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Regency Rogues: Redemption #1
Quando mi amava
Trevor Wentworth, the Earl of Leven, returns from Wellington’s side to learn his father left the estate near bankrupt. With little choice but to marry money, he settles on the cold and aloof Sabrina Kent. But it is her sister, Nicole, who wins his heart. Yet a few stolen and wonderful kiss are not enough to make him forget his duty to all the people depending on Sabrina’s inheritance to put the estate to rights.
Nicole is head-over-heels for Trevor, but that won’t allow her to be disloyal to her sister—until Sabrina begs her to intercede and try to talk Trevor out of the marriage. Nicole reluctantly agrees and when they are caught in a compromising position, it’s Nicole whom Trevor is forced to marry.
Thinking Nicole has betrayed him to aid her sister, he wants nothing to do with her and abandons his new bride at his rarely-used country house. When he finally returns to claim his young wife, will it be too late?
289 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 1, 2023
208 people are currently reading
316 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 74 reviews
February 28, 2021
This was on its way to a four star with a sunny, chatty heroine that fascinates the highly titled but poor fortune-hunter that’s engaged to her haughty older half-sister. The attraction between H and H s instantaneous, believable and cute without being cutesy, but unfortunately the sister has the bigger dowry.
It was still bumping along with charm and chemistry but minus stars when the heroine and hero get caught in a clinch of the hero’s instigation, and the hero blames the heroine thinking she “prostituted” herself out to help her sister.
Married and dumped by the hero, he’s gone for a year while she makes do at one of his lesser properties. A year! The hero degenerates from a smitten charmer to a big fat jerk, excuse me a stupid big fat jerk. I predict a distantly related Greek tycoon somewhere in the future.
The heroine is plucky and resourceful and ends up doing jobs that no real Regency woman would do, but I enjoyed her, her collection of servants and her resistance to Lord Charm when decides he may have been hastyand stupid. Sadly no dog.
He does redeem himself at the end. My other issue is her father and rude sister cut her off and there’s no confrontation as ultimately the heroine outranks her sister now.
Will definitely read more or Ruger.
It was still bumping along with charm and chemistry but minus stars when the heroine and hero get caught in a clinch of the hero’s instigation, and the hero blames the heroine thinking she “prostituted” herself out to help her sister.
Married and dumped by the hero, he’s gone for a year while she makes do at one of his lesser properties. A year! The hero degenerates from a smitten charmer to a big fat jerk, excuse me a stupid big fat jerk. I predict a distantly related Greek tycoon somewhere in the future.
The heroine is plucky and resourceful and ends up doing jobs that no real Regency woman would do, but I enjoyed her, her collection of servants and her resistance to Lord Charm when decides he may have been hasty
He does redeem himself at the end. My other issue is her father and rude sister cut her off and there’s no confrontation as ultimately the heroine outranks her sister now.
Will definitely read more or Ruger.
February 22, 2021
It was a little slow
I liked the premise but I got a little bored with it. I will read it again when I am feeling better. The hero was a jerk for a year. I cannot overlook that. I felt so bad for the heroine. I loved when the butler gave him a lecture on his behavior. I was so proud of him. The heroine was very sweet a nd I loved her teatime with the 'family', her servants. She was just special. He not so much. Again I need to re read it. They were apart for a year but I am not sure if he was faithful.It never said. But I pretended he was.
I liked the premise but I got a little bored with it. I will read it again when I am feeling better. The hero was a jerk for a year. I cannot overlook that. I felt so bad for the heroine. I loved when the butler gave him a lecture on his behavior. I was so proud of him. The heroine was very sweet a nd I loved her teatime with the 'family', her servants. She was just special. He not so much. Again I need to re read it. They were apart for a year but I am not sure if he was faithful.It never said. But I pretended he was.
March 26, 2022
Another FB find, I believe I was anticipating a good grovel. And the grovel isn’t bad. But did we have to wait until 90% to actually get it.
I wasn’t expecting the standout trope for this to be sunshine/grumpy (more sunshine/hothead). Because honestly, that’s what drives this book.
Spoilerish…
Though engaged to her sister for financial gain, he’s completely enamored with the heroine, she’s sweet, funny, beautiful, smart (perfect). Somehow these two manage to fall in love while waiting for the wedding day of the hero and sister. The sister uses this to her advantage, as she’s in love with someone else, and our hero and heroine end up married. At this point, the story is firmly sitting at 4 stars.
And now the story starts to descend down in stars…
He thinks she’s manipulated the situation and abandons her at one of the family’s lesser properties for a year. And of course, being a sunshine personality, she makes the best of it. Befriends the servants, hires an estate manager and is doing the best she can.
And, he shows up, still pissy, but deciding to make the best of the situation. Figures she may be unhappy but they’ll deal, he’s willing to move on.
But, she wants no part of him, wants an annulment and wants him gone. Everyone else gets her sunny personality. He keeps at her, until, he realizes she wants children and uses that to seduce her.
Another hothead move takes him back to London and while he’s gone, she leaves him. While he’s searching for her, a servant and his mother remind him 1. He doesn’t deserve her, and 2. He’s a crappy person.
From the grovel at 90%… “Call me an idiot. Call me a jackass. Call me unsuitable or unworthy…”
Yep, 3 call him an idiot stars.
The epilogue is really cute.
I wasn’t expecting the standout trope for this to be sunshine/grumpy (more sunshine/hothead). Because honestly, that’s what drives this book.
Spoilerish…
Though engaged to her sister for financial gain, he’s completely enamored with the heroine, she’s sweet, funny, beautiful, smart (perfect). Somehow these two manage to fall in love while waiting for the wedding day of the hero and sister. The sister uses this to her advantage, as she’s in love with someone else, and our hero and heroine end up married. At this point, the story is firmly sitting at 4 stars.
And now the story starts to descend down in stars…
He thinks she’s manipulated the situation and abandons her at one of the family’s lesser properties for a year. And of course, being a sunshine personality, she makes the best of it. Befriends the servants, hires an estate manager and is doing the best she can.
And, he shows up, still pissy, but deciding to make the best of the situation. Figures she may be unhappy but they’ll deal, he’s willing to move on.
But, she wants no part of him, wants an annulment and wants him gone. Everyone else gets her sunny personality. He keeps at her, until, he realizes she wants children and uses that to seduce her.
Another hothead move takes him back to London and while he’s gone, she leaves him. While he’s searching for her, a servant and his mother remind him 1. He doesn’t deserve her, and 2. He’s a crappy person.
From the grovel at 90%… “Call me an idiot. Call me a jackass. Call me unsuitable or unworthy…”
Yep, 3 call him an idiot stars.
The epilogue is really cute.
May 30, 2022
Nicole the sweetheart and Trevor the;
jerk + idiot = jackass
Trevor needs to marry money to save his estates (note the plural and as in 6 or 7).
I was a little hazy as to where all the money went in the first place... And why didn't he (the only son of the previous Earl) know anything about the lands and holdings?
Suffice it to say that the earl needs money to keep things afloat.
This story is so full of holes, it would make swiss cheese envious. And if you are into accuracy in your HR reads, well you should probably steer clear.
Trevor decides to marry Sabrina no matter what because she has a big inheritance. Sabrina is Nicole's spoiled, egocentric, mean spirited older sister.
Trevor wants to marry Sabrina despite falling in love with the vivacious kind-hearted Nicole. But he can't seem to keep his hands of Nicole. It was actually kinda creepy. He spends a good part of the story behaving more like a villain than a hero.
He ends up starting to undress Nicole in a side room of his own engagement party because he only thinks with his 'little head' when he's around her.
Then when they are caught almost going at it, Sabrina makes a meanly sarcastic joke that he takes as the truth. No discussion with Nicole, in fact he doesn't see her again till they are in front of the alter. In his mind she is tried and convicted and he not only drops her off in the country, but at an estate he hasn't visited since he was a child. Nicole is on her knees begging him not to leave without talking to her but he was such an utter ASSH*LE!
And honestly, he not only didn't convince me by the end that he wouldn't behave that way again... he actually DOES behave that way again.
This story really needed to test his worth again to see if he would come up to scratch but unfortunately that never happens. Instead we get an epilogue that would put a diabetic into a coma.
Instead of a grovel, we get him putting on his high hat and going on about, if he weren't so in love with her, he never would have treated her like sh*t on a stick. Like that's a viable excuse?
Instead, we get him feeling remorse for his behavior in his head without actually verbalizing to the woman whose heart he says he covets but treats with less care than his boots.
so unsatisfying and I have no faith that he won't treat her like crap next time he gets his undies in a bunch over whatever perceived slight.
I mean, this is a man who was going to marry her horrid sister for money, no matter what, uncaring how the sister felt. He has NO moral high ground to stand on!
And the evil sister?
Trevor gets taken to task twice by Nicole's grandma, and an elderly servant on his forgotten estate. Didn't seem to make an impression on him. So while I love a good 'talking to' for errant heroes, these were just so unsatisfying. Even Nicole does a good job telling him what's what. But he's like teflon. None of this wisdom sticks. He's a Jackass
The one saving grace of this story is that there's no OW drama.
Safety is good
jerk + idiot = jackass
Trevor needs to marry money to save his estates (note the plural and as in 6 or 7).
I was a little hazy as to where all the money went in the first place... And why didn't he (the only son of the previous Earl) know anything about the lands and holdings?
Suffice it to say that the earl needs money to keep things afloat.
This story is so full of holes, it would make swiss cheese envious. And if you are into accuracy in your HR reads, well you should probably steer clear.
Trevor decides to marry Sabrina no matter what because she has a big inheritance. Sabrina is Nicole's spoiled, egocentric, mean spirited older sister.
Trevor wants to marry Sabrina despite falling in love with the vivacious kind-hearted Nicole. But he can't seem to keep his hands of Nicole. It was actually kinda creepy. He spends a good part of the story behaving more like a villain than a hero.
He ends up starting to undress Nicole in a side room of his own engagement party because he only thinks with his 'little head' when he's around her.
Then when they are caught almost going at it, Sabrina makes a meanly sarcastic joke that he takes as the truth. No discussion with Nicole, in fact he doesn't see her again till they are in front of the alter. In his mind she is tried and convicted and he not only drops her off in the country, but at an estate he hasn't visited since he was a child. Nicole is on her knees begging him not to leave without talking to her but he was such an utter ASSH*LE!
And honestly, he not only didn't convince me by the end that he wouldn't behave that way again... he actually DOES behave that way again.
This story really needed to test his worth again to see if he would come up to scratch but unfortunately that never happens. Instead we get an epilogue that would put a diabetic into a coma.
Instead of a grovel, we get him putting on his high hat and going on about, if he weren't so in love with her, he never would have treated her like sh*t on a stick. Like that's a viable excuse?
Instead, we get him feeling remorse for his behavior in his head without actually verbalizing to the woman whose heart he says he covets but treats with less care than his boots.
so unsatisfying and I have no faith that he won't treat her like crap next time he gets his undies in a bunch over whatever perceived slight.
I mean, this is a man who was going to marry her horrid sister for money, no matter what, uncaring how the sister felt. He has NO moral high ground to stand on!
And the evil sister?
Trevor gets taken to task twice by Nicole's grandma, and an elderly servant on his forgotten estate. Didn't seem to make an impression on him. So while I love a good 'talking to' for errant heroes, these were just so unsatisfying. Even Nicole does a good job telling him what's what. But he's like teflon. None of this wisdom sticks. He's a Jackass
The one saving grace of this story is that there's no OW drama.
Safety is good
December 26, 2020
*** Book Q & A***
* How did the book make you feel?: I absolutely LOVED this book. There was palpable angst and the H did a good job of proving his love after he pulled his head out of his butt.
* How do you feel about how the story was told?: It’s told in dual POV and you really feel compassion for the abandoned h.
* What did you think about the main characters?: I loved them both. Although I didn’t think the H had a very good reason for abandoning the h, he does a good job of redeeming himself.
* Which parts of the book stood out to you?: When the H finally proclaims his love—all the feels!
* What themes/tropes did you detect in the story?:Abandoned h, false accusations, big misunderstanding
* What did you think about the ending?: The epilogue was so sweet!
* What is your impression of the author?: I’m happy to be out of a book slump and have some stuff to binge.
* How did the book make you feel?: I absolutely LOVED this book. There was palpable angst and the H did a good job of proving his love after he pulled his head out of his butt.
* How do you feel about how the story was told?: It’s told in dual POV and you really feel compassion for the abandoned h.
* What did you think about the main characters?: I loved them both. Although I didn’t think the H had a very good reason for abandoning the h, he does a good job of redeeming himself.
* Which parts of the book stood out to you?: When the H finally proclaims his love—all the feels!
* What themes/tropes did you detect in the story?:Abandoned h, false accusations, big misunderstanding
* What did you think about the ending?: The epilogue was so sweet!
* What is your impression of the author?: I’m happy to be out of a book slump and have some stuff to binge.
November 22, 2022
This story didn't have quite the amount of angst and heartache I was expecting considering this story was a bit of an rejection/heartbreak type of tale, but I enjoyed it none the less. This heroine was lovely. The Hero wasn't too bad either, once he pulled his head out of his butt.
February 23, 2021
It was as cute story. I loved Nicole and i liked Trevor. The romance was okay but it was missing something.
All in all an ok read!
All in all an ok read!
February 28, 2021
This is a solid 3.5 stars for me. The H learns his lessons well, even if he needs a little coaching.
May 23, 2022
4 stars
This book was a light and easy read, full of dashing romance and sweet burn angst. It reminded me of the excellent Unforgivable, but a lot less dramatic.
The drama/ angst was brought about by the H, Trevor, who was basically a prideful and foolish ass when he presumed, out of nowhere, that the h, Nicole, had been setting him up right from the start to get him to marry him instead. But he forgot two important elements: (a) he was the one pushing the seducing (up to a very saucy risquée position when they were found out); and (b) he did want to marry her over her sister. So basically, a very hypocritical ass.
Thank goodness, he rather soon got his head out of his ass, and realised he had maybe (lol!) overreacted though he then went into coward mode, wondering how he would approach the h after he unceremoniously dumped her for almost a year in a country estate. As much as he was a very foolish ass, he then manned up and relentlessly tried to prove to Nicole that he was very sorry and that he was desperately in love with her. Nicole, for her part, was still in love with him, but was very much confused by his actions and intentions which she could never believe, with just cause, to be sincere and amorous. After some heart squeezing moments, he laid his heart bare and she finally gave him a chance.
A sweet romance in brief, well written in flowing language. Trevor did grovel a lot, in a very sincere and humble manner, like a romantic real man owning up to his blunder should. So quite satisfying grovel overall, not OTT but to the just measure of his sin. Sometimes, it is really good to read a romance tied with a pretty bow 😊🥰 Highly recommended for the true romantics.
P.S. Putting aside whether the story is Regency-faithful or not (which I more than willing choose to remain blind to 😁), this is the kind of historical romance which I would love to see having a larger audience. It pains me that good authors like Lisa Kleypas and Rebecca Ruger, do not have the same wide limelight when their books and stories are much more deserving than others. When I see the unwarranted devotion engendered by the sparkly and diabetic Bridgerton fad, I cannot help wonder if people actually read that author's awful books and writing style and how they can favour her. YMMV, but it's still sad. End of personal rant.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 21, 2024
Both of them were idiots but H was more than h. 🤦🏻♀️
December 30, 2022
Now THAT was good groveling. Writing took a bit to get used to. But it was unique to read about a H who had to more than just apologize, and a h who takes her time to forgive each transgression. I forgave the hero way earlier in the book and had to check myself 🤣 [I'm so used to hero assholes who've done wayyy worse].
Story: Even though they fell in love when engaged to her sister, H thinks h tricked him into marriage. He abandons her in the country and lives his life. Surprisingly he DOES NOT cheat, considering his dad was famous for this I was worried. No mention of mistresses or actresses, instead he's running around trying to fix his debt ridden estate.
Hero: doesn't really have a reason why he was so distrustful, it would make sense if like- a woman he once trusted turned out to be a French spy or something. It would explain his over the top reactions to minor transgressions. Anyways, he did see the right of way even if it was always much too late.
He was high handed and demanding, quick to anger and quicker to think the worst.
But boy did he grovel well. Open his ears, LEARNS how she wanted to be loved, learned how to show and not just tell how sorry he was. Learned to rebuild her TRUST before asking for her love. Learned his triggers and not to give into them, actually grew and changed👏🏿👏🏿
The author somehow got me to feel BAD for this guy and how he was being treated by the h and her staff! At some point I just wanted him to put his authoritative foot down and threatened all of their positions 😆.
Heroine: was so bubbly and open in the beginning. Easily manipulated by her sister and naive I didn't much like her. But after she was abandoned, she became FIERCE.
She held him accountable for everything he did and said. She would get upset when her body betrayed her, and remind herself all the reasons to hate him. She was hesitant to open up and terrified of giving him the power to hurt her again. She was great. Like I said, I the reader was like 'please forgive him!' long before she did.
I was confused by what she wanted from him? Live separately forever?
I felt bad for her clinging to the servants as her family because her own abandoned her. I loved how she pulled up her boots and did the hard work. I didn't like how she basically became a servant, cleaning and doing laundry - especially when you find out they were sending most of the profit back to London instead of using it to hire more help ect.
Maybe it was to show us how much she's grown and how she doesn't have any airs about her, but I thought it would be a point to stick it to him - look you've turned your countess into a maid, but he never really acknowledged it.
Lastly not only do we get an extended ending and epilogue, even in the epilogue the hero is asking if he's finally regained her trust, you can tell years later he's still not taking her for granted and that's not something I can say about every Hero.
Special shout out to the beautiful spoiled sister that got exactly what she wanted. Heroine never confronts her.
Story: Even though they fell in love when engaged to her sister, H thinks h tricked him into marriage. He abandons her in the country and lives his life. Surprisingly he DOES NOT cheat, considering his dad was famous for this I was worried. No mention of mistresses or actresses, instead he's running around trying to fix his debt ridden estate.
Hero: doesn't really have a reason why he was so distrustful, it would make sense if like- a woman he once trusted turned out to be a French spy or something. It would explain his over the top reactions to minor transgressions. Anyways, he did see the right of way even if it was always much too late.
He was high handed and demanding, quick to anger and quicker to think the worst.
But boy did he grovel well. Open his ears, LEARNS how she wanted to be loved, learned how to show and not just tell how sorry he was. Learned to rebuild her TRUST before asking for her love. Learned his triggers and not to give into them, actually grew and changed👏🏿👏🏿
The author somehow got me to feel BAD for this guy and how he was being treated by the h and her staff! At some point I just wanted him to put his authoritative foot down and threatened all of their positions 😆.
Heroine: was so bubbly and open in the beginning. Easily manipulated by her sister and naive I didn't much like her. But after she was abandoned, she became FIERCE.
She held him accountable for everything he did and said. She would get upset when her body betrayed her, and remind herself all the reasons to hate him. She was hesitant to open up and terrified of giving him the power to hurt her again. She was great. Like I said, I the reader was like 'please forgive him!' long before she did.
I was confused by what she wanted from him? Live separately forever?
I felt bad for her clinging to the servants as her family because her own abandoned her. I loved how she pulled up her boots and did the hard work. I didn't like how she basically became a servant, cleaning and doing laundry - especially when you find out they were sending most of the profit back to London instead of using it to hire more help ect.
Maybe it was to show us how much she's grown and how she doesn't have any airs about her, but I thought it would be a point to stick it to him - look you've turned your countess into a maid, but he never really acknowledged it.
Lastly not only do we get an extended ending and epilogue, even in the epilogue the hero is asking if he's finally regained her trust, you can tell years later he's still not taking her for granted and that's not something I can say about every Hero.
Special shout out to the beautiful spoiled sister that got exactly what she wanted. Heroine never confronts her.
September 25, 2023
Not very good. A little bit below middle of the road. I'm never a stickler for historical accuracy, but I found that some of the dialogue here felt anachronistic. Again, this usually wouldn't even rate my notice. It just felt sort of glaring when some sentences are entrenched in archaic 1800's language and then others use words like "yikes".
January 13, 2020
Stupid, Cruel, and Cowardly Hero
I am of several minds of this book. I liked the beginning of it when the author actually showed us how the couple came to have feelings for each other in a circumstance when they should not have. So many authors write novellas that skip showing us a lot of important details of a budding relationship, preferring to tell us—which is not nearly as effective in novels. I thought that the heroine was a fun character for a Regency female. They are rarely ones who are so open and run off at the mouth, so she was fun to watch.
But then bad things happened. The hero suddenly turned into an idiot. Not just any idiot, but a cruel one. The sharp-fanged cruelties had no foreshadowing whatsoever, so they seemed completely outside of his character. And he was just plain stupid for taking the evil sister's word on anything. Even a casual reader could see that what she said could be interpreted in several ways. Why did he have to believe the worst possible scenario and act horribly because of it? He was just ghastly to her, which I can never countenance in a hero. And then not only was he stupid and cruel, but he was also a coward, running away rather than face problems. Not a hero in my book.
I received a free copy of this book, but that did not affect my review.
I am of several minds of this book. I liked the beginning of it when the author actually showed us how the couple came to have feelings for each other in a circumstance when they should not have. So many authors write novellas that skip showing us a lot of important details of a budding relationship, preferring to tell us—which is not nearly as effective in novels. I thought that the heroine was a fun character for a Regency female. They are rarely ones who are so open and run off at the mouth, so she was fun to watch.
But then bad things happened. The hero suddenly turned into an idiot. Not just any idiot, but a cruel one. The sharp-fanged cruelties had no foreshadowing whatsoever, so they seemed completely outside of his character. And he was just plain stupid for taking the evil sister's word on anything. Even a casual reader could see that what she said could be interpreted in several ways. Why did he have to believe the worst possible scenario and act horribly because of it? He was just ghastly to her, which I can never countenance in a hero. And then not only was he stupid and cruel, but he was also a coward, running away rather than face problems. Not a hero in my book.
I received a free copy of this book, but that did not affect my review.
January 15, 2020
Arrogance
I read 50% of this book before It no longer held my attention. A man who dropped his wife off like an unwanted dog and has the unmitigated gall to come a year later expecting her to behave as if everything is good. That man is without honor and this character does not deserve a reader to accept this and say it's ok. Therefore I would implore any reader to avoid this book at all costs. Get a Mary Balogh book instead and enjoy.
I read 50% of this book before It no longer held my attention. A man who dropped his wife off like an unwanted dog and has the unmitigated gall to come a year later expecting her to behave as if everything is good. That man is without honor and this character does not deserve a reader to accept this and say it's ok. Therefore I would implore any reader to avoid this book at all costs. Get a Mary Balogh book instead and enjoy.
December 24, 2020
sweet and great h ... and H who could have groveled more ... he did some but more was needed ...
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 29, 2023
Oooh, a (mostly) delightful Regency grovel romance. Trevor must marry for money and contracts to do so with a beautiful heiress's father. Whether or not she wants to marry him is irrelevant. The only thing is... her younger half-sister is far more appealing. Nicole does what she can to fill the icy silences between her sister and her sister's betrothed, who is really quite handsome and charming. She and Trevor fall in love and she tries everything she can to avoid betraying her sister, including removing herself from town for weeks on end. But her sister contrives to have the two of them discovered alone in a room together, and makes Trevor think Nicole was in on the deception. They marry and he dumps her alone in a long neglected estate for a year. Now he's back and expects things to carry on as though he hadn't treated her so cruelly.
Appealing lead characters and a good long grovel. There's a bit of body betrayal syndrome which I didn't love. I do really wish the sister and father had a bit more comeuppance.
Appealing lead characters and a good long grovel. There's a bit of body betrayal syndrome which I didn't love. I do really wish the sister and father had a bit more comeuppance.
March 27, 2022
Charming
October 12, 2025
male lead is a man child with anger issues, there was not a single page that made me like him.
August 6, 2020
Engrossing & Enjoyable but.....
I thoroughly enjoyed this novel. Loved the characters and the plot line. I enjoyed the author’s clever manipulation of the reader’s sympathies; always with Nicole, but twisting back & forth with Trevor. So compelling and engaging, I read it in 2 sittings (I do need to sleep 😂).
The writing is fine, with no lengthy or unwieldy passages, no extraneous writing, which is a waste of the reader’s time. It’s well paced, with good mix of humour and heartbreak. I shall certainly read more from this author, though hopefully excluding....
My gripes:
Lost the fifth star because the author couldn’t refrain from inserting modern Americanisms for example, “Guess I’m your date for the evening, boss.” 😱
Incorrect words used, for example, ‘I will say my peace’ - no, you’ll say your PIECE. 🙁
The English say ‘arse’, have done for centuries. In the UK, an ass is a member of the horse family. 🙄
It really doesn’t matter what national market you are writing for, with Georgian/Regency romance you are beholden to employ the correct BASICS of the language and phraseology of the time. No-one expects it to be written to the standard of Jane Austen, but a little care and attention goes a long way.
ANYWAY : recommended reading. 😃
I thoroughly enjoyed this novel. Loved the characters and the plot line. I enjoyed the author’s clever manipulation of the reader’s sympathies; always with Nicole, but twisting back & forth with Trevor. So compelling and engaging, I read it in 2 sittings (I do need to sleep 😂).
The writing is fine, with no lengthy or unwieldy passages, no extraneous writing, which is a waste of the reader’s time. It’s well paced, with good mix of humour and heartbreak. I shall certainly read more from this author, though hopefully excluding....
My gripes:
Lost the fifth star because the author couldn’t refrain from inserting modern Americanisms for example, “Guess I’m your date for the evening, boss.” 😱
Incorrect words used, for example, ‘I will say my peace’ - no, you’ll say your PIECE. 🙁
The English say ‘arse’, have done for centuries. In the UK, an ass is a member of the horse family. 🙄
It really doesn’t matter what national market you are writing for, with Georgian/Regency romance you are beholden to employ the correct BASICS of the language and phraseology of the time. No-one expects it to be written to the standard of Jane Austen, but a little care and attention goes a long way.
ANYWAY : recommended reading. 😃
March 23, 2022
Starting with the positives; I liked the second chance romance and how the hero’s redemption played out, even if his logic for abandoning his wife was shaky at best.
The reason I’ve given this 2 stars is if you told me the author’s only familiarity with the regency period in general was from watching a couple Pride and Prejudice adaptions, I’d believe you. The language involved far too much modern (or at least plainly post-regency), largely American slang. There wasn’t anywhere near enough historical detail. All this contrives to take you out of the story and wonder they bothered to set it in regency England at all. The actions of the characters also don’t align with how people in this period generally behaved or thought (or at least based on what I know from reading writings from and about this period). It’s fine to subvert norms but it’s takes more research to pull this off convincingly. It’s a shame as the writing isn’t bad.
I’d happily read this authors other works if they were set in America (where it is painfully obvious the author comes from) but it seems they mostly write medieval Scottish romances and as someone who lives in Scotland, I don’t think I could cope.
The reason I’ve given this 2 stars is if you told me the author’s only familiarity with the regency period in general was from watching a couple Pride and Prejudice adaptions, I’d believe you. The language involved far too much modern (or at least plainly post-regency), largely American slang. There wasn’t anywhere near enough historical detail. All this contrives to take you out of the story and wonder they bothered to set it in regency England at all. The actions of the characters also don’t align with how people in this period generally behaved or thought (or at least based on what I know from reading writings from and about this period). It’s fine to subvert norms but it’s takes more research to pull this off convincingly. It’s a shame as the writing isn’t bad.
I’d happily read this authors other works if they were set in America (where it is painfully obvious the author comes from) but it seems they mostly write medieval Scottish romances and as someone who lives in Scotland, I don’t think I could cope.
September 25, 2021
This was a wonderful, angsty, and tender story. The characters were refreshing and the camaraderie with the household staff of Leven’s country estate was so heart-warming.
The only cons to the story was Leven’s reason for abandoning Nicole. He does ponder on this later and acknowledges his own short comings in his reactions, and his fear causing him to stay away when he might have gone to her sooner.
I appreciated that he had to grovel and work at regaining her trust.
I’m glad to have found a new author! I look forward to checking out her other works.
The only cons to the story was Leven’s reason for abandoning Nicole. He does ponder on this later and acknowledges his own short comings in his reactions, and his fear causing him to stay away when he might have gone to her sooner.
I appreciated that he had to grovel and work at regaining her trust.
I’m glad to have found a new author! I look forward to checking out her other works.
April 6, 2020
It's a great book but a little bit more modern for a regency in my opinion.. I just prefer books that stay within the time period.. And it kind of ran in circles at the beginning of the book to the middle and then you find out how cruel someone can be.. But all in all it has the love steam and happiness at the end..
December 4, 2025
This sucked
I love the abandoned wife trope. It's common in the HR world. Even though I love it, it rarely satisfies. 'When She Loved Me' is no exception.
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🕮⋆˚࿔✎𓂃 𝐣𝐨𝐢𝐧 𝐦𝐲 𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐦𝐲 𝐟𝐮𝐥𝐥 𝐫𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐞𝐰
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I love the abandoned wife trope. It's common in the HR world. Even though I love it, it rarely satisfies. 'When She Loved Me' is no exception.
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🕮⋆˚࿔✎𓂃 𝐣𝐨𝐢𝐧 𝐦𝐲 𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐦𝐲 𝐟𝐮𝐥𝐥 𝐫𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐞𝐰
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June 4, 2024
oh this was good angst
May 12, 2024
Arieccoci con l’eroina azzerbinata.
Dalla vostra Lyanne Quay! 🙂
Eccoci con “Quando mi amava”, gran delusione malgrado la cover molto carina e la grandissima gestione dei personaggi.
Vi faccio un esempio sul bel passo narrativo di questa autrice: la ragazzina spinta dall’amore per un uomo impossibile durante un ricevimento a casa sua va nel suo studio, si siede nella poltrona della sua scrivania, lo immagina lavorare lì, accarezza i braccioli di cuoio dove lui posa spesso le mani. Senza parole, questa scena dice tutto, purtroppo però l’autrice fa, come troppo spesso accade, il passo più lungo della gamba. Esplora la vessazione.
Come sapete sul tema sono sensibile. In questo romanzo lui innamoratissimo, si convince di essere stato raggirato e, sposata la ragazza, la pianta in campagna e sparisce per un anno. Questa la sfida del romanzo, e la signora Ruger la perde.
Ve lo dico una soluzione non avrei saputo trovarla… Sì, cioè, lei potrebbe vendere delle cose della casa di campagna, nascondere i soldi e accantonato un gruzzolo andarsene e chiedere l’annullamento. … Il fatto è che poi la storia d’amore come la ricomponi… nel senso… sì, quando lui torna, lei potrebbe mettergli una condizione: se mi vuoi, mi fai un fondo fiduciario e mi intesti la tenuta dove mi hai confinato, così posso scacciarti quando voglio… Non so… Secondo me con uno che ti di sposa e il giorno stesso ti pianta da sola per un anno, non c’è rimedio. Voglio dire: gli eredi te li pianti nel culo – che è anche il problema che mi ha impedito di proseguire nella lettura di un romanzo di Amanda Blake Un dandy in ritirata.
Al fondo, dietro la mia solita polemica sui maschi prevaricatori dello storico c’è sempre il tentativo delle autrici di creare un ostacolo interno alla coppia con la stronzaggine di lui. E va bene così sia, a sto punto mi arrendo, ma allora devi mettere una controparte in grado di rispondere colpo su colpo, invece queste che si fanno prendere in giro proprio non le sopporto.
Ciliegina sulla merda, il romanzo tradotto evidentemente con sistemi automatici ha congiuntivi a casaccio, modi di dire assurdi e lessico spesso del tutto sbagliato.
(Per altre mie rece guarda su Novelbus)
Dalla vostra Lyanne Quay! 🙂
Eccoci con “Quando mi amava”, gran delusione malgrado la cover molto carina e la grandissima gestione dei personaggi.
Vi faccio un esempio sul bel passo narrativo di questa autrice: la ragazzina spinta dall’amore per un uomo impossibile durante un ricevimento a casa sua va nel suo studio, si siede nella poltrona della sua scrivania, lo immagina lavorare lì, accarezza i braccioli di cuoio dove lui posa spesso le mani. Senza parole, questa scena dice tutto, purtroppo però l’autrice fa, come troppo spesso accade, il passo più lungo della gamba. Esplora la vessazione.
Come sapete sul tema sono sensibile. In questo romanzo lui innamoratissimo, si convince di essere stato raggirato e, sposata la ragazza, la pianta in campagna e sparisce per un anno. Questa la sfida del romanzo, e la signora Ruger la perde.
Ve lo dico una soluzione non avrei saputo trovarla… Sì, cioè, lei potrebbe vendere delle cose della casa di campagna, nascondere i soldi e accantonato un gruzzolo andarsene e chiedere l’annullamento. … Il fatto è che poi la storia d’amore come la ricomponi… nel senso… sì, quando lui torna, lei potrebbe mettergli una condizione: se mi vuoi, mi fai un fondo fiduciario e mi intesti la tenuta dove mi hai confinato, così posso scacciarti quando voglio… Non so… Secondo me con uno che ti di sposa e il giorno stesso ti pianta da sola per un anno, non c’è rimedio. Voglio dire: gli eredi te li pianti nel culo – che è anche il problema che mi ha impedito di proseguire nella lettura di un romanzo di Amanda Blake Un dandy in ritirata.
Al fondo, dietro la mia solita polemica sui maschi prevaricatori dello storico c’è sempre il tentativo delle autrici di creare un ostacolo interno alla coppia con la stronzaggine di lui. E va bene così sia, a sto punto mi arrendo, ma allora devi mettere una controparte in grado di rispondere colpo su colpo, invece queste che si fanno prendere in giro proprio non le sopporto.
Ciliegina sulla merda, il romanzo tradotto evidentemente con sistemi automatici ha congiuntivi a casaccio, modi di dire assurdi e lessico spesso del tutto sbagliato.
(Per altre mie rece guarda su Novelbus)
January 8, 2020
Nicole Kent has accidentally fallen head over heels for her sisters betrothed, Trevor Wentworth, the Earl of Leven. But she will not be disloyal to her sister, even at the expense of her own happiness. When she agrees to speak to Trevor for Sabrina to convince him to break off the betrothal she never dreams that they would be caught in a compromising position and forced to wed. However, Nicole is secretly ecstatic as she loves Trevor so.
Trevor, having fallen for Nicole, had already decided he couldn't go through with marrying Sabrina and had intended to break off the engagement, even though his finances needed the dowry that Sabrina would bring to the marriage. When he is caught in a compromising position with Nicole and forced to marry her he is convinced that Nicole betrayed him in order to save her sister.
After the wedding, Trevor takes Nicole to one of his estates and deserts her. Nicole eventually settles into life at "Lesser House" and comes to love the countryside. After being gone for close to a year, Trevor returns with the knowledge that perhaps he had been wrong about his young wife. But Nicole has changed in the time he has been gone, she is no longer the young girl who adored him, she is now a woman grown who is resolved to not let Trevor back into her heart to hurt her again.
Will Trevor be able to convince Nicole of his love and that he will never hurt her like that again? Can Nicole forgive Trevor and allow herself to love him again?
There is so much more to this book! This is the first book I've read by Rebecca Ruger but look forward to reading more in the future!
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Trevor, having fallen for Nicole, had already decided he couldn't go through with marrying Sabrina and had intended to break off the engagement, even though his finances needed the dowry that Sabrina would bring to the marriage. When he is caught in a compromising position with Nicole and forced to marry her he is convinced that Nicole betrayed him in order to save her sister.
After the wedding, Trevor takes Nicole to one of his estates and deserts her. Nicole eventually settles into life at "Lesser House" and comes to love the countryside. After being gone for close to a year, Trevor returns with the knowledge that perhaps he had been wrong about his young wife. But Nicole has changed in the time he has been gone, she is no longer the young girl who adored him, she is now a woman grown who is resolved to not let Trevor back into her heart to hurt her again.
Will Trevor be able to convince Nicole of his love and that he will never hurt her like that again? Can Nicole forgive Trevor and allow herself to love him again?
There is so much more to this book! This is the first book I've read by Rebecca Ruger but look forward to reading more in the future!
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
February 27, 2023
Trevor and Nikki. He is engaged to her sister with the high dowery he needs to keep his dukedom alive. Sister loves another guy and is cold to him. Nikki is bubbly and cheerful and he soon falls for her. I did not like that he kept kissing her though he was engaged- he does realize that he would not go through with it right before they are caught which is great. He gets her in a compromising situation where sister makes it sound like she purposely arranged it. They marry and he in a huff of misunderstanding and unwillingness to listen to Nikki’s cries of love drops her off at his worn, neglected country estate.
Almost a year passes and he realizes he’s been a jerk… so he heads back only to find she wants an annulment. He realizes he loves her but is stupid and keeps it from her over and over - “not the right time.” This was annoying to me. She still loves him but doesn’t want the heartbreak. She thinks he only wants a heir. He ends up being a jerk again and leaves for a few days where upon she disappears. He finds her and finally they talk - he grovels pretty well but he’s still a bit jerky to me.
So he isn’t perfect- he can be very bossy and high handed.
I loved her relationship with the servants where they would all have tea together. She was not above them and they were her friends. My heart broke for her when he left - especially as she declared her love - such a jerk as he wouldn’t listen - but then this is a story and it made for a good one.
Really sweet hea - 4 kids and H teaching lesson to kids on forgiveness and understanding - you get the feeling that through the years he realizes what he has with her is precious and he won’t risk it ever.
Almost a year passes and he realizes he’s been a jerk… so he heads back only to find she wants an annulment. He realizes he loves her but is stupid and keeps it from her over and over - “not the right time.” This was annoying to me. She still loves him but doesn’t want the heartbreak. She thinks he only wants a heir. He ends up being a jerk again and leaves for a few days where upon she disappears. He finds her and finally they talk - he grovels pretty well but he’s still a bit jerky to me.
So he isn’t perfect- he can be very bossy and high handed.
I loved her relationship with the servants where they would all have tea together. She was not above them and they were her friends. My heart broke for her when he left - especially as she declared her love - such a jerk as he wouldn’t listen - but then this is a story and it made for a good one.
Really sweet hea - 4 kids and H teaching lesson to kids on forgiveness and understanding - you get the feeling that through the years he realizes what he has with her is precious and he won’t risk it ever.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 24, 2023
It wasn't badly written, I guess I'm just disappointed that it started out so promising with Nicole having made the most of her situation during her abandonment and being resistant to Trevor when he showed back up. I should've known I wasn't gonna like the reconciliation portion of the book when Nicole got diagnosed with "betraying body" syndrome.
Also, just a little vent for this false equivalence Trevor says near the end:
Also, just a little vent for this false equivalence Trevor says near the end:
January 15, 2020
I loved reading Trevor and Nicole's story. Trevor returns home, upon his fathers death, to take of the reigns as the Earl of Leven. Realizing his father bankrupted the Earldom prior to his death he knows that he must marry for money. He sets his sights on Nicole's half sister, Sabrina, as she has a very large inheritance, left by her mother, that will help his people. Sabrina, on the other hand, is not happy as she is in love with another. Nicole befriends Trevor and tries to assist with the courtship. Over time Trevor and Nicole become friends. Until they are forced to wed due to a compromising position that they find themselves in. Trevor feels that Nicole deliberately set out to trap him, so after marrying her he leaves her at a remote property and returns to his primary seat. After some time and instigation by a family member, Trevor sets out to win Nicole. Having been banished for a year with no contact Nicole is not interested and just wants him to go back where he came from.
This makes for a very interesting story. I highly recommend this story. You will not be disappointed.
Thank you Rebecca Ruger for allowing me an advance copy in exchange for my honest feedback.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
This makes for a very interesting story. I highly recommend this story. You will not be disappointed.
Thank you Rebecca Ruger for allowing me an advance copy in exchange for my honest feedback.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
February 1, 2020
When She Loved Me is a heart wrenching tale of a love gone wrong through misconceptions and lack of trust. I was heartbroken for the lovely heroine Nicole when once married she was deposited at a distant estate and left for a year on her on. Trevor, her only love and new husband allowed the machinations of her sister, Sabrina and his own misconceptions of the circumstances to color his vision and by the time he realized he may have made a mistake Nicole had grown up and changed, choosing to guard her heart lest it be broken again. I enjoyed the book and have enjoyed all of the books Rebecca Ruger has written. You'll want to read this story to see if and how Trevor might make up for his poor judgment. The characters were well written and it was easy to feel a connection to Nicole and her plight. Thank you Rebecca for a wonderful second chance love story. I look forward to your next book.
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