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Ladies in Disgrace #2
Camino de la perdición
La historia de sus vidas estaba marcada por el amor.
Lady Drusilla Rudney, considerada una solterona, solo tenía un objetivo en la vida. Por eso, cuando su caprichosa hermana se fugó, Dru supo que tenía que detenerla antes de que cometiera un error. Y para ello se valdría de la ayuda de un compañero de viaje que a primera vista parecía inofensivo.
John Hendricks, otrora capitán del ejército, estaba intrigado por aquella damisela en apuros. Al verse envuelto con ella en una loca carrera tras la hermana fugada descubrirá que Drusilla no era precisamente una tímida florecilla, y sus maneras nada convencionales lee tentarían a desatar con ella un escándalo...
Lady Drusilla Rudney, considerada una solterona, solo tenía un objetivo en la vida. Por eso, cuando su caprichosa hermana se fugó, Dru supo que tenía que detenerla antes de que cometiera un error. Y para ello se valdría de la ayuda de un compañero de viaje que a primera vista parecía inofensivo.
John Hendricks, otrora capitán del ejército, estaba intrigado por aquella damisela en apuros. Al verse envuelto con ella en una loca carrera tras la hermana fugada descubrirá que Drusilla no era precisamente una tímida florecilla, y sus maneras nada convencionales lee tentarían a desatar con ella un escándalo...
315 pages, Paperback
First published April 1, 2011
21 people are currently reading
203 people want to read
About the author
Christine Merrill
239 books215 followersChristine Merrill has wanted to be an author for as long as she can remember. But one thing stood in her way: touch typing.
Six weeks spent on an IBM Selectric in her Sophomore year of high school proved that she would never be able to produce one readable page of manuscript, much less several hundred.
Twenty years passed, and she found ways to pass the time: marrying her high school sweetheart; having two sons; and taking an assortment of jobs in professional theater costume shops, including a miserable year and a half spent styling wigs for a certain hamburger-selling clown (who shall remain nameless, since I don't want to incur the wrath of a major American corporation) and a couple of weeks working on a TV movie with one of the sexiest men alive (whose name I'm happy to drop: Mark Harmon!).
During that time, someone invented word processing, and a reliable spell checker.
Christine returned to her childhood dream, only to discover that there was more to the whole writing thing than accurate typing. The next years were spent learning to tell stories that people might want to read, and trying to find someone who wanted to buy them. Her chance came when she won the RWA's Golden Heart Competition for unpublished manuscripts. The winning story, soon to be known as THE INCONVENIENT DUCHESS, was bought by the contest judges, the delightful editors at Mills & Boon, in Richmond, Surrey.
Christine is now busy writing her fifth book, and is more than slightly jealous that her manuscripts get to visit England, while she stays home in Wisconsin
Six weeks spent on an IBM Selectric in her Sophomore year of high school proved that she would never be able to produce one readable page of manuscript, much less several hundred.
Twenty years passed, and she found ways to pass the time: marrying her high school sweetheart; having two sons; and taking an assortment of jobs in professional theater costume shops, including a miserable year and a half spent styling wigs for a certain hamburger-selling clown (who shall remain nameless, since I don't want to incur the wrath of a major American corporation) and a couple of weeks working on a TV movie with one of the sexiest men alive (whose name I'm happy to drop: Mark Harmon!).
During that time, someone invented word processing, and a reliable spell checker.
Christine returned to her childhood dream, only to discover that there was more to the whole writing thing than accurate typing. The next years were spent learning to tell stories that people might want to read, and trying to find someone who wanted to buy them. Her chance came when she won the RWA's Golden Heart Competition for unpublished manuscripts. The winning story, soon to be known as THE INCONVENIENT DUCHESS, was bought by the contest judges, the delightful editors at Mills & Boon, in Richmond, Surrey.
Christine is now busy writing her fifth book, and is more than slightly jealous that her manuscripts get to visit England, while she stays home in Wisconsin
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 55 reviews
January 8, 2018
leído en Enero 2013
April 16, 2018
Una cachetada a su hermana menor y llevarla por los pelos hasta la casa, hubiese funcionado mucho mejor. Ya es una niña malcriada y torcida, no hay más que hacer.
En cuanto a ellos... jajajaja, fue muy lindo y gracioso, estar con una chica estirada que cree con firmeza en los buenos modales, pero que necesita su ayuda.
En cuanto a ellos... jajajaja, fue muy lindo y gracioso, estar con una chica estirada que cree con firmeza en los buenos modales, pero que necesita su ayuda.
September 4, 2013
3 1/2, really, and it'd be a good solid 4 if the sex scene wasn't quite so rapey. I've read worse, it was relatively minor on the ick scale. Sort of a "we're going to have sex whether you like it or not" moment; there was no point at which she didn't like it, or feigned resistance or anything. So only a little awkward. But I liked how the hero and heroine were all pragmatic, and I always like when the girl puts on pants for the first time and goes horseback riding all willy nilly.
March 8, 2020
I was hoping for an angsty spinster romance and ended up with a weird beta hero raping a confused heroine who had no dimensions. And the sister was just not a believable character, and the heroine an idiot for constantly enabling her. I didn't feel any chemistry between the characters, and no real angst despite the set-up. (1.5 stars)
July 31, 2024
Nel primo volume avevamo visto John Hendricks, il segretario di Adrian, ex-soldato costretto a lavorare per mantenersi, fuggire da Londra con il cuore infranto.
La svolta della vita si chiama Drusilla, detta Dru, fanciulla castigata e dotata pure di libro di preghiere, che gli siede accanto nella carrozza del postale verso la Scozia. Dru ha però una sorella, Priscilla, non proprio tranquillissima, che trascinerà tutti in una fuga d'amore e in una lunga serie di vicissitudini.
Peccato non aver mantenuto i titoli originali: qui sarebbe stata la "strada per la rovina di lady Drusilla", molto azzeccato.
Il miglior volume della trilogia, perché ho amato questi due: Dru, sempre relegata nel ruolo di sorella "seria", e John, figlio illegittimo di un duca, leale, coraggioso e protettivo, con occhi da felino sotto gli occhiali, e che si è rassegnato al "non si può scegliere sempre qualcuno che ricambierà".
La svolta della vita si chiama Drusilla, detta Dru, fanciulla castigata e dotata pure di libro di preghiere, che gli siede accanto nella carrozza del postale verso la Scozia. Dru ha però una sorella, Priscilla, non proprio tranquillissima, che trascinerà tutti in una fuga d'amore e in una lunga serie di vicissitudini.
Peccato non aver mantenuto i titoli originali: qui sarebbe stata la "strada per la rovina di lady Drusilla", molto azzeccato.
Il miglior volume della trilogia, perché ho amato questi due: Dru, sempre relegata nel ruolo di sorella "seria", e John, figlio illegittimo di un duca, leale, coraggioso e protettivo, con occhi da felino sotto gli occhiali, e che si è rassegnato al "non si può scegliere sempre qualcuno che ricambierà".
January 12, 2021
Basic and forgettable historical romance
3 stars
Lady Drusilla Rudney has given up any thoughts of her own Season or successful marriage in order to look after her pretty and vivacious but silly younger sister. So when her sister decides to elope, the only thing that Dru can do is follow her and try to prevent the marriage.
Ex-army captain John Hendricks is intrigued by the prim yet beautiful damsel in distress he finds sitting across from him on the mail coach to Scotland. Agreeing to help her in her mad dash is no real hardship. However giving her up when they have to return to their real lives might just be the hardest thing he's ever had to do.
This appears to be the second book in a series after Lady Folbroke's Delicious Deception. Although the couple from that book appear in this one, you don't have to have read the first one to understand this one.
While this book passed the time, I'm afraid that I found it quite basic and ultimately forgettable. Dru was a nice enough character - feisty without ever conforming to a stereotype. I also liked that John was a strong, un-titled man but his glasses gave him a sweet, studious edge. I wanted the pair to have chemistry but I just didn't believe that they felt anything for each other, other than perhaps lust.
Halfway through the book I started to wonder what on earth was going to fill the rest of the book and that is never the sign of a riveting and enthralling story. There was also a fair number of jarring Americanisms throughout the book which pulls you from the story.
Overall this was an easy enough read with a basic plot that just didn't seem to rise to any sort of high level. 3 stars.
January 11, 2018
Let's just get this out of the way: the hero rapes the heroine. You're just noodling along reading a not-great but not-terrible Harlequin category-type regency romance novel and then 63% of the way through the book the hero, who is pissy because he thinks the heroine has the hots for a douchebag, tells her, "Now, I will take the one thing I truly want from you in payment for this trip. Unfasten my trousers, Lady Drusilla. You know well enough how they come undone." She objects, to which he retorts, "I do not mean to give you a choice." He proceeds to... not give her a choice.
There are plenty of other things to object to in this book, not least the silly resolution (after all, the heroine is a duke's daughter and the hero is a secretary of dubious parentage), the inconsistent characterization, the abject stupidity displayed by characters at times, but I really feel like the first paragraph is enough to indicate that I will not be touching this book again with a ten foot pole.
There are plenty of other things to object to in this book, not least the silly resolution (after all, the heroine is a duke's daughter and the hero is a secretary of dubious parentage), the inconsistent characterization, the abject stupidity displayed by characters at times, but I really feel like the first paragraph is enough to indicate that I will not be touching this book again with a ten foot pole.
February 6, 2018
The two people seemed like a fairly likeable couple, but the misunderstandings were somewhat silly. The adventure they embarked on seemed a lot of fun, actually, and they appeared to really want to get to know each other - that's why the misunderstandings seemed a bit trite.
I realize a lot has been said in other reviews about the initial sexual interlude, so I'll just draw attention to one point - Drusilla's inner dialogue clearly indicates that she is curious and interested to see where things go with John, despite his deliberate dismissal of her feelings. In fact, she admits to herself that she is relieved to have the "choice" removed from her. That's not so odd; since she had subsumed her own hopes and desires in order to fulfill her father's bizarre fantasy for her younger sister, being non-complicit in her own sexual initiation gives her an "out" from guilt later - she doesn't have to deal with having made a choice outside of her normal role.
The Duke's parental motivation was a bit weird, and frankly, creeped me out far more than any "consent" issues between John and Drusilla.
Abrupt ending, if nicely ironic.
I realize a lot has been said in other reviews about the initial sexual interlude, so I'll just draw attention to one point - Drusilla's inner dialogue clearly indicates that she is curious and interested to see where things go with John, despite his deliberate dismissal of her feelings. In fact, she admits to herself that she is relieved to have the "choice" removed from her. That's not so odd; since she had subsumed her own hopes and desires in order to fulfill her father's bizarre fantasy for her younger sister, being non-complicit in her own sexual initiation gives her an "out" from guilt later - she doesn't have to deal with having made a choice outside of her normal role.
The Duke's parental motivation was a bit weird, and frankly, creeped me out far more than any "consent" issues between John and Drusilla.
Abrupt ending, if nicely ironic.
December 15, 2018
Muito bom. Não tão bom quanto o primeiro, mas não deixa muito a desejar...
E chega a vez do secretário que me fez chorar no primeiro livro, Amor Errante.
Engraçado, não é? Muita gente vai achar que é ridículo, mas ele me fez chorar sim. A amizade dele, com o conde é tão bonita... o que ele fazia de coração, apesar de ser empregado, e ao mesmo tempo, condenava sua atitude com a esposa. Me tocou profundamente... e sou chorona mesmo, pisciana do fio do cabelo até o dedão do pé. E essa é a vez de ele encontrar o amor.
Esse amor ele encontra em Lady Drusilla que viaja, sem acompanhante, para a Escócia a fim de impedir que sua irmã case com o professor de dança, e nessa viagem maluca os dois vivem loucuras e acabam se apaixonando.
Mas o grande problema é que ele é um plebeu, ex-capitão do exército e ex-funcionário de um conde e ela a filha de um Duque. Aí que a porca torce o rabo.
Muito gostoso de ler. Não foi, para mim, tão tocante quanto o primeiro. Talvez por que no primeiro o mocinho é cego, mas foi muito gostoso de ler e já estou indo para o terceiro.
Sinal que estou gostando das séries sim e recomendo
E chega a vez do secretário que me fez chorar no primeiro livro, Amor Errante.
Engraçado, não é? Muita gente vai achar que é ridículo, mas ele me fez chorar sim. A amizade dele, com o conde é tão bonita... o que ele fazia de coração, apesar de ser empregado, e ao mesmo tempo, condenava sua atitude com a esposa. Me tocou profundamente... e sou chorona mesmo, pisciana do fio do cabelo até o dedão do pé. E essa é a vez de ele encontrar o amor.
Esse amor ele encontra em Lady Drusilla que viaja, sem acompanhante, para a Escócia a fim de impedir que sua irmã case com o professor de dança, e nessa viagem maluca os dois vivem loucuras e acabam se apaixonando.
Mas o grande problema é que ele é um plebeu, ex-capitão do exército e ex-funcionário de um conde e ela a filha de um Duque. Aí que a porca torce o rabo.
Muito gostoso de ler. Não foi, para mim, tão tocante quanto o primeiro. Talvez por que no primeiro o mocinho é cego, mas foi muito gostoso de ler e já estou indo para o terceiro.
Sinal que estou gostando das séries sim e recomendo
July 30, 2017
Bueno, me pareció entretenida y la leí de un tirón. A pesar de no haber leído la primera novela de la serie, se entiende bien.
Pero sobre todo me gustó la primera parte, hasta que concretan.
Me resultaron muy divertidos los pensamiento de ambos, cómo se sienten atraídos, pero solo lo sabe el lector porque la charla entre ellos es distante y sumamente educada mientras que sus pensamientos, no.
Pero después sentí que el argumento aflojó mucho, el desenlace me parece poco trabajado, lleno de los tópicos habituales de las novelas de regencia.
Me hubiera gustado una mayor profundización en los conflictos familiares de Drusilla, su sentir.
John me encantó, me gustan los protas enamorados y sin dudas.
Entretenida pero no para la reflexión. 3 y media pero le subí a 4.
Pero sobre todo me gustó la primera parte, hasta que concretan.
Me resultaron muy divertidos los pensamiento de ambos, cómo se sienten atraídos, pero solo lo sabe el lector porque la charla entre ellos es distante y sumamente educada mientras que sus pensamientos, no.
Pero después sentí que el argumento aflojó mucho, el desenlace me parece poco trabajado, lleno de los tópicos habituales de las novelas de regencia.
Me hubiera gustado una mayor profundización en los conflictos familiares de Drusilla, su sentir.
John me encantó, me gustan los protas enamorados y sin dudas.
Entretenida pero no para la reflexión. 3 y media pero le subí a 4.
August 4, 2017
This was an okay read. The plot was not particularly original and the story a little unrealistic in places. It was a run of the mill 'Mills and Boon' romance. I did not find the male lead particularly inspiring and Drusilla was a little naïve. Although the sex scene was not technically rape, it was not particularly consensual in the true meaning of the word, which robbed the male lead of any honour he may have had. The plot was a simple one, which relied to much on the sexual element and not enough on a more complicated story line. An okay read but I will not be keeping it on my book shelf.
May 27, 2019
Mr Hendricks and Lady Dru
A great regency odd couple meet up on the stage north. The drunk bespectacled broken-hearted Mr Hendricks falling in with the ridiculously nicknamed 'Silly' when a fellow passenger is over familiar with her. Lady Drusilla is in pursuit of her younger sister, who has recklessly persuaded the dancing master to elope to Gretna with her. Dru employs Hendrick's to aid her in her pursuit... The handsome seasoned ex-officer being more than capable of managing her desperate journey north.... However Lady Dru soon discovers, as does John Hendricks, that they have more in common than either of them could ever have thought.
A great regency odd couple meet up on the stage north. The drunk bespectacled broken-hearted Mr Hendricks falling in with the ridiculously nicknamed 'Silly' when a fellow passenger is over familiar with her. Lady Drusilla is in pursuit of her younger sister, who has recklessly persuaded the dancing master to elope to Gretna with her. Dru employs Hendrick's to aid her in her pursuit... The handsome seasoned ex-officer being more than capable of managing her desperate journey north.... However Lady Dru soon discovers, as does John Hendricks, that they have more in common than either of them could ever have thought.
June 2, 2018
Well I just finished and I feel like I have whiplash. The ending was ridiculously abrupt. I was waiting for a gradual conclusion but it was just like BAM.
The rest of the story was entertaining. Nothing particularly deep - especially the developing relationship between Drusilla and John - they talked but it was too shallow for a believable relationship. Dru had glimpses of being a strong character but she was so naive, it was hard to love her. John was sweet but nothing that moved me.
Still, it was an easy read. 2.5 stars.
The rest of the story was entertaining. Nothing particularly deep - especially the developing relationship between Drusilla and John - they talked but it was too shallow for a believable relationship. Dru had glimpses of being a strong character but she was so naive, it was hard to love her. John was sweet but nothing that moved me.
Still, it was an easy read. 2.5 stars.
August 7, 2022
Tedious and long-winded. Maybe I didn’t find enough to like about Drusilla. There is no question Ms. Merrill can write — she has published a slew of books. Here is one sentence that struck me as what I’d like to be reading more of:
This wasn’t *exactly* a DNF for me because I skipped to the end and skimmed the last two chapters. But I won’t be reading another book by this author anytime soon.
If there was such a thing as a chaperone’s corner for highwaymen, she had been left there tonight, holding an empty gun instead of her knitting.
This wasn’t *exactly* a DNF for me because I skipped to the end and skimmed the last two chapters. But I won’t be reading another book by this author anytime soon.
July 1, 2018
One thing I have wished to see more often in historical romances is plots where the man didn't have all the wealth and power. Well, here is one and I don't like it. The heroine is also powerless; her father has the title and money. The hero's behavior is often not admirable and borders on the contemptible. The heroine is likable.
February 19, 2019
I did not want to finish reading this book until they were both of old age. Loved the couples interactions, dialogues, miscommunications and progression of their love story. Curious as to the father's reaction to Drusilla's decision at the end of the book and how it may impact Priscilla.
July 19, 2024
2.5 star
A bit too slow and too much repetitive inner thoughts. I didn't like the heroine either. Too docile for my taste, too girly. And it was hard to believe they were in love after like 3 days!
A bit too slow and too much repetitive inner thoughts. I didn't like the heroine either. Too docile for my taste, too girly. And it was hard to believe they were in love after like 3 days!
June 13, 2020
Chasing an eloping sister, a woman hooks up with a man who helps her. Quite charming.
March 14, 2022
2 e mezzo
February 5, 2023
2,5 stelline
June 4, 2025
Me ha gustado mucho. Ha estado divertido y entretenido ver la pedazo carrera contrarreloj que se han pegado. Son muy monos y me han hecho reír bastantes veces.
October 1, 2023
Trama interessante, poteva essere ampliata ancora, ho trovato molti dettagli che potevano essere narrati con qualche capitolo in più :)
April 15, 2018
A very sweet and captivating story, with good characters, plot, story and dialogues. The romance is credible and overall I really like it. Definitely going to read it again!
January 15, 2020
I loved this book!
April 23, 2012
This review also appears at http://thegoldenruleof666.blogspot.com
Lady Drusilla's Road to Ruin is an unconventional book with unconventional characters and an unconventional story. And I couldn't have loved it more.
Lady Dru is considered a spinster, though she isn't old enough to be one, set aside so that her sister could shine. Her job is to watch over the reckless debutante, so when she runs away to elope, Dru has no choice but to follow her and stop the marriage. On her way, she meets John Hendricks, who agrees to help her for payment. And so begins the frantic chase.
Dru was a delightful character. She's been overlooked and pushed aside for her younger sister, so she is disillusioned with the world. Obviously, her expectation that she is unlikable because suitors would always choose her sister makes it hard for her to believe John is capable of loving her. Her determination to protect her sister is commendable (I wouldn't put that much effort to help that shrew of a sister, but more on Priscilla later). Despite her insecurity, Dru is capable and confident. I was happy that she didn't languish in mistrust of John-other than one understandable incident-like what occurs in other romances. She trusted implicitly that he would help her and that trust was extended along with their relationship as it progressed.
John is a sweetie. I loved that he wore glasses. It made him seem like a hot nerd, which I have a soft spot for. Besides his adorable looks, he's loyal to his word. Regardless of all the trouble the chase caused, he never backed down from his word. He was so precious to Dru. When their relationship grew, his loyalty grew to her until nothing in the world could prevent him from staying true to Dru. He's clever and the perfect person to bring along when chasing someone down. He's an adorable gentleman and I just fell head over heels for him.
Priscilla, Dru's sister, is a selfish little shrew. I swear, if I were Dru, I would've just let Priss suffer the consequences for what she did and not cared a bit. Even when Priss was trying to be "nice" she was still being horrible. I just couldn't stand her. And Dru's father is even worse. He's made Dru feel bad about herself and clearly favored Priss despite her tendency to attract scandal. I couldn't stand Dru's family at all and I'm so glad they only made brief appearances.
The plot was unique and fast-paced. There was never a dull moment during the frantic chase. The ending is different from what is normally done in romances, and I loved it.
This book is perfection at its pinnacle: 5/5
Thanks to Netgalley for a copy!
Lady Drusilla's Road to Ruin is an unconventional book with unconventional characters and an unconventional story. And I couldn't have loved it more.
Lady Dru is considered a spinster, though she isn't old enough to be one, set aside so that her sister could shine. Her job is to watch over the reckless debutante, so when she runs away to elope, Dru has no choice but to follow her and stop the marriage. On her way, she meets John Hendricks, who agrees to help her for payment. And so begins the frantic chase.
Dru was a delightful character. She's been overlooked and pushed aside for her younger sister, so she is disillusioned with the world. Obviously, her expectation that she is unlikable because suitors would always choose her sister makes it hard for her to believe John is capable of loving her. Her determination to protect her sister is commendable (I wouldn't put that much effort to help that shrew of a sister, but more on Priscilla later). Despite her insecurity, Dru is capable and confident. I was happy that she didn't languish in mistrust of John-other than one understandable incident-like what occurs in other romances. She trusted implicitly that he would help her and that trust was extended along with their relationship as it progressed.
John is a sweetie. I loved that he wore glasses. It made him seem like a hot nerd, which I have a soft spot for. Besides his adorable looks, he's loyal to his word. Regardless of all the trouble the chase caused, he never backed down from his word. He was so precious to Dru. When their relationship grew, his loyalty grew to her until nothing in the world could prevent him from staying true to Dru. He's clever and the perfect person to bring along when chasing someone down. He's an adorable gentleman and I just fell head over heels for him.
Priscilla, Dru's sister, is a selfish little shrew. I swear, if I were Dru, I would've just let Priss suffer the consequences for what she did and not cared a bit. Even when Priss was trying to be "nice" she was still being horrible. I just couldn't stand her. And Dru's father is even worse. He's made Dru feel bad about herself and clearly favored Priss despite her tendency to attract scandal. I couldn't stand Dru's family at all and I'm so glad they only made brief appearances.
The plot was unique and fast-paced. There was never a dull moment during the frantic chase. The ending is different from what is normally done in romances, and I loved it.
This book is perfection at its pinnacle: 5/5
Thanks to Netgalley for a copy!
April 26, 2016
This story is about Drucilla Rudney. A spinster, at the age of three and twenty, who has been given the nickname of Silly and who unfortunately has inherited the burden of looking after her impulsive spoiled younger sister Priscilla. As the story progresses the reader soon finds that the nickname off Silly was bestowed upon the wrong sister.
The story starts with Dru sneaking out of her house in search of her sister who has run off to Gretna Green with a dancing master by the name of Gervaise. In the search she stumbles upon a Mr. John Hendricks who is licking his own wounds from a previous employment. Dru acquires Mr. Hendricks assistance in helping her locate her marriage bound sister in haste. He accepts and the voyage, entertainment, folly and falling begin.
I liked Drusilla. She is independent, tenacious and level headed. She wasn't appreciated by anyone and truly didn't realize what her capabilities were or her beauty. Her duty and forethought was always to and for her sister and fathers demands. John was a good fellow who has a penchant for falling in love with women above his station. Priscilla and the Duke of Brenbrige are both awful, indulgent and self absorbed people who aren't worth speaking. John nor his friends the Folbrokes liked Pruscilla as Emily stated, "And though she is pretty enough, Priscilla Rudney is a cloth-brained goose." As for the Duke of Benbridge, Lord Folbroke said, "the man is a miserable old sinner, with a heart like a flint."
This was a fun romantic read with much entertainment and funny banter. It is a solid story with a bit of steamy romance, wooing, and seeing change in characters who'd grown weary of staying in ones place instead of finding where one belongs.
I recommend this to all, not just romance lovers. It is a solid entertaining read. Thank you to Netgalley and Harlequin Historical for giving me the opportunity to read and review this ebook.
The story starts with Dru sneaking out of her house in search of her sister who has run off to Gretna Green with a dancing master by the name of Gervaise. In the search she stumbles upon a Mr. John Hendricks who is licking his own wounds from a previous employment. Dru acquires Mr. Hendricks assistance in helping her locate her marriage bound sister in haste. He accepts and the voyage, entertainment, folly and falling begin.
I liked Drusilla. She is independent, tenacious and level headed. She wasn't appreciated by anyone and truly didn't realize what her capabilities were or her beauty. Her duty and forethought was always to and for her sister and fathers demands. John was a good fellow who has a penchant for falling in love with women above his station. Priscilla and the Duke of Brenbrige are both awful, indulgent and self absorbed people who aren't worth speaking. John nor his friends the Folbrokes liked Pruscilla as Emily stated, "And though she is pretty enough, Priscilla Rudney is a cloth-brained goose." As for the Duke of Benbridge, Lord Folbroke said, "the man is a miserable old sinner, with a heart like a flint."
This was a fun romantic read with much entertainment and funny banter. It is a solid story with a bit of steamy romance, wooing, and seeing change in characters who'd grown weary of staying in ones place instead of finding where one belongs.
I recommend this to all, not just romance lovers. It is a solid entertaining read. Thank you to Netgalley and Harlequin Historical for giving me the opportunity to read and review this ebook.
March 26, 2012
Lady Drusilla and John Hendricks are brought together under odd circumstances. Both are trying to make a cross-country trip. One is in search of someone. The other is running away.
I’ve read quite a few Harlequin novels recently and enjoyed them. For some reason this title was lacking for me. It wasn’t that it was awful, the writing bad, or the steamy scenes not powerful. I just didn’t connect with either of the main characters or feel their emotion. It all seemed a little flat or off to me.
This is the second book of a trilogy. The first being Lady Folbroke's Delicious Deception and the third due out in April of 2012, Lady Priscilla's Shameful Secret. Lady Drusilla’s Road to Ruin referred to a lot of outside occurrences, situations that had happened in the past to both John and the lady. Childhood, family matters, sisters, snooty friends, etc. They were all talked about and explained. It was all told to us at a distance. Perhaps that was part of the reason I had a hard time connecting.
I’d like to thank NetGalley and Harlequin for the review copy of this book. I definitely will try other titles by this author. I would in no way call this a bad book. I felt it was ‘fine.’ A nice read, but not much beyond.
I’ve read quite a few Harlequin novels recently and enjoyed them. For some reason this title was lacking for me. It wasn’t that it was awful, the writing bad, or the steamy scenes not powerful. I just didn’t connect with either of the main characters or feel their emotion. It all seemed a little flat or off to me.
This is the second book of a trilogy. The first being Lady Folbroke's Delicious Deception and the third due out in April of 2012, Lady Priscilla's Shameful Secret. Lady Drusilla’s Road to Ruin referred to a lot of outside occurrences, situations that had happened in the past to both John and the lady. Childhood, family matters, sisters, snooty friends, etc. They were all talked about and explained. It was all told to us at a distance. Perhaps that was part of the reason I had a hard time connecting.
I’d like to thank NetGalley and Harlequin for the review copy of this book. I definitely will try other titles by this author. I would in no way call this a bad book. I felt it was ‘fine.’ A nice read, but not much beyond.
May 7, 2012
Lady Drusilla's Road to Ruin by Christine Merrill
3 STARS
Lady Drusilla's chases after her sister Priscilla who has eloped with
her dance instructer. She is determined not to let her
sister bring shame to their house.
Priscilla also took her money. Drusilla does not want everyone
to know that she is a Dukes daughter.
So she is traveling as cheep as she can is riding a mail coach w
with two strangers. One is John Hendricks he is drunk after
quitting his job, got on the wrong carriage. He wants to be
left alone.
the second was a merchant who was crowding her on the
carriage and asking if she is being met, had money looking
to take advantage of her.
Finally Drusilla told him she was traveling with her brother John
as she kicked him.
John played along and they ended sharing a room at the inn and
he agreed to help her stop the elopement.
As they race after the pair who are going across the broader to
wed. They get closer but misunderstanding happens.
This is a nice romance that is a fast read. Thier are a few
love scenes. Its a typical regency romance.
I was given this ebook to read in exchange of honest review
from Netgalley.
04/03/2012 PUB Harlequin Harlequin Historical
3 STARS
Lady Drusilla's chases after her sister Priscilla who has eloped with
her dance instructer. She is determined not to let her
sister bring shame to their house.
Priscilla also took her money. Drusilla does not want everyone
to know that she is a Dukes daughter.
So she is traveling as cheep as she can is riding a mail coach w
with two strangers. One is John Hendricks he is drunk after
quitting his job, got on the wrong carriage. He wants to be
left alone.
the second was a merchant who was crowding her on the
carriage and asking if she is being met, had money looking
to take advantage of her.
Finally Drusilla told him she was traveling with her brother John
as she kicked him.
John played along and they ended sharing a room at the inn and
he agreed to help her stop the elopement.
As they race after the pair who are going across the broader to
wed. They get closer but misunderstanding happens.
This is a nice romance that is a fast read. Thier are a few
love scenes. Its a typical regency romance.
I was given this ebook to read in exchange of honest review
from Netgalley.
04/03/2012 PUB Harlequin Harlequin Historical
August 3, 2011
This novel by Christine Merrill does feature as it's hero a character who first appeared in a previous book, but I hadn't read that and it really doesn't matter as Lady D stands quite well alone!
The Lady Driscilla of the title is the responsible older sister who is on her way to Scotland to save her flighty younger sister from a great deal om imprudence and probably a great big scandal! When Druscilla is harassed by an oily, unpleasant merchant on her journey, our hero's gentlemanly side takes over and he ends up assisting Druscilla - in more ways than one!
This was a fun romance with believable characters and understandable objections and misunderstandings to be overcome. Even getting near the end of the book I couldn't quite see how everything could be resolved satisfactorily - but of course it is! In fact I would have liked to have 'seen' a little more of our hero and heroine's adventure!
The Lady Driscilla of the title is the responsible older sister who is on her way to Scotland to save her flighty younger sister from a great deal om imprudence and probably a great big scandal! When Druscilla is harassed by an oily, unpleasant merchant on her journey, our hero's gentlemanly side takes over and he ends up assisting Druscilla - in more ways than one!
This was a fun romance with believable characters and understandable objections and misunderstandings to be overcome. Even getting near the end of the book I couldn't quite see how everything could be resolved satisfactorily - but of course it is! In fact I would have liked to have 'seen' a little more of our hero and heroine's adventure!
January 2, 2015
Good book. I really liked both John and Dru. Dru had taken off after her sister, to stop her from a scandalous elopement. She didn't realize how difficult and potentially dangerous it could be. After John left the employ of the Earl of Folbroke, he got on a coach headed for Scotland - not the one he intended to take. When Dru ran into some problems with another passenger, he came to her rescue. He then agreed to help her stop her sister. Dru was the older sister who was basically ignored for everything except watching over her sister, and had a very low opinion of her own attractiveness. John found her attractive from the beginning, but knowing of the difference in their stations, tried to fight it. He found her wit and willingness to endure hardship on their quest even more appealing. Dru found him attractive too. I loved what happened when they caught up with Priscilla. I also loved the reactions of the Folbrokes when John went to see them.
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