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Garrick #2
Sweet Vengeance
A classic Kat Martin regency romance, Sweet Vengeance--now beautifully repackaged! "Magnificent reading and filled with hot and wonderful passion. Martin is superb!" —Romance Reviews THE FIRES OF VENGEANCEWith her cascading raven curls and sleek, sinewy curves, Jocelyn Asbury is a woman any man would want. And Rayne Garrick, 4th Viscount Stoneleigh, wants Jocelyn...in his arms, and in his bed. He found her among a ragtag band of scamps and cutthroats—and saved her from a fate worse than death. But even as she yielded to him with a blazing hunger that matched his, she would soon betray him…in a night of shocking violence that would plunge them both into a world of treachery, danger, and all-consuming passion.THE FLAMES OF DESIREFrom the teeming slums of London to its scandalous salons and dazzling ballrooms, from a vast estate on Hampstead Heath to the stone walls of Newgate Prison and a magnificent plantation on the shores of Jamaica, two lovers are about to embark on an unforgettable journey—one that is as dangerous as it is irresistible… in Sweet Vengeance.
384 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 15, 1993
44 people are currently reading
611 people want to read
About the author
Kat Martin
190 books3,172 followersKathleen Kelly Martin (aka Kathy Lawrence, Kasey Mars)
Kathleen Kelly was born on 14 July 1947 in the Central Valley of California, USA. She obtained a degree in Anthropology and also studied History at the University of California in Santa Barbara. She was a real estate broker, when she met her future husband, Larry Jay Martin. A short time after the two became acquainted, Larry asked her to read an unpublished manuscript of an historical western he'd written. Kat fell in love with both the book and the author! Then, after doing some editing for him, she thought she'd try her own hand at writing. She moved on to become a full time writer.
Published since 1988, she signed her books with her married name, Kat Martin, but she also used two pseudonyms: Kathy Lawrence for a book in collaboration with her husband Larry Jay Martin, and Kasey Mars for her first contemporary romances. The New York Times bestselling writer, among her many awards, has won the prestigious RT Book Review Magazine Career Achievement Award. To date, Kat has over eleven million copies of her books in print. She has been published in seventeen foreign countries, including England, South Africa, Spain, Argentina, Germany, Italy, Greece, Norway, Sweden, Russia, Bulgaria, China, and Korea.
Currently residing with her husband, a Western-writer and photographer, in Missoula, Montana, USA. But when they are not writing, they also enjoy skiing and traveling, particularly to Europe.
"I've always loved books. I was an avid reader, with any number of my own stories rolling around in my head. Writing them down seemed a logical step."
"I love anything old," Kat says. "I love to travel and especially like to visit the places where my books are set. My husband and I often stay in out-of-the-way inns and houses built in times past. It's fun and it gives a wonderful sense of a by-gone era."
Kathleen Kelly was born on 14 July 1947 in the Central Valley of California, USA. She obtained a degree in Anthropology and also studied History at the University of California in Santa Barbara. She was a real estate broker, when she met her future husband, Larry Jay Martin. A short time after the two became acquainted, Larry asked her to read an unpublished manuscript of an historical western he'd written. Kat fell in love with both the book and the author! Then, after doing some editing for him, she thought she'd try her own hand at writing. She moved on to become a full time writer.
Published since 1988, she signed her books with her married name, Kat Martin, but she also used two pseudonyms: Kathy Lawrence for a book in collaboration with her husband Larry Jay Martin, and Kasey Mars for her first contemporary romances. The New York Times bestselling writer, among her many awards, has won the prestigious RT Book Review Magazine Career Achievement Award. To date, Kat has over eleven million copies of her books in print. She has been published in seventeen foreign countries, including England, South Africa, Spain, Argentina, Germany, Italy, Greece, Norway, Sweden, Russia, Bulgaria, China, and Korea.
Currently residing with her husband, a Western-writer and photographer, in Missoula, Montana, USA. But when they are not writing, they also enjoy skiing and traveling, particularly to Europe.
"I've always loved books. I was an avid reader, with any number of my own stories rolling around in my head. Writing them down seemed a logical step."
"I love anything old," Kat says. "I love to travel and especially like to visit the places where my books are set. My husband and I often stay in out-of-the-way inns and houses built in times past. It's fun and it gives a wonderful sense of a by-gone era."
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 35 reviews
August 24, 2025
Books I own. Regency Romance. Trope: Scandal, Mistress, Romance/Mystery, Enemies to Lovers, Revenge
MC's Viscount Stoneleigh, Rayne Garrick & Miss Jocelyn Asbury.
Jocelyn believed the Viscount was responsible for her father's death and wanted to avenge him. She confronted him with a gun but couldn't pull the trigger. He grabbed her taking her back to Stoneleigh to find out why she wanted him dead. She told him and he looked into it. Meanwhile he set her up as his Mistress. One day he came to see her at the Townhouse ( Love Nest) and he thought she shot him. In reality she has a silver tray in her hand but someone else shot him. Jocelyn ended up in Newgate prison and eventually in Jamaica to serve out her sentence with hard labour. Rayne purchased a plantation in Jamaica and had Jocelyn moved to the plantation to work. He couldn't get her out of his mind. He finally contronted her believing she really did plot to kill him. She confessed but he could tell she did it out of anger. He discovered a locket he had custom painted for her sewn into her dress next to her heart. He asked her about it. She said it was from the man she loved. He hugged her and held her near realizing she couldn't have shot him. In his dreams he saw the truth more than once and realized someone else had shot him. He asked Jocelyn to marry him. She finally excepted and shortly after they were married she was pregnant with child. They returned to England to clear her name and find the real culprit. Rayne hired an investigator to find the real shooter. Rayne's good friends were convinced of Jo's innocense, Alex his sister wasn't so sure. Rayne's plan once Jocelyn name was cleared was for them to settle in the country at Marden one of his estates. Jo had two friends that helped her when she lived on the streets near the docks, Brownie and Tucker that stayed with her when she was Rayne's mistress. Brownie tried to help her when she was in Newgate. Rayne asked his friend to make life easier for her in prison too. On the boat going over to Jamaica Jocelyn befriended two other female inmates. Rayne had them moved to his plantation to serve out their sentence too.
MC's Viscount Stoneleigh, Rayne Garrick & Miss Jocelyn Asbury.
Jocelyn believed the Viscount was responsible for her father's death and wanted to avenge him. She confronted him with a gun but couldn't pull the trigger. He grabbed her taking her back to Stoneleigh to find out why she wanted him dead. She told him and he looked into it. Meanwhile he set her up as his Mistress. One day he came to see her at the Townhouse ( Love Nest) and he thought she shot him. In reality she has a silver tray in her hand but someone else shot him. Jocelyn ended up in Newgate prison and eventually in Jamaica to serve out her sentence with hard labour. Rayne purchased a plantation in Jamaica and had Jocelyn moved to the plantation to work. He couldn't get her out of his mind. He finally contronted her believing she really did plot to kill him. She confessed but he could tell she did it out of anger. He discovered a locket he had custom painted for her sewn into her dress next to her heart. He asked her about it. She said it was from the man she loved. He hugged her and held her near realizing she couldn't have shot him. In his dreams he saw the truth more than once and realized someone else had shot him. He asked Jocelyn to marry him. She finally excepted and shortly after they were married she was pregnant with child. They returned to England to clear her name and find the real culprit. Rayne hired an investigator to find the real shooter. Rayne's good friends were convinced of Jo's innocense, Alex his sister wasn't so sure. Rayne's plan once Jocelyn name was cleared was for them to settle in the country at Marden one of his estates. Jo had two friends that helped her when she lived on the streets near the docks, Brownie and Tucker that stayed with her when she was Rayne's mistress. Brownie tried to help her when she was in Newgate. Rayne asked his friend to make life easier for her in prison too. On the boat going over to Jamaica Jocelyn befriended two other female inmates. Rayne had them moved to his plantation to serve out their sentence too.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 14, 2014
The tough little street urchin who tried to kill Rayne Garrick, Viscount Stoneleigh, turns out to be a young lady—a gently-bred young lady. As he goes about solving the mystery of why she wants him dead, he comes to care for her. Oh, not enough to marry her or anything. But enough to set her up as his mistress. She's off the street, and she enjoys herself in the sack. She ought to be grateful.
So imagine how gobsmacked he is when she tries to kill him again—and does a much better job of it this time. Despite the fact that it makes no sense for her to do it, he writes her off—sort of. He does insist that a friend keep her from hanging by having her transported. To Jamaica. And when he can't stop thinking about her, he buys his own plantation there and then buys her, just so he can make sure she's punished properly.
The problem is, Jocelyn didn't try to kill him that last time. Somebody else did it.
Yeah, this is one of those stories where the guy is totally unreasonable and abusive, and the woman suffers more than anyone ought to have to, and still "wuvs" him. Still, it's a pretty darned compelling read. Kat Martin has a way of grabbing the reader by the heartstrings and making it hard to put her books down. 4.5 Stars.
So imagine how gobsmacked he is when she tries to kill him again—and does a much better job of it this time. Despite the fact that it makes no sense for her to do it, he writes her off—sort of. He does insist that a friend keep her from hanging by having her transported. To Jamaica. And when he can't stop thinking about her, he buys his own plantation there and then buys her, just so he can make sure she's punished properly.
The problem is, Jocelyn didn't try to kill him that last time. Somebody else did it.
Yeah, this is one of those stories where the guy is totally unreasonable and abusive, and the woman suffers more than anyone ought to have to, and still "wuvs" him. Still, it's a pretty darned compelling read. Kat Martin has a way of grabbing the reader by the heartstrings and making it hard to put her books down. 4.5 Stars.
March 3, 2024
Sweet Vengeance é o segundo livro da trilogia Garrick. Não é tão bom como o primeiro, mas, como Kat Martin já nos habituou, também é fantástico. Neste livro, também o casal protagonista tem de lutar para ter o seu final feliz. E que final!
January 8, 2021
Wonderful!
February 7, 2021
the beginning of this book didn’t make me want to read it at all. his mistress. going to a brothel. her language. its probably accurate English slang but it makes her sound illiterate and its annoying to read. it doesn’t sound good for a main character.
him making her his mistress. it was absolutely disgusting. I wanted to slam this thing down.
wondering if you slighted the girls mother says it all.
very handy his sister is the same size as Jocelyn.
she was too quick to get over her revenge.
oh that’s just even more handy. his dad was the viscount who turned her dad away!
I don’t like Jocelyn because she actually considered being his mistress. I mean, who does that? id rather be poor. she lost some big points on that one. &then is just okay with the proposition because she liked his kiss-“if that is the way it will be, I think I shall not mind so much.” &shes an idiot for saying it’s up to Brownie. what does he have to do with it?
annoying when he hoped that she at least found him a little bit attractive and then in the next line she says she finds him extremely handsome.
also annoying to have his sister say that he looked happier& lighter with Jocelyn. and that she hoped they were happy. she could be a prostitute for goodness sakes, who’s in your brothers house and wearing your clothes.
why would brownie agree to her being rayne’s mistress if he didn’t like the idea of them together?? she also lost major points when she said that she could afford to keep a child if she became pregnant, with all the money rayne was giving her.
‘maybe he should have paid a visit a visit to madame du mont’s, then he wouldn’t be so bloody tempted to rush things.’
it was very annoying when he asks if she’s slept with a man and she says yes, misunderstanding him. who is that stupid? its also annoying when she thought he stepped on a hairpin. and then asks if they’ll fit together because he’s so big.
there is nothing romantic about a guy spending a fortune on clothing, a home, and trips to the opera. &she just lets him. the whole business of a mistress and setting her up with a house &clothes is disgusting.
he acts like all those things are likeable.
some wording in here just sounds not good at all-‘upturned breasts.’ ‘still-unbreached maidenhead.’
“flippin’” sounds modern.
you’ve got her set up in a house as your mistress for your freakin pleasure and you keep saying comments like this-‘he should visit madam du mont’s, give his body some ease.”
‘in seconds she was surging through the silver foam, rising upward, upward, cresting the wave, letting it lift her, carryher on toward the distant horizon. she cried out rayne’s name, and the wave broke over her.’ oh come on!
‘made a leg.’ you mean bowed. why don’t you just say that?
it was stupid how she asked of a painting of the pond, and then the artist says she’s special. what’s special about that? that was a stupid request after rayne brought you there specifically to have your miniature painted.
‘maybe it was part of the reason for the fight that began that next day.’ that was not a fight and its seriously annoying that she didn’t believe rayne about her father.
“if you have not come to grips with this and set it away from you, then upon my return I shall carry you up to our rooms and make love to you until you have.” oh that’s great. force her into forgetting about it. boy, this is romantic.
him getting shot was the dumbest place to have that happen. the writing was bad there, too. ‘knowing his love had killed him.’
Alexandra doesn’t come off as reckless or daring at all.
if she was worried that brownie and tucker would be accused of shooting rayne then why in the world did she leave them behind???
how do you mistake a freakin silver tray for a gun?
‘looked waxy pale.’ what a beautifully written sentence.
taking someone elses beating. you’re no hero. you’re an idiot.
the silent I love him!’s are annoying.
‘a gentleman. not rayne.’ the guard said a hadnsome gentleman, and you say not rayne. wtf?
why would you tell his friend that rayne was dear to you and that you hoped he had warm feelings for her too? loser!
this author falls on clichés and overdone storylines. her trying to shoot him. her swearing to get vengeance over what she believes was a wrong done to her father. him making her his mistress. her ‘shooting him’ and him thinking she had actually done it. her thinking he lied about it.
im upset with both of him. him not realizing she didn’t have a gun in her hand. and her thinking he would actually lie about it. the author is trying to set the stage for this great betrayal on both of their parts, but all im seeing is stupidity.
back of the bk says she has ‘cascading raven curls’ but in the book she has short hair.
sometimes the way the author cuts the words with apostrophes makes it hard to understand the word-“fo’c’sle.”
rayne saves her in the nick of time. handy!
its freakin annoying how the girl cant hide her reaction, they have to react to his kiss even tough he’s doing it to her to make her react.
annoying how characters cant holdon to their anger. just because the “air too sweetly scented, the sky too pure a blue.” oh come on.
after all he’s done he had the nerve to say she didn’t find his touch loathsome back on the road when she jumped from the wagon without his help. grow up, you baby.
the shooting happened too soon in the book. they hadn’t had much of a relationship.
‘perhaps he should summon Dulcet to his quarters.’ ugh! stuff like that is so irritating.
you’re laughing about some woman wanting Rayne in her bed. idiot!
of course Chita would get with Paulo. foist the pregnant girl on the nice guy. its not right.
the book gets ridiculous. repetitive andboring.
shes heartbroken that rayne doesn’t want to hear the truth, but she wont simply tell him. she finally had the chance but says she shot him. why would you lie?? &all he can focus on is that she wants him. you think she tried to kill you. why would you care if she wants you?
I hate that these idiots cant just control themselves. I think they’re finally getting to the truth. but no. they’re overcome with desire again. this is freakin annoying. its incredibly frustrating to read.
‘tell me that I’ve got what you want and ill see that u get it.’ oh get over yourself!
it was so stupid when chita showed Paulo her backside.
stop playing matchmaker. Paulo needs to know shes pregnant.
of course she would get caught leaving. rayne is always there!
why r u saying that if Paulo rlly loves chita, he’ll accept her baby. that’s all wrong.
she says stuff in her mind that she should say out loud. like don’t buy me gifts.
im so sick of these ripoff storylines. think of something new for goodness sakes!
she wont marry him because she thinks hes doing it out of guilt. a million and one bks r like this. its gotten extremely old and annoying.
I get her not wanting to marry him because she has no rank but when she just sums it up to his being guilty I cant take it.
all these men being attracted to her. Stephen. Paulo. fletcher.
this author is trying too hard to make Jocelyn sound brave. “im sorry you had to see them. I wanted only to please you.” oh shut up and get a backbone.
you mean Stephen wasn’t mad about rayne taking his mistress. he was that rayne was with an innocent. ha! what a load!
he actually thanked rayne for getting rid of her.
of course they got to chita right in time.
‘the only softness she had ever seen in the girls green eyes came when she glanced at the feminine swell that was rayne’s child.’ if Alexandra thinks you’re guilty then why would she be happy about your child? its not just raynes child.
don’t have time for this crap. alex is wrong, thinks she’s right. Jocelyn wont simply tell her the truth that she didn’t shoot her brother.
the ton has forgiven them and now they’re really popular.
sometimes used language we didn’t know-“ye can bet a prune piece o’ scut on that. shes complained about him not loving her and he finally tells you and you say nothing. ‘her secret women’s place.’ ew.
bk just got really ridiculous. Jocelyn constantly saying she despaired he’d never learn the truth and trust her. then she’s stressing over rayne’s safety. then the fire. this books exhausting.
I thought the servants were really suspicious after the first time rayne had been shot. so hen she gets to his house after Jamaica and they’re all friendly I found it weird.
of course rayne was there for the fire. he always shows up in the nick of time. I cant handle this book anymore.
her believed to be dead dad just died for real this tiemin a fire and you say “the past is behind us now. once you’ve let go of it, we can go on.” how insensitive.
why would you wait til the very last page to tell us that peter had shot himself? and then say that alex wasn’t to blame? this character thinks her opinions are right-about paulo having to accept chita’s child and about alex not being to blame when she clearly somewhat led that guy on and then turned him down. now hes dead. if she led him on in any way, then yes she’s to blame.
this book wasn't terrible, but it wasn't good. and I don't think I could read this again. I didn't like the characters, or the storyline.
him making her his mistress. it was absolutely disgusting. I wanted to slam this thing down.
wondering if you slighted the girls mother says it all.
very handy his sister is the same size as Jocelyn.
she was too quick to get over her revenge.
oh that’s just even more handy. his dad was the viscount who turned her dad away!
I don’t like Jocelyn because she actually considered being his mistress. I mean, who does that? id rather be poor. she lost some big points on that one. &then is just okay with the proposition because she liked his kiss-“if that is the way it will be, I think I shall not mind so much.” &shes an idiot for saying it’s up to Brownie. what does he have to do with it?
annoying when he hoped that she at least found him a little bit attractive and then in the next line she says she finds him extremely handsome.
also annoying to have his sister say that he looked happier& lighter with Jocelyn. and that she hoped they were happy. she could be a prostitute for goodness sakes, who’s in your brothers house and wearing your clothes.
why would brownie agree to her being rayne’s mistress if he didn’t like the idea of them together?? she also lost major points when she said that she could afford to keep a child if she became pregnant, with all the money rayne was giving her.
‘maybe he should have paid a visit a visit to madame du mont’s, then he wouldn’t be so bloody tempted to rush things.’
it was very annoying when he asks if she’s slept with a man and she says yes, misunderstanding him. who is that stupid? its also annoying when she thought he stepped on a hairpin. and then asks if they’ll fit together because he’s so big.
there is nothing romantic about a guy spending a fortune on clothing, a home, and trips to the opera. &she just lets him. the whole business of a mistress and setting her up with a house &clothes is disgusting.
he acts like all those things are likeable.
some wording in here just sounds not good at all-‘upturned breasts.’ ‘still-unbreached maidenhead.’
“flippin’” sounds modern.
you’ve got her set up in a house as your mistress for your freakin pleasure and you keep saying comments like this-‘he should visit madam du mont’s, give his body some ease.”
‘in seconds she was surging through the silver foam, rising upward, upward, cresting the wave, letting it lift her, carryher on toward the distant horizon. she cried out rayne’s name, and the wave broke over her.’ oh come on!
‘made a leg.’ you mean bowed. why don’t you just say that?
it was stupid how she asked of a painting of the pond, and then the artist says she’s special. what’s special about that? that was a stupid request after rayne brought you there specifically to have your miniature painted.
‘maybe it was part of the reason for the fight that began that next day.’ that was not a fight and its seriously annoying that she didn’t believe rayne about her father.
“if you have not come to grips with this and set it away from you, then upon my return I shall carry you up to our rooms and make love to you until you have.” oh that’s great. force her into forgetting about it. boy, this is romantic.
him getting shot was the dumbest place to have that happen. the writing was bad there, too. ‘knowing his love had killed him.’
Alexandra doesn’t come off as reckless or daring at all.
if she was worried that brownie and tucker would be accused of shooting rayne then why in the world did she leave them behind???
how do you mistake a freakin silver tray for a gun?
‘looked waxy pale.’ what a beautifully written sentence.
taking someone elses beating. you’re no hero. you’re an idiot.
the silent I love him!’s are annoying.
‘a gentleman. not rayne.’ the guard said a hadnsome gentleman, and you say not rayne. wtf?
why would you tell his friend that rayne was dear to you and that you hoped he had warm feelings for her too? loser!
this author falls on clichés and overdone storylines. her trying to shoot him. her swearing to get vengeance over what she believes was a wrong done to her father. him making her his mistress. her ‘shooting him’ and him thinking she had actually done it. her thinking he lied about it.
im upset with both of him. him not realizing she didn’t have a gun in her hand. and her thinking he would actually lie about it. the author is trying to set the stage for this great betrayal on both of their parts, but all im seeing is stupidity.
back of the bk says she has ‘cascading raven curls’ but in the book she has short hair.
sometimes the way the author cuts the words with apostrophes makes it hard to understand the word-“fo’c’sle.”
rayne saves her in the nick of time. handy!
its freakin annoying how the girl cant hide her reaction, they have to react to his kiss even tough he’s doing it to her to make her react.
annoying how characters cant holdon to their anger. just because the “air too sweetly scented, the sky too pure a blue.” oh come on.
after all he’s done he had the nerve to say she didn’t find his touch loathsome back on the road when she jumped from the wagon without his help. grow up, you baby.
the shooting happened too soon in the book. they hadn’t had much of a relationship.
‘perhaps he should summon Dulcet to his quarters.’ ugh! stuff like that is so irritating.
you’re laughing about some woman wanting Rayne in her bed. idiot!
of course Chita would get with Paulo. foist the pregnant girl on the nice guy. its not right.
the book gets ridiculous. repetitive andboring.
shes heartbroken that rayne doesn’t want to hear the truth, but she wont simply tell him. she finally had the chance but says she shot him. why would you lie?? &all he can focus on is that she wants him. you think she tried to kill you. why would you care if she wants you?
I hate that these idiots cant just control themselves. I think they’re finally getting to the truth. but no. they’re overcome with desire again. this is freakin annoying. its incredibly frustrating to read.
‘tell me that I’ve got what you want and ill see that u get it.’ oh get over yourself!
it was so stupid when chita showed Paulo her backside.
stop playing matchmaker. Paulo needs to know shes pregnant.
of course she would get caught leaving. rayne is always there!
why r u saying that if Paulo rlly loves chita, he’ll accept her baby. that’s all wrong.
she says stuff in her mind that she should say out loud. like don’t buy me gifts.
im so sick of these ripoff storylines. think of something new for goodness sakes!
she wont marry him because she thinks hes doing it out of guilt. a million and one bks r like this. its gotten extremely old and annoying.
I get her not wanting to marry him because she has no rank but when she just sums it up to his being guilty I cant take it.
all these men being attracted to her. Stephen. Paulo. fletcher.
this author is trying too hard to make Jocelyn sound brave. “im sorry you had to see them. I wanted only to please you.” oh shut up and get a backbone.
you mean Stephen wasn’t mad about rayne taking his mistress. he was that rayne was with an innocent. ha! what a load!
he actually thanked rayne for getting rid of her.
of course they got to chita right in time.
‘the only softness she had ever seen in the girls green eyes came when she glanced at the feminine swell that was rayne’s child.’ if Alexandra thinks you’re guilty then why would she be happy about your child? its not just raynes child.
don’t have time for this crap. alex is wrong, thinks she’s right. Jocelyn wont simply tell her the truth that she didn’t shoot her brother.
the ton has forgiven them and now they’re really popular.
sometimes used language we didn’t know-“ye can bet a prune piece o’ scut on that. shes complained about him not loving her and he finally tells you and you say nothing. ‘her secret women’s place.’ ew.
bk just got really ridiculous. Jocelyn constantly saying she despaired he’d never learn the truth and trust her. then she’s stressing over rayne’s safety. then the fire. this books exhausting.
I thought the servants were really suspicious after the first time rayne had been shot. so hen she gets to his house after Jamaica and they’re all friendly I found it weird.
of course rayne was there for the fire. he always shows up in the nick of time. I cant handle this book anymore.
her believed to be dead dad just died for real this tiemin a fire and you say “the past is behind us now. once you’ve let go of it, we can go on.” how insensitive.
why would you wait til the very last page to tell us that peter had shot himself? and then say that alex wasn’t to blame? this character thinks her opinions are right-about paulo having to accept chita’s child and about alex not being to blame when she clearly somewhat led that guy on and then turned him down. now hes dead. if she led him on in any way, then yes she’s to blame.
this book wasn't terrible, but it wasn't good. and I don't think I could read this again. I didn't like the characters, or the storyline.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 27, 2024
4 - 4.5 stars. First let me say I really enjoy KM’s books! This was another really good book, but I think I liked the 1st in the series a little more. Read thru this fairly quick always a good sign when it’s a page turner. Definitely recommend both books and I will read the next book in the series. Liked the H/h good secondary characters and the plot was pretty good. The couple from book 1 make appearance’s, but this can definitely be read as a stand alone. Wish I hadn’t read some of the reviews/ spoilers, don’t know why I did, because as the events unfolded they would’ve had more of a surprise impact.
March 1, 2023
This was bonkers af lol but I enjoyed it!
May 20, 2020
2.75 rounded up
December 5, 2023
Hacía rato q no leía una histórica con una trama tan compleja. No es la clásica historia de la debutante o la joven provinciana excéntrica q encantan al libertino más famoso de Londres. Las circunstancias de Jocelyn son bastante peculiares y la forma en q termina conociéndo a Rayne no se la esperaba quien lee romántica histórica; la chica estaba en pantalones xfavor!! jajaja.
Cuando estos dos se conocen ella es una golfilla de los barrios bajos de Londres y trata de matar de Rayne. Hay una razón obviamente y se descubre enseguida, luego viene el consabido encaprichamiento del aristócrata x la joven desfavorecida y el resto es historia sabida. Pero lo q de verdad me ha gustado es la forma tan honesta en q la trama plantea la relación entre ambos; Rayne&Jocelyn se atraen desde el principio y no hay medias tintas, ni por parte de él, ni por parte de ella, xq cuando Rayne le plantea a Jocelyn ser su querida, ella acepta sin más. No hay páginas y más páginas de digna indignación (sí, así como suena) ni de justo enojo mientras los protagonistas finjen q se odian cuando en realidad no pueden sacarse las manos de encima. Y esta es la parte q de verdad me fascinó de la trama: la forma honesta en q se plantean los sentimientos de ambos, sin ninguna necesidad de humillar a la heroína femenina q se las da de virtuosa pero q se deja manosear x el dandy cada vez q le da la regalada gana a él. Aquí hay dos seres humanos con sentimientos, deseos, pasiones, debilidades muy humanas y ninguno de los dos tiene mayor control sobre nada q el otro.
Luego vienen las complicaciones q, obviamente hacen la trama más interesante, xq es solo una prolongación del cortejo y además con algo de suspense, xq hasta casi el final no vi venir a ese villano omnisciente. Otra cosa: tenemos romance accesorio también con final feliz, y eso le ha dado un buen sazón, y además se puede disfrutar del calor y exotismo de las playas jamaiquinas, lo q me trajo reminiscencias de las primeras románticas históricas q leí, q fueron mayormente de piratas con Fabio en la portada.
Definitivamente ha resultado positivo rescatar a Kat Martin del baul de los pendientes. Veamos q nos tiene reservado para Alex...
Cuando estos dos se conocen ella es una golfilla de los barrios bajos de Londres y trata de matar de Rayne. Hay una razón obviamente y se descubre enseguida, luego viene el consabido encaprichamiento del aristócrata x la joven desfavorecida y el resto es historia sabida. Pero lo q de verdad me ha gustado es la forma tan honesta en q la trama plantea la relación entre ambos; Rayne&Jocelyn se atraen desde el principio y no hay medias tintas, ni por parte de él, ni por parte de ella, xq cuando Rayne le plantea a Jocelyn ser su querida, ella acepta sin más. No hay páginas y más páginas de digna indignación (sí, así como suena) ni de justo enojo mientras los protagonistas finjen q se odian cuando en realidad no pueden sacarse las manos de encima. Y esta es la parte q de verdad me fascinó de la trama: la forma honesta en q se plantean los sentimientos de ambos, sin ninguna necesidad de humillar a la heroína femenina q se las da de virtuosa pero q se deja manosear x el dandy cada vez q le da la regalada gana a él. Aquí hay dos seres humanos con sentimientos, deseos, pasiones, debilidades muy humanas y ninguno de los dos tiene mayor control sobre nada q el otro.
Luego vienen las complicaciones q, obviamente hacen la trama más interesante, xq es solo una prolongación del cortejo y además con algo de suspense, xq hasta casi el final no vi venir a ese villano omnisciente. Otra cosa: tenemos romance accesorio también con final feliz, y eso le ha dado un buen sazón, y además se puede disfrutar del calor y exotismo de las playas jamaiquinas, lo q me trajo reminiscencias de las primeras románticas históricas q leí, q fueron mayormente de piratas con Fabio en la portada.
Definitivamente ha resultado positivo rescatar a Kat Martin del baul de los pendientes. Veamos q nos tiene reservado para Alex...
January 12, 2026
4.5* I saw this book discussed in a video last month and thought it looked familiar. Realized after reading the synopsis that I read this in the 90’s and thought it was a favorite but couldn’t really remember specifics. I ordered the book and read it again this month. I really liked this romance between Rayna and Jocelyn(Jo) that was told in alternating POV’s. Was it perfect? No but I still would recommend it if you like a romance with a H and h that start off misreading one another(she thought he’d done things to her family in prior years). They come to an understanding(for lack of a better word) but then a big incident happens where he believes she’s guilty. This results in actions where we see how each moves forward. Overall there’s romance and groveling which I do enjoy.
November 15, 2021
Well-plotted suspense and action, with Gothic elements, but dated and bordering on offensive for both the literal bodice-ripping and aspects of scenes in Jamaica. The core plot relies heavily on repeated misunderstandings and a few too many coincidences, but there are strong scenes involving minor characters and subplots.
February 28, 2024
ok so far an enjoyable read because I love this trope, but not quite as sophisticated as some of my favorites. TBD.
Just finished. Quite a bit of skimming. I really wanted to like this one but h was put through hell because of H. Truly no redeeming him. But I did love so many of their interactions when she worked for him, so I gave it a 3.
Just finished. Quite a bit of skimming. I really wanted to like this one but h was put through hell because of H. Truly no redeeming him. But I did love so many of their interactions when she worked for him, so I gave it a 3.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 10, 2018
Not my favorite of Kat's stories. The head-hopping was a lot worse than any of her other books. Was confusing and made the scenes choppy. Both MCs pissed me off because 90% of the book, they were pissed at each other for something that could've been fixed by merely talking it out.
December 27, 2025
This book was going SO well, about half way through the book moves to Jamaica. During this tome the book stoops to a zero star book, hard to get through. Definitely love the writing, just hope the author can think of a way to write some conditions better.
March 31, 2020
Terrible. Just terrible.
February 23, 2021
I haven't read this one in a long time but I know this is one of my fave books of Kat's. There is definitely some good angst in this one. Definitely a keeper for me.
Read
December 3, 2021Jocelyn was such an innocent. At least better than some others.
November 4, 2022
Interesting plot line...held my interest
April 7, 2024
Romance.
December 3, 2020
just awful pretty much. The hero is a controlling and stubborn douchebag who threatens to assault the heroine on multiple occasions as either punishment or to assert his influence in her life. I also have serious questions about the portrayal of black characters in the second half
January 21, 2014
Jo wants to kill Rayne, but its all a misunderstanding. All it takes is one night in his home and she knows she can not kill the man and all those years she dreamed of her revenge seemed like nothing to her anymore. He has offered her a simple life and she willingly takes it trusting him giving him the one thing he desires from her that no other man has taken. But did she give him trust too soon? Someone tries to kill him and she is the one taking the fall for it. He believes its her fault. Clinging to life he tells his friend to make sure she isn't harmed while in prison and to have her sent away for her crime. For the likes of me i could't understand how he could think she did it. I'm surprised he didn't demand to see her before he sent her away on a ship with loads of woman criminals to face her punishment through hard labor. Instead he follows her all the way to Jamaica buying a piece of property making her become his slave, even though giving her small benefits; not letting her do the work she hates in the kitchen, getting her better clothes to wear, and a better room then others, although that comes with a cost. When he gets drunk he comes to see her angry. He wants to hurt her but still doesn't. He still loves her and that makes him mad. Jo hates him because he was so quick to believe it was her who shot him. She refused to tell him it wasn't her because she knew it would make it worse and he wouldn't believe her. Instead saying subtle hints "I'm warning you, my lord, should you try and force me,this time i will put a lead ball in your chest!" Finding their way back to each other seemed easy enough. She knew he still cared unless he wouldn't of kept coming back but the hate in his eyes was enough to wound her, enough to fuel her hate for him.
July 15, 2013
This will forever be one of my favorite books. I guess I have a thing for stories where the innocent young woman is wrongly accused. Jocelyn is the daughter of a man laid to ruin by Rayne's father. She intends, at first, to kill Rayne but falls in love with him instead. Rayne seduces Joceyln and falls for her as well.
Of course true love never runs that smooth and after Rayne is shot his last memory is of seeing Jocelyn with something silver in her hand. Once he has denounced her as the person who has attempted his murder she is set on trial and sent away. Rayne recovers but is still obsessed with Joceyln, He purchases a plantation in Jamaica where Jocelyn has been sent to work off her sentence and follows her there.
Rayne quickly located and buys Jocelyn to work on the plantation and though he hates her for what she has done cannot seem to stay away from her. It is only through time that Rayne finally realizes that Jocelyn is not his killer and from there he must make up for the wrong he has done her.
LOVE THIS BOOK!!! Totally recommend Kat Martin in general to anyone who has not read her historical romances. They are actually tons better than her contemporary romances.
Of course true love never runs that smooth and after Rayne is shot his last memory is of seeing Jocelyn with something silver in her hand. Once he has denounced her as the person who has attempted his murder she is set on trial and sent away. Rayne recovers but is still obsessed with Joceyln, He purchases a plantation in Jamaica where Jocelyn has been sent to work off her sentence and follows her there.
Rayne quickly located and buys Jocelyn to work on the plantation and though he hates her for what she has done cannot seem to stay away from her. It is only through time that Rayne finally realizes that Jocelyn is not his killer and from there he must make up for the wrong he has done her.
LOVE THIS BOOK!!! Totally recommend Kat Martin in general to anyone who has not read her historical romances. They are actually tons better than her contemporary romances.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 9, 2016
This author mind-fraks me to the nth degree so that is something.
Jo is exactly the type of heroine I love. She makes the best of a craptacular situation. Don't get me wrong, Rayne made poor choices. However, he doesn't cheat (BONUS) and he does everything in his power to atone for his mistakes. Kudos for not beating your woman, sir.
I loved this book. There are parts that will make you cry and want to beat the hero. I did have to suspend my disbelief, but I was happy to do so. Honestly, what sort of man would go to the trouble to send a woman to Jamaica and then farm the terrain? Whatever. It doesn't even matter since he pulled through. I'll just assume plowing fields is an ingenious metaphor.
I even give extra points where the points do not matter to a H who will put off the sexing when he knows the h needs consideration. This is a romance story and not a war of domination. Although, expect the gratuitous thrashing threats. (After Outlander, I throw my hands up in the air like I just do not care.)
If you had problems with Bold Angel, give this book a chance. I'm glad I did and I'm excited to continue with Alexa's story.
Jo is exactly the type of heroine I love. She makes the best of a craptacular situation. Don't get me wrong, Rayne made poor choices. However, he doesn't cheat (BONUS) and he does everything in his power to atone for his mistakes. Kudos for not beating your woman, sir.
I loved this book. There are parts that will make you cry and want to beat the hero. I did have to suspend my disbelief, but I was happy to do so. Honestly, what sort of man would go to the trouble to send a woman to Jamaica and then farm the terrain? Whatever. It doesn't even matter since he pulled through. I'll just assume plowing fields is an ingenious metaphor.
I even give extra points where the points do not matter to a H who will put off the sexing when he knows the h needs consideration. This is a romance story and not a war of domination. Although, expect the gratuitous thrashing threats. (After Outlander, I throw my hands up in the air like I just do not care.)
If you had problems with Bold Angel, give this book a chance. I'm glad I did and I'm excited to continue with Alexa's story.
August 6, 2016
So much dialogue was repeated I almost threw the book at the wall. I could go the rest of my life without reading "Sweeting" or "bloody hell" again.
Not the only thing I didn't like, but enough to make me want to say something about it.
Not the only thing I didn't like, but enough to make me want to say something about it.
December 13, 2013
Another fabulous book by Mrs. Martin.
January 29, 2014
Given the choice between the State of the Union and finishing a good book, guess which one I picked?
April 17, 2014
after the fifth eye-roll, I threw up, and tossed the book in the garbage. It wasn't worth finishing.
February 21, 2015
Gaah! What an emotional roller coaster of a book!
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