beth is a bit of a flirt, with 3 ex-fiancés to show for herself. She mistakes government assassin Neil for a cat burglar when he enters her sister's home during a party.
When Beth is kidnapped by her jilted fiancé and sold off to a virgin auction Neil, looking to kidnap Beth himself, to use her as bait for his target (her brother-in-law), is forced to rescue her and half a dozen other unfortunate girls from the auction, all while on the run from killers hired by the government to tie up loose ends.
This book was full of action and the escape from the kidnappers was fun to read. The romance was a bit of insta-lust with the real relationship being a slower burn.
This book contains descriptive love scenes.
Youngest sister Beth is a bit of a flirt, with 3 ex-fiancés to show for herself. She mistakes government assassin Neil for a cat burglar when he enters her sister's home during a party.
When Beth is kidnapped by her jilted fiancé and sold off to a virgin auction Neil, looking to kidnap Beth himself, to use her as bait for his target (her brother-in-law), is forced to rescue her and half a dozen other unfortunate girls from the auction, all while on the run from killers hired by the government to tie up loose ends.
This book was full of action and the escape from the kidnappers was fun to read. The romance was a bit of insta-lust with the real relationship being a slower burn.
This book contains descriptive love scenes.
February 29, 2024
Talk about a match made in scandal! I really enjoy the main characters and how they interact - conflicted assassin, defiant hoyden and his rescuing her from various mishaps (such an understatement) and his forced introduction into Polite Society. Why did I think the worst part of this for the assassin was Polite Society? (Because the man knows danger when he is tossed into it?) This is not the usual courteous round of dances and socials - it is a lot more rollicking and fun (in a Thelma and Louise kind of way).
October 2, 2018
This book has been on my shelf for so many years and I have never had the impetus to pick it up, but I am glad that I finally did because I rather enjoyed it.
Both Elizabeth and Neil were well-developed and well-written and I liked the progression of their relationship. The supporting characters were equally as engaging and gave added depth to the novel.
The plot sometimes felt a bit random, but it certainly didn't dull my enjoyment. In fact, it kind of worked in keeping everything fresh otherwise it could have lapsed into a rather dull revenge plot that any number of other novels in this genre have tried their hand at.
I would definitely read another regency novel by Karen Robards.
Both Elizabeth and Neil were well-developed and well-written and I liked the progression of their relationship. The supporting characters were equally as engaging and gave added depth to the novel.
The plot sometimes felt a bit random, but it certainly didn't dull my enjoyment. In fact, it kind of worked in keeping everything fresh otherwise it could have lapsed into a rather dull revenge plot that any number of other novels in this genre have tried their hand at.
I would definitely read another regency novel by Karen Robards.
November 3, 2019
I liked the plot of redeeming an assasin. However, I cannot give it more than two stars because some parts dragged, some annoyed me -Beth and her flirting in the end- and some were just ridiculous -the sex scene next to a corpse (Really? Who does that?).
But all in all the book was pretty okay, it did not make me skip through the pages and chapters like I did with Irresistible.
But all in all the book was pretty okay, it did not make me skip through the pages and chapters like I did with Irresistible.
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