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The de Montforte Brothers #3
The Defiant One
The bluest of blood;
the boldest of hearts;
the de Montforte brothers will take your breath away.
MEET LORD ANDREW
Blessed — or perhaps cursed — with a fiery temper, a strong will, and a blatant disregard for his brother's wishes, Andrew's only desire was to be left alone.
But after being caught in a compromising position with tempting Lady Celsiana Blake, the defiant Lord Andrew is forced into marriage. This solitary man knows he has been duped by his brother, for Andrew would never have taken the lady into his private chambers if it hadn't been for the Duke of Blackheath's machinations. After all, the reluctant groom's sudden, unbidden desire for the woman who would be his bride could only be called a mere chemical reation—or was it something more?
Celsie can't account for her shameless behavior with the brilliant but brooding lord she was to wed. So how was she supposed to act now that she was sharing her life with him? There is only one thing a new wife on the verge of falling in love can do—try to win her husband's wary heart.
the boldest of hearts;
the de Montforte brothers will take your breath away.
MEET LORD ANDREW
Blessed — or perhaps cursed — with a fiery temper, a strong will, and a blatant disregard for his brother's wishes, Andrew's only desire was to be left alone.
But after being caught in a compromising position with tempting Lady Celsiana Blake, the defiant Lord Andrew is forced into marriage. This solitary man knows he has been duped by his brother, for Andrew would never have taken the lady into his private chambers if it hadn't been for the Duke of Blackheath's machinations. After all, the reluctant groom's sudden, unbidden desire for the woman who would be his bride could only be called a mere chemical reation—or was it something more?
Celsie can't account for her shameless behavior with the brilliant but brooding lord she was to wed. So how was she supposed to act now that she was sharing her life with him? There is only one thing a new wife on the verge of falling in love can do—try to win her husband's wary heart.
369 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published June 1, 2000
1682 people are currently reading
1130 people want to read
About the author
Danelle Harmon
41 books471 followersNew York Times and USA Today bestselling author Danelle Harmon has written seventeen critically acclaimed and award-winning books, with many being published all over the world. A Massachusetts native, she has lived in Great Britain, though these days she and her English husband make their home in New England with their daughter Emma and numerous animals including five dogs, an Egyptian Arabian horse, and a flock of pet chickens. Danelle enjoys reading, spending time with family, friends and her animals, dog showing, plane-spotting, and sailing her reproduction 19th century skiff, Kestrel II. She welcomes email from her readers and can be reached at Danelle@danelleharmon.com.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 158 reviews
September 21, 2009
I quite enjoyed this book. Andrew is the type of hero I wish I saw more in romances. He's a complete nerd and a bit of a mad-scientist inventor thrown in. He's a hot nerd, though, with a very sexy body and beautiful reddish hair. He sounded very very yummy to me, anyway. I loved the fiery chemistry between Andrew and Celsie. At first they thought it was mutual dislike but it turned out to be the beginning of a deep love. Although superficially they are different, there was a meeting of the minds, and a mutual respect that I believe a couple should have. I like that they were both misfits and felt like they would never be understood or accepted by society, although for different reasons.
Celsie is a tall, slender woman who feels like she's not very attractive, but Andrew definitely found her attractive from the beginning. Celsie supported Andrew's desire to invent, and Andrew supported Celsie's crusade to protect animals that few care about, such as cart horses, and dogs used to turn the spits that meat is roasted on. I could see some of myself in both of them. I am a bleeding heart and I love animals, and hate their unnecessary suffering. I am also a bit of a nerd who can get lost in the things running around my brain, like Andrew. Andrew's deep dark secret was a bit odd. I felt like more time could have been spent on wrapping that up. I don't want to spoil anyone so I won't go into detail about that.
Loved the aphrodesiac storyline. Imagine jumping someone's bones like Celsie did Andrew. That was funny and steamy. I loved glimpses of Lucian, the Duke of Blackheath, who schemes and connives to get his younger siblings married and settled. He's a great character, and I fell in love with him when I read The Wicked One, which is his book and the last in the series. It's interesting to see how things work out in this to start his relationship with Eva. They are
definitely a match made in Heaven, or perhaps a place south of there.
I loved the Georgian setting, which is like Regency but a lot more wild and free-wheeling. Part of me wishes this book was about fifty pages longer so we could delve deeper into Andrew's abilities/curse, whatever you want to call it, and have a more leisurely climax. But overall, I am very happy with book and enjoyed it because it reminds me of the great historical romances I used to devour several years ago, and seem less in the offering recently.
Celsie is a tall, slender woman who feels like she's not very attractive, but Andrew definitely found her attractive from the beginning. Celsie supported Andrew's desire to invent, and Andrew supported Celsie's crusade to protect animals that few care about, such as cart horses, and dogs used to turn the spits that meat is roasted on. I could see some of myself in both of them. I am a bleeding heart and I love animals, and hate their unnecessary suffering. I am also a bit of a nerd who can get lost in the things running around my brain, like Andrew. Andrew's deep dark secret was a bit odd. I felt like more time could have been spent on wrapping that up. I don't want to spoil anyone so I won't go into detail about that.
Loved the aphrodesiac storyline. Imagine jumping someone's bones like Celsie did Andrew. That was funny and steamy. I loved glimpses of Lucian, the Duke of Blackheath, who schemes and connives to get his younger siblings married and settled. He's a great character, and I fell in love with him when I read The Wicked One, which is his book and the last in the series. It's interesting to see how things work out in this to start his relationship with Eva. They are
definitely a match made in Heaven, or perhaps a place south of there.
I loved the Georgian setting, which is like Regency but a lot more wild and free-wheeling. Part of me wishes this book was about fifty pages longer so we could delve deeper into Andrew's abilities/curse, whatever you want to call it, and have a more leisurely climax. But overall, I am very happy with book and enjoyed it because it reminds me of the great historical romances I used to devour several years ago, and seem less in the offering recently.
July 14, 2020
I loved it. The aphrodisiac was hilarious. Andrew and Celsie were great. I wish they had figured out what was wrong with Andrew. But otherwise a fun easy read. Bonus points for putting Freckles on the cover.
nevermind
August 20, 2024Lost interest. I don't like the idea of an accidental aphrodisiac, or excessive animal rights discussion. The hero is also not endearing himself to me repeatedly and sarcastically referring to females.
June 6, 2012
New cover
Oh GOD please help me! I really L-O-V-E-D loved loved this book!!! The aphrodisiac scene is hilarious, funny and steamy hot. I was completely blown away into the story. The story is funny from the first moment and sweet until the very last words.
Celsie is perfect companion and soul mate to Andrew. I loved them and their romance was sooooo SWEET!!! Words can't express how much I love this book.
To Danelle, thank you for sharing this wonderful story.
Oh GOD please help me! I really L-O-V-E-D loved loved this book!!! The aphrodisiac scene is hilarious, funny and steamy hot. I was completely blown away into the story. The story is funny from the first moment and sweet until the very last words.
Celsie is perfect companion and soul mate to Andrew. I loved them and their romance was sooooo SWEET!!! Words can't express how much I love this book.
To Danelle, thank you for sharing this wonderful story.
Want to read
March 26, 2024DNF @ 37%
I think the author and reviewers need a update on consent
I think the author and reviewers need a update on consent
Want to read
March 30, 2017carriage sex
January 19, 2019
The first half of this historical romance was entertaining with plenty of fun action that moved right along but about halfway it slowed down with the characters starting doing lots of negative ruminating then the hero did something rather foolish. Lord Andrew and Lady Celsiana are caught in a compromising situation but neither one of them wants to get married.
December 21, 2012
The entire plot was centered on a premise so ridiculously unbelievable that I really couldn't get into it. I did like the book overall, but because the plot hinged on a number of impossibilities, I couldn't enjoy it as much.
The hero somehow accidentally creates an aphrodisiac with mystery ingredients that completely changes a person's personality within seconds after taking in only a few drops, and the person then forgets everything that happened as soon as they orgasm. (But they only forget if they're a woman. The man remembered everything perfectly well.) While in its grip, they become very sexually aggressive and gain skills in seduction, even if they had no idea before.
Um, what? I don't think so.
The hero was excessively sulky. The heroine was far too obsessed with animals' rights. And a lot of her so-called charity work seemed ludicrous. While there was, indeed, much animal cruelty, her targets of reform seem a bit odd. Why not blood sports? I'd think that would be more of a concern, but I don't remember any mention of them. And from the one picture on Wikipedia, the turnspit dog doesn't appear to be in any danger of getting its feet burned. Animals of the time were, primarily, used to work. Only the rich (or at least middle class) could afford to keep pets. Although the eighteenth century was the beginning of the animal rights movement, the heroine was really a bit too obsessed for me to like her.
The hero's fear that he'd be locked in Bedlam was kind of ridiculous. His brother is a duke, and a rich one, at that. He could most certainly afford the best private care for his brother, and Bedlam would never have even been a concern. Bedlam was for people who couldn't afford anything better.
And the premonitions of two hundred years in the future were just weird. They were never really explained beyond saying that the hero breathed in burning chemicals. I mean, it was an interesting and emotional conflict and all, but I'd really prefer if it made sense.
All that said, I did enjoy the book, but all the slightly paranormal strangeness definitely detracted from the believability and my liking of the book.
The duke also became more obnoxious in every book. Thankfully, his is the next one, and I dearly want to see his downfall.
The hero somehow accidentally creates an aphrodisiac with mystery ingredients that completely changes a person's personality within seconds after taking in only a few drops, and the person then forgets everything that happened as soon as they orgasm. (But they only forget if they're a woman. The man remembered everything perfectly well.) While in its grip, they become very sexually aggressive and gain skills in seduction, even if they had no idea before.
Um, what? I don't think so.
The hero was excessively sulky. The heroine was far too obsessed with animals' rights. And a lot of her so-called charity work seemed ludicrous. While there was, indeed, much animal cruelty, her targets of reform seem a bit odd. Why not blood sports? I'd think that would be more of a concern, but I don't remember any mention of them. And from the one picture on Wikipedia, the turnspit dog doesn't appear to be in any danger of getting its feet burned. Animals of the time were, primarily, used to work. Only the rich (or at least middle class) could afford to keep pets. Although the eighteenth century was the beginning of the animal rights movement, the heroine was really a bit too obsessed for me to like her.
The hero's fear that he'd be locked in Bedlam was kind of ridiculous. His brother is a duke, and a rich one, at that. He could most certainly afford the best private care for his brother, and Bedlam would never have even been a concern. Bedlam was for people who couldn't afford anything better.
And the premonitions of two hundred years in the future were just weird. They were never really explained beyond saying that the hero breathed in burning chemicals. I mean, it was an interesting and emotional conflict and all, but I'd really prefer if it made sense.
All that said, I did enjoy the book, but all the slightly paranormal strangeness definitely detracted from the believability and my liking of the book.
The duke also became more obnoxious in every book. Thankfully, his is the next one, and I dearly want to see his downfall.
March 8, 2010
The One Series. I scarfed these down like candy. Harmon's de Montforte brothers are each delicious, and every book is better than the last. Unfortunately, most are out of print, but if you see them in the used bookstore, definitely grab a copy. Also, the last book, The Wicked One, is still available and stands alone very well.
November 23, 2020
DNF at 65%
I don’t get the over 4 star ratings. This book is painful to read.
I don’t get the over 4 star ratings. This book is painful to read.
January 13, 2025
Reread
The Defiant One เป็นเล่มสามในชุดพี่น้องตระกูลเดอ มอนต์ฟอร์ท เรื่องของนักประดิษฐ์อัจฉริยะสติเฟื่องนามแอนดรูว์ เดอ มอนต์ฟอร์ท น้องชายคนเล็กของดยุคแห่งแบล็คฮีทผู้ซึ่งเป็นจอมบงการ
หลังจากอุบัติเหตุไฟไหม้ (ซึ่งเกิดในเล่มสอง The Beloved One) แอนดรูว์ซึ่งสูดเอาสารพิษที่ระเหยออกมาจากห้องทดลองของตนเอง เขาก็ไม่ใช่คนเดิม หลังจากรอดตายทางด้านร่างกาย เขาสงสัยถึงสภาพจิตของเขาเอง ชั่วขณะเขาจะเห็น และรับรู้ในสิ่งที่ไม่มีอยู่ และไม่มีใครเห็น ภาพที่ประหลาดเกินความเข้าใจ (แต่ถ้าคนอ่านสังเกตให้ดี ก็จะรู้ว่าภาพพวกนั้นคืออะไร)
และนั่นเป็นสิ่งที่ลูเซียนพี่ชายของเขาพยายาทุกวิถีทางที่จะรักษาให้หาย
หลังจากสูญเสียบิดามารดาในระยะเวลาไล่เลี่ยกันตั้งแต่สิบขวบ ลูเซียนสาบานว่าจะทำทุกอย่างให้บรรดาน้อง ๆ ของเขามีความสุขมากที่สุด แม้ว่าน้องของเขาจะไม่ต้องการความสุขนั้นเลยด้วยซ้ำ
และในเล่มนี้ "ความสุข" ที่ลูเซียนหวังจะมอบให้แอนดรูว์มาในรูปของเลดี้เซลเซียน่า เบลค นักพิทักษ์สิทธิของสัตว์ (ในศตวรรษที่สิบแปด) เซลซี่เป็นทายาทสาวผู้ร่ำรวย และแปลกเกินความเข้าใจ เธอรักสุนัขยิ่งชีวิต และทำทุกอย่างเพื่อเรียกร้องความเป็นธรรมให้พวกมัน แม็กซ์ชอบคำพูดของเธอมาก ๆ เมื่อพูดถึงภารกิจของตัวเอง "มีคนมากพอแล้วที่จะเรียกร้องสิทธิให้กับมนุษย์ มันจะผิดตรงไหนถ้าเธอจะเรียกร้องให้กับมิตรแท้ของเธอบ้าง"
ลูเซียนวางแผนให้เซลซี่เดินทางมายังปราสาทของตระกูลเพื่อตามสืบความจริง เรื่องแอนดรูว์เอาสัตว์เป็นหนูทดลองยาของเขา และนั่นก็เป็นจุดเริ่มต้นของความวุ่นวาย เรื่องรักร้อน ๆ ของสองหนุ่มสาวที่เข้ากันได้ดีอย่างไม่น่าเชื่อ
ปกติแม็กซ์จะไม่ชอบเรื่องที่พระเอกอายุน้อย (แอนดรูว์เพิ่งจะยี่สิบสาม ส่วนเซลซี่ยี่สิบเอ็ด) แต่เล่มนี้ยกให้ค่ะ ทั้งแอนดรูวและเซลซี่ไม่ใช่พระเอกน���งเอกชนิดที่จะเหมาะสมกับความละครตัวไหน ก็ได้ พวกเขาเหมาะกับกันและกัน นักประดิษฐ์ที่สติสะตังไม่ค่อยอยู่กะเนื้อตัว กับสาวที่รักหมายิ่งกว่าคน แอนดรูว์ไม่เคยเห็นว่าเซลซี่แปลกที่รักสัตว์มากกว่าคน ในขณะเดียวกันเธอก็ยอมรับความสติเฟื่องของเขาได้อย่างที่ไม่มีหญิงใดทำได้ ในความแปลกและแตกต่างพวกเขาเป็นส่วนผสมที่ลงตัว และน่ารักมากกกกกกกกกกกก
เล่มนี้เป็นหนังสือที่น่ารักที่สุดเล่มนึงที่ได้อ่าน แม็กซ์ชอบองค์ประกอบไปเกือบทุกอย่าง ซึ่งการอ่านทวนรอบนี้ทำให้แม็กซ์ประจักษ์ว่าตัวเองชอบเล่มนี้มากแค่ไหน
คะแนนใหม่หลังอ่านซ้ำอีกรอบมากขึ้นกว่าเดิมค่ะ อยู่ที่ 97 (หลังจากได้ 87 ตอนที่อ่านครั้งแรก)
Original review
นี่เป็นหนึ่งในหนังสือที่เราชอบมากที่สุดเล่มนึง และการกลับมาอ่านใหม่ก็ไม่ได้ทำให้ความรู้สึกของเราเปลี่ยนแปลงไปเลยนะคะ แม้จะไม่ถึงกับมากเท่ากับที่จำได้ แต่ก็เป็นหนังสือสนุก
เราแนะนำเล่มนี้ให้กับคนที่รักน้องหมาอ่านกันนะคะ ไม่ใช่เพราะเล่มนี้มีน้องหมาที่น่ารัก แต่เพราะเป็นเรื่องราวของคนที่รักน้องหมา
เลดี้เซลซี เบลค ทายาทสาวผู้ร่ำรวยเป็นคนไม่เหมือนใคร เธอไม่ได้แคร์อะไรกับเพื่อนมนุษย์มากนัก แต่ให้ความสนใจกับสัตว์ทั้งหลายที่ช่วยเหลือตัวเองไม่ได้ (เธอให้เหตุผลว่า มีคนมากมายสนใจช่วยเหลือมนุษย์ด้วยกัน แต่สัตว์กลับถูกทิ้งให้ดูแลตัวเอง) ดังนั้นเมื่อได้ยินข่าวว่า ลอร์ดแอนดรูว์ เดอมอนต์ฟอร์ท ซึ่งเป็นนักวิทยาศาสตร์สติเฟื่องใช้สัตว์ในการทดลอง เธอจึงบุกไปที่ปราสาทของเขาเพื่อค้นหาความจริง เพียงเพื่อจะพบว่า ตัวเองตกเป็นเหยื่อในแผนการ "จัดการ" ชีวิตของแอนดรูว์ที่พี่ชายของเขาวางเอาไว้
เรื่องนี้ไม่มีสาระอะไรมากนัก ประเด็นเกี่ยวกับยาปลุกสวาทที่ใช้ก็ยิ่งทำให้เรื่องดูหลุดโลกออกไป แต่เราอ่านเรื่องนี้ไป ยิ้มไป ที่สำคัญอบอุ่นหัวใจมาก เพราะคาแร็คเตอร์ของทั้งแอนดรูว์ และเซลซีน่ารัก ด้วยอายุที่น้อยทั้งคู่ หลายอย่างที่สองคนนี้ทำดูเหมือนเด็ก (อ่านแล้วให้อารมณ์ Young Adult เล็ก ๆ ด้วยซ้ำ) แต่ไม่งี่เง่านะคะ เราชอบที่ทั้งคู่เคลียร์ความเข้าใจผิดระหว่างกันเกือบจะในทันทีที่เกิดขึ้น ทำให้ไม่ได้เป็นประเด็นค้างคาทำให้หงุดหงิด
เรื่องนี้เวิร์คในแง่ของคาแร็คเตอร์ของเซลซีที่ให้ความสนใจกับสัตว์มากกว่ามนุษย์ อาจจะเพราะคนแต่งเองก็มีความผูกพันกับสัตว์ไม่น้อย (ดูจากในเฟซบุ๊คของเธอ) ทำให้เรารู้สึกว่า สมจริงมาก ๆ ทำให้เซลซีดูลงตัว ไม่มากจนเกินไปในความรักน้องหมาของเธอ ฉากที่อ่านแล้วทำให้เราถึงกับสำลัก (ด้วยความฮา) ก็คือตอนที่เธอบอกกับน้องสาวของแอนดรูว์ (ที่กำลังเป็นห่วงพี่ชายที่แต่งงานไป) ว่า ไม่ต้องเป็นห่วงเขาหรอก เพราะเธอจะดูแลเขาให้ดีเหมือนกับที่เธอดูแลหมาของตัวเองเลยทีเดียว
เรื่องอาจจะไม่มีสาระ แต่คาแร็คเตอร์น่ารักมาก ๆ เนื้อเรื่องอ่านแล้วมีความสุข (แล้วก็ทำให้เราเกือบร้องไห็โดยเฉพาะฉากที่เซลซีพูดถึงชะตากรรมของบรรดาน้องหมาในยุคนั้น)
ชอบอาจจะไม่มากเท่ากับที่จำได้ แต่ก็ยังชอบ และชอบมาก ๆ อยู่ค่ะ คะแนนที่ 87
The Defiant One เป็นเล่มสามในชุดพี่น้องตระกูลเดอ มอนต์ฟอร์ท เรื่องของนักประดิษฐ์อัจฉริยะสติเฟื่องนามแอนดรูว์ เดอ มอนต์ฟอร์ท น้องชายคนเล็กของดยุคแห่งแบล็คฮีทผู้ซึ่งเป็นจอมบงการ
หลังจากอุบัติเหตุไฟไหม้ (ซึ่งเกิดในเล่มสอง The Beloved One) แอนดรูว์ซึ่งสูดเอาสารพิษที่ระเหยออกมาจากห้องทดลองของตนเอง เขาก็ไม่ใช่คนเดิม หลังจากรอดตายทางด้านร่างกาย เขาสงสัยถึงสภาพจิตของเขาเอง ชั่วขณะเขาจะเห็น และรับรู้ในสิ่งที่ไม่มีอยู่ และไม่มีใครเห็น ภาพที่ประหลาดเกินความเข้าใจ (แต่ถ้าคนอ่านสังเกตให้ดี ก็จะรู้ว่าภาพพวกนั้นคืออะไร)
และนั่นเป็นสิ่งที่ลูเซียนพี่ชายของเขาพยายาทุกวิถีทางที่จะรักษาให้หาย
หลังจากสูญเสียบิดามารดาในระยะเวลาไล่เลี่ยกันตั้งแต่สิบขวบ ลูเซียนสาบานว่าจะทำทุกอย่างให้บรรดาน้อง ๆ ของเขามีความสุขมากที่สุด แม้ว่าน้องของเขาจะไม่ต้องการความสุขนั้นเลยด้วยซ้ำ
และในเล่มนี้ "ความสุข" ที่ลูเซียนหวังจะมอบให้แอนดรูว์มาในรูปของเลดี้เซลเซียน่า เบลค นักพิทักษ์สิทธิของสัตว์ (ในศตวรรษที่สิบแปด) เซลซี่เป็นทายาทสาวผู้ร่ำรวย และแปลกเกินความเข้าใจ เธอรักสุนัขยิ่งชีวิต และทำทุกอย่างเพื่อเรียกร้องความเป็นธรรมให้พวกมัน แม็กซ์ชอบคำพูดของเธอมาก ๆ เมื่อพูดถึงภารกิจของตัวเอง "มีคนมากพอแล้วที่จะเรียกร้องสิทธิให้กับมนุษย์ มันจะผิดตรงไหนถ้าเธอจะเรียกร้องให้กับมิตรแท้ของเธอบ้าง"
ลูเซียนวางแผนให้เซลซี่เดินทางมายังปราสาทของตระกูลเพื่อตามสืบความจริง เรื่องแอนดรูว์เอาสัตว์เป็นหนูทดลองยาของเขา และนั่นก็เป็นจุดเริ่มต้นของความวุ่นวาย เรื่องรักร้อน ๆ ของสองหนุ่มสาวที่เข้ากันได้ดีอย่างไม่น่าเชื่อ
ปกติแม็กซ์จะไม่ชอบเรื่องที่พระเอกอายุน้อย (แอนดรูว์เพิ่งจะยี่สิบสาม ส่วนเซลซี่ยี่สิบเอ็ด) แต่เล่มนี้ยกให้ค่ะ ทั้งแอนดรูวและเซลซี่ไม่ใช่พระเอกน���งเอกชนิดที่จะเหมาะสมกับความละครตัวไหน ก็ได้ พวกเขาเหมาะกับกันและกัน นักประดิษฐ์ที่สติสะตังไม่ค่อยอยู่กะเนื้อตัว กับสาวที่รักหมายิ่งกว่าคน แอนดรูว์ไม่เคยเห็นว่าเซลซี่แปลกที่รักสัตว์มากกว่าคน ในขณะเดียวกันเธอก็ยอมรับความสติเฟื่องของเขาได้อย่างที่ไม่มีหญิงใดทำได้ ในความแปลกและแตกต่างพวกเขาเป็นส่วนผสมที่ลงตัว และน่ารักมากกกกกกกกกกกก
เล่มนี้เป็นหนังสือที่น่ารักที่สุดเล่มนึงที่ได้อ่าน แม็กซ์ชอบองค์ประกอบไปเกือบทุกอย่าง ซึ่งการอ่านทวนรอบนี้ทำให้แม็กซ์ประจักษ์ว่าตัวเองชอบเล่มนี้มากแค่ไหน
คะแนนใหม่หลังอ่านซ้ำอีกรอบมากขึ้นกว่าเดิมค่ะ อยู่ที่ 97 (หลังจากได้ 87 ตอนที่อ่านครั้งแรก)
Original review
นี่เป็นหนึ่งในหนังสือที่เราชอบมากที่สุดเล่มนึง และการกลับมาอ่านใหม่ก็ไม่ได้ทำให้ความรู้สึกของเราเปลี่ยนแปลงไปเลยนะคะ แม้จะไม่ถึงกับมากเท่ากับที่จำได้ แต่ก็เป็นหนังสือสนุก
เราแนะนำเล่มนี้ให้กับคนที่รักน้องหมาอ่านกันนะคะ ไม่ใช่เพราะเล่มนี้มีน้องหมาที่น่ารัก แต่เพราะเป็นเรื่องราวของคนที่รักน้องหมา
เลดี้เซลซี เบลค ทายาทสาวผู้ร่ำรวยเป็นคนไม่เหมือนใคร เธอไม่ได้แคร์อะไรกับเพื่อนมนุษย์มากนัก แต่ให้ความสนใจกับสัตว์ทั้งหลายที่ช่วยเหลือตัวเองไม่ได้ (เธอให้เหตุผลว่า มีคนมากมายสนใจช่วยเหลือมนุษย์ด้วยกัน แต่สัตว์กลับถูกทิ้งให้ดูแลตัวเอง) ดังนั้นเมื่อได้ยินข่าวว่า ลอร์ดแอนดรูว์ เดอมอนต์ฟอร์ท ซึ่งเป็นนักวิทยาศาสตร์สติเฟื่องใช้สัตว์ในการทดลอง เธอจึงบุกไปที่ปราสาทของเขาเพื่อค้นหาความจริง เพียงเพื่อจะพบว่า ตัวเองตกเป็นเหยื่อในแผนการ "จัดการ" ชีวิตของแอนดรูว์ที่พี่ชายของเขาวางเอาไว้
เรื่องนี้ไม่มีสาระอะไรมากนัก ประเด็นเกี่ยวกับยาปลุกสวาทที่ใช้ก็ยิ่งทำให้เรื่องดูหลุดโลกออกไป แต่เราอ่านเรื่องนี้ไป ยิ้มไป ที่สำคัญอบอุ่นหัวใจมาก เพราะคาแร็คเตอร์ของทั้งแอนดรูว์ และเซลซีน่ารัก ด้วยอายุที่น้อยทั้งคู่ หลายอย่างที่สองคนนี้ทำดูเหมือนเด็ก (อ่านแล้วให้อารมณ์ Young Adult เล็ก ๆ ด้วยซ้ำ) แต่ไม่งี่เง่านะคะ เราชอบที่ทั้งคู่เคลียร์ความเข้าใจผิดระหว่างกันเกือบจะในทันทีที่เกิดขึ้น ทำให้ไม่ได้เป็นประเด็นค้างคาทำให้หงุดหงิด
เรื่องนี้เวิร์คในแง่ของคาแร็คเตอร์ของเซลซีที่ให้ความสนใจกับสัตว์มากกว่ามนุษย์ อาจจะเพราะคนแต่งเองก็มีความผูกพันกับสัตว์ไม่น้อย (ดูจากในเฟซบุ๊คของเธอ) ทำให้เรารู้สึกว่า สมจริงมาก ๆ ทำให้เซลซีดูลงตัว ไม่มากจนเกินไปในความรักน้องหมาของเธอ ฉากที่อ่านแล้วทำให้เราถึงกับสำลัก (ด้วยความฮา) ก็คือตอนที่เธอบอกกับน้องสาวของแอนดรูว์ (ที่กำลังเป็นห่วงพี่ชายที่แต่งงานไป) ว่า ไม่ต้องเป็นห่วงเขาหรอก เพราะเธอจะดูแลเขาให้ดีเหมือนกับที่เธอดูแลหมาของตัวเองเลยทีเดียว
เรื่องอาจจะไม่มีสาระ แต่คาแร็คเตอร์น่ารักมาก ๆ เนื้อเรื่องอ่านแล้วมีความสุข (แล้วก็ทำให้เราเกือบร้องไห็โดยเฉพาะฉากที่เซลซีพูดถึงชะตากรรมของบรรดาน้องหมาในยุคนั้น)
ชอบอาจจะไม่มากเท่ากับที่จำได้ แต่ก็ยังชอบ และชอบมาก ๆ อยู่ค่ะ คะแนนที่ 87
June 5, 2012
This was a great entry in the series dealing with the youngest de Montforte man - Andrew.
The machinations of our master manipulator - The Duke are obvious and heavy handed in this tale but bear fruit regardless. Courtesy of an accidentally created aphrodisiac the fun never stops. Our heroine is Celsiana Blake. An heiress of huge proportions who was an ugly duckling in her first season and suffered as a result. She has now become a swan although she doesn't realise it. She is also extremely wary of marriage and believes herself to be jinxed as one man choked (to death) on her (at the wedding breakfast) and another suffered before even getting that far. Insistent on trying the aphrodisiac that she intends for her reluctant stallion, she instead mounts Andrew. And then the games begin.
Andrew and Celsie are essentially two misfits. They don't really suit society, hold it mostly in contempt for the way it regards them and don't really need it. The barriers between them are of their own making. Neither wants to be married for reasons they don't want to share and neither likes to be forced (hello Lucien). But when they actually bring down their barriers and communicate they find exactly what they need in the other.
The existence of the aphrodisiac causes all sorts of troubles and visits upon our couple and continues courtesy of a very sexy epilogue into the next book.
This was a fun read.
On to Lucien's downfall!
The machinations of our master manipulator - The Duke are obvious and heavy handed in this tale but bear fruit regardless. Courtesy of an accidentally created aphrodisiac the fun never stops. Our heroine is Celsiana Blake. An heiress of huge proportions who was an ugly duckling in her first season and suffered as a result. She has now become a swan although she doesn't realise it. She is also extremely wary of marriage and believes herself to be jinxed as one man choked (to death) on her (at the wedding breakfast) and another suffered before even getting that far. Insistent on trying the aphrodisiac that she intends for her reluctant stallion, she instead mounts Andrew. And then the games begin.
Andrew and Celsie are essentially two misfits. They don't really suit society, hold it mostly in contempt for the way it regards them and don't really need it. The barriers between them are of their own making. Neither wants to be married for reasons they don't want to share and neither likes to be forced (hello Lucien). But when they actually bring down their barriers and communicate they find exactly what they need in the other.
The existence of the aphrodisiac causes all sorts of troubles and visits upon our couple and continues courtesy of a very sexy epilogue into the next book.
This was a fun read.
On to Lucien's downfall!
September 6, 2020
Jaw droppingly bad
This is the most WTF book I’ve read all year. The entire plot hinges on an accidental aphrodisiac which is unbelievable enough, but then turns out it works equally well on dogs as humans? Seriously?. Said aphrodisiac also lends itself to a lot of non consensual sex without love, unnecessary dom/sub implications and a “true love” that makes no sense and is completely unbelievable. Add to that the slow reveal that the ‘spells’ the hero suffers from are actually visions of the 20th century (which of course only the reader knows) or are never explained or dealt with except for the heroine declaring she will stay with him forever, despite his obvious mental health issues. And don’t even get me started on the all knowing, all powerful trope of the head of the family. I think we’re supposed to find him not irritating because he always turns out to be right but I just spent the entire time wishing someone would punch him in the face. The blurb on the front is from one of my favourite authors saying this is one of her favourite authors and now I genuinely need to reevaluate my life.
This is the most WTF book I’ve read all year. The entire plot hinges on an accidental aphrodisiac which is unbelievable enough, but then turns out it works equally well on dogs as humans? Seriously?. Said aphrodisiac also lends itself to a lot of non consensual sex without love, unnecessary dom/sub implications and a “true love” that makes no sense and is completely unbelievable. Add to that the slow reveal that the ‘spells’ the hero suffers from are actually visions of the 20th century (which of course only the reader knows) or are never explained or dealt with except for the heroine declaring she will stay with him forever, despite his obvious mental health issues. And don’t even get me started on the all knowing, all powerful trope of the head of the family. I think we’re supposed to find him not irritating because he always turns out to be right but I just spent the entire time wishing someone would punch him in the face. The blurb on the front is from one of my favourite authors saying this is one of her favourite authors and now I genuinely need to reevaluate my life.
April 29, 2015
I absolutely love this author and this series. One of the benchmarks for me after having read the likes of Julia Quinn and Julie Garwood is that I must care deeply about the characters in the book and be anxious to know what happens to them, Danelle Harmon does this with her characters. Add lots of laughs to the mix and this is a 5 star read from beginning to end for me.
April 21, 2012
I didn't like the ending though;(
We don't know what happened to his mental problem;/
but the story itself was v.v.v. touching;)
Overall 5 stars;p
We don't know what happened to his mental problem;/
but the story itself was v.v.v. touching;)
Overall 5 stars;p
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 12, 2022
I thoroughly enjoyed The Defiant One, Danelle Harmon’s third book in The Montforte Brothers' historical romance series. The third son in the family, Lord Andrew, is an inventor, and when he accidentally mixes chemicals and creates a love potion, all hell breaks loose.
Andrew’s elder brother the fifth duke of Blackheath, Lucien, has sworn an oath to see his siblings all happily married off, and Lucien is a master of manipulation who will not allow anything to interfere with his goals. Lucien has already arranged the marriages of two of his brothers, and Andrew and his sister are the last two to be engaged and wedded. Through Lucien’s manipulations, Lady Celsiana Blake and Andrew are thrown together. Instead of her conniving brother, Celsie has inherited her father’s wealth and estates and has dedicated herself to improving the plight of abused animals. But when she tries the love potion and, under the influence, ravishes Andrew, the two are caught in flagrante delicto, and the pressure is on for them to marry. As with most good romance books, the intended lovers must overcome obstacles and misunderstandings before falling in love.
Andrew is an irresistible hero, portrayed as a vulnerable Superman, while Celsie is a strong woman who fiercely fights for her independence. Even the love scenes in this sexy romance are funny. If you love historical romance, this book is a pleasure.
Andrew’s elder brother the fifth duke of Blackheath, Lucien, has sworn an oath to see his siblings all happily married off, and Lucien is a master of manipulation who will not allow anything to interfere with his goals. Lucien has already arranged the marriages of two of his brothers, and Andrew and his sister are the last two to be engaged and wedded. Through Lucien’s manipulations, Lady Celsiana Blake and Andrew are thrown together. Instead of her conniving brother, Celsie has inherited her father’s wealth and estates and has dedicated herself to improving the plight of abused animals. But when she tries the love potion and, under the influence, ravishes Andrew, the two are caught in flagrante delicto, and the pressure is on for them to marry. As with most good romance books, the intended lovers must overcome obstacles and misunderstandings before falling in love.
Andrew is an irresistible hero, portrayed as a vulnerable Superman, while Celsie is a strong woman who fiercely fights for her independence. Even the love scenes in this sexy romance are funny. If you love historical romance, this book is a pleasure.
February 27, 2013
I LOVED this story! and while I didn't get all I was hoping for in the Epilogue...whereas I sometimes deduct a little from my rating because of it, I was already giving this 5 stars at the halfway mark, it was that good.
Andrew de Montforte's only desire was to be left alone. Strong willed, a complete loner, and subject to fits of temper truly made him a tortured hero I couldn't help but love. When he's forced into marriage to independently outspoken Celsiana Blake, something neither of them want...or so they think, they must work together against the manipulations of his brother Lucien (duke of Blackheath) to find a way out. Andrew's character definitely needed a woman with strength, and backbone and he certainly found that in Celsie, she was amazing.I loved how the author didn't make us wait with the usual story that leads up to the H/h getting together, developing feelings, etc.
This story is filled with emotion, much humor, and a love story too sweet for words. Next up is Lucien's story The Wicked One, of all the de Montforte brothers, probably the most tortured. After getting a glimpse in the Epilogue as to how Lucien meets his match, I can hardly wait to start reading it :)
November 7, 2012
This was, strangely enough, my favorite of this series. Probably because I'm a sucker for mad scientists in ANY period novels (I blame my crush on Mac in Eight Cousins). I say strangely because the method of putting this couple together was by far the most bizarre and definitely the most contrived. For Gareth, Lucien preys on his desire to be like Charles. For Charles...well, Charles and Amy were already in love. But for Andrew? A sex potion? Seriously? And the crazy visions of the future? What? I mean, this book was kind of nuts.
But...I loved how crazy it was. I found I really liked Andrew best of the brothers (in retrospect...I fully expected Lucien to be my fav before I read his book). And I liked Celsie (though, adding to the craziness of this book is the craziness of that name). Her weird thing with dogs was something interesting, though I wish more had been done with it. And...and...I dunno.
I've tried, but I really can't put my finger on why I liked this installment best. It wasn't the best written. It was certainly nuts. And it was easily the most contrived of the four. Even still, something about the characters spoke to me and I couldn't help having lots of fun reading it.
But...I loved how crazy it was. I found I really liked Andrew best of the brothers (in retrospect...I fully expected Lucien to be my fav before I read his book). And I liked Celsie (though, adding to the craziness of this book is the craziness of that name). Her weird thing with dogs was something interesting, though I wish more had been done with it. And...and...I dunno.
I've tried, but I really can't put my finger on why I liked this installment best. It wasn't the best written. It was certainly nuts. And it was easily the most contrived of the four. Even still, something about the characters spoke to me and I couldn't help having lots of fun reading it.
February 17, 2022
Aaaaannnd once again Lucien is the target of outrage over his manipulation of his brother and an odd, endearing young woman who is absolutely perfect for him. The extent of his crime in this instance is baiting the young woman, then having a servant deliver the lady to his brother’s bedroom instead of a laboratory. The results from that point on are just melodramatic outrage again. Everyone wants to blame Lucien for the traps their own actions and choices lead them into (although, granted, he is quick to take advantage.)
But on to the story of Andrew and Celsie: this is where the series jettisons historical romance altogether and strikes out into fantasy, wrinkles in time, far too much graphic sex, and far too much fun for me not to rate this book less than five stars although I know it deserves less. If you truly enjoy the conventions of historical romance, you might want to skip this one.
But on to the story of Andrew and Celsie: this is where the series jettisons historical romance altogether and strikes out into fantasy, wrinkles in time, far too much graphic sex, and far too much fun for me not to rate this book less than five stars although I know it deserves less. If you truly enjoy the conventions of historical romance, you might want to skip this one.
May 22, 2015
Vikki's Musings
The Defiant One truly earns its name. Book 3 of the De Monteforte Brothers series is a story again filled with high emotion and passion, but this one is more edgy than the first two. Andrew is an inventor and appears to be angry with everyone, especially his immensely controlling eldest brother, the duke.
Danelle Harmon certainly knows how to write a tortured hero, and Andrew fits this archetype perfectly. Her hero in The Defiant One is more than a match for him. She is feisty and determined to love him out of his defiance with her gentle touches and unconditional love.
The narrator is again able to bring so much emotion to his writing that I forget that his voice is too mature for the characters.
This is another great addition to the epic saga of the four De Montforte brothers. Now on to the next and final book is this fantastic series!
The Defiant One truly earns its name. Book 3 of the De Monteforte Brothers series is a story again filled with high emotion and passion, but this one is more edgy than the first two. Andrew is an inventor and appears to be angry with everyone, especially his immensely controlling eldest brother, the duke.
Danelle Harmon certainly knows how to write a tortured hero, and Andrew fits this archetype perfectly. Her hero in The Defiant One is more than a match for him. She is feisty and determined to love him out of his defiance with her gentle touches and unconditional love.
The narrator is again able to bring so much emotion to his writing that I forget that his voice is too mature for the characters.
This is another great addition to the epic saga of the four De Montforte brothers. Now on to the next and final book is this fantastic series!
May 9, 2017
Oh goodness, I loved Andrew!
Sure, he was surly, and he snarled and growled and snapped. But he was also so vulnerable and so unbelievably alone ... I just wanted to hug him! Thankfully, Celsie figured it out and she was just the right one for him, in my opinion.
I can't say I much like Gareth or Charles still - they do well as supporting characters, in a sense.
And my heart ACHES for Lucien, so alone and so spurned by the siblings who don't understand ...
I can't wait to read his book! Fingers crossed it doesn't disappoint.
Sure, he was surly, and he snarled and growled and snapped. But he was also so vulnerable and so unbelievably alone ... I just wanted to hug him! Thankfully, Celsie figured it out and she was just the right one for him, in my opinion.
I can't say I much like Gareth or Charles still - they do well as supporting characters, in a sense.
And my heart ACHES for Lucien, so alone and so spurned by the siblings who don't understand ...
I can't wait to read his book! Fingers crossed it doesn't disappoint.
October 25, 2012
This one was a bit of a let-down from the first two, especially from the first. The device to get them together was very much that... a device. It felt contrived and awkward. I didn't feel the love for Andrew and Celsie that I felt for the previous couples. Not bad, but missing that spark the first two had.
April 6, 2012
Loved this series! I didn't read them in order, but wish I had. HOT.
Highly recommend. Julia Quinn and Sabrina Jeffries read/rated these books as well...so
how can you go wrong??!
Highly recommend. Julia Quinn and Sabrina Jeffries read/rated these books as well...so
how can you go wrong??!
June 13, 2012
Loved it can't wait to start Lucien's story the last in the series.
December 10, 2012
A delightfully sweet story. And the beginning love scene? Smoking hot!
January 5, 2013
Entertains but not as good as books 1 and 2. Now for Lucien's tale.
May 19, 2023
full of twists and turns
The first thing I thought when I started reading was that I didn't really know what was wrong with Andrew. It's a mysterious phenomenon that I don't understand but it really makes the Andrew character seem more interesting 🧐 Celise is a very very rich woman and has no time for a husband she's very staunch about saving all the poor dogs who turnaspit (I didn't know what that was either) she's on a serious mission to rescue the animals that are horribly neglected by humans. But she knows that she's not a very good looking woman being tall and in her words with no tits but lots of money 💵 and intelligence men make fun of her because of her appearance and think her cause too help animals is ridiculous. She's holding a ball too raise awareness about the turnspit dogs 🐕 hoping that others will change and stop this terrible thing from happening and just give the dogs the love and attention they deserve. She has a very old dog freckles whose her best friend and she's never going too marry a man that will not let her dogs sleep 🛌 in their bed! But at the ball her brother Gerald insists she marry Bonkley a man who he has been pushing her to marry but Celise can't stand Bonkley or his horrible breath! But Gerald needs money 💰 for his gambling debts and he has worked out a deal with Bonkley and ready too announce to everyone at the ball of their bethrol if thing's go as planned. Lucian has brow beaten Andrew too get out of his lab 🧪 and be with society. andrew is livid but gives up and goes. The ladies are all a flutter around Andrew because how strikingly handsome he is with broad shoulders and nicely filled out pattaloons! Oh my! But Andrew could careless because he willfully never marry he only focused on his experiments 🔬 Celise doesn't want too marry either but doesn't understand the ladies tittering 🤭 over a De Monforte! But Celise is sidelined by Bonkley and she's justifiably just wanted a breath of fresh air but as they go out onto the balcony and then Bonkley is trying to kiss 😘 her! Celise isn't having any of it and tries too pull away but he's not getting the message, but Andrew had a spell and had ran out of the ballroom by happenstance he's there too help Celise get away 🏃♀️ from him by punching him in the nose 👃 but Andrew feels he has come too her rescue but Celise doesn't want his help saying she can take care of herself! But this interaction is the start of a many fights, arguments and unexpected outcomes
The first thing I thought when I started reading was that I didn't really know what was wrong with Andrew. It's a mysterious phenomenon that I don't understand but it really makes the Andrew character seem more interesting 🧐 Celise is a very very rich woman and has no time for a husband she's very staunch about saving all the poor dogs who turnaspit (I didn't know what that was either) she's on a serious mission to rescue the animals that are horribly neglected by humans. But she knows that she's not a very good looking woman being tall and in her words with no tits but lots of money 💵 and intelligence men make fun of her because of her appearance and think her cause too help animals is ridiculous. She's holding a ball too raise awareness about the turnspit dogs 🐕 hoping that others will change and stop this terrible thing from happening and just give the dogs the love and attention they deserve. She has a very old dog freckles whose her best friend and she's never going too marry a man that will not let her dogs sleep 🛌 in their bed! But at the ball her brother Gerald insists she marry Bonkley a man who he has been pushing her to marry but Celise can't stand Bonkley or his horrible breath! But Gerald needs money 💰 for his gambling debts and he has worked out a deal with Bonkley and ready too announce to everyone at the ball of their bethrol if thing's go as planned. Lucian has brow beaten Andrew too get out of his lab 🧪 and be with society. andrew is livid but gives up and goes. The ladies are all a flutter around Andrew because how strikingly handsome he is with broad shoulders and nicely filled out pattaloons! Oh my! But Andrew could careless because he willfully never marry he only focused on his experiments 🔬 Celise doesn't want too marry either but doesn't understand the ladies tittering 🤭 over a De Monforte! But Celise is sidelined by Bonkley and she's justifiably just wanted a breath of fresh air but as they go out onto the balcony and then Bonkley is trying to kiss 😘 her! Celise isn't having any of it and tries too pull away but he's not getting the message, but Andrew had a spell and had ran out of the ballroom by happenstance he's there too help Celise get away 🏃♀️ from him by punching him in the nose 👃 but Andrew feels he has come too her rescue but Celise doesn't want his help saying she can take care of herself! But this interaction is the start of a many fights, arguments and unexpected outcomes
November 13, 2023
Best of the series!
I was hoping it would happen, wasn't sure it would happen, and yet here I am telling you it happened. I've encountered the first (and potentially last?) 5-star read of the series. Now I will admit that a 5-star rating is me being mildly generous, since this story wasn't outright perfect. However, it managed to win me over more than its predecessors in two big ways: 1) it provided me a nice serving of features that I most enjoy from stories I read, and 2), it committed LESS of the nuisances I encountered in the first two books. Thus, I was far more welcoming of the presentation.
It's official: Andrew and Celsie are by far my favorite couple of the series so far. The both of them broke the molds of all previous couples and I was so there for it. Andrew's layered personality, unique character traits, and the "hot nerd" vibes were frickin' catnip to me, just too adorable for words. And Celsie's tenaciousness, feistiness, and overall passion made her lovable as well. I'm a sucker for enemies-to-lovers tropes, so the constant bickering between the two was by far my favorite feature.
I loved almost everything else this story offered too, from the humor to the thought-provoking plot to the newest character revelations. I appreciated the expansion of even Lucien as a character, something that most heavily occurred here than in the previous two books. No doubt his story is forthcoming very, very soon. The romance of Celsie and Andrew itself was the most believably developed, even despite the foundation of it sprouting from a certain science experiment that played a bigger role than I expected. Still, I was highly entertained and very, very invested.
Hardly anything bothered me in this story. The odd overuse of exclamation points so heavily prevalent in the previous books was noticeably minimized this time around (though not entirely absent). And while the antagonists and subsequent conflicts weren't mind-blowingly original, they at least weren't over-the-top, and thus, more believable. I don't remember many significant time-jumps either; I felt like more time was spent developing this story than the others, and I for one very much enjoyed the journey.
Click here for all my giddy commentary.
I was hoping it would happen, wasn't sure it would happen, and yet here I am telling you it happened. I've encountered the first (and potentially last?) 5-star read of the series. Now I will admit that a 5-star rating is me being mildly generous, since this story wasn't outright perfect. However, it managed to win me over more than its predecessors in two big ways: 1) it provided me a nice serving of features that I most enjoy from stories I read, and 2), it committed LESS of the nuisances I encountered in the first two books. Thus, I was far more welcoming of the presentation.
It's official: Andrew and Celsie are by far my favorite couple of the series so far. The both of them broke the molds of all previous couples and I was so there for it. Andrew's layered personality, unique character traits, and the "hot nerd" vibes were frickin' catnip to me, just too adorable for words. And Celsie's tenaciousness, feistiness, and overall passion made her lovable as well. I'm a sucker for enemies-to-lovers tropes, so the constant bickering between the two was by far my favorite feature.
I loved almost everything else this story offered too, from the humor to the thought-provoking plot to the newest character revelations. I appreciated the expansion of even Lucien as a character, something that most heavily occurred here than in the previous two books. No doubt his story is forthcoming very, very soon. The romance of Celsie and Andrew itself was the most believably developed, even despite the foundation of it sprouting from a certain science experiment that played a bigger role than I expected. Still, I was highly entertained and very, very invested.
Hardly anything bothered me in this story. The odd overuse of exclamation points so heavily prevalent in the previous books was noticeably minimized this time around (though not entirely absent). And while the antagonists and subsequent conflicts weren't mind-blowingly original, they at least weren't over-the-top, and thus, more believable. I don't remember many significant time-jumps either; I felt like more time was spent developing this story than the others, and I for one very much enjoyed the journey.
Click here for all my giddy commentary.
May 7, 2019
In the first two installments of the de Montforte Brothers chronicles, Andrew was always the brother that you heard the least about. He popped in and out of the story a few times, usually with some fiery comments, and then off to his lab again. He's very mysterious and interesting.
Though I was looking forward to reading more about this unique de Montforte, but I was honestly a little disappointed. That has nothing to do with the author, whose writing was just as stellar as it was in the first two books. What disappointed me was the way the story seemed to become more about Andrew's invention than Andrew himself. And there seemed to be a lot less of a central focus on Andrew and Celsiana, which was different than the first two books.
In The Wild One and The Beloved One, the two people who become a couple were the focal point of the entire plot. Though others came and went, they were given the most attention and we got to read a lot about each of those two peoples' perspectives. In The Defiant One, a lot of other people came into play to such an extent that they were almost equally central characters to Andrew and Celsiana. That's just not my personal preference. I enjoyed the first two books and was hoping to see something more along those lines in this third installment.
That being said, the story was really interesting and well-done. Though it didn't quite fit my personal preferences, the focus on Andrew's invention was very fitting to his character. And, frankly, to Celsiana's character. These two would likely never have gotten together if not for Andrew's invention. It was a necessary catalyst, if you'll pardon the pun.
Overall, it was a good story. I highly, highly recommend the series.
Read this and more of my reviews at:
www.memoirsofabookwyrm.com
Though I was looking forward to reading more about this unique de Montforte, but I was honestly a little disappointed. That has nothing to do with the author, whose writing was just as stellar as it was in the first two books. What disappointed me was the way the story seemed to become more about Andrew's invention than Andrew himself. And there seemed to be a lot less of a central focus on Andrew and Celsiana, which was different than the first two books.
In The Wild One and The Beloved One, the two people who become a couple were the focal point of the entire plot. Though others came and went, they were given the most attention and we got to read a lot about each of those two peoples' perspectives. In The Defiant One, a lot of other people came into play to such an extent that they were almost equally central characters to Andrew and Celsiana. That's just not my personal preference. I enjoyed the first two books and was hoping to see something more along those lines in this third installment.
That being said, the story was really interesting and well-done. Though it didn't quite fit my personal preferences, the focus on Andrew's invention was very fitting to his character. And, frankly, to Celsiana's character. These two would likely never have gotten together if not for Andrew's invention. It was a necessary catalyst, if you'll pardon the pun.
Overall, it was a good story. I highly, highly recommend the series.
Read this and more of my reviews at:
www.memoirsofabookwyrm.com
May 25, 2021
Another great one by author, Danelle Harmon! This was a sweet story of two loners ostracized by society. Once again, The Duke of Blackheath, (aka The Wicked One) Lucien De Montforte, has manipulated another sibling into marriage! He means well and had made a promise to his parents that they would be taken care of always. Lord Andrew is truly defiant and stubborn. After a fire, from book 2, he is left ailing physically but mostly mentally. He just wants to be left alone to work on his scientific experiments. His brother the Duke convinces him to attend a ball given by Lady Celsiana Blake. She is wealthy but is also a loner because she champions the plight to save dogs from cruelty and poor care. No one takes her seriously and men only want her because of her wealth. She has also heard whispers that she is not beautiful. Needless to say The Duke has whispered rumors to Lady Celsiana about Andrew using dogs for science experiments. They end up in a confrontation! You will need to read the rest of the story of how these two loners come together.
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