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Lucien's Fall
A part of him was lost forever...until she came into his life.
A Master of Seduction
The sinfully appealing Lord Lucien Esher, London's most accomplished rake, believed there was no woman born who could not be seduced. But his hard-hearted facade hid a tragedy that was slowly devouring him from within.
A Woman of Strong Will
Determined to save her treasured ancestral home, Madeline had no use for love. Nor would she allow an unredeemable scoundrel to distract her from her goal. Yet against her better judgment, she was drawn to the elusive and dangerous Lucien.
As Madeline and Lucien began their dance of desire and denial, their passion rose to a crescendo of longing and sacrifice that would determine their fate forever.
A Master of Seduction
The sinfully appealing Lord Lucien Esher, London's most accomplished rake, believed there was no woman born who could not be seduced. But his hard-hearted facade hid a tragedy that was slowly devouring him from within.
A Woman of Strong Will
Determined to save her treasured ancestral home, Madeline had no use for love. Nor would she allow an unredeemable scoundrel to distract her from her goal. Yet against her better judgment, she was drawn to the elusive and dangerous Lucien.
As Madeline and Lucien began their dance of desire and denial, their passion rose to a crescendo of longing and sacrifice that would determine their fate forever.
320 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1995
201 people are currently reading
663 people want to read
About the author
Barbara Samuel
75 books393 followersBarbara Samuel is a multiple RITA award-winning author with more than 38 books to her credit in a variety of genres. She has written historical and contemporary romances, a number of fantasy novellas with the likes of Susan Wiggs, Jo Beverley and Mary Jo Putney. She now writes women’s fiction about families, dogs, and food as Barbara O’Neal.
Her work has captured a plethora of awards, including six RITAs; the Colorado Center for the Book Award (twice); Favorite Book of the Year from Romance Writers of America, and the Library Journal’s list of Best Genre Fiction of the year, among many others.You can find a full list of all titles here.
Now living back in her hometown of Colorado Springs, Barbara writes in a study overlooking Pikes Peak, a pin that draws her home from her travels. She shares her home with Christopher Robin, a British endurance athlete, a gorgeous and lovable chow mix named Jack; a very, very old Siamese named Esmerelda; a rescued street cat who has become the fattest silver tabby on the planet, and the wonder twins, two tuxedo kittens from a local shelter, whose names have changed several times. Yes, a lot of animals.
An avid photographer, cook, and traveler, Barbara keeps a log of travels, recipes, and photos at her blog, A Writer Afoot, where she also sometimes posts writing advice. You can follow her on Twitter and Facebook, but she doesn’t promise to be particularly interesting there.
Her work has captured a plethora of awards, including six RITAs; the Colorado Center for the Book Award (twice); Favorite Book of the Year from Romance Writers of America, and the Library Journal’s list of Best Genre Fiction of the year, among many others.You can find a full list of all titles here.
Now living back in her hometown of Colorado Springs, Barbara writes in a study overlooking Pikes Peak, a pin that draws her home from her travels. She shares her home with Christopher Robin, a British endurance athlete, a gorgeous and lovable chow mix named Jack; a very, very old Siamese named Esmerelda; a rescued street cat who has become the fattest silver tabby on the planet, and the wonder twins, two tuxedo kittens from a local shelter, whose names have changed several times. Yes, a lot of animals.
An avid photographer, cook, and traveler, Barbara keeps a log of travels, recipes, and photos at her blog, A Writer Afoot, where she also sometimes posts writing advice. You can follow her on Twitter and Facebook, but she doesn’t promise to be particularly interesting there.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 75 reviews
June 29, 2011
The plot: Madeline is the boring uptight step- daughter of a slutty countess whose the daughter of a dressmaker. So she thinks, but in fact Madeline is the boring uptight daughter of a slutty countess whose the daughter of a dressmaker. For some reason the slutty dressmaker countess has never fessed up to motherhood probably because she's lying about her age so that she can have s&m sex with men her daughter's age. Anyway, slut countess has invited a notorious rake home who is bent on seducing the virtuous undaughter because he can't bear to see her marry an adorably sweet marquis. The rake who is called Lucien but who I like to call Hozart ( because he's a has been Mozart wannabe an a you guessed it --ho) is a nutcase with migraines who thinks that just because he was spurned by slut countess's best friend that he has a right to ruin virgins. There's also a lot about trees and gardening and crazy rakes having pschotic breaks where they hear music when no one else does and being aroused while watching your haven't-told-u-i'm-your-mother have rough sex.
I couldn't finish it because even with the perversion it was the most unsexy romance that I ever remember reading.
I couldn't finish it because even with the perversion it was the most unsexy romance that I ever remember reading.
April 17, 2017
Melodramatic was Lucien's Fall but I have not been so absorbed by a book in a very very long time. The actual rating would have been 3 stars if I was in my "normal" state. But considering how disinterested I have been in most offerings in the historical romance genre, Lucien's Fall managed to keep me entertained and propelled me to read on. For that I am giving it one more star. I probably will not read it again though.
Barbara Samuel painted 2 very vivid characters, Madeline and Lucien, in this book. And that alone made this book work for me. Because quite honestly the rake falling in love plot has been done so many times and Lucien's fall was not unlike all the other falls of most unredeemable rakes: simply unbelievable. But Barbara Samuel succeeded in this book in visualizing the scenes and characters for the readers. I always find it easier to like a book if I could somehow "see" the characters as if they were standing in front of me. Her writing/style allowed me to see Lucien and Madeline, as if I was a fly on the wall of every room they were in.
Madeline was a sensible heroine, no hissy fits, a sensible girl with a clear head on her shoulders. Lucien was a hopeless rake. I liked the music element in Lucien's character. A little much but it defined Lucien. I liked that. The writer did not spend too much time on how Lucien came be to be Lucien, which I appreciated. I never had much patience for the never ending background story where the lead characters were not interacting with each other. A musical prodigy who denied his gift, Lucien had a difficult relationship with his father (like oh so many rakes) and led a hedonic life. Madeline was the sensible girl who brought him to heels. It was all kind of ordinary. But somehow I was entertained. I liked both Lucien and Madeline and was able to overlook the occasional melodrama in their interactions. The sex scene was a bit overdone, but that is just me. I have somewhat lost interest in drawn out sex scenes which serve little purpose in bringing the characters closer to each other.
What I did not like was Juliette, Madeline's step-mother/mother. I found her character unreasonable. She was devoted to her daughter but then at the same time did many selfish things that did not exactly spell motherly love. She was some kind of a seductress character, which is hard to like for me. Why she insisted on Madeline marrying the safe but boring choice while Lucien was just as rich puzzled me. Maybe she thought Madeline would have a faithful husband with the safe but boring Charles. But somehow her good intention did not come through in the book. What she did after she found Lucien and Madeline in bed and its effect, I don't know. It seemed a bit unnecessary. He did offer for Madeline, didn't he? And he did seem quite besotted, didn't he? So why couldn't Madeline marry him? Juliette's relationship with the much younger man Jonathan also seemed unlikely. I don't know what was so special about Juliette. She seemed rather mercenary in this book and I somehow could not imagine a young handsome man like Jonathan being so in love with her. It was just kind of odd and distracting. I did not want to learn about Jonathan and Juliette. I wanted to read about Lucien and Madeline.
Honestly Lucien and Madeline's story isn't all that special. But this is a book that had kept my interest. In the past year most books bore me. This story did not. So even though I was not all that impressed, I was indeed entertained. I am giving this book 4 stars for the entertainment.
On a side note, I think one cannot approach this book expecting historical accuracy. I highly suspect the titles and last names were used correctly in this book, which may bother some people. I choose to overlook that piece of detail.
Barbara Samuel painted 2 very vivid characters, Madeline and Lucien, in this book. And that alone made this book work for me. Because quite honestly the rake falling in love plot has been done so many times and Lucien's fall was not unlike all the other falls of most unredeemable rakes: simply unbelievable. But Barbara Samuel succeeded in this book in visualizing the scenes and characters for the readers. I always find it easier to like a book if I could somehow "see" the characters as if they were standing in front of me. Her writing/style allowed me to see Lucien and Madeline, as if I was a fly on the wall of every room they were in.
Madeline was a sensible heroine, no hissy fits, a sensible girl with a clear head on her shoulders. Lucien was a hopeless rake. I liked the music element in Lucien's character. A little much but it defined Lucien. I liked that. The writer did not spend too much time on how Lucien came be to be Lucien, which I appreciated. I never had much patience for the never ending background story where the lead characters were not interacting with each other. A musical prodigy who denied his gift, Lucien had a difficult relationship with his father (like oh so many rakes) and led a hedonic life. Madeline was the sensible girl who brought him to heels. It was all kind of ordinary. But somehow I was entertained. I liked both Lucien and Madeline and was able to overlook the occasional melodrama in their interactions. The sex scene was a bit overdone, but that is just me. I have somewhat lost interest in drawn out sex scenes which serve little purpose in bringing the characters closer to each other.
What I did not like was Juliette, Madeline's step-mother/mother. I found her character unreasonable. She was devoted to her daughter but then at the same time did many selfish things that did not exactly spell motherly love. She was some kind of a seductress character, which is hard to like for me. Why she insisted on Madeline marrying the safe but boring choice while Lucien was just as rich puzzled me. Maybe she thought Madeline would have a faithful husband with the safe but boring Charles. But somehow her good intention did not come through in the book. What she did after she found Lucien and Madeline in bed and its effect, I don't know. It seemed a bit unnecessary. He did offer for Madeline, didn't he? And he did seem quite besotted, didn't he? So why couldn't Madeline marry him? Juliette's relationship with the much younger man Jonathan also seemed unlikely. I don't know what was so special about Juliette. She seemed rather mercenary in this book and I somehow could not imagine a young handsome man like Jonathan being so in love with her. It was just kind of odd and distracting. I did not want to learn about Jonathan and Juliette. I wanted to read about Lucien and Madeline.
Honestly Lucien and Madeline's story isn't all that special. But this is a book that had kept my interest. In the past year most books bore me. This story did not. So even though I was not all that impressed, I was indeed entertained. I am giving this book 4 stars for the entertainment.
On a side note, I think one cannot approach this book expecting historical accuracy. I highly suspect the titles and last names were used correctly in this book, which may bother some people. I choose to overlook that piece of detail.
January 30, 2024
Re-read
Rakish tortured Lucien sees beautiful Madeline and decides he's going to seduce her. Rakes gonna rake 😏but Madeline is not your average miss. She sees right through his wiles and tells him to take a hike. She's to marry a boring homely Marquess to save her home and her beloved gardens. So begins a push and pull, cat and mouse game at a country house party. There's intrigue, a wicked stepmother and family secrets but also a very angsty slow burn romance.
I recall loving this when I first read it years ago.I still enjoyed it this time, Lucien is my kind of rake- a bad boy who is at heart a good man and Madeline is the kind of strong fmc I love. But this time I felt the pacing was off and the push and pull got old after a while. I also wanted a HEA for the Marquess who deserved one. Overall, this is a fantastic read for anyone who loves Mary Balogh, Meredith Duran or Julie Anne Long.
⭐⭐⭐⭐/5
🔥/5
Tropes
Tortured hero
Close proximity
Kidnapping
Rakish tortured Lucien sees beautiful Madeline and decides he's going to seduce her. Rakes gonna rake 😏but Madeline is not your average miss. She sees right through his wiles and tells him to take a hike. She's to marry a boring homely Marquess to save her home and her beloved gardens. So begins a push and pull, cat and mouse game at a country house party. There's intrigue, a wicked stepmother and family secrets but also a very angsty slow burn romance.
I recall loving this when I first read it years ago.I still enjoyed it this time, Lucien is my kind of rake- a bad boy who is at heart a good man and Madeline is the kind of strong fmc I love. But this time I felt the pacing was off and the push and pull got old after a while. I also wanted a HEA for the Marquess who deserved one. Overall, this is a fantastic read for anyone who loves Mary Balogh, Meredith Duran or Julie Anne Long.
⭐⭐⭐⭐/5
🔥/5
Tropes
Tortured hero
Close proximity
Kidnapping
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 2, 2011
Really good Georgian romance. I didn't consider Lucien that much of a rake, especially compared to Madeline's own mother and her boyfriend Johnathan.
Best deflowring ever. Boy knows his business!
And yes, very romantic ending. I loved it.
Best deflowring ever. Boy knows his business!
And yes, very romantic ending. I loved it.
August 25, 2020
(This is old review [from 2011 on Amazon] of an old Samuel's book.)
A story which proves the old adage that nice guys do finish last. 4-star HR writing. 1-star characters. Except for Charles. He's the marquess that heroine Madeline's stepmother wants her to marry to save Whitethorn,their estate, from financial ruin. I wanted to give him an Oprah makeover, take him away from the awful people at Whitethorn and find him a True Love worthy of him. Dang, but he was good, kind and noble, albeit not a hunk or dashingly rakish. (It seems his kisses were a bit too dry also.)
Well, I guess Madeline was OK too. At least she's the second best of the characters here, but she certainly didn't deserve Charles. However, that's irrelevant. We know who the hero is: Lucien, Lord Esher. (It's his "Fall", after all.) I have nothing good to say about him except that he's a hunk and dashingly rakish. He's apparently tortured because his mother encouraged his prodigious musical abilities but after her death his daddy wasn't nice to him about his unmanly interests.
Then we have Juliette, Madeline's stepmother, who lends a whole new twist to the Wicked Stepmother. She's actually quite loving to her stepdaughter but wickedly amoral as to sexual liaisons for herself. Just in general, I found most everyone here (except for Charles, my crush) to be amoral and hedonistic. Well, I must except Madeline too. She is merely very young and drawn to the exciting and beautiful. (She's also turned on by exceptional musical ability.)
If I were to rate this only on my reaction to the characters, this would be a 0.5-star book. However, the writing is actually pretty good and the romance between the H and h is developed well. And this is a romance, not a morality tale
A story which proves the old adage that nice guys do finish last. 4-star HR writing. 1-star characters. Except for Charles. He's the marquess that heroine Madeline's stepmother wants her to marry to save Whitethorn,their estate, from financial ruin. I wanted to give him an Oprah makeover, take him away from the awful people at Whitethorn and find him a True Love worthy of him. Dang, but he was good, kind and noble, albeit not a hunk or dashingly rakish. (It seems his kisses were a bit too dry also.)
Well, I guess Madeline was OK too. At least she's the second best of the characters here, but she certainly didn't deserve Charles. However, that's irrelevant. We know who the hero is: Lucien, Lord Esher. (It's his "Fall", after all.) I have nothing good to say about him except that he's a hunk and dashingly rakish. He's apparently tortured because his mother encouraged his prodigious musical abilities but after her death his daddy wasn't nice to him about his unmanly interests.
Then we have Juliette, Madeline's stepmother, who lends a whole new twist to the Wicked Stepmother. She's actually quite loving to her stepdaughter but wickedly amoral as to sexual liaisons for herself. Just in general, I found most everyone here (except for Charles, my crush) to be amoral and hedonistic. Well, I must except Madeline too. She is merely very young and drawn to the exciting and beautiful. (She's also turned on by exceptional musical ability.)
If I were to rate this only on my reaction to the characters, this would be a 0.5-star book. However, the writing is actually pretty good and the romance between the H and h is developed well. And this is a romance, not a morality tale
August 9, 2012
I honestly didn't find anything romantic about Lucien, I found him immature, spoiled, and manipulative. I personally can't find anything romantic about literally being hauled out of a dress shop where I'm getting fitted for my wedding to another man, for a freaking booty call.
As for the heroine, for being supposedly more worldly and mature, she couldn't seen to seperate lust and love and didnt seen to understand consequences, little alone care about the feelings of others. I also hated that she always acted so passive, at some point you have to make decisions and face the consequences of those decisions. She never faced any kind of consequences for her sheer stupidity.
I personally think the marquess was the most romantic character of the book, he is responsible, dependable, kind-hearted/understanding, has passions and interests, and generally acts like an adult. I have to agree with Madeline that he was way too good for her.
I thought it was a shame that at the end of the book the author failed to go through with any consequences, Lucien still inherited everything, Madeline fails to face the backlash for being a fallen woman, and her mother has consumption but goes on her merry way...
It was a very unrealistic ending, I honestly can't see Lucien becoming father and husband material along with taking over all the responsibilities of running an estate over night. It seems very out of character for a man who would risk the life of his horse for the sake of a bet...
As for the heroine, for being supposedly more worldly and mature, she couldn't seen to seperate lust and love and didnt seen to understand consequences, little alone care about the feelings of others. I also hated that she always acted so passive, at some point you have to make decisions and face the consequences of those decisions. She never faced any kind of consequences for her sheer stupidity.
I personally think the marquess was the most romantic character of the book, he is responsible, dependable, kind-hearted/understanding, has passions and interests, and generally acts like an adult. I have to agree with Madeline that he was way too good for her.
I thought it was a shame that at the end of the book the author failed to go through with any consequences, Lucien still inherited everything, Madeline fails to face the backlash for being a fallen woman, and her mother has consumption but goes on her merry way...
It was a very unrealistic ending, I honestly can't see Lucien becoming father and husband material along with taking over all the responsibilities of running an estate over night. It seems very out of character for a man who would risk the life of his horse for the sake of a bet...
August 15, 2011
I just couldn't get over that the fallen rake in this book had couldn't get over his demons...his demons being that he could write music. Really? Really?
And then there was the love story. I hate, hate, hate books where innocent people get hurt. When I realize this is the direction the wind blows I usually stop reading and I didn't this time and I should have. Plus the plot was a little convoluted...consumption? The mother trying to seduce the love interest to prevent a marriage?
This one came highly recommended but I can't pass along the recommendation.
And then there was the love story. I hate, hate, hate books where innocent people get hurt. When I realize this is the direction the wind blows I usually stop reading and I didn't this time and I should have. Plus the plot was a little convoluted...consumption? The mother trying to seduce the love interest to prevent a marriage?
This one came highly recommended but I can't pass along the recommendation.
September 2, 2011
I absolutely loved it. Certainly not every moment of this book is perfect. There are definitely moments of frustration in which the reader just wants to scream out at the main characters to do one thing or another. But - I finished the last 75% of this book in one day. I couldn't put it down, and I loved the ending. One of the most romantic conclusions for a book that I can possibly imagine. I completely devoured it. Another great one by Barbara Samuel.
January 27, 2013
This is my least favorite of any Samuel book that I have read, not because it wasn't well written, not because the characters were flat, not because the book was boring since none of the above is true. I just had a difficult time forcing myself through it because the people and circumstances of the plot really just didn't interest me. I feel about it like I did Les Liaisons Dangereuse--just a bunch of idle rich wastes of skin with nothing productive to do with their lives except play cruel manipulative games with other peoples' emotions. It may be well-written, but it was still a most unpleasant read. I really could not care at all about them and certainly could not sympathize with their petty troubles and woes of their own creation and imaginings. There was only one decent character in the group, and he was manipulated, abused, and then the author just ignored him when she was done using him, just like these narcissistic aristos. Because it was well written, I would have given it 4 stars except it was lacking the danger, intrigue, and adventure found in other Samuel plots, so relatively speaking, it just wasn't as engrossing as her more exciting books. Also, how can you give 4 stars to a book where a child is raised by a whore who shamelessly and openly screws everybody in the English ton then acts shocked and outraged when her daughter behaves like a slut--surprised, anybody?
December 9, 2012
I read Lucien's Fall when it first came out in paperback many moons ago and it quickly went on my list of all time favorite historical romances EVER. First of all, Barbara Samuel's writing is exquisite. There are those authors that I read and say things to myself like, "Oh, my God. I wish I had written that." Many writers are great at telling a story, but Barbara's writing has something extra. A lyrical, delightful way that is so unique. Her voice is highly distinctive.
Moreover, I loved the hero and heroine in this story. Lucien is a tortured man, there's no doubt about it. But he's one of my favorite romance heroes, and the heroine one of my favorite heroine's in historical romance.
I bought the ebook edition because I wanted to make sure I have a copy...my paperback won't last forever. I hope you'll give Lucien's Fall a read.
Moreover, I loved the hero and heroine in this story. Lucien is a tortured man, there's no doubt about it. But he's one of my favorite romance heroes, and the heroine one of my favorite heroine's in historical romance.
I bought the ebook edition because I wanted to make sure I have a copy...my paperback won't last forever. I hope you'll give Lucien's Fall a read.
September 10, 2020
4.5 stars Madeline and Lucien ( Secondary romance Juliette and Jonathan is a December/May romance with Jonathan being the "May"). This is a story about two rakes. One is in love with the widow--Juliette. The other has musical demons and his journey to love is tougher and decides to seduce Madeline for kicks and giggles.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 3, 2010
(Could be a *SPOLIER*) I had to stop reading this one. It was too much of a turn off that the heroine's mother was trying to seduce the hero so he would leave her daughter alone.(yuck!) The sexual innuendoes between them was also disturbing! Having mom involved in the love triangle was not cool!
avoid
July 18, 2023lust triangle with the h + her mom + H.
June 19, 2011
A classic rake who more than meets his match. Anything by Barbara Samuel/Barbara O'Neal is a must buy for me.
July 6, 2023
Let's be honest. I only got this book because the main love interest is named Lucien (I'm sorry, ACOTAR has me in a chokehold.....and so does Lucien Vanserra 🙃😅)
Lucien's Fall wasn't too bad, but it had its weird moments. The sexual tension in this book though? Whew! Immaculate! The part where our MC thinks walking in on her step-mother and Jonathan going at it in the library, is something erotic?......uh...that would be considered trauma. Made me literally say WTF during that part 🙃
Madeline (our MC) was an okay character, but her mom is....weird. This woman is highly sexual and the minute Madeline looks at Lucien a second too long, she gets so pressed. I am also very confused on what type of relationship Madeline and Juliette have. They hate each other....but then the next second they like each other?? I am in confusion. Lucien was a typical womanizer who ends up falling head-over-heels in love, but this man needed to lay off the drinking. Girl—you get so worked up over a sheet of music and act like a emo kid until next morning. Also....kudos to Charles here. This man is the LEAST toxic person here, just trying to find someone who could love him, and yet he is so forgiving. This man needed more love in the story.
The ending was very quick, and very abrupt, but the book was overall an okay read. Not much plotwise happening, but then again, this is my first historical romance book so I'm not quite sure how action packed they normally are.
Lucien's Fall would be good for readers who enjoy: forbidden romance, gardening, historical romance, music, male characters who are named Lucien 😉, and lots and LOTS of ✨sexual tension✨
Lucien's Fall wasn't too bad, but it had its weird moments. The sexual tension in this book though? Whew! Immaculate! The part where our MC thinks walking in on her step-mother and Jonathan going at it in the library, is something erotic?......uh...that would be considered trauma. Made me literally say WTF during that part 🙃
Madeline (our MC) was an okay character, but her mom is....weird. This woman is highly sexual and the minute Madeline looks at Lucien a second too long, she gets so pressed. I am also very confused on what type of relationship Madeline and Juliette have. They hate each other....but then the next second they like each other?? I am in confusion. Lucien was a typical womanizer who ends up falling head-over-heels in love, but this man needed to lay off the drinking. Girl—you get so worked up over a sheet of music and act like a emo kid until next morning. Also....kudos to Charles here. This man is the LEAST toxic person here, just trying to find someone who could love him, and yet he is so forgiving. This man needed more love in the story.
The ending was very quick, and very abrupt, but the book was overall an okay read. Not much plotwise happening, but then again, this is my first historical romance book so I'm not quite sure how action packed they normally are.
Lucien's Fall would be good for readers who enjoy: forbidden romance, gardening, historical romance, music, male characters who are named Lucien 😉, and lots and LOTS of ✨sexual tension✨
August 16, 2021
While the writing likely deserves 5 stars as it is so emotive and flowed wonderfully. But I thought the H was icky. He had this glorious talent but decided to waste it, like a child having a never ending tantrum. But in romancelandia, his childish good looks appealed to the heroine. She is rather lovely, seemed mature until she set her heart on him, knowing he was dangerous for her. I liked it even though the H, the h's mother and her mother's lover were all weak people. If I looked into the future, I believe the h would be unhappy.
February 27, 2015
I am a passionate about historical novels and when I hear about an author who has won several awards, immediately interested me in wanting to know his/her works.
This is exactly how I met Barbara Samuel.
Stories where a rake is the main character are also delicious. The old maxim that he would one day find someone so hard to deal with as him, will fall in love madly and change of attitude because of love.
I don't bother reading about that cliche. But I have to confess even a plot is nothing new, the characters need to be charismatic and seduce me.
Lucien shows as a beautiful and charismatic character. A true rake, rich, educated, great rider and decides to conquer the virgin who needs to marry for money to save the family property, Whitethorn, which is covered in debts left by her father, an inveterate gambler.
Madeline is beautiful but is not interested in people of Ton. She likes to know more about gardening. But now the future of her family, she and her stepmother, depend on good marriage she can do. And the target has been chosen, a young marquess.
The problem is even not considering herself a girl with romantic aspirations, now Madeline find herself sighing because won't have the opportunity to one day find true love.
Her Stepmother, on the other hand, is a manipulator. And right there I was confused about her behavior.
Despite the Countess Juliette, widow, having her own lover, Jonathan Child, Viscount of Lanham, Lucien's best friend, one time she seemed to want to seduce Lucien to get it out of the way of her stepdaughter, another time she seemed play a macabre game to push him to seduce the young lady.
After so much confusion, the couple hits and the end of the book is quite interesting, when the reader learns what it meant all those torments afflicting Lucien at night when he heard music in his head, and had to write everything and then burned the pages.
Interesting plot, but the characters didn't captivate me.
3 stars
This is exactly how I met Barbara Samuel.
Stories where a rake is the main character are also delicious. The old maxim that he would one day find someone so hard to deal with as him, will fall in love madly and change of attitude because of love.
I don't bother reading about that cliche. But I have to confess even a plot is nothing new, the characters need to be charismatic and seduce me.
Lucien shows as a beautiful and charismatic character. A true rake, rich, educated, great rider and decides to conquer the virgin who needs to marry for money to save the family property, Whitethorn, which is covered in debts left by her father, an inveterate gambler.
Madeline is beautiful but is not interested in people of Ton. She likes to know more about gardening. But now the future of her family, she and her stepmother, depend on good marriage she can do. And the target has been chosen, a young marquess.
The problem is even not considering herself a girl with romantic aspirations, now Madeline find herself sighing because won't have the opportunity to one day find true love.
Her Stepmother, on the other hand, is a manipulator. And right there I was confused about her behavior.
Despite the Countess Juliette, widow, having her own lover, Jonathan Child, Viscount of Lanham, Lucien's best friend, one time she seemed to want to seduce Lucien to get it out of the way of her stepdaughter, another time she seemed play a macabre game to push him to seduce the young lady.
After so much confusion, the couple hits and the end of the book is quite interesting, when the reader learns what it meant all those torments afflicting Lucien at night when he heard music in his head, and had to write everything and then burned the pages.
Interesting plot, but the characters didn't captivate me.
3 stars
February 19, 2017
Once upon a time I would have rated this higher. It is actually a good example of a historical romance first published in the mid 90's.
But I think I've moved on from flowery metaphors, angst ridden heroes and purple prose deflowering scenes...
3.5 stars
But I think I've moved on from flowery metaphors, angst ridden heroes and purple prose deflowering scenes...
3.5 stars
April 30, 2016
I got this ebook when it was offered for free on Amazon over three years ago, but I didn't know who Barbara Samuel was and didn't read it until recently, after Smart Bitches' blog said, "...I still think I’m a much better romance reader for having read this story."
It was everything I want from a romance. There was so much emotion throughout the story, and the descriptions of Lucien's freedom, spirit and music were magical. I found myself highlighting so many passages because I loved the way Ms. Samuel said things. Her characters were well-rounded and realistic, even her secondary characters. She added such detailed traits to each, and she showed their character through their thoughts and actions rather than just through descriptions. There were no one-dimensional villains. You could understand why each character acted the way he/she did. I loved the inspiring, dramatic gesture Lucien made when he was desperate to see Madeline in London and the way he spoke so poetically. The use of Lucien's music to show his frame of mind really added a poignancy throughout.
My only criticism was the editing. It wasn't horrible, but there were more than a handful of errors. It seems like the book may have been scanned. Some words were replaced by other words that are close in spelling, like "feat" for "fear". There was one sentence where I couldn't figure out what the author was trying to say. Because of how much I enjoyed the story in spite of this and because it wasn't too widespread, I would only deduct a half star and give this 4.5 stars.
It's one of those books I wish I could unread so that I could start it again.
It was everything I want from a romance. There was so much emotion throughout the story, and the descriptions of Lucien's freedom, spirit and music were magical. I found myself highlighting so many passages because I loved the way Ms. Samuel said things. Her characters were well-rounded and realistic, even her secondary characters. She added such detailed traits to each, and she showed their character through their thoughts and actions rather than just through descriptions. There were no one-dimensional villains. You could understand why each character acted the way he/she did. I loved the inspiring, dramatic gesture Lucien made when he was desperate to see Madeline in London and the way he spoke so poetically. The use of Lucien's music to show his frame of mind really added a poignancy throughout.
My only criticism was the editing. It wasn't horrible, but there were more than a handful of errors. It seems like the book may have been scanned. Some words were replaced by other words that are close in spelling, like "feat" for "fear". There was one sentence where I couldn't figure out what the author was trying to say. Because of how much I enjoyed the story in spite of this and because it wasn't too widespread, I would only deduct a half star and give this 4.5 stars.
It's one of those books I wish I could unread so that I could start it again.
March 20, 2020
This is such a refreshing difference from a lot of romances in the way it handles familiar tropes. Lucien is a hot mess, but one with a very cynical understanding of what it is that makes him attractive to women, and one who has specifically chosen his rakish lifestyle as a rebellion against the people who ruined the thing he loved. (That doesn't make him not a rake, but he's aware of how much of himself he's compromising, and he's also aware that he's not a good person, which I appreciated.) Madeleine must marry well to save her ancestral home, and the man she will marry is not attractive, but he is kind and steady and forgiving; she knows she could be content in his companionship. She's okay with that. She explicitly doesn't want to save Lucien; that's for a vicar to do.
There are a lot of fucked-up undercurrents and a lot of emotional connections swirling around the two of them and the others at the house party; there are a lot of spoiled, shallow people doing spoiled, shallow things that intersect with their lives. Honestly, the best actual person in the whole thing is Madeleine's intended, Charles, who deserves nice things and puppies. Yet for all of that, I do root for Madeleine and Lucien in all their imperfection and confusion and being-a-mess, because they are imperfect and they know it, and both are trying to do the right thing and overwhelmed by what they want but still trying to not do it, and I just really like this book. (This was a second read, and I was afraid it would have tarnished, but it didn't at all, and that was lovely.)
There are a lot of fucked-up undercurrents and a lot of emotional connections swirling around the two of them and the others at the house party; there are a lot of spoiled, shallow people doing spoiled, shallow things that intersect with their lives. Honestly, the best actual person in the whole thing is Madeleine's intended, Charles, who deserves nice things and puppies. Yet for all of that, I do root for Madeleine and Lucien in all their imperfection and confusion and being-a-mess, because they are imperfect and they know it, and both are trying to do the right thing and overwhelmed by what they want but still trying to not do it, and I just really like this book. (This was a second read, and I was afraid it would have tarnished, but it didn't at all, and that was lovely.)
May 10, 2011
when i first started this i really didnt think it would be all that but somehow the writer drags u in by bringing Lucien and Madeleine to life. yes its about a rake trying to seduce a virgin girl that needs to marry into a rich family but its got so much pacted in one novel, the writer makes u feel this deep passion between the 2 and lets u understand both their side, not just them but the mother and luciens best friend.
its got all the naughtiness that goes on during that time, widows that has more freedom and house parties that has all different characters.
she lets us in a world where games of pettiness and deception where played by these people of that time.
i fell in love with lucien, he was such a rake at the start but u slowly c the darkness of his past that made u love him more as a man, and thats what madeleine sees. she really brought out that love that he concealed in him, cos oh when he fell he fell hard.. this was truly a beautiful book.
its got all the naughtiness that goes on during that time, widows that has more freedom and house parties that has all different characters.
she lets us in a world where games of pettiness and deception where played by these people of that time.
i fell in love with lucien, he was such a rake at the start but u slowly c the darkness of his past that made u love him more as a man, and thats what madeleine sees. she really brought out that love that he concealed in him, cos oh when he fell he fell hard.. this was truly a beautiful book.
February 28, 2015
Extraordinary Historical Romance
This book was so refreshingly different from other historical romances I've read. I'm grateful to smartbitchestrashybooks.com for recommending it.
As a side note, I wouldn't have read it based on the original cover art - I'll admit I'm shallow like that. I highly prefer the new cover with Madeline in her green dress. Oh I'd love to get lost in the maze with Lucien!
This book was so refreshingly different from other historical romances I've read. I'm grateful to smartbitchestrashybooks.com for recommending it.
As a side note, I wouldn't have read it based on the original cover art - I'll admit I'm shallow like that. I highly prefer the new cover with Madeline in her green dress. Oh I'd love to get lost in the maze with Lucien!
June 18, 2011
This was a great read. At first I thought I would not like it but that changed pretty soon and I don't want to spoil the story. The end of the story surprised me with like and unlike at the same time but I thought it came out great. I really liked the 2 main characters, both very likeable, and I had a hard time putting the book down ...... I mean shutting the Kindle off ;-)
March 17, 2015
Wow, a LOT of slut-shaming in these reviews. It was the Georgian era, people!
Beautiful writing, really interesting and well-developed characters, typical rake-deflowers-virgin trope, but so well done I didn't mind. Not quite as funny or fun as I usually like my Romance novels, but still an enjoyable read.
Beautiful writing, really interesting and well-developed characters, typical rake-deflowers-virgin trope, but so well done I didn't mind. Not quite as funny or fun as I usually like my Romance novels, but still an enjoyable read.
October 27, 2018
This book was just okay. I thought the author didn't do a very good job of developing the relationship between Lucien and Madeline. Madeline seemed to be attracted to Lucien's physical beauty and nothing else. Lucien wanted to seduce Madeline just because he couldn't resist the challenge. Madeline's mother apparently was willing to sell off her daughter to a rich Marquess just to save Madeline's heritage (their home). I just couldn't get into all of this...it seemed just so formulaic that it was difficult to get really interested in the whole story line.
Why would Madeline want to be with a drunk who apparently couldn't take "no" for an answer? Lucien actually assaulted Madeline and she apparently was even more attracted to him after that. Why didn't Madeline's mother just make a rich marriage for herself instead of being willing to sacrifice Madeline's happiness. Granted, the man who was chosen for Madeline turned out to be a pretty nice and forgiving man, who fell in love with Madeline enough to let her go. It seemed as though his only fault was that he was not an attractive man.
Lots of attention was paid to people's appearance in this book. Lot's of attention was paid to how Madeline's and Juliette's clothing looked and fit. I found this to be kind of boring.
There also was a lot of description of how Lucien smelled and tasted to Madeline. He smelled like "sunshine", horses, leather... I've heard it all before. At times the author's writing turned into purple prose, which is not terribly interesting.
I thought the scene where Lucien couldn't help himself and barged into the shop where Madeline is getting fitted for her wedding gown to be kind of laughable. And of course, Madeline couldn't help but allow herself to be carried off on horseback to Lucien's cottage.
I also thought that Juliette was pretty violent...especially for someone who was dying of consumption. She slapped Lucien, Madeline and Lucien's father on the face at various times in the book. And what was the reason for hiding the truth of her birth from Madeline? It's not like her father didn't acknowledge his paternity and in fact, he married Madeline's mother.
There were just too many odd occurrences in this book to make it a very enjoyable read, but I did think the ending was pretty good...not as I expected.
Why would Madeline want to be with a drunk who apparently couldn't take "no" for an answer? Lucien actually assaulted Madeline and she apparently was even more attracted to him after that. Why didn't Madeline's mother just make a rich marriage for herself instead of being willing to sacrifice Madeline's happiness. Granted, the man who was chosen for Madeline turned out to be a pretty nice and forgiving man, who fell in love with Madeline enough to let her go. It seemed as though his only fault was that he was not an attractive man.
Lots of attention was paid to people's appearance in this book. Lot's of attention was paid to how Madeline's and Juliette's clothing looked and fit. I found this to be kind of boring.
There also was a lot of description of how Lucien smelled and tasted to Madeline. He smelled like "sunshine", horses, leather... I've heard it all before. At times the author's writing turned into purple prose, which is not terribly interesting.
I thought the scene where Lucien couldn't help himself and barged into the shop where Madeline is getting fitted for her wedding gown to be kind of laughable. And of course, Madeline couldn't help but allow herself to be carried off on horseback to Lucien's cottage.
I also thought that Juliette was pretty violent...especially for someone who was dying of consumption. She slapped Lucien, Madeline and Lucien's father on the face at various times in the book. And what was the reason for hiding the truth of her birth from Madeline? It's not like her father didn't acknowledge his paternity and in fact, he married Madeline's mother.
There were just too many odd occurrences in this book to make it a very enjoyable read, but I did think the ending was pretty good...not as I expected.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 9, 2017
Book Review- Lucien’s Fall by Barbara Samuel
Madeline just returned from the continent. Her step-mother is throwing a house party so Madeline can meet the Marquis that she wants her to marry. Unfortunately Lord Esher has also set his sights on Madeline. Madeline refuses to let the known rake try and seduce her. The battle of wills has begun.
Lucien is determined to get Madeline into his bed. Lady Juliette, Madeline’s step mother, is determined to stop him. Both women need Madeline’s marriage to the Marquis to happen. Madeline refuses to be played or drawn into the game of seduction. Lucien underestimates Madeline’s will and wit. Both are shocked at how far they will go.
I liked this book. Madeline is independent and has an unconventional hobby for the time. She is smart and as a result catches Lucien’s eye. He is a typical rake in line for a major title. He hates his father. He is also half-Russian which adds to his intrigue. His internal battle over his music adds to his character and darkness. Madeline can see his deep hurt and that draws her in. She spends most of the story fighting her attraction to him. The reader knows what is inevitable. So most of the story dealing with their relationship is predictable. Juliette’s affair is a little more shocking. Juliette is the character that seems to be making the decisions and manipulating everyone to get things the way she wants. She sacrifices her heart for the cause. That surprises me.
It was a good story that kept me absorbed as it unfolded. The dynamics of family and honor were front and present. I give it a 4 out of 5.
Madeline just returned from the continent. Her step-mother is throwing a house party so Madeline can meet the Marquis that she wants her to marry. Unfortunately Lord Esher has also set his sights on Madeline. Madeline refuses to let the known rake try and seduce her. The battle of wills has begun.
Lucien is determined to get Madeline into his bed. Lady Juliette, Madeline’s step mother, is determined to stop him. Both women need Madeline’s marriage to the Marquis to happen. Madeline refuses to be played or drawn into the game of seduction. Lucien underestimates Madeline’s will and wit. Both are shocked at how far they will go.
I liked this book. Madeline is independent and has an unconventional hobby for the time. She is smart and as a result catches Lucien’s eye. He is a typical rake in line for a major title. He hates his father. He is also half-Russian which adds to his intrigue. His internal battle over his music adds to his character and darkness. Madeline can see his deep hurt and that draws her in. She spends most of the story fighting her attraction to him. The reader knows what is inevitable. So most of the story dealing with their relationship is predictable. Juliette’s affair is a little more shocking. Juliette is the character that seems to be making the decisions and manipulating everyone to get things the way she wants. She sacrifices her heart for the cause. That surprises me.
It was a good story that kept me absorbed as it unfolded. The dynamics of family and honor were front and present. I give it a 4 out of 5.
December 8, 2020
Madeleine is an intelligent, quiet, confident girl who loves her gardens, particularly the roses. She's sophisticated, having traveled in Europe to study horticulture. She has no use for the big parties thrown by her stepmother, Juliette, at their lavish estate, but mom is just doing her best to find a rich husband for Madeleine. Someone who will support them. Sounds mercenary but it was the way of the times.
Enter Lucien, a genius composer whose demons drive him to seduce--and thereby ruin--Madeleine. She resists, because she's equal to him in intellect and talent. They not only fall in love but become great friends. But Madeleine has agreed to marry someone else. Someone kind, and calm, and nice...and of course, rich. There's also a subplot involving Juliette. It's a good story. Samuel is a fine author.
Enter Lucien, a genius composer whose demons drive him to seduce--and thereby ruin--Madeleine. She resists, because she's equal to him in intellect and talent. They not only fall in love but become great friends. But Madeleine has agreed to marry someone else. Someone kind, and calm, and nice...and of course, rich. There's also a subplot involving Juliette. It's a good story. Samuel is a fine author.
July 22, 2017
I quit at 20% -- nothing was happening. Also, the hero was Lord Lucien Esher but the author referred to him sometimes as Lord Esher and sometimes as Lucien. I guess I'm slow on the uptake, but it took me awhile to realize that they were one in the same person, by which time I had lost interest in the story.
August 5, 2017
Um... No. I did not find this book comfortable at all. Everything was very forced - Literary! What the hell! I was more worried than entertained by this story! In the end I would have been happier if Lucien had died in the gutter. (after all, the book was titled 'Lucien's Fall') Just because you were groomed by an older woman does not give you the right to do so to others. He did not deserve Madeline, he hounded until he got what he wanted and her daft mother let it all happen!
The only interesting part I found was the age difference between the Countess and Johnathan - ok so they were both sex addicts with issues, but on a level, an older woman seeing a younger man is a form of feminism. They broke a boundary - had it been the other way around it would have been considered normal.
The only interesting part I found was the age difference between the Countess and Johnathan - ok so they were both sex addicts with issues, but on a level, an older woman seeing a younger man is a form of feminism. They broke a boundary - had it been the other way around it would have been considered normal.
July 24, 2017
Mediocre. I don't understand the stepmother/mother plot detail as it was unnecessary for the story. Lucian is a tortured soul but we read more about gardening than his background other than his dad was a jerk. I finished it barely and only by skipping much of it.
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