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No Choice but Surrender
Lady Brienne Morrow returns to her father's mansion only to discover that he has gambled it away. Penniless and alone, she is ready to admit defeat and face the new owner, American Avenel Slane. A pawn in Avenel's hidden plans for revenge, Brienne is now being held against her will. Unaware of what fate awaits her, Brienne is certain of only one thing--her love for the American. And as fear melts into trust, she will risk her very heart and soul for this man.
448 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 1987
About the author
Meagan McKinney
72 books216 followersRuth Leslie Goodman Roberson (1961), well-known as Meagan McKinney gave up a thriving career as a biologist to become a full-time romance writer. She is author of over 20 critically acclaimed novels. Divorced, she lives with her two children in in New Orleans, Louisiana.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 47 reviews
June 30, 2026
2.75 ⭐️
I really thought I'd cracked the code with this one.
The first 20% had me convinced I'd found exactly what I'd been craving: vintage historical romance with outrageous melodrama, an unapologetic alphahole hero, revenge, longing, verbal sparring and enough soap-opera energy to power an entire Regency ballroom.
I was seated.
Then somewhere along the way....the romance forgot to romance.
What worked for me
(aka: the things that kept my rating afloat)
Vintage historical romance chaos is my comfort genre
I went into this wanting something niche and familiar, and for a while, Meagan Mckinney absolutely delivered.
This has all the hallmarks of old-school historical romance: towering estates, family secrets, revenge decades in the making, dramatic confrontations, impossible circumstances, larger-than-life emotions and a hero who enters every room like he's personally declared war on happiness.
It's dramatic. It's excessive. It's completely ridiculous.
Frankly, that's exactly what I signed up for.
A revenge plot with real emotional weight
The mystery surrounding Avenel's hatred kept me invested well into the book. As more pieces fell into place, it became obvious this wasn't revenge built on a petty misunderstanding. There was genuine trauma underpinning his obsession and I appreciated that the story took the consequences of Oliver Morrow's cruelty seriously.
The supporting cast also did a lot of heavy lifting for me. Cumberland was easily one of my favourite characters, quietly serving as the book's moral compass while remaining fiercely loyal. Rose also brought a welcome layer of compassion and grief that made the emotional history feel richer.
Where it lost me
(aka: where I started mentally throwing shoes)
Same fight. Different room
After such a strong opening, the story settled into a cycle that went on far too long.
They argued. They kissed. They stared longingly. They argued again.
For a huge portion of the middle, it felt like the relationship was circling the same emotional beats without actually progressing. I kept waiting for a real shift in their dynamic but instead the momentum stalled while the same conflict played out in different rooms.
Ironically, the chapters where they were apart had the potential to reset the romance but instead they just made me realise how little emotional progress we'd actually made.
Error 404: Grovel not found
This was my biggest issue with the entire book.
I wasn't expecting a modern hero. I knew exactly what kind of vintage historical romance I was picking up and I was completely on board with all the gloriously fictional, bodice-ripper nonsense.
My problem wasn't that Avenel was an alphahole.
My problem was that once the story crossed certain emotional lines, it never really dealt with the fallout.
He manipulates. He deceives. He hurts Brienne. Repeatedly.
And while he eventually declares his love, I never felt like he truly confronted the damage he'd caused. Love became the solution to everything, when what I really wanted was accountability.
By the time the declarations finally arrived, I wasn't waiting to hear "I love you." I was waiting to hear "I'm sorry."
That apology never truly came.
Brienne deserved more
Brienne grows, forgives, loves deeply and repeatedly extends compassion to people who hadn't necessarily earned it. I admired her resilience but by the end I couldn't shake the feeling that she was doing most of the emotional heavy lifting while Avenel lagged behind.
I wanted to see him earn her trust.
Instead, I mostly watched her continue giving it.
She kept meeting Avenel where he was emotionally while he rarely met her halfway.
Final thoughts
I wanted to love this so much more than I actually did.
The atmosphere was immersive, the revenge plot had genuine bite and for a while I was having an absolute blast embracing all the gloriously dramatic chaos that vintage historical romance does so well.
But somewhere after that fantastic opening, the emotional payoff never caught up with the emotional damage.
For me, the ending asked me to forgive far more quickly than I was ready to.
Final verdict
2.75 ⭐️ - This book reminded me why I love vintage historical romance. It also reminded me that no amount of yearning can replace an earned apology.
Now excuse me while I go find another alphahole who actually apologises.
Tropes and Vibes:
• Historical romance
• Vintage bodice-ripper vibes
• Revenge decades in the making
• Alphahole hero
• Enemies to lovers
• Captive heroine
• Forced proximity
• Protective alphahole (your mileage may vary)
• Slow-burn yearning
• Family secrets
• Found family
• Pregnancy
• Soap opera levels of drama
• "Sir...where is the grovel?"
☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆
Pre-read:
Vintage HR has officially dragged me into the bodice ripper trenches.
The blurb promised revenge, kidnapping vibes, relentless pursuit and enough melodrama to keep an entire soap opera employed.
I'm expecting maximum chaos and minimum chill🤞🏻✨️
I really thought I'd cracked the code with this one.
The first 20% had me convinced I'd found exactly what I'd been craving: vintage historical romance with outrageous melodrama, an unapologetic alphahole hero, revenge, longing, verbal sparring and enough soap-opera energy to power an entire Regency ballroom.
I was seated.
Then somewhere along the way....the romance forgot to romance.
What worked for me
(aka: the things that kept my rating afloat)
Vintage historical romance chaos is my comfort genre
I went into this wanting something niche and familiar, and for a while, Meagan Mckinney absolutely delivered.
This has all the hallmarks of old-school historical romance: towering estates, family secrets, revenge decades in the making, dramatic confrontations, impossible circumstances, larger-than-life emotions and a hero who enters every room like he's personally declared war on happiness.
It's dramatic. It's excessive. It's completely ridiculous.
Frankly, that's exactly what I signed up for.
A revenge plot with real emotional weight
The mystery surrounding Avenel's hatred kept me invested well into the book. As more pieces fell into place, it became obvious this wasn't revenge built on a petty misunderstanding. There was genuine trauma underpinning his obsession and I appreciated that the story took the consequences of Oliver Morrow's cruelty seriously.
The supporting cast also did a lot of heavy lifting for me. Cumberland was easily one of my favourite characters, quietly serving as the book's moral compass while remaining fiercely loyal. Rose also brought a welcome layer of compassion and grief that made the emotional history feel richer.
Where it lost me
(aka: where I started mentally throwing shoes)
Same fight. Different room
After such a strong opening, the story settled into a cycle that went on far too long.
They argued. They kissed. They stared longingly. They argued again.
For a huge portion of the middle, it felt like the relationship was circling the same emotional beats without actually progressing. I kept waiting for a real shift in their dynamic but instead the momentum stalled while the same conflict played out in different rooms.
Ironically, the chapters where they were apart had the potential to reset the romance but instead they just made me realise how little emotional progress we'd actually made.
Error 404: Grovel not found
This was my biggest issue with the entire book.
I wasn't expecting a modern hero. I knew exactly what kind of vintage historical romance I was picking up and I was completely on board with all the gloriously fictional, bodice-ripper nonsense.
My problem wasn't that Avenel was an alphahole.
My problem was that once the story crossed certain emotional lines, it never really dealt with the fallout.
He manipulates. He deceives. He hurts Brienne. Repeatedly.
And while he eventually declares his love, I never felt like he truly confronted the damage he'd caused. Love became the solution to everything, when what I really wanted was accountability.
By the time the declarations finally arrived, I wasn't waiting to hear "I love you." I was waiting to hear "I'm sorry."
That apology never truly came.
Brienne deserved more
Brienne grows, forgives, loves deeply and repeatedly extends compassion to people who hadn't necessarily earned it. I admired her resilience but by the end I couldn't shake the feeling that she was doing most of the emotional heavy lifting while Avenel lagged behind.
I wanted to see him earn her trust.
Instead, I mostly watched her continue giving it.
She kept meeting Avenel where he was emotionally while he rarely met her halfway.
Final thoughts
I wanted to love this so much more than I actually did.
The atmosphere was immersive, the revenge plot had genuine bite and for a while I was having an absolute blast embracing all the gloriously dramatic chaos that vintage historical romance does so well.
But somewhere after that fantastic opening, the emotional payoff never caught up with the emotional damage.
For me, the ending asked me to forgive far more quickly than I was ready to.
Final verdict
2.75 ⭐️ - This book reminded me why I love vintage historical romance. It also reminded me that no amount of yearning can replace an earned apology.
Now excuse me while I go find another alphahole who actually apologises.
Tropes and Vibes:
• Historical romance
• Vintage bodice-ripper vibes
• Revenge decades in the making
• Alphahole hero
• Enemies to lovers
• Captive heroine
• Forced proximity
• Protective alphahole (your mileage may vary)
• Slow-burn yearning
• Family secrets
• Found family
• Pregnancy
• Soap opera levels of drama
• "Sir...where is the grovel?"
☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆
Pre-read:
Vintage HR has officially dragged me into the bodice ripper trenches.
The blurb promised revenge, kidnapping vibes, relentless pursuit and enough melodrama to keep an entire soap opera employed.
I'm expecting maximum chaos and minimum chill🤞🏻✨️
June 26, 2022
About 3.5 stars
Read: 6/20/22
This book had all the ingredients for a good Bodice-ripper:
✔️ justifiable revenge
✔️ alpha-male H
✔️ holding h hostage
✔️ truly awful villian
✔️ secret pregnancy
✔️ shocking revelations
✔️ courageous, strong, and extremely. likable h
✔️ interesting side characters
The story starts out with the H winning an estate from his enemy. At the same time the (enemy's daughter) h's mother just died and she has no money. She has no choice but to go to her hated father's home till she knows what to do. But surprise surprise!! The H now owns it and won't let her leave.
Now that he knows about the Earl's daughter he plans to use her for his revenge. Unfortunately, he doesn't yet know that the h and her mother were in hiding from the Earl. He soon sees her kind heart and that she's nothing like her father but he can't let her go.
I love that the H is actually a good guy. Yes his revenge is clouding his mind but what the Earl did to him was beyond horrible. Even with a very justifiable excuse, he treats the h pretty well. No rape or " I put up a fight but soon give in" sex scenes. When the two finally sleep together it's in the middle of the book and very consensual sex. Yeah! I totally admire the h for not giving in.
Best part of the book, is the mystery of what the Earl did to him. MM does a fabulous job of keeping you guessing! I thought I knew the secret but was shocked by the details.
So why only 3.5 stars? I'm not sure. Either something was missing or it was just my mood. Most likely the latter. I think on a reread I might feel differently 🤔
All in all, this is a book worth a try!
Read: 6/20/22
This book had all the ingredients for a good Bodice-ripper:
✔️ justifiable revenge
✔️ alpha-male H
✔️ holding h hostage
✔️ truly awful villian
✔️ secret pregnancy
✔️ shocking revelations
✔️ courageous, strong, and extremely. likable h
✔️ interesting side characters
The story starts out with the H winning an estate from his enemy. At the same time the (enemy's daughter) h's mother just died and she has no money. She has no choice but to go to her hated father's home till she knows what to do. But surprise surprise!! The H now owns it and won't let her leave.
Now that he knows about the Earl's daughter he plans to use her for his revenge. Unfortunately, he doesn't yet know that the h and her mother were in hiding from the Earl. He soon sees her kind heart and that she's nothing like her father but he can't let her go.
I love that the H is actually a good guy. Yes his revenge is clouding his mind but what the Earl did to him was beyond horrible. Even with a very justifiable excuse, he treats the h pretty well. No rape or " I put up a fight but soon give in" sex scenes. When the two finally sleep together it's in the middle of the book and very consensual sex. Yeah! I totally admire the h for not giving in.
Best part of the book, is the mystery of what the Earl did to him. MM does a fabulous job of keeping you guessing! I thought I knew the secret but was shocked by the details.
So why only 3.5 stars? I'm not sure. Either something was missing or it was just my mood. Most likely the latter. I think on a reread I might feel differently 🤔
All in all, this is a book worth a try!
May 3, 2012
When you were drunk years ago, you said if you ever got a woman pregnant even if she was a walking tart, you'd marry her. You said that; even if she was a tart.
The constant hilarity this book provoked was on two main levels; my sheer cynicism and the random wordplay in fits of the bloomin' vapors.
The hero, whilst revenge bound -- isn't the legendary BR hero I'm accustomed to, so his demands came across as petulant and underwhelming. This happy anticipation of off-the-wall knuckle dragging, never quite made it. The author is apparently on the PC bandwagon and on the whole, the hero was quite well mannered in comparison. No damning presence or infliction of the heroine's past reflected enough to even find her pedo-pretend-papa too overly offensive or the second-leading male's former castration. No one suffered to the point where it struck my ire, or readily banked vindictiveness. Only a handful of pages were all that diverse, the rest were reworded shit-fits that didn't make it passed slappery.
So many irrelevant characters were thrown into the mix; even [key] figures, and was as if to say, "AH HA! We knew it was you all along, . Wait, who are you, again?"
This book provoked no real emotions in me; it read easily, and wasn't demanding in any manner. The author has great penmanship, even if every spectrum was basically covered, and there was no underline 'mystery' to look forward to. What hidden elements were guessable at best, but the cutesy foreplay like tug-of-war, was intriguing as a means of a comparison with the true bodice rippers of yesteryear.
The constant hilarity this book provoked was on two main levels; my sheer cynicism and the random wordplay in fits of the bloomin' vapors.
The hero, whilst revenge bound -- isn't the legendary BR hero I'm accustomed to, so his demands came across as petulant and underwhelming. This happy anticipation of off-the-wall knuckle dragging, never quite made it. The author is apparently on the PC bandwagon and on the whole, the hero was quite well mannered in comparison. No damning presence or infliction of the heroine's past reflected enough to even find her pedo-pretend-papa too overly offensive or the second-leading male's former castration. No one suffered to the point where it struck my ire, or readily banked vindictiveness. Only a handful of pages were all that diverse, the rest were reworded shit-fits that didn't make it passed slappery.
So many irrelevant characters were thrown into the mix; even [key] figures, and was as if to say, "AH HA! We knew it was you all along, . Wait, who are you, again?"
This book provoked no real emotions in me; it read easily, and wasn't demanding in any manner. The author has great penmanship, even if every spectrum was basically covered, and there was no underline 'mystery' to look forward to. What hidden elements were guessable at best, but the cutesy foreplay like tug-of-war, was intriguing as a means of a comparison with the true bodice rippers of yesteryear.
March 21, 2018
2'5 Estrellas, pero aún así no me ha emocionado demasiado. No es mal libro, pero no sé si es que no estaba en condiciones de leer una historia así, o que simplemente me pilla de exámenes y me desinfla. A pesar de todo es un libro que engancha muy fácilmente y se lee muy rápido, lo he cogido en pocos ratos sueltos y me lo he ventilado. Pero no, no me ha gustado mucho.
Sé que el título del libro no llevaba a equívocos, me parece muy acertado, puesto que la venganza del protagonista Avenel, contra la familia de Brienne ha sido el desencadenante que ha movido todo el libro.
Veinte años atrás, el padre de Brienne, el conde de Laborde mató a toda la familia de Avenel Slane, y él también habría muerto de no haber escapado. Avenel era solo un muchacho, pero juró que Oliver Morrow lo pagaría, se vengaría de él, y algún día regresaría a por lo que es suyo por derecho.
Brienne Morrow es una joven galesa, muy dulce, hermosa e inocente, hija de un conde malvado y cruel, del que siempre estuvieron huyendo ella y su madre. Recientemente huérfana y sin nadie que la proteja, vaga por las habitaciones de Osterley, la hacienda familiar, pero su situación cambiará cuando se entera de que su padre ha perdido la casa a manos de un americano jugando a las cartas. Pese a que la intención de Brienne siempre fue abandonar Osterley y labrarse su propia vida, sabe que no será fácil, menos siendo mujer y en el siglo XVIII.
Toda la trama se complicará cuando Avenel Slane llegue a Osterley y no permita a Brienne irse y mucho menos escapar. Avenel esta dispuesto a vengarse de Oliver Morrow en la figura de su hija, la relación de ambos protagonistas será un continuo tira y afloja, lleno de odio y rencor, y para mi gusto demasiado. La mayoría de libros que he leído de Meagan McKinney son de ésta manera, protagonistas que se odian, que discuten mucho, ellos suelen ser muy duros, y ves pocos momentos de paz, pero "Venganza" se ha llevado la palma.
No voy a decir que Avenel sea el peor protagonista masculino que he leído, no. Por suerte no hace nada que sobrepase los límites de mi tolerancia, pero me ha dejado mucho que desear, demasiado bruto, arrogante y despiadado. Y desde luego no me ha gustado cómo ha tratado a Brienne. Pienso que ella no se merecía los desquites, ni el odio ni el rencor de Avenel.
Aún así la trama ha sido muy interesante, sobre todo por descubrir tanto los secretos de Avenel, como los de Brienne, pero aún ni con ésas ha conseguido que sea una historia memorable. Una lástima, pues Meagan McKinney tiene libros mejores, y me temo que he topado con uno de los reguleros.
Sé que el título del libro no llevaba a equívocos, me parece muy acertado, puesto que la venganza del protagonista Avenel, contra la familia de Brienne ha sido el desencadenante que ha movido todo el libro.
Veinte años atrás, el padre de Brienne, el conde de Laborde mató a toda la familia de Avenel Slane, y él también habría muerto de no haber escapado. Avenel era solo un muchacho, pero juró que Oliver Morrow lo pagaría, se vengaría de él, y algún día regresaría a por lo que es suyo por derecho.
Brienne Morrow es una joven galesa, muy dulce, hermosa e inocente, hija de un conde malvado y cruel, del que siempre estuvieron huyendo ella y su madre. Recientemente huérfana y sin nadie que la proteja, vaga por las habitaciones de Osterley, la hacienda familiar, pero su situación cambiará cuando se entera de que su padre ha perdido la casa a manos de un americano jugando a las cartas. Pese a que la intención de Brienne siempre fue abandonar Osterley y labrarse su propia vida, sabe que no será fácil, menos siendo mujer y en el siglo XVIII.
Toda la trama se complicará cuando Avenel Slane llegue a Osterley y no permita a Brienne irse y mucho menos escapar. Avenel esta dispuesto a vengarse de Oliver Morrow en la figura de su hija, la relación de ambos protagonistas será un continuo tira y afloja, lleno de odio y rencor, y para mi gusto demasiado. La mayoría de libros que he leído de Meagan McKinney son de ésta manera, protagonistas que se odian, que discuten mucho, ellos suelen ser muy duros, y ves pocos momentos de paz, pero "Venganza" se ha llevado la palma.
No voy a decir que Avenel sea el peor protagonista masculino que he leído, no. Por suerte no hace nada que sobrepase los límites de mi tolerancia, pero me ha dejado mucho que desear, demasiado bruto, arrogante y despiadado. Y desde luego no me ha gustado cómo ha tratado a Brienne. Pienso que ella no se merecía los desquites, ni el odio ni el rencor de Avenel.
Aún así la trama ha sido muy interesante, sobre todo por descubrir tanto los secretos de Avenel, como los de Brienne, pero aún ni con ésas ha conseguido que sea una historia memorable. Una lástima, pues Meagan McKinney tiene libros mejores, y me temo que he topado con uno de los reguleros.
November 11, 2008
Don't bother with No Choice But Surrender. I enjoy Meagan McKinney because her characters never get along at first, and I much prefer that in romance novels rather than mediocre love at first sight. Unfortunately in this book the characters hate each other pretty much the whole book, and the guys is mean and domineering and a rapist. There I said it. Don't read it!
January 25, 2011
I found this quite hard going and almost stopped half way through but did persevere.
The plot involves the heroine lady brienne morrow, apparently the daughter of the Earl of Laborde. It turns out that in fact the Earl is a violent and abusive man, who has stolen the Earldom. The previous Earl had died on his way back from America and the villain had killed the eldest son and grievously injured the younger son Avenel, believing him dead. The villain then returns to England and assumes the Earl's identity. He marries Lady Grace who becomes aware of his iniquities and she leaves him and takes Brienne to live in poverty in a town in Wales.
AVenal and his friend then plot revenge and he eventually wins his estate back in a card game and he returns to England a wealthy man.
Lady Grace has died and so Brienne returns to stay at her father's estate, despite her fear of him. Avenal discovers that she is there are decides o use her against her father. He refuses to allow her to leave and removes her last valuable so that she has no means of funding her escape. Throughout this he makes sexual advances to her whilst stating that he hates her and casting her father's actions back at her.
Avenal is then shot by the villains men and Brienne saves his life. He then seduces her. Immediately afterwards he gets word that brienne's father has killed one of his friends and he takes this out on her saying that he was only using her in order to make a whore of her to get at her father. Brienne is devastated. There is a further slightly dodgy seduction scene where Brienne is initially unwilling but then succumbs. Afterwards she regrets this and knocks the h out and runs away.
She walks to Bath where she believes her father had a house and is taken in by the housekeeper who remembers her and she volunteers to work as a servant. She is pregnant with the h's child.
The h eventually finds her and they have sex again, whereby he refuses to say that he loves her. He then forcefully takes her from Bath back to the estate. He knows that she is pregnant and desperately wants a child but he refuses to marry her because of who her father is. He eventually tells her the full story.
The father then turns up and tries to kill everyone. He is defeated. It emerges that he is not brienne's father after all . The hero proposes and they get married.
I thought T he heroine was a real wet blanket and her antics really annoyed me. Why did she not look for a position as a governess etc or something that she was qualified for - rather than a menial servant; why did she speak welsh (very unlikely) ; why was she so obsessed with her comb- she could have taken something else instead that she could have sold; there is reference to her mother being titled and from a rich family - to be titled in her own right she would have to have been the daughter of an Earl at the very least - so it just does not make sense that Brienne has no family that she can turn to in any capacity; why does she agree to pose as a colonial cousin when it would have been clear to everyone that she was English?; we are told from the outset that Brienne is a true lady but why does she not care that she is pregnant and that he won't marry her - illegitimacy was a terrible stigma and impacted significantly on inheritance rights; and most importantly why did she persist in sleeping with this man who just seemed to hate her!
The hero spent most of the time blaming her for the sins of the father whilst at the same time dwelling on her goodness and innocence and was generally fairly unlikeable.
He was a real turn off.
Not a keeper
The plot involves the heroine lady brienne morrow, apparently the daughter of the Earl of Laborde. It turns out that in fact the Earl is a violent and abusive man, who has stolen the Earldom. The previous Earl had died on his way back from America and the villain had killed the eldest son and grievously injured the younger son Avenel, believing him dead. The villain then returns to England and assumes the Earl's identity. He marries Lady Grace who becomes aware of his iniquities and she leaves him and takes Brienne to live in poverty in a town in Wales.
AVenal and his friend then plot revenge and he eventually wins his estate back in a card game and he returns to England a wealthy man.
Lady Grace has died and so Brienne returns to stay at her father's estate, despite her fear of him. Avenal discovers that she is there are decides o use her against her father. He refuses to allow her to leave and removes her last valuable so that she has no means of funding her escape. Throughout this he makes sexual advances to her whilst stating that he hates her and casting her father's actions back at her.
Avenal is then shot by the villains men and Brienne saves his life. He then seduces her. Immediately afterwards he gets word that brienne's father has killed one of his friends and he takes this out on her saying that he was only using her in order to make a whore of her to get at her father. Brienne is devastated. There is a further slightly dodgy seduction scene where Brienne is initially unwilling but then succumbs. Afterwards she regrets this and knocks the h out and runs away.
She walks to Bath where she believes her father had a house and is taken in by the housekeeper who remembers her and she volunteers to work as a servant. She is pregnant with the h's child.
The h eventually finds her and they have sex again, whereby he refuses to say that he loves her. He then forcefully takes her from Bath back to the estate. He knows that she is pregnant and desperately wants a child but he refuses to marry her because of who her father is. He eventually tells her the full story.
The father then turns up and tries to kill everyone. He is defeated. It emerges that he is not brienne's father after all . The hero proposes and they get married.
I thought T he heroine was a real wet blanket and her antics really annoyed me. Why did she not look for a position as a governess etc or something that she was qualified for - rather than a menial servant; why did she speak welsh (very unlikely) ; why was she so obsessed with her comb- she could have taken something else instead that she could have sold; there is reference to her mother being titled and from a rich family - to be titled in her own right she would have to have been the daughter of an Earl at the very least - so it just does not make sense that Brienne has no family that she can turn to in any capacity; why does she agree to pose as a colonial cousin when it would have been clear to everyone that she was English?; we are told from the outset that Brienne is a true lady but why does she not care that she is pregnant and that he won't marry her - illegitimacy was a terrible stigma and impacted significantly on inheritance rights; and most importantly why did she persist in sleeping with this man who just seemed to hate her!
The hero spent most of the time blaming her for the sins of the father whilst at the same time dwelling on her goodness and innocence and was generally fairly unlikeable.
He was a real turn off.
Not a keeper
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 6, 2014
4 and 1/2 Stars! Late 18th Century Bodice Ripper Light
One of my Goodreads friends dubbed this a “faux bodice ripper” and I tend to agree. There’s seduction, certainly, and there is the threat of sexual ruin but not the classic bodice ripper as I think of them (and I love those!). I should also say that I am a fan of Meagan McKinney.
Set in 1780-81 in England (with prologue in Maryland) and with an awareness of the ongoing war between the Colonies and England, this is the story of Avenel Slane, an American with English roots, who has lost much due to the cruelty of the Earl of Laborde. Having won his estate of Osterley Park back in a card game, Avenel plans to return to England and have his revenge.
When her mother dies, Lady Brienne Morrow, daughter of Lord Laborde, finds herself without funds and so leaves her meager cottage in Wales to return to Osterley Park, the place she had once lived as a child, the estate owned by her father (the cruel earl). She arrives penniless to learn the magnificent estate has a new owner (Avenel) who decides to hold Brienne prisoner. Supposedly this is just until her father comes, but he is enthralled with the beautiful girl and tries to seduce her all the while. (It is clear she is somehow tied up in his revenge.) But the cruelty Brienne’s mother experienced taught her to fear both her father and rape, so she resists Avenel’s charms.
It’s a good story, and though perhaps not McKinney’s best (try The Ground She Walks Upon), it has sufficient twists and turns to keep you well entertained wondering just what Avenel’s plans are for the young woman he has taken captive, and whether (and when) Brienne will succumb. As a bodice ripper “light,” I certainly recommend it. For McKinney fans, it’s a must.
One of my Goodreads friends dubbed this a “faux bodice ripper” and I tend to agree. There’s seduction, certainly, and there is the threat of sexual ruin but not the classic bodice ripper as I think of them (and I love those!). I should also say that I am a fan of Meagan McKinney.
Set in 1780-81 in England (with prologue in Maryland) and with an awareness of the ongoing war between the Colonies and England, this is the story of Avenel Slane, an American with English roots, who has lost much due to the cruelty of the Earl of Laborde. Having won his estate of Osterley Park back in a card game, Avenel plans to return to England and have his revenge.
When her mother dies, Lady Brienne Morrow, daughter of Lord Laborde, finds herself without funds and so leaves her meager cottage in Wales to return to Osterley Park, the place she had once lived as a child, the estate owned by her father (the cruel earl). She arrives penniless to learn the magnificent estate has a new owner (Avenel) who decides to hold Brienne prisoner. Supposedly this is just until her father comes, but he is enthralled with the beautiful girl and tries to seduce her all the while. (It is clear she is somehow tied up in his revenge.) But the cruelty Brienne’s mother experienced taught her to fear both her father and rape, so she resists Avenel’s charms.
It’s a good story, and though perhaps not McKinney’s best (try The Ground She Walks Upon), it has sufficient twists and turns to keep you well entertained wondering just what Avenel’s plans are for the young woman he has taken captive, and whether (and when) Brienne will succumb. As a bodice ripper “light,” I certainly recommend it. For McKinney fans, it’s a must.
September 28, 2021
4 stars. Read this for Regan Walker’s Historical Romance Review blog, Sept. is Georgian and Regency month. This is my second book by Meagan M. she writes well and looking at the publication date this appears to be her first book. Based on the reviews there seems to be 2 camps on this one you either like it or not so much. I fall into the camp that thought it was really good. Lots of angst and a revenge driven H who we know will end up falling hard for the h. Looking forward to reading When Angels Fall and Lions and Lace, those should be great!
June 25, 2018
2.75 out of 5
Just a few notes. jerk hero, hardly any groveling, heroine's body betrays her each time hero kisses her, love between H/h was not believable, despicable villain, not enough angst (for me).
Just a few notes. jerk hero, hardly any groveling, heroine's body betrays her each time hero kisses her, love between H/h was not believable, despicable villain, not enough angst (for me).
September 29, 2019
3 1/2 star would have given it a 4 or 5 but the ending was way to rushed
March 1, 2018
A SOLID 4.5 STARS!
THE ANGST HERE DIDN'T BOTHER ME AS MUCH AS MOST OTHER REVIEWERS, I PRACTICALLY LIVE FOR THE DRAMA. Said drama isn't for everyone. There's a 50/50 chance you will either love it, or hate it.
OUR HERO is a jerk. You have been warned. If you can't stand guys who have already fallen in love with the heroine, yet continue denying it by treating her like shit, then stop right here. If otherwise, then you will enjoy every masochistic feeling it feeds you. Avenel has been plotting his revenge against a sea captain who murdered his father and brother, and successfully castrating a friend and almost rendering Avenel infertile years ago. Winning against the enemy in a gamble, he now owns Morrow's homes across England, and the deal sweetens when he learns the man has a daughter stored away in the countryside. He plans to keep her, use her and betray her. Yet, he didn't expect to find such an incomparable beauty whose innocence and insecurities prove she is not like her sire. Avenel battles his own demons - to love her, or to take his revenge. He has his faults, doesnt make him a good man but I still don't hate him because there were moments aplenty that betrays his true feelings in his actions towards Brienne.
OUR HEROINE is a lost young woman who now has no home and she's also motherless. The father she loathes and fears has gambled away their home, and under the new master, she thought she would at least be treated differently if only for awhile, while she got her bearings and then leave for another home. Brienne is a strong woman with a hint of vulnerability that makes her so attractive to Avenel - his wildcat, apart from her beauty. She despises him at first, but being the only true man she's ever met, its hard for a woman's heart to be immune. One minute he blows hot, the other cold. I did rather enjoy their sex heated moments, the tension of foreplay was delish. When Brienne does fall for the man with a hidden agenda, what will happen when she discovers his true nature?
OVERALL it was amazing and breathtaking. Sweet, angtsy and there are moments you want to punch the hero...but I'm glad they are not perfect because it only means they are just two humans who are falling in love.
THE ANGST HERE DIDN'T BOTHER ME AS MUCH AS MOST OTHER REVIEWERS, I PRACTICALLY LIVE FOR THE DRAMA. Said drama isn't for everyone. There's a 50/50 chance you will either love it, or hate it.
OUR HERO is a jerk. You have been warned. If you can't stand guys who have already fallen in love with the heroine, yet continue denying it by treating her like shit, then stop right here. If otherwise, then you will enjoy every masochistic feeling it feeds you. Avenel has been plotting his revenge against a sea captain who murdered his father and brother, and successfully castrating a friend and almost rendering Avenel infertile years ago. Winning against the enemy in a gamble, he now owns Morrow's homes across England, and the deal sweetens when he learns the man has a daughter stored away in the countryside. He plans to keep her, use her and betray her. Yet, he didn't expect to find such an incomparable beauty whose innocence and insecurities prove she is not like her sire. Avenel battles his own demons - to love her, or to take his revenge. He has his faults, doesnt make him a good man but I still don't hate him because there were moments aplenty that betrays his true feelings in his actions towards Brienne.
OUR HEROINE is a lost young woman who now has no home and she's also motherless. The father she loathes and fears has gambled away their home, and under the new master, she thought she would at least be treated differently if only for awhile, while she got her bearings and then leave for another home. Brienne is a strong woman with a hint of vulnerability that makes her so attractive to Avenel - his wildcat, apart from her beauty. She despises him at first, but being the only true man she's ever met, its hard for a woman's heart to be immune. One minute he blows hot, the other cold. I did rather enjoy their sex heated moments, the tension of foreplay was delish. When Brienne does fall for the man with a hidden agenda, what will happen when she discovers his true nature?
OVERALL it was amazing and breathtaking. Sweet, angtsy and there are moments you want to punch the hero...but I'm glad they are not perfect because it only means they are just two humans who are falling in love.
May 30, 2018
I wasn't impressed with this novel. The main character was shallow; everyone around her claimed she was kind but she never actually did anything but worry about herself. The love interest was a butt head. In her 1st or 2nd meeting with him he says (Very small spoiler:) she cannot leave until she sleeps with him; which made me dislike him throughout the book.
The constant fighting between her and him made her seem childish and him seem controlling. (Which he was.) When I read a romance, I'm looking for romance..
The story line was ok, and the writing was not bad. Had the characters been different, I might have liked this.
The constant fighting between her and him made her seem childish and him seem controlling. (Which he was.) When I read a romance, I'm looking for romance..
The story line was ok, and the writing was not bad. Had the characters been different, I might have liked this.
December 21, 2021
Como nos dimos cuenta por el argumento todo gira en torno de la venganza de Avenel
Sin embargo no contara con que la hija de su enemigo Brienne se encuentre viviendo en la mansión que ha recuperado en su partida de cartas. Al comienzo buscara hacerla pagar por los pecados de su padre y querrá emplearla como ficha para sus planes, al enterarse de esto ella buscara huir pero Avenel no lo permitirá y la tendrá retenida.
Por su belleza y la convivencia poco a poco se irá desarrollando un romance un tanto retorcido que tiene sus altos y bajos.
También hay un misterio que rodea la identidad del verdadero conde, junto con un broche.
Pese a que fue entretenido y realmente disfruto el drama hay varias situaciones que rozan lo intolerable y excesivo.
No sé si era yo o el libro, pero sentí un tono distante y me falto conexión con los personajes. Los secundarios realmente los sentí flotando sin aportar gran cosa a la historia.
Está de más lo de la protagonista excesivamente hermosa que tiene que aguantar mucha mierda – No me disgusta, pero hizo que muchas situaciones fueran poco creíbles. Al tratar de meter muchos dramas apresura las cosas.
No tachare la autora, me gustaría leer algo más de ella.
Algo que de pronto me queda en la mente "Los hijos no tienen la culpa de los pecados de sus padres""
Sin embargo no contara con que la hija de su enemigo Brienne se encuentre viviendo en la mansión que ha recuperado en su partida de cartas. Al comienzo buscara hacerla pagar por los pecados de su padre y querrá emplearla como ficha para sus planes, al enterarse de esto ella buscara huir pero Avenel no lo permitirá y la tendrá retenida.
Por su belleza y la convivencia poco a poco se irá desarrollando un romance un tanto retorcido que tiene sus altos y bajos.
También hay un misterio que rodea la identidad del verdadero conde, junto con un broche.
Pese a que fue entretenido y realmente disfruto el drama hay varias situaciones que rozan lo intolerable y excesivo.
No sé si era yo o el libro, pero sentí un tono distante y me falto conexión con los personajes. Los secundarios realmente los sentí flotando sin aportar gran cosa a la historia.
Está de más lo de la protagonista excesivamente hermosa que tiene que aguantar mucha mierda – No me disgusta, pero hizo que muchas situaciones fueran poco creíbles. Al tratar de meter muchos dramas apresura las cosas.
No tachare la autora, me gustaría leer algo más de ella.
Algo que de pronto me queda en la mente "Los hijos no tienen la culpa de los pecados de sus padres""
April 24, 2020
I swear I won't be reading any more from this author. Her heroines are so stupid, I want to bash their head in.
March 7, 2021
Just another old school romance / bodice ripper!
Avenel is back on his estate and starving for revenge. The problem? the vilain who stole his earldom is missing so he is taking his anger on his naive daughter Brienne.
She has an unique coloring the author kept reminding us about: burgundy hair with violet eyes lol, and she is so pretty that Avenel is hit with a severe case of instalust and he has to have her -_-
It is pretty much a game of push and pull between those two, they kiss they fight, he grabs her she resists, he kisses her she opens her mouth -_- Until she surrenders because ''no choice'' lol
Of course the vilain, her father, makes a comeback around the end but Avenel is here to save the day and they ended getting their HEA.
Avenel is back on his estate and starving for revenge. The problem? the vilain who stole his earldom is missing so he is taking his anger on his naive daughter Brienne.
She has an unique coloring the author kept reminding us about: burgundy hair with violet eyes lol, and she is so pretty that Avenel is hit with a severe case of instalust and he has to have her -_-
It is pretty much a game of push and pull between those two, they kiss they fight, he grabs her she resists, he kisses her she opens her mouth -_- Until she surrenders because ''no choice'' lol
Of course the vilain, her father, makes a comeback around the end but Avenel is here to save the day and they ended getting their HEA.
March 1, 2026
No Choice but Surrender the Night by Meagan McKinney
Cover: 3/5
Story: 2/5
Steam: 🔥 🔥 🔥 (dub-con that absolutely toes the lie of non-con. might be an additional scene)
Ending: HEA
.
Stand Alone or Series:
Stand alone.
.
I don't really feel like talking about this book. There was SO much potential, but it just fell so flat. The book is about 150 pages too long, but I suffered on.
.
Read as self purchased physical copy.
Honest review left voluntarily.
.
Content Warning (may contain spoilers):
.
.
.
.
.
Parental abandonment
Martial S.A- off page
Parental ab*se
Dub-con nearing non-con
Graphic descriptions of physical injuries and vi*lence
De*th- off page
Dead of parent- off page
Captivity
Gambling
De*th of spouse- off page
De*th of sibling- off page
Cover: 3/5
Story: 2/5
Steam: 🔥 🔥 🔥 (dub-con that absolutely toes the lie of non-con. might be an additional scene)
Ending: HEA
.
Stand Alone or Series:
Stand alone.
.
I don't really feel like talking about this book. There was SO much potential, but it just fell so flat. The book is about 150 pages too long, but I suffered on.
.
Read as self purchased physical copy.
Honest review left voluntarily.
.
Content Warning (may contain spoilers):
.
.
.
.
.
Parental abandonment
Martial S.A- off page
Parental ab*se
Dub-con nearing non-con
Graphic descriptions of physical injuries and vi*lence
De*th- off page
Dead of parent- off page
Captivity
Gambling
De*th of spouse- off page
De*th of sibling- off page
February 27, 2021
3.5 Rating.
Hero planned to use heroine to exact a revenge against her father. He belittled her, abused her mentally with sexual innuendos, refused to release her from the house. It was frustrating.
Heroine went limp even after he was mean to her, carried away with passion yada yada yada.
I feel like the ending was quite abrupt, I wanted to see some hero groveling scenes! Otherwise, an ok read.
Hero planned to use heroine to exact a revenge against her father. He belittled her, abused her mentally with sexual innuendos, refused to release her from the house. It was frustrating.
Heroine went limp even after he was mean to her, carried away with passion yada yada yada.
I feel like the ending was quite abrupt, I wanted to see some hero groveling scenes! Otherwise, an ok read.
December 8, 2019
OKAYY BUT LIKE IM SO IN LOVE WITH THIS BOOK😍!! I definitely recommend it however I do not to those who find the idea of “forced seduction “ distasteful but ahh I love it
Would have given it a 5 star ....reason being there was not enough grovelling from the hero side (just saying ) but all in all its worth reading
Would have given it a 5 star ....reason being there was not enough grovelling from the hero side (just saying ) but all in all its worth reading
April 27, 2021
Meagan McKinney is one of those authors whose books hit a strange 1:2 ratio for me. For every one I adore, there are two I either can't stand or can't finish. This falls into the latter category. The hero is irredeemable, irascible, and rapey. The heroine is feeble. Honestly they both are losers. DNF.
May 27, 2023
I've just finished reading this book. My first book written by Meagan McKinney. I rated solid 3 stars. It started off well. He held her against her will, they exchanged a few hot kisses and then a bit more than kisses but then it was a bit back and forth. I liked the mystery, the revelation was great at the end. I adore the book cover.
May 5, 2019
I couldn't stand the relationship between the hero and heroine... He was domineering to the point of abusive and quite frankly, a rapist.. She was disappointing, How are we supposed to sympathize with her if she doesn't stand up for herself?
March 23, 2020
This book was similar to my first Meagan McKinney book with the theme of revenge. The whole thing with getting his earldom stole was an interesting touch. I wonder if Meagan can write characters that don't hate each other though lol.
March 14, 2021
Excellent revenge story and the book really keeps you guessing till the end.
There's also a really meaty backstory behind this revenge plot that the author definitely could have explained and gone into more detail. I hate it when it's sort of told as an aside and you are like what?!?!? this could have been a book all on its own.
There's also a really meaty backstory behind this revenge plot that the author definitely could have explained and gone into more detail. I hate it when it's sort of told as an aside and you are like what?!?!? this could have been a book all on its own.
January 21, 2026
3.5* it was enjoyable, the use of tis and twas intermittently was a bit weird considering Avenal doesn't otherwise speak in any other contractions? He also started saying "Aye" about half way through which was also odd lol. so while enjoyable it definitely has faults.
September 17, 2018
Dated romance that at times seemed more focused on the clothing than the love. There was little romance and love in this story of a pretender, an innocent and revenge.
November 1, 2018
She is the weakest, dumbest half-wit in literature. I hate her.
November 2, 2018
lol trashy but goody
June 8, 2020
Most ridiculous plot ever. Skimmed
September 8, 2020
This is one of my favorite novels of all time. I really enjoyed the simplicity of the novel as well as the fierceness of the female character.
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