What do you think?
Rate this book
Winning a stubborn lady turns into the battle of his life for a powerful knight in Jill Barnett's latest Romance set along the Welsh borderlands.
Lady Sofia Howard has sworn never to marry after her young heart was broken by an arrogant young squire. She's spurned every suitor to the dismay of her guardian, King Edward I, who finds that even increasing her dower prize will not lure men to offer for the defiant but lonely Sofia. So the king takes matters into his own hands and betroths Sofia to Sir Tobin de Clare, the same man who once broke her heart. Sofia's tattered pride demands that Sir Tobin surrender his heart and the battle of wills that ensues makes war seem tame. But nothing will stop this ruthless warrior from winning his lady. In a classic Barnett battle of will and wit, a knight and his lady find that love at first sight is dangerous at best and never, ever easy.
Lady Sofia Howard has sworn never to marry after her young heart was broken by an arrogant young squire. She's spurned every suitor to the dismay of her guardian, King Edward I, who finds that even increasing her dower prize will not lure men to offer for the defiant but lonely Sofia. So the king takes matters into his own hands and betroths Sofia to Sir Tobin de Clare, the same man who once broke her heart. Sofia's tattered pride demands that Sir Tobin surrender his heart and the battle of wills that ensues makes war seem tame. But nothing will stop this ruthless warrior from winning his lady. In a classic Barnett battle of will and wit, a knight and his lady find that love at first sight is dangerous at best and never, ever easy.
410 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 18, 1999
333 people are currently reading
998 people want to read
About the author
Jill Barnett
47 books545 followersNew York Times Bestselling Author Jill Barnett is master storyteller known for her beautifully-written love stories rich with humor, emotion, and poignancy. She is the winner of Lifetime Achievement Awards for Love and Laughter and Historical Romance and is a six-time Romance Writers of America RITA nominee and winner of both a Persie Award for Literature and a Waldenbooks Award. Her books have been named Best of the Year by Dallas Morning News, Detroit Free Press, and Kirkus Review and she was the first historical romance author to ever receive a starred review from Publishers Weekly. She stands alongside Judith McNaught as one of only two authors to ever receive a six-star review from Affaire de Coeur Magazine and her work has been published in 23 languages and appeared on numerous bestseller lists. She lives in the PNW with her family.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 102 reviews
May 20, 2010
When I picked up this book, I didn't realize that it was part of a series. It is the final installment of a trilogy containing the other two books Wonderful and Wild. I don't think it mattered. This book has the power to stand all alone!
This is a "good" book, but it might have been "great" had Tobin, the hero, stuck around more. This book is an epic type of story. It spans time. The reader meets Sophie as an older, "mother of the bride" age and then gets to go back in time and relive portions of her girlhood through puberty and eventual marriage to Tobin. For much of this time, this couple is separated. I really don't like this. Although this book is entertaining during their separations, it made for a "disjointed" type of relationship with periods of isoation and then passionate reunions. After each departing scene by Tobin, I found myself saying "No Not Again!" Not words I like to say while reading a romance novel.
The interactions, while they are together, are priceless. I am laughing one minute, crying the next, and panting out of breath at the passion between them shortly after that. This book will certainly keep you on your toes.
The ending is sweet and satisfying, and this book contains what may be my favorite epilogue ever! If you don't mind significant absenses between couples and love a good laugh, a good cry, and epic storylines. This is your book!
This is a "good" book, but it might have been "great" had Tobin, the hero, stuck around more. This book is an epic type of story. It spans time. The reader meets Sophie as an older, "mother of the bride" age and then gets to go back in time and relive portions of her girlhood through puberty and eventual marriage to Tobin. For much of this time, this couple is separated. I really don't like this. Although this book is entertaining during their separations, it made for a "disjointed" type of relationship with periods of isoation and then passionate reunions. After each departing scene by Tobin, I found myself saying "No Not Again!" Not words I like to say while reading a romance novel.
The interactions, while they are together, are priceless. I am laughing one minute, crying the next, and panting out of breath at the passion between them shortly after that. This book will certainly keep you on your toes.
The ending is sweet and satisfying, and this book contains what may be my favorite epilogue ever! If you don't mind significant absenses between couples and love a good laugh, a good cry, and epic storylines. This is your book!
January 17, 2016
This book is so terribly cheesy and romance-y that I just sometimes wanted to dig a hole and bury myself in it for even reading it. But I didn't. Because, when you need a break from reading books that take up so much emotional space, this is the perfect thing for unwinding.
And when has a little medieval romance ever hurt anyone?
In short, it's a sweet and at times surprisingly funny story with kind of great characters that you will end up caring about just a little bit, despite their faults and cliché romancing.
It drags out a bit, and kind of comes up a little short whenever it tries to be serious, but I wasn't expecting it to be a work of mindblowing brilliance - if it had been, I probably would have given up, my brain is just not wired for that sort of thing today - so I forgive it, and like it all the more for never seeming to take itself too seriously. I was also pleasantly surprised that, while this is doesn't try to be anything more than a simple romance novel, the heroine is never ridiculous. She might have been frustratingly stubborn at times, but at least she reflected over her life and her feelings,
"Well, perhaps she did hate him, but not as much as she loved him, and that was her true dilemme. She loved a man she needed to hate."
^ this is something I appreciate she admits. The fact that it is in this book was great. It's a situation we are all familiar with. So halleluja.
I'm not going to recommend this to anyone (unless you want some fun, non-committing medieval romance). Sometimes it's just nice to sit down and read something that requires absolutely nothing, but a functioning ability to understand words, and this suited me fine.
And when has a little medieval romance ever hurt anyone?
In short, it's a sweet and at times surprisingly funny story with kind of great characters that you will end up caring about just a little bit, despite their faults and cliché romancing.
It drags out a bit, and kind of comes up a little short whenever it tries to be serious, but I wasn't expecting it to be a work of mindblowing brilliance - if it had been, I probably would have given up, my brain is just not wired for that sort of thing today - so I forgive it, and like it all the more for never seeming to take itself too seriously. I was also pleasantly surprised that, while this is doesn't try to be anything more than a simple romance novel, the heroine is never ridiculous. She might have been frustratingly stubborn at times, but at least she reflected over her life and her feelings,
"Well, perhaps she did hate him, but not as much as she loved him, and that was her true dilemme. She loved a man she needed to hate."
^ this is something I appreciate she admits. The fact that it is in this book was great. It's a situation we are all familiar with. So halleluja.
I'm not going to recommend this to anyone (unless you want some fun, non-committing medieval romance). Sometimes it's just nice to sit down and read something that requires absolutely nothing, but a functioning ability to understand words, and this suited me fine.
December 1, 2019
What an excellent end to this series! Tobin and Sofia were so hard headed and proud. They loved each other deeply but kept it to themselves. Their story was fantastic.
October 17, 2018
A SOLID 3.5 STARS!
THIS ONE HAD A BITTERSWEET START, AND I THOUGHT IT WOULD LEAD TO AT LEAST SOME ANGST BUT SADLY IT DIDN'T HAPPEN. SOME PARTS DID LEAVE ME WANTING IT TO BE BETTER.
OUR HERO first broke the heroine's heart when she was 15, and he was 18. They shared a passionate kiss during the fair, and then she realised that he was playing with her feelings on a bet with the suitors who were rejected by her. Guilt and shame plagued him that day. Fast forward 2 years, and after his campaign with King Edward, he's rewarded with marriage to none other than the beautiful Sofia. I enjoyed it very much when the heroine often put him on his toes and leads him on a merry chase when she ran away. Tobin's also not on good terms with his womanizing father, he absolutely loathes that he has 18 half siblings who I wasn't clear if were legitimate. Because of that, he doesn't want to fall in love though Sofia's presence will challenge that. In fact, I think he fell right from the beginning. What I didn't like was how he never much apologised to Sofia for what he did when they meet again and later married, but of course he does at the end of the story. I just preferred that they address the antagonism between them and not let pride get in the way.
OUR HEROINE can sometimes fall into the immature side because with her incomparable beauty and bevy of suitors, she's not exactly arrogant about her looks, but wants to find a husband who will love her for her. Thus, most have failed and she was called an Ice Queen. Deep down, Sofia can be cruel with words only because she wanted to feel loved, and her parents both having died and she grew up alone. Even being cousin to the King doesn't fill up the void.
OVERALL it's a classic Jill Barnett, though this was not my favourite one.
THIS ONE HAD A BITTERSWEET START, AND I THOUGHT IT WOULD LEAD TO AT LEAST SOME ANGST BUT SADLY IT DIDN'T HAPPEN. SOME PARTS DID LEAVE ME WANTING IT TO BE BETTER.
OUR HERO first broke the heroine's heart when she was 15, and he was 18. They shared a passionate kiss during the fair, and then she realised that he was playing with her feelings on a bet with the suitors who were rejected by her. Guilt and shame plagued him that day. Fast forward 2 years, and after his campaign with King Edward, he's rewarded with marriage to none other than the beautiful Sofia. I enjoyed it very much when the heroine often put him on his toes and leads him on a merry chase when she ran away. Tobin's also not on good terms with his womanizing father, he absolutely loathes that he has 18 half siblings who I wasn't clear if were legitimate. Because of that, he doesn't want to fall in love though Sofia's presence will challenge that. In fact, I think he fell right from the beginning. What I didn't like was how he never much apologised to Sofia for what he did when they meet again and later married, but of course he does at the end of the story. I just preferred that they address the antagonism between them and not let pride get in the way.
OUR HEROINE can sometimes fall into the immature side because with her incomparable beauty and bevy of suitors, she's not exactly arrogant about her looks, but wants to find a husband who will love her for her. Thus, most have failed and she was called an Ice Queen. Deep down, Sofia can be cruel with words only because she wanted to feel loved, and her parents both having died and she grew up alone. Even being cousin to the King doesn't fill up the void.
OVERALL it's a classic Jill Barnett, though this was not my favourite one.
February 21, 2014
At the opening of WICKED, Lady Sofia is reminiscing about memories from her past. She is reading from a book that King Edward's wife, Eleanor, wrote years ago about her dear friend. The queen states her wishes: that God would send someone special to tame the willful Sofia......
WICKED continues the adventures of Lord Merrick's former vassal from WONDERFUL. Tobin de Clare has now been knighted by King Edward. Sir Tobin is almost 21 but he still is cocky. He had made a mistake two years earlier when he wagered with friends to break the spirit of Lady Sofia, the beautiful young lady who had turned down numerous offers of marriage from his friends. Knowing what he did was wrong, after the fact, he is still attracted to the young woman.
They soon become betrothed and start out their engagement with some funny moments. Tobin thinks this is a sure thing but he can't tell Sofia, honestly, why he wants to marry her. The big lunk doesn't understand his feelings and, unfortunately for him, he digs himself further into a hole. Needless-to-say, this does not bear well for the young couple. Simply put, she wants someone to love her and not because she is beautiful.
This story is about young love and stubbornness. It is about the pangs of growing up and learning to communicate. It is sprinkled with laughs to ease the many crazy quarrels and minor misunderstandings these two have. And it is about learning to forgive. Closer to 3.5 stars, I favored this romance over WONDERFUL. There was more depth to the plot and I finally saw Tobin earn his much-deserved comeuppance.
WICKED continues the adventures of Lord Merrick's former vassal from WONDERFUL. Tobin de Clare has now been knighted by King Edward. Sir Tobin is almost 21 but he still is cocky. He had made a mistake two years earlier when he wagered with friends to break the spirit of Lady Sofia, the beautiful young lady who had turned down numerous offers of marriage from his friends. Knowing what he did was wrong, after the fact, he is still attracted to the young woman.
They soon become betrothed and start out their engagement with some funny moments. Tobin thinks this is a sure thing but he can't tell Sofia, honestly, why he wants to marry her. The big lunk doesn't understand his feelings and, unfortunately for him, he digs himself further into a hole. Needless-to-say, this does not bear well for the young couple. Simply put, she wants someone to love her and not because she is beautiful.
This story is about young love and stubbornness. It is about the pangs of growing up and learning to communicate. It is sprinkled with laughs to ease the many crazy quarrels and minor misunderstandings these two have. And it is about learning to forgive. Closer to 3.5 stars, I favored this romance over WONDERFUL. There was more depth to the plot and I finally saw Tobin earn his much-deserved comeuppance.
February 18, 2025
Сър Тобин де Клеър и лейди София Батрис Розалинд Ан Тресър Хауърд
📣🚨🛑РЕВЮ СЪДЪРЖАЩО СПОЙЛЕРИ🛑🚨📣
Супер сладурска книжка. Лейди София е повереница на краля и като такава има прекалено много свобода. С лекота отхвърля всички кандидати за ръката си, а по-напористите прогонва с хитрини, представяйки се за каква ли не, за да ги откаже да поискат ръката й.
Така минава време и София вече няма никакъв шанс да получи предложение за брак, за това на краля му писва и решава да я сгоди за единствения мъж, който някога е карал сърцето на София да трепне, единствения, който с необмислените си, момчешки шеги е разбил сърцето й, и единствения, който може да укроти дивия й нрав, рицаря Тобин де Клеър.
Тобин няма особено желание да вземе за съпруга София. Знаейки, че я е наранил в миналото, той се старае да страни от нея, за да не бърка в раната, но декрета на краля е ясен. София трябва да бъде негова съпруга и никой, дори самата тя и "гениалните" й планове няма да му попречат да изпълни дълга си.
Книгата изобилстваше от супер смешни ситуации, които ме караха просто да не мога да я пусна до самия край. Смях се с Глас, когато след годежа Тобин пиян като кирка, реши да се вмъкне в стаята на София през прозореца, с култовата реплика "О, прекрасна лейди в тази кула" :D :D :D и как София му тръшна прозореца пред носа, затисвайки част от дрехата му и оставяйки го да виси в на прозореца през цялата нощ.
Който иска да прочете нещо сладурско и забавно, препоръчвам тази книга с две ръце.
📣🚨🛑РЕВЮ СЪДЪРЖАЩО СПОЙЛЕРИ🛑🚨📣
Супер сладурска книжка. Лейди София е повереница на краля и като такава има прекалено много свобода. С лекота отхвърля всички кандидати за ръката си, а по-напористите прогонва с хитрини, представяйки се за каква ли не, за да ги откаже да поискат ръката й.
Така минава време и София вече няма никакъв шанс да получи предложение за брак, за това на краля му писва и решава да я сгоди за единствения мъж, който някога е карал сърцето на София да трепне, единствения, който с необмислените си, момчешки шеги е разбил сърцето й, и единствения, който може да укроти дивия й нрав, рицаря Тобин де Клеър.
Тобин няма особено желание да вземе за съпруга София. Знаейки, че я е наранил в миналото, той се старае да страни от нея, за да не бърка в раната, но декрета на краля е ясен. София трябва да бъде негова съпруга и никой, дори самата тя и "гениалните" й планове няма да му попречат да изпълни дълга си.
Книгата изобилстваше от супер смешни ситуации, които ме караха просто да не мога да я пусна до самия край. Смях се с Глас, когато след годежа Тобин пиян като кирка, реши да се вмъкне в стаята на София през прозореца, с култовата реплика "О, прекрасна лейди в тази кула" :D :D :D и как София му тръшна прозореца пред носа, затисвайки част от дрехата му и оставяйки го да виси в на прозореца през цялата нощ.
Който иска да прочете нещо сладурско и забавно, препоръчвам тази книга с две ръце.
October 2, 2020
2.25 stars.
This isn't terrible, but it also isn't terribly engaging either. The MCs don't know how to communicate, are too prideful to try to communicate until it's basically too late, and then when they're on the cusp of many figuring things out, the author separates them for over a year. Meh.
The heroine is the more fleshed out character than the hero. However, she is pretty childish and immature, little imagining how her privileged could be any worse. I mean, really. It is hard to like her. On the other hand, the hero is hardly developed either, beyond the fact that his dad's a real piece of work and who convinced his son that he's better off without love. Unfortunately, I've read this trope before and most of the time it was just as humdrum as this one is.
Overall, I've not been terribly impressed with this author. She's not terrible, but maybe her stories are just not my thing.
Safety
This isn't terrible, but it also isn't terribly engaging either. The MCs don't know how to communicate, are too prideful to try to communicate until it's basically too late, and then when they're on the cusp of many figuring things out, the author separates them for over a year. Meh.
The heroine is the more fleshed out character than the hero. However, she is pretty childish and immature, little imagining how her privileged could be any worse. I mean, really. It is hard to like her. On the other hand, the hero is hardly developed either, beyond the fact that his dad's a real piece of work and who convinced his son that he's better off without love. Unfortunately, I've read this trope before and most of the time it was just as humdrum as this one is.
Overall, I've not been terribly impressed with this author. She's not terrible, but maybe her stories are just not my thing.
Safety
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 7, 2018
Excellent!
All Lady Sofia wants is for someone to love her for herself, but everyone she ever loved left her or betrayed her. Now she is forced by her guardian, King Edward, to become betrothed and married to Sir Tobin de Clare, a man she has loved since she was a child, but who has betrayed and humiliated her for years.
The angst level in this book is way high as each tries to find an equilibrium in their relationship and still hold on to their pride.
All Lady Sofia wants is for someone to love her for herself, but everyone she ever loved left her or betrayed her. Now she is forced by her guardian, King Edward, to become betrothed and married to Sir Tobin de Clare, a man she has loved since she was a child, but who has betrayed and humiliated her for years.
The angst level in this book is way high as each tries to find an equilibrium in their relationship and still hold on to their pride.
July 19, 2019
Not nearly as good as the first book in the series, but still had my favorite plotline and was captivating for the first half. Could have used a lot more love shown and more groveling from hero and less stupidity from heroine towards the end as she grows and matures. I didn't really feel like he would love her.
February 2, 2019
3 Stars for being sometimes cute and sometimes annoying.
added-it
April 14, 2022🎁 FREE on Amazon today (4/14/2022)! 🎁
July 3, 2019
I truly love it, I couldn't put it down until I finished it, it was that great. Although I must admit that there were times that Sofia's behaviour was incongruent, she was mistreated and felt unloved, but later on, she acted as if nothing had happened when Tobin appeared. I thought she would be more defiant when seen him again.
Anyway, it was really an amazing ride, it was hot but without being crass and the romance was really sweet, 5 stars all the way!!!
I want more!!
Anyway, it was really an amazing ride, it was hot but without being crass and the romance was really sweet, 5 stars all the way!!!
I want more!!
April 17, 2022
Lady Sofia is stunningly beautiful but wants more in life than to be some man's possession. She is headstrong and has cunningly avoided betrothal to many potential suitors. Her guardian is her cousin the King. He has had enough of her antics and eventually accepts an offer for her hand by the young and handsome Sir Tobin de Clair.
Tobin and Sofia have been butting heads for years. They have a love-hate relationship where neither acknowledges the "love" part. The pair of them are dummies when it comes to their feelings for each other. They both do stupid things in the name of pride, causing heartache and drama throughout the book.
This felt like a long read. The two MCs meet first when Sofia is 12, then again at age 15, then at 17. Even after their betrothal there are years which pass in between events in the book.
By half way through I was a bit frustrated with the two of them. The story is well-written. I didn't give up on it. I really wanted to see the two of them get their HEA. But it was exhausting...
This book contains descriptive love scenes.
Tobin and Sofia have been butting heads for years. They have a love-hate relationship where neither acknowledges the "love" part. The pair of them are dummies when it comes to their feelings for each other. They both do stupid things in the name of pride, causing heartache and drama throughout the book.
This felt like a long read. The two MCs meet first when Sofia is 12, then again at age 15, then at 17. Even after their betrothal there are years which pass in between events in the book.
By half way through I was a bit frustrated with the two of them. The story is well-written. I didn't give up on it. I really wanted to see the two of them get their HEA. But it was exhausting...
This book contains descriptive love scenes.
October 8, 2012
I downloaded this for free on my Kindle. I thought it was historical-fiction, and was just looking for something fun & easy to read since school is pretty intense right now. I DID NOT realize that, not only is it (apparently) book #3 in a trilogy, but that it is also historical-romance, not simply historical-fiction. That become abundantly clear during the first, really cheesy, sex-scene. Ha! Oops. Kind of embarrassing, I don't generally read romance novels. Nonetheless, it was a fun story, with some nice feminist elements that appealed to me Nothing amazing, but I wasn't expecting anything amazing, I just wanted something easy & mindless to read. This fit the bill.
December 28, 2011
As backlogged as I am on reviews, realistically I don't have time for a full one. So, I'll just say that the angst was wonderful, the headstrong heroine's antics alternately made me want to cheer for her or beat some sense into her, the prideful hero at least knew when he'd screwed up (well, eventually at least), and the couple spent far, FAR too much time apart for my tastes, albeit not truly of their own doing.
Overall, a very entertaining, rather lighthearted medieval story that reminded me in style of some of my favorite Lynn Kurland stories.
A quite solid 4/5 Stars
Overall, a very entertaining, rather lighthearted medieval story that reminded me in style of some of my favorite Lynn Kurland stories.
A quite solid 4/5 Stars
May 23, 2020
Stubborn hearts collide in a battle of will vs wit!
Wildly fun adventure that pitches two head strong, prideful youths against each other in the emotional whirlwind game of love. Both Sofia and Tobin are wonderfully complex characters, full of heart and charm yet much too stubborn for their own good. Both too prideful and fearful of letting their true feelings show, so a delightful battle of wills against wit ensues, making this one unpredictable tale. Each misunderstanding is further fueled by their own desperate struggle with internal demons: one with the fear of never being loved and the other scared to love too deeply incase his love proves fickle like his father's.
Sofia is a fabulously strong heroine. Her drive and reckless bid for freedom; to be able to stand on her own terms and be seen as a person in her own capable right, leads to a fun blend of highly enlightening and teasing shenanigans combined with touching trials, misunderstandings and the complexities of the powerful emotions they feel for each other. As a result, the plot twists and turns as tension and personal convictions manifest into wounded pride and heartache where social restrictions and interference cause barriers to be erected and crumbled and frustration to rise to the point of snapping.
Overall a superbly written and addictively enticing plot where captivating subcharacters, warring emotions, wounded pride and cleverly quick witted banter has the power to cut like a knife and make you smile, laugh and cry in abundance as the pair run circles around each other in this wonderfully drawn out love affair (from childhood to early twenties) - where anticipation and suspense grow and emotions heighten with amusing, awe inspiring and tearful results.
This might just be my favourite in the series. You will seriously miss out big time if you don't read this or indeed any of the other books in the series - just fabulous!!
[Note: all books in the series are linked but can equally be enjoyed as standalones even though characters from previous books make brief cameos]
Wildly fun adventure that pitches two head strong, prideful youths against each other in the emotional whirlwind game of love. Both Sofia and Tobin are wonderfully complex characters, full of heart and charm yet much too stubborn for their own good. Both too prideful and fearful of letting their true feelings show, so a delightful battle of wills against wit ensues, making this one unpredictable tale. Each misunderstanding is further fueled by their own desperate struggle with internal demons: one with the fear of never being loved and the other scared to love too deeply incase his love proves fickle like his father's.
Sofia is a fabulously strong heroine. Her drive and reckless bid for freedom; to be able to stand on her own terms and be seen as a person in her own capable right, leads to a fun blend of highly enlightening and teasing shenanigans combined with touching trials, misunderstandings and the complexities of the powerful emotions they feel for each other. As a result, the plot twists and turns as tension and personal convictions manifest into wounded pride and heartache where social restrictions and interference cause barriers to be erected and crumbled and frustration to rise to the point of snapping.
Overall a superbly written and addictively enticing plot where captivating subcharacters, warring emotions, wounded pride and cleverly quick witted banter has the power to cut like a knife and make you smile, laugh and cry in abundance as the pair run circles around each other in this wonderfully drawn out love affair (from childhood to early twenties) - where anticipation and suspense grow and emotions heighten with amusing, awe inspiring and tearful results.
This might just be my favourite in the series. You will seriously miss out big time if you don't read this or indeed any of the other books in the series - just fabulous!!
[Note: all books in the series are linked but can equally be enjoyed as standalones even though characters from previous books make brief cameos]
February 21, 2021
A komisz hercegnő (=Wicked)
Eléggé érdekes, hogy ennek a középkori trilógiának a második részét elfelejtették megjelentetni magyarul, és önálló regényként jelentették meg ezt az utolsó részt, miközben a sok korábbi szereplő (Merrick, Clio, miatt fontos az előzményeket is olvasni...
Ismét egy nagyon vicces, nemek csatározása könyvet kaptunk, elrendezett de szerelmi házassággal megfűszerezve. Sajnos ennek is az utolsó kb. 60 oldala olyan érzést keltett bennem, mintha nem is ugyanazt a könyvet olvastam volna, mint ami az előbb a kezemben volt. Picit esetlen végső dráma után viszont szépen lezárták a trilógiát. Talán egy fokkal még jobb is volt, mint az első rész.
"Sophia és Tobin legalább olyan makacs, mint öt másik házaspár együttvéve."
Lady Sofia a király gyámleánya, igen szép hozománnyal. A csökönyös lány izgalmas házasságra vágyik egy lovaggal... Torwick Tüskés Rózsájaként emlegetik, sok kérője akad, de ő egyikben sem látja jövendőbelijét. "Sophia olyan ellenfél, akitől minden eszes harcos visszakozik." Egy napon azonban belebotlik abba a fiúba, akivel Camrose várában már 12 évesen találkozott... ő a "a férfiasság és kellemetlenség netovábbja".
"Sophia szépsége felemelő látvány volt Tobin férfiszemének, de pokol az elméjének és a testének." A férfi a király segítségével egy csellel eljegyzi magát vele, "tudta, hogy Sophia pimasz egy teremtés, amint módjában áll, csatába száll vele, s ez csak édesebbé tette a győzelmet". A lány mindent elkövet, hogy borsot törjön annak az orra alá, aki egykoron megsértette becsületét... varangyot tesz az ágyába, vízzel töltött disznóhójagokkal dobálja meg, levágja a haját és el is szökik a férfi uralom elől.
"Az én Sophiám ennél veszélyesebb. Figyelned kell hátra is, amikor vele vagy. Olyan, mint egy magas fáról kilőtt nyíl. Az ember nem látja, hogy mi vár rá, aztán már túl késő – ott áll megsebezve."
"Mindig is azt hittem, hogy tőzről pattant vagy, ami nem hátrány egy nőnek, tudod, Sophia? És amíg el nem szöktél, fel sem merült bennem, hogy valójában féleszű vagy."
August 4, 2020
SPOILERS THROUGHOUT
Last in this series. The book is about Sophia and Tobin. My heart hurt for Sophia throughout this book. She is a ward of king Edward, her cousin. She meets Tobin when she is twelve and is smitten. She has many marriage offers, but she turns all of them down. We find out later it is because they only saw and admired her beauty, never her mind. Tobin cruelly pulls a prank on her as a teen and humiliates her. But he also thinks she is beautiful and wants to marry her. So he goes on multiple duties for the king and the king surprise betroths Sophia to Tobin and humiliates her in front of everyone at the betrothal dinner. Sophia later asks Tobin why he wants to marry her. Rather than admit his growing feelings, he gives her a cruel, heartless answer. She is so hurt that she runs away. When Tobin finds her, he brings her back to the king and the king sends Tobin away and sends Sophia to a convent for over a year. Tobin never writes to her. She feels abandoned. He finally shows up, says he's back and they are getting married the next day. So they are married, but don't really talk about any of their past hurts. Even though he has hurt her multiple times, she is in love with him. Then he gets seriously injured. I trying to protect him, she embarrasses him in an epic way. He is so angry that he sends her away. It's the last straw for her. her heart is broken. He does finally show up, but she doesn't trust him and tries to send him away. He finally makes it right, professing his love. HEA (I only enjoyed the last chapter and the epilogue. The rest of the book made me sad for Sophia. She made many mistakes, but I sympathized with her a lot.)
Last in this series. The book is about Sophia and Tobin. My heart hurt for Sophia throughout this book. She is a ward of king Edward, her cousin. She meets Tobin when she is twelve and is smitten. She has many marriage offers, but she turns all of them down. We find out later it is because they only saw and admired her beauty, never her mind. Tobin cruelly pulls a prank on her as a teen and humiliates her. But he also thinks she is beautiful and wants to marry her. So he goes on multiple duties for the king and the king surprise betroths Sophia to Tobin and humiliates her in front of everyone at the betrothal dinner. Sophia later asks Tobin why he wants to marry her. Rather than admit his growing feelings, he gives her a cruel, heartless answer. She is so hurt that she runs away. When Tobin finds her, he brings her back to the king and the king sends Tobin away and sends Sophia to a convent for over a year. Tobin never writes to her. She feels abandoned. He finally shows up, says he's back and they are getting married the next day. So they are married, but don't really talk about any of their past hurts. Even though he has hurt her multiple times, she is in love with him. Then he gets seriously injured. I trying to protect him, she embarrasses him in an epic way. He is so angry that he sends her away. It's the last straw for her. her heart is broken. He does finally show up, but she doesn't trust him and tries to send him away. He finally makes it right, professing his love. HEA (I only enjoyed the last chapter and the epilogue. The rest of the book made me sad for Sophia. She made many mistakes, but I sympathized with her a lot.)
December 5, 2020
Plot:
When Lady Sofia goes through the journal of very important women of her life, she was able to commemorate her witty, adventurous girlhood. The story takes his pace when she was betrothed to Sir Tobin de Clare forcefully by her Guardian, King Edward I. It follows with egoistical clashes between Lady Sofia and Sir Tobin. She fled to London freeing herself from getting married to the arrogant man.
Will she able to get her true freedom or Is she completely wrong about the man she was engaged to and ruining the chance of a happy ending? is what you will find in this story
My thoughts:
Since it's a romantic novel, I myself expected it to be cheesy and all sweet. But I find it interesting while reading the first few pages because the protagonist is amusing, stronger rather than a weak character. I loved the portrayal of Sofia, who does not allow others to walk all over her and she proves that she can do much more than being a noble lady. Not just Sofia but other characters in the story owns its individuality.
I can easily correlate to the character's emotion by the narration of the story. The author has a unique sense of humor which genuinely made me laugh. Overall this novel is engaging and entertaining.
If you like a strong female lead and rivalry love story, you will definitely love this novel. So, yes if this genre suits you, go for it.
When Lady Sofia goes through the journal of very important women of her life, she was able to commemorate her witty, adventurous girlhood. The story takes his pace when she was betrothed to Sir Tobin de Clare forcefully by her Guardian, King Edward I. It follows with egoistical clashes between Lady Sofia and Sir Tobin. She fled to London freeing herself from getting married to the arrogant man.
Will she able to get her true freedom or Is she completely wrong about the man she was engaged to and ruining the chance of a happy ending? is what you will find in this story
My thoughts:
Since it's a romantic novel, I myself expected it to be cheesy and all sweet. But I find it interesting while reading the first few pages because the protagonist is amusing, stronger rather than a weak character. I loved the portrayal of Sofia, who does not allow others to walk all over her and she proves that she can do much more than being a noble lady. Not just Sofia but other characters in the story owns its individuality.
I can easily correlate to the character's emotion by the narration of the story. The author has a unique sense of humor which genuinely made me laugh. Overall this novel is engaging and entertaining.
If you like a strong female lead and rivalry love story, you will definitely love this novel. So, yes if this genre suits you, go for it.
July 7, 2019
I fell in love with the main character. She is willful and tends to do what she wants at the dismay of her family. Because of her antics, suitors have asked to marry her, but in the end, she discourages them. One day, she meets her match. As children, she remembers Tobin as someone who was able to catch her in a game. When she gets older, he is mean when he tricks her into meeting him and he and his friends all laugh at her. She doesn't forgive him and time goes on. He finally gets her for his intended but must do many things for the King that gets in the way. I laughed at the time when she sent for him and then he said he was busy, so he sent his page back to ask for a different time, etc. This went on all day until the queen and king sent for them and then left them to talk. She has some good comebacks like when he comes looking for her after she ran away and he kisses her and the women think he is kissing a young boy. She is very high spirited, but once in love, is very loyal. Fun to read.
September 14, 2019
I have not read a Jill Barnett for awhile, but I seem to remember liking her style. So I bought Wicked through my Nook. The book starts off well, explaining why Sofia became so independent and why she refuses to get married. But about a third of the way through the book the story becomes too bazaar. I can see why she is put in a convent by the king as punishment while her betrothed is sent off to war again. But training as a knight by the Mother Superior in the convent was just weird. Sort of reminded me of modern Soap Operas. From there is went down hill for me. Sir Tobin (Sofia's husband by then) being attacked by wolves and severely injured while out hunting? Where were his troops? Then she fights in a feat of arms against a seasoned knight after she tricks her husband and takes his place? Sort of lost me there. And throughout the whole book, after having many opportunities, she never truly explains to her husband why she didn't trust men and how deep seated were her feelings of abandonment
December 4, 2023
There are times I really wish I was one of those readers that can DNF books--I rarely do it, but this is one of those times I really wanted to. Unfortunately, I just didn't enjoy this one, which makes me a bit sad since I really enjoyed the first one in this trilogy and it's why I bought this one from a library sale about a decade ago. I'm not sure if it was the book itself, or just that I've changed too much in my reading preferences, but it was hard for me to reconcile the boredom/irritation I experienced with this story with the enjoyment I had for the first one.
The heroine was a brat, the hero two-dimensional, and the plot read more as a series of staged scenes rather than as a cohesive story which meant that it was really hard to get any sense that the emotion being expressed between them was real. Add to that the general "ick" feeling that came from reading the hero commenting on his attraction to her even as a young girl "of barely twelve" and I just couldn't seem to get to the end fast enough. Sending this one back to the library sale table.
The heroine was a brat, the hero two-dimensional, and the plot read more as a series of staged scenes rather than as a cohesive story which meant that it was really hard to get any sense that the emotion being expressed between them was real. Add to that the general "ick" feeling that came from reading the hero commenting on his attraction to her even as a young girl "of barely twelve" and I just couldn't seem to get to the end fast enough. Sending this one back to the library sale table.
June 15, 2022
First time I read this I gave it 3 1/2 starts. But this time I gave it 5 stars. It has a LOL beginning. The H & h aren't all that likeable in book 1 (Sofia's journal written by the queen). They get along a little better in Book 2 (written by Sister Judith). Liked the part where Sofia was at the convent. Book has a nice epilogue many years later. The book keeps my attention. It's a little longer than I like but I don't think there was anything I would cut out. There are a few steamy scenes. I thought the first book in the series was silly. Liked this one much better. It's not silly but does have humorous events.
January 13, 2024
A three star for me, because I found both the h and H to be bloody hard work. Worst of all, I despised how Tobin repeatedly treated the h like complete and utter shit, and she let him because for some incomprehensible reason she loved this feckless, cruel, selfish twat. He get forgiven and a HEA in the end because he put in minimal effort, had a more than belated 'revelation' and burped up a weak ass apology when at that point the h should have shoved him out of a window.
April 23, 2020
Tobin and sofia
Great story and well written I am so glad I found this author she brings out so many emotional in her characters Tobin is a strong warrior just as Sofia is his equal and partner for life the characters and story keep you flying thought the pages to see where it will take you in their lives so happy they had their HEA would highly recommend this series
Great story and well written I am so glad I found this author she brings out so many emotional in her characters Tobin is a strong warrior just as Sofia is his equal and partner for life the characters and story keep you flying thought the pages to see where it will take you in their lives so happy they had their HEA would highly recommend this series
July 16, 2020
There were a couple parts that were okay. Ultimately it just seemed so disjointed, several different ideas shoved together and unresolved. I think the story could have been cute, but some things were taken too far and others not far enough. Plus any scenes with affection were so stiff and unbelievable.
March 17, 2021
Full out waterfall tears ending
This book covered the entire gambit of the male/female relationship. Two people came of age, both beautiful, both scarred by their early family life, both afraid of committing fully, but both loving deeply. It also caught regular readers of Jill Barnett up with characters from previous books. I enjoyed every minute.
This book covered the entire gambit of the male/female relationship. Two people came of age, both beautiful, both scarred by their early family life, both afraid of committing fully, but both loving deeply. It also caught regular readers of Jill Barnett up with characters from previous books. I enjoyed every minute.
December 16, 2022
Highly recommended.
Loved this story of the headstrong and wilful Sofia and the arrogant Tobin. It might have taken them a long time to finally get it together but their journey was a delight. It was nice to meet Merrick and Clio again but the story can easily be read without the others in the trilogy. All three were 5* reads from me.
Loved this story of the headstrong and wilful Sofia and the arrogant Tobin. It might have taken them a long time to finally get it together but their journey was a delight. It was nice to meet Merrick and Clio again but the story can easily be read without the others in the trilogy. All three were 5* reads from me.
February 12, 2025
Le donne di questa scrittrice sono sempre al di quori dei loro tempi, testarde, temerarie, impertinenti, bisbetiche coraggiose. Certe volte esagerano un po’ con la loro indipendenza e la loro spavalderia ma ti fanno fare una bella risata quando si impuntano su qualcosa. Mi piace sempre molto la parte finale dei libri, con il futuro felice, famiglia e figli e amici
May 5, 2019
Beautiful
This story was so beautiful written. The plot which goes over many years and stages makes it so realistic. The romance and adventure is amazing. Loved this story. Great read.
This story was so beautiful written. The plot which goes over many years and stages makes it so realistic. The romance and adventure is amazing. Loved this story. Great read.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 102 reviews