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An American Heiress in London #3

Catch a Falling Heiress

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Linnet Holland wants nothing to do with fortune hunters. No, she’s determined to marry a man who loves her. But just as she’s about to accept the perfect marriage proposal from the man she wants, the rakish Earl of Featherstone interrupts and ruins everything, including her reputation, with his smoldering kiss.

Jack Featherstone knows all about Linnet’s “intended”, and he’s determined she won’t fall prey to that villain as other women have in the past. But when his attempt to save Linnet ruins her instead, he knows he has to make things right. So he sets out to win this golden beauty . . . and prove to her that being ruined by him was the best thing that could have happened to her.

370 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published February 1, 2015

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About the author

Laura Lee Guhrke

39 books1,812 followers
From the publication of her very first historical romance, Laura Lee Guhrke has received numerous honors and critical acclaim for her novels and her writing style. She has been honored with the most prestigious award of romance fiction, the Romance Writers of America Rita Award, and she has received additional awards from Romantic Times and All About Romance. Romantic Times has proclaimed her, “One of the most natural voices in historical romance to be found today”. Her books routinely hit the USA Today Bestseller List, and Guilty Pleasures has been honored with the Romantic Times Award for Best European Historical Romance of 2004. Among her publishing credits are twelve historical romances, including her latest, And Then He Kissed Her, now available from Avon Books.

Laura is currently hard at work on her thirteenth historical romance for Avon Books. She has also written articles for various publications, including the Romance Writers Report, The British Weekly , and the Irish-American Press.

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Displaying 1 - 30 of 252 reviews
Profile Image for UniquelyMoi ~ BlithelyBookish.
1,097 reviews1,760 followers
November 20, 2015
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Catch a Falling Heiress is the 3rd book in Laura Lee Guhrke’s An American Heiress in London series. Historical Romance is probably my favorite genre, and it’s because of stories like this.

Blurb…

She's an American heiress. He's a devilish earl. When these two collide, the sparks ignite a shocking scandal in USA Today bestselling author Laura Lee Guhrke's unforgettable Victorian-era romance.

Linnet Holland wants nothing to do with fortune hunters. No, she’s determined to marry a man who loves her. But just as she’s about to accept the perfect marriage proposal from the man she wants, the rakish Earl of Featherstone interrupts and ruins everything, including her reputation, with his smoldering kiss.

Jack Featherstone knows all about Linnet’s “intended”, and he’s determined she won’t fall prey to that villain as other women have in the past. But when his attempt to save Linnet ruins her instead, he knows he has to make things right. So he sets out to win this golden beauty . . . and prove to her that being ruined by him was the best thing that could have happened to her.

My thoughts…

I’ll say this right up front, Catch a Falling Heiress is my favorite book in this series, so far. It overlaps slightly with book 2, How to Lose a Duke in Ten Days, so it’s important to read these in order because we get the details on what actually happens to Van Hausen - the vile man with no conscience, no care for anyone but himself. Details… that’s what I wanted and that’s what I got in this book!

I fell madly in love with our hero, Jack, the second son of the Earl of Featherstone. He was not loved by his father and older brother - that I can tell, anyway - and he learned early on that he’d have to make his own way in life. His early years were rough, but with determination and great friends he became an amazing man whose story needed to be told.

Linnet … such a stubborn woman, but it seems to me that’s the way the “American Heiresses” are. They’re so very different from the usual London princesses, and that’s what makes these stories shine – well, that and the amazing heroes!

It’s so much fun watching these men of the ton try to understand (and woo) these women who are nothing like the simpering little chits they’ve been exposed to, and that - along with a great storyline - is what makes Catch a Falling Heiress so entertaining.

The bottom line…

Laura Lee Guhrke’s historical romances are magic, and if you haven’t yet given her stories a read, you’re missing out! The An American Heiress in London series sits proudly on my “must read” shelf, and I can’t wait for the next installment!

An ARC was generously provided by Avon Books and to show my appreciation I’m giving them an honest review.
Profile Image for Pepa.
1,042 reviews288 followers
October 21, 2016
Reseña completa: http://masromance.blogspot.com.es/201...
Laura Lee Guhrke es una de mis lecturas seguras. Es una autora que escribe muy bien, sin complicaciones pero creo historias sencillas y bonitas pero con esta novela no ha estado a la altura. Algo totalmente personal, seguro
La novela empieza muy bien. La autora cierra un tema del segundo libro para mi goce personal y motiva el inicio de esta tercera historia.
En ella encontramos a Jack, le hermano de Charles... al que ya conocemos por ser personaje muy secundario de la primera entrega y a una nueva heredera americana. Ya sabemos que estas mujeres suelen retratarlas como valientes e independientes... el dinero ayuda a hacer lo que uno quiere, la verdad.
La novela arranca muy bien y retrata una conquista... pero el problema es que la pareja no ha tenido chispa, me ha parecido fría y sosa y eso me ha chafado la historia
Diálogos interesantes pero sin ningún tipo de gracia y más acorde con algún tipo de manual que con una novela romántica (es una opinión muy personal, que conste) pero repetitivos.
Me ha resultado muy interesante el racional enfoque de la búsqueda de marido, pero con la pareja no ha estado a la altura y al final, he leído una pareja que se desea pero todavía estoy buscando en qué momento se han enamorado... ya sabéis jajaja
Une pena porque ya digo que ha empezado muy bien, pero ha medida que he ido pasando páginas mi interés iba cayendo en picado.
Profile Image for Beatriz.
986 reviews865 followers
September 6, 2017
Estuvo bien, si, pero menos que los dos primeros de la serie y mucho menos que otros libros de Laura Lee Guhrke. La trama entretiene, pero la pareja me pareció muy “mercenaria” y la verdad no logré conectar con ellos. Me quedé con la sensación de que estaban más enamorados de las posibilidades económicas que tenían juntos, que de ellos mismos.

Me había atraído mucho el inicio y el vínculo que se hizo con una de las escenas del segundo libro, por lo que encontré un desacierto que algunas revelaciones no llegaran nunca, aunque fuera en un Epílogo. . No podía creerlo cuando el libro se acabó; la autora desaprovechó una subtrama que podría haber dado mucho jugo.
Profile Image for Dawn.
1 review
February 13, 2015
I usually like all of her books but I did not enjoy this one at all. I basically finished it because I paid for it. It was slow paced and the heroine was a spoiled nightmare. There was nothing in Linnet's personality that made her likable. Nothing Jack did made her happy. It was a very disappointing read.
Profile Image for Lauren.
2,516 reviews159 followers
May 8, 2018
Catch a Falling Heiress
2 Stars

Series note: This is book #3 in the series and the groundwork for the initial plot is laid in book #2. This should be taken into consideration when deciding to read.

Oy! This is such a disappointment as, despite a promising start, the plot and the romance fall apart just after the halfway mark.

The beginning is engaging as readers are introduced to Jack Featherstone, a rakish ne'er-do-well, who unwittingly compromises the beautiful Linnet Holland when he attempts to rescue her from a depraved suitor. Linnet is not at all pleased by his actions, and their love-hate relationship commences with some excellent banter and bickering.

Unfortunately, the story loses momentum halfway through just as it should be getting exciting with Linnet and Jack putting aside their differences and getting to know one another. In fact, this section ruins the rest of the book as the reader soon realizes that neither Jack nor Linnet are particularly likable.

Jack initially comes across as honorable despite his rash behavior, but this is soon undermined by his decision to keep an annoying secret. Linnet isn't much better as her independent streak is merely a facade for a spoiled, sullen and stubborn girl quite willing to cut off her nose to spite her face.

The romance is lackluster as they have little to no chemistry, and it is never clear what Jack sees in Linnet other than overwhelming lust, and Linnet eventual acquiescence to his advances remains unexplained.

All in all, a very weak addition to an otherwise enjoyable series although I did have issues with the first two books as well. Hopefully, the fourth and final book will end on a high note.

Profile Image for Lily (Night Owl Book Cafe).
691 reviews495 followers
February 16, 2015
Let me start out by saying when I got this book in the mail, I was so giddy and excited. I never read Laura Lee Guhrke, but I have heard some wonderful things about her, and of course I been craving some historical romance after a very tough week.

Linnet Holland is an American Heiress who has had a very tough luck with love. After being targeted by a British Fortune Hunter, the last thing Linnet wants is to marry a British peer. When a man she has fancied previously suddenly is in the middle of delivering the perfect marriage proposal, nothing could take the moment away from Linnet until Earl of Featherstone not only interrupts the proposal but also manages to ruin everything, including Linnet's reputation. Now she must marry and quickly, Earl of Featherstone is willing to make things right, but she has no plans to marry the man that ruined her.

Great story! I really enjoyed this one. I couldn't help but feel bad for Linnet and everything she went through. I understood where she stood as far as her choice of not wanting to marry a man she knew nothing about but had suddenly sent her life into a tail spin. I was a little puzzled by her choice to go back to London and marry a British peer regardless, especially since it seemed like her choices were pretty slim and could only end with just another Fortune Hunter on her arms.

I really liked Jack Featherstone, his intentions no matter how bad were actually meant to be good. He was trying to save Linnet from a terrible life and even thought he was unable to tell her why, as a reader knowing why, could not help but agree. His actions thought drastic, were kind of amusing.

I liked the chemistry between these two, especially Jack trying to pursue Linnet in London and trying to prove that they could actually be good together. Several scenes made me giggle, I thought the writing was really well done and very entertaining. Guhrke really made me enjoy the story and I was able to get lost in the book for hours. The characters were easy to like and the plot was wildly charming!

I got a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange of an honest review.
Profile Image for Edie.
148 reviews
January 31, 2015
Really disliked the heroine. There's the independent strong-minded heroine, and then there's the old-school spoiled type who is stubborn for the sake of being stubborn. She cut down my enjoyment of the book considerably, and if it wasn't her, the rushed ending would have garnered this bad review. :/
Profile Image for Anna (Bobs Her Hair).
1,001 reviews209 followers
January 27, 2015
3.5 Stars – A Hero Falls Hard

Jack Featherstone is on a mission. A matter of honor sends the Earl to infiltrate the American Knickerbocker set. He sets the trap, destroys a villain, and finds the woman he wants to marry. Unfortunately, he’s a penniless noble and the heiress views him as another fortune-hunter. Never having had a bean to his name he thought marriage and family out of his reach, but that one kiss incinerated those hopeless thoughts! Jack will pursue her. She will see he is the best man, penniless or not!

Linnet Holland wants a love match. Not finding one in London brings her back to the States to a childhood friend that wants to secretly meet to ask her an important question. The Earl of Featherstone's interference alters the course for all parties involved and ruins Linnet. Since she can’t have marry for love she’ll outrun the gossip and return to London for a second round of matchmaking. If only Jack wouldn’t interfere with her efforts and arouse her senses.

The heroine is compromised. It’s a classic historical romance trope. The emotions inciting the rakish hero into such a situation require flair and credibility. When Jack beholds Linnet across the crowded room he’s awed. This rake is drawn to her like a moth to a flame. But I didn’t feel the chemistry down to my toes. In the aftermath of Linnet’s ruin, Jack’s actions are practical and the romance fizzled a little bit. There’s also a plot device brought into play that I do not like. It may have tarnished this historical romance for me.

The bachelor want to marry. It’s a charming twist whenever the hero pursues his heroine. Jack's definitely in hot pursuit! Once Jack and Linnet re-encounter one another in England the plot takes a turn for the better. Jack isn’t shy. He wants Linnet to be his wife and family. He demonstrates how she matters to him. At this point, Catch a Falling Heiress the story is laced with witty dialogue, breathless anticipation, and heartfelt romance. Jack is funny and romantic. Jack woos Linnet. Linnet is the one whose heart and mind war with one another. This is the most riveting part of the story and why I love Ms. Guhrke’s writing.

The ending felt abrupt for all the work that went into this couple's happily ever after. As the third book in the American Heiress in London, Catch a Falling Heiress can stand alone. The mitigating circumstances causing Jack to travel to the United States - which are linked to events in How to Lose an Duke in Ten Days - are explained in the opening chapter. Previous characters are present, but don’t distract by remaining in the background or interacting as part of this book’s storyline. While this is an enjoyable historical romance the slow beginning, predictable nature, and abrupt ending deprive this book of a four star rating, making this third installment the weak link in a wonderful series. I do anticipate the fourth book, which will feature Denys and Lola, the Moulin Rouge performer he can’t forget.

Digital RC compliments of Avon via Edelweiss, in exchange for an honest review.

Aha! The perks of reviewing!

*oogles the shiny-shiny*

Jack Featherstone's story! Yay!

Book 4
Denys, Viscount Somerton and Moulin Rouge performer...WANT!
Profile Image for Nuria Llop.
Author 15 books122 followers
December 7, 2016
Tercera entrega de la serie de estas herederas americanas que viajan a Londres para encontrar marido. La segunda era tan maravillosa que esta sabe a poco. Empieza muy bien, pero a medida que avanzamos páginas va perdiendo el sello de la autora. Algunos diálogos tópicos, poco ingenio en otros, y más deseo (insatisfecho) que amor, flotan en esta historia que transcurre con un ritmo irregular, que apenas emociona y que termina bruscamente. Aún así, engancha, porque L.L. Guhrke domina el arte de escribir, y la novela tiene alguna que otra genialidad y mucho trasfondo en algunos diálogos que, si leemos a toda prisa, no podremos captar. Nos habla de cómo influyen los padres en el carácter y el comportamiento de las personas, de la lucha interior que se desata cuando quieren rebelarse ante las imposiciones, de cómo ciegan las apariencias y solo vemos lo que queremos ver. También nos habla de las diferencias entre la alta sociedad norteamericana y la londinense, del honor, de la lealtad hacia un amigo. Y, como en las dos primeras entregas, de cómo conquistar a una mujer que se resiste a los besos. Aunque en esta, priva la comunicación sobre la sensualidad. De todos modos, la recomiendo, pero es una novela para leer despacio y entre líneas, y dejarse envolver por la narrativa, aparentemente sencilla, de la autora. El epílogo que, en mi opinión, le falta, puedes escribirlo tú en tu imaginación.
Profile Image for Lover of Romance.
3,712 reviews1,122 followers
January 3, 2015
Catch A Falling Heiress was a sexy and sweet historical romance that gave me barrels and barrels of laughs...Guhrke really outdid herself this time. I was beyond satisfied after reading this one. In this installment, we have Jack's story...and I was really excited for it, especially after reading the blurb. After the previous book came out, and I loved it, I couldn't wait for this one. The first book I have yet to read...but it is high on my priority this for the year so hopefully I will get it read and soon.

Jack Featherstone, has been asked by his friend to go to America, to get justice for a man who is unscrupulous. A man who hides beneath his charm and handsome facade. So Jack trusting his friend, goes to the America's. Now it has been close to a year, and their plan to get justice is about to succeed, but then Jack sees Linnet and is captivated, but when he learns that her "Intended" is the man he knows horrid secrets about, he knows he has to stop her from making a grave mistake. Linnet has been all over Europe to satisfy her mothers wishes to marry a titled lord. But that is the last thing that Linnet wants, she is content with her life in America, but when a certain English Lord causes a scandal, she is now ruined and is furious. But Linnet isn't one to just back down and give into what society expects of her. Jack doesn't regret his actions, but hates that Linnet was put in the crossfire, especially when she can never know the reasons why. Now he must convince her of his genuine devotion to her to make her his wife, and that he wants her and not her dowry...but Linnet is stubborn and this pair will have to learn about trust or it could tear them apart...

One of my favorite things about Laura Lee Gurhke is her magical way of weaving a story of passion and adventure...and turn it into a gorgeous romance that keeps you enchanted from beginning to end. I couldn't help but get fully into this one, and it was no hardship either. These two have amazing chemistry, even if they tend to go into denial about their feelings for each other. Jack, is a man of honor and loyalty, and never breaks his word. He is quite a rake at times, but he also has good intentions and what a lovely hero he was. He is so devoted to Linnet, despite the way she treats him at times, and he is tenacious when it comes to proving to her he cares for her. I was pretty much on his side for the whole story...there was just something about his character that really appealed to me in a certain way. There were so many elements to his character that made his seem real and human. Linnet...well she was alright for a heroine. I found that she could be a bit obnoxious at times, and a little self righteous, but she does prove herself. and she grew on me as the story progressed.

The plot was pretty well thought out, and as you read this one, you definitely see this author's talent, and what a fun way this story turned out for me. I really loved the connection, and the intrigue especially at the beginning, that really sets the tone for the story. The romance had its rocky stops, but there was something very intense and emotional to it that keeps you anxious and what a amazing book that won me over!! Laura Lee Gurhkre, just never falters...her books are stellar, her writing is phenomenal and Catch a Falling Heiress is one ride you don't want to miss!!
Profile Image for Farrah.
1,248 reviews210 followers
October 15, 2014
A delightful historical romance that was both realistic and romantic, Catch a Falling Heiress was a wonderful read. I really liked this book and I found it to be an enjoyable read.

Linnet was a strong-willed heroine. She refused to march to anyone else's tune and was determined to do what was best for herself. She had doubts about her own judgement in regards to men, having been burned twice before, and that led to her to make inaccurate assumptions. But, that got better over the course of the book. I thought she was a likable character.

Jack was great as well. He made a mistake, though not out of any maliciousness, and he was determined to make it up to her. He wanted to marry Linnet and he knew that he had to earn her trust before she agreed. He really was sweet, very loyal to those he cared about, and a likable hero in general.

The romance was lovely. It moved realistically, with Linnet slowly coming to trust Jack. Their feelings grew along the way and the chemistry between them was constantly there. I thought they were great together.

The plot was fast paced and I was kept interested the entire way through. I really enjoyed the story and the ending was perfect.

Catch a Falling Heiress was a fantastic romance that I really liked. It was a sweet, enjoyable read. Romance lovers, this is a book worth checking out.

*I received a complimentary copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review
Profile Image for Cathryn.
337 reviews69 followers
August 13, 2015
Meh. It was just OK. I'm not sure what has happened with Laura Lee Guhrke's books. I haven't enjoyed the last two as much as her other books.
Profile Image for BrandyD.
657 reviews84 followers
April 9, 2025
I enjoyed this story and the characters. Although the circumstances deemed it warranted, I do think the couple bickered a teeny bit too much.
Profile Image for Alba Turunen.
837 reviews270 followers
December 1, 2016
3'5. No es el mejor libro de la Guhrke, pero me ha gustado bastante. Iba presdispuesta a que no me gustara tras las críticas que he leído (la puntuación que tenía en Goodreads también es de las más bajas que tiene ésta autora). Pero sobre todo, creo que tenía miedo por el personaje de Jack, en los libros anteriores no me había gustado nada, supongo que en parte por culpa del padre y el hermano que tuvo. Y aunque yo misma sé que no es el mejor libro de la Guhrke, me ha gustado, me ha resultado entretenido.

Sí es cierto lo que dicen que es soso y da mil vueltas a lo mismo. Yo soso no lo diría, creo que las conversaciones han tenido chispa, y en el fondo es una historia que tiene algunos tintes a "La fierecilla domada" de Shakespeare.

Linnet es una joven heredera americana que quiere casarse por amor. En el pasado estuvo enamorada de un noble británico que sólo la quiso por su dinero. De modo que ésta será la gran batalla que deberá librar Jack, un noble británico arruinado y que sí necesita la dote de Linnet. Jack se encuentra en América, ha pasado un tiempo allí debido a una "misión" que le encargaron en el anterior libro, y una noche en un baile ve a Linnet con su presa (la persona a la que tenía la misión de arruinar). De éste modo irrumpe en la vida de Linnet, y la besa sin motivo, un beso que traerá graves consecuencias para la joven.

Tras esto Linnet necesita un marido desesperadamente, y no quiere que sea Jack porque representa todo lo que ella aborrece. A partir de esto podéis imaginar cómo se desarrolla la historia. No tiene muchos giros, ni sorpresas, sigue la estela de las últimas publicaciones de la Guhrke. Y aunque a muchos pueda resultarles desesperante las reiterativas negativas de Linnet a aceptar a Jack, a mí me han resultado refrescantes. Es una joven madura que teme lo que pueda ser de su vida en el futuro, y es encomiable que no quiera que la vendan, también he entendido sus dudas e inseguridades. Y la verdad, me ha gustado ver a Jack arrastrarse tras ella. No son muchos los libros históricos que he leído donde él se tenga que "arrastrar" por la protagonista, porque de verdad que tiene que ganársela, pero no os penséis que él será un pelele y perderá su orgullo no. Al final ambos protagonistas me han acabado gustando mucho y me han parecido muy bien definidos y humanos. En el fondo la historia de estos personajes es una lucha de voluntades.

La historia de amor no tiene mucho fuelle, quizás si he visto a Jack enamorado de ella, y prácticamente desde el principio, pero no a Linnet, no entiendes cuándo ella se enamora de él, y quizás el cambio del final ha sido muy brusco.

Quizás lo que echo en falta en éste libro es un buen epílogo explicando qué pasa con el padre de Linnet. No son muchos los libros donde la Guhrke mete epílogos que redondeen la historia, al revés, carece de ellos. Y muchos libros suyos podrían ser joyitas realmente buenas si ampliara algo más el desenlace y nos regalara un epílogo, pero estos últimos capítulos donde todo lo soluciona en las diez páginas finales son demasiado bruscos y cortantes, lo que es una verdadera lástima.

De momento sigo diciendo que las "Herederas Americanas" me han convencido, de los tres libros que llevan publicados, me han gustado y uno ha entrado en mi lista de favoritos. Ahora sólo queda esperar la historia de Denys y su Lola, pero lo que de verdad quiero es que le dé una historia a Pongo y el por qué de su apodo.
Profile Image for Arshia.
370 reviews23 followers
November 10, 2014
Loved Linnet, she was a strong character. All she wants really is to be able to make a decision about her life without others trying to manipulate her. However, the poor girl is besieged by people who think they knew best. Her parents push her in two different directions, one wants a British title and the other an American. Then there are the men in her life, her suitors are the worst. Each using her for her dowry. I'm not sure that Jack was the best choice for her. He had his reasons for needing the money and it was explained really well but he was a manipulative asshole. He knows about how she has suffered at the hands of her family and these men yet he pulls the same exact ploys. It was despicable really towards the end. The ending ruined the novel for me, I didn't buy his explanation. The rest of the novel was a lot of fun to read though. The sparks between Jack and Linnet, their witty banter, the antics of the other suitors, good stuff!
Profile Image for Kelly.
197 reviews12 followers
August 22, 2021
Meh. There were about ten chapters in this book of bickering about why she shouldn’t marry him and why she should. I had gotten so far that I pushed myself to finish but my god. 👎👎👎
803 reviews395 followers
September 3, 2021
This starts out dismally. Like one of the worst of the HRs of the 1990s. Heroine, for irrational reasons, exposes herself to possible ruin at a ball. Hero saves her from ruin at the hands of one man, only to compromise her stupidly himself. He "nobly" does the right thing and offers for her. She of course refuses.

But, yes, this does improve at about 65%. I like the fact that these two, who have many strikes against their success as a couple, manage to talk reasonably and rationally and come to an understanding of what to expect of each other and their relationship. I also like that, although there is an apparent irrational lust/love at first sight/kiss, especially on the part of the hero, he manages to control his libido well, and the one and only sexual relations scene in the book is at the behest of the heroine.

In other words, at 65%, the H and h start to become rational, intelligent, thoughtful people who manage to work out their problems and trust issues with realistic conversations. Some reviewers have described this book as having "sparkling" dialogue. It didn't sparkle to me as much as it entertained and reassured and let us know that they realize there's more to a relationship than sex.

Oh, one interesting thing I noted in this. Guhrke takes the opportunity here to work in a paragraph or two that try to justify one action of hero Stuart of the previous book, HOW TO LOSE A DUKE IN TEN DAYS. Those who read that one may remember some readers' complaint about Stuart's treks to Paris whenever he felt the need for sex during his long stay in Africa. The implication here in this new book is that the jaunt to Paris was more for a get-together with all his buddies. (Jack, the hero of this book, having a flat in Paris that they all gathered at once a year.) A sort-of exculpatory for the off-hand comments in TEN DAYS about sex and syphilis?

And then there are the muffins. All right, it was thoughtful of Jack to think of them for a picnic, but so much talk about British vs American muffins makes me think that Guhrke perhaps once upon a time messed up about muffins in one of her other books and is now wanting us to know that she knows the difference between the Old World variety and the New World variety.

But that's neither here nor there. The book's OK in places but not really very interesting. Guhrke can write, especially dialogue. She usually does romantic feelings well (although here not so much). But this is not her best work. I don't see myself ever rereading it. Just thinking about having to read that first two thirds again fills me with dread.
Profile Image for Ana María.
662 reviews41 followers
April 27, 2017
Me decepcionó bastante. Está bien escrito y tiene escenas interesantes pero la historia me pareció floja.
Empieza en Nueva York, cuando los amigos del Duque de Margrave (la novela anterior, "Un pacto audaz") están a punto de cumplir su venganza contra el hombre que arruinó la reputación de su esposa, Frederick Van Hausen. La venganza es fundirlo económicamente y mandarlo a la cárcel de deudores, pero sucede de que cuando están a punto de conseguirlo, Frederick comienza a cortejar intensamente a una heredera, Linnet Holland, lo que podría hacer fracasar el plan.
Entonces Jake, Conde de Featherstone y mejor amigo del Duque, rompe ese cortejo comprometiendo a Linnet besándola frente a testigos. Como esa acción pone en riesgo la reputación de la chica (que además le gusta), le propone matrimonio. Pero ella cree que es un cazafortunas y lo rechaza. Pero como su reputación sigue en entredicho, necesita casarse lo antes posible.
Y bueno, todos vuelven a Inglaterra y el resto de la novela lo pasan en Kent en la casa de la casamentera Belinda (de la primera novela) tratando de que Linnet elija entre cuatro nobles (incluyendo a Jake).
No digo más porque haría spoiler pero creo que es una historia bastante pava y la protagonista una tarada.
Profile Image for Lyuda.
539 reviews178 followers
March 11, 2015
I tried, I honestly tried, I put a big effort to read the book but I gave up at about 40% thinking the life is too short to spend on the stories that don't grab you. It is really sad for me as Ms. Guhrke is the author of one of my favorite book And Then He Kissed Her, and I read and liked almost all of her stories. This particular one was difficult for me to get into from the start. I didn't care about the heroine, the plot and the author's trademarked beautiful dialog could not save the story for me. I am still willing to read her future stories but not this one.
Profile Image for Kath S.
354 reviews264 followers
January 29, 2015
Siento que estoy en una racha terrible con los libros históricos románticos. Cada libro que empiezo lo abandono de inmediato, o pierdo el interés o me canso y leo el final y ya.

Con este libro perdí rápidamente el interés. El protagonista era demasiado arrogante para mi gusto y la vdd no estaba de humor para el tire y afloje entre los protagonistas.
Profile Image for Nancy.
247 reviews
February 25, 2015
Is this a romance novel? Because by page 150 the hero and heroine are still not even in the same room and if they were they'd be fighting. No romance at all. A tedious read, unfortunately.
Profile Image for Ewa.
485 reviews26 followers
April 5, 2015
For a book that condemns rape there sure is a lot of dubious consent-ish scenes here.
Profile Image for Jen P.
370 reviews4 followers
October 26, 2015
this took me forever to finish - I disliked the Heroine so much in this book.
Profile Image for Alex .
1,778 reviews35 followers
November 4, 2022
If you want a romance where 95% of the book is the heroine being spiteful and spurns every attempt at an apology the hero makes, then this is the book for you.

It took a lot of effort for me to not actively hate the heroine. I understood that Linnet had suffered from a lot of horrible men before meeting Jack and what he did was really awful for this time period. I just don't like a romance where the heroine literally hates the hero until the second to last chapter. There was nothing Jack could do or say that would soften her opinion of him, even if he did exactly what she wanted. At some point, you just have to acknowledge that there's a difference between being stubborn and being spiteful. I just don't think that kind of behavior needs to last for an entire romance book.

A historical romance should be sweet and romantic and dramatic not what this was. Just not my cup of tea.
Profile Image for Kusanagi.
187 reviews10 followers
January 8, 2017
(va falloir que je mette mon avis sur les 2 premiers....)

Voici qu'entre en scène Jack Featherstone, le 3ème larron de notre bande d'amis qui oeuvrent pour les relations transatlantiques soutenues.

L'histoire débute par cette importante réunion du tome précédent qui a vu Stuart (le héros du tome 2) confier une mission importante à ses amis. Plus à ses amis encore célibataire puisque Nick (héros du tome 1) ne se déplace pas lui.
Et une certaine capacité de Jack à manipuler les gens va donc être mise à contribution ici.

Nous retrouvons donc Jack en Amérique, proche du but (pour le découvrir nous 'navez qu'à lire la série) et sauvant des griffes du méchant une demoiselle... la plongeant , oups, par la même au coeur d'un scandale.

Linnet de son côté est un pur produit de cette haute société new-yorkaise, les Knickerbocker, sorte d'aristocratie américaine que l'on découvre, au coeur du pays de la Liberté, encore plus coincée et collet-monté que la société victorienne. Linnet se retrouve prise dans un scandale et refuse d'épouser Jack. Elle part donc chercher un partie convenable en Gtrande-Bretagne. Et avec sa dot ^^

Jack la suit et va tenter de la convaincre que oui, il a besoin du fric mais que oui aussi il est un partie convenable. Plus qu'un autre.

J'aime beaucoup Jack. C'est le beau frère de Belinda, l'héroïne du tome 1, qui le tien en moyenne estime vu comment était son frère (son époux à elle coureur de jupon). Jack a parfaitement conscience de cette histoire familiale, vu que lui a du supporter son père ET son frère comme charmeurs et incompétents toute sa vie, et qu'il a hérité d'une réputation viciée et de dettes grâce à eux...
J'aime le fait qu'il soit finalement, relativement honnête avec Linnet, puisqu'il ne va jamais lui faire croire que sa dot ne l'intéresse pas. Mais vous en faite pas il est vraiment amoureux heion (il va même chercher la recette des muffins à la myrtille). J'aime juste que pour une fois le héros ne fasse pas genre "si vivons pauvres et oh, mon amour tu es tellement gentille de me donner ton argent finalement..."

J'aime Linnet aussi qui a un sacré caractère et qui a tellement peur, suite à de précédentes déconvenues de se faire avoir qu'elle n'arrive pas à passer outre l'image qu'elle a de Jack. Sous son côté têtue et qui sait ce qu'elle veut, on découvre un personnage en proie au doute perpétuel par rapport à sa relation avec les autres. Et j'iamgine que oui, ça ne doit pas être facile.

Bref encore une histoire réussie pour l'auteur pour moi ^^
Profile Image for Desi.
2,667 reviews86 followers
April 7, 2020
**2 estrellitas

Ha sido hasta ahora el más flojo de esta serie con respecto a los dos anteriores que fueron muy buenos... y nop, no me gustó mucho: la trama, los personajes, nada.
Los protagonistas me desesperaron en gran parte del libro, y nunca vi la química entre ellos ni me pareció creíble el amor tan repentino que surgió

Profile Image for Albagar90.
212 reviews2 followers
January 20, 2020
Me ha gustado bastante más, que el anterior, aunque la serie en sí , esta bantante entretenida. Tanto Jack como Linnet, son personajes con bastante caracter, eso hace que haya unas escenas muy graciosas. Lo único que me ha faltado a sido un final un poco mas detallado.
Profile Image for Kerry.
86 reviews6 followers
January 2, 2016
Part of the bargain of romance novels set in posh Georgian and Regency England is not to think too hard how these landed earls and American heiresses got their wealth and positions. You don’t read this genre to dwell on how the wealth of the British Empire came from the exploitation and murder of millions of humans, and so did American business – that’s not what these stories are trying to do. They exist in a kind of parallel universe where the lead characters’ wealth and titles are part of a happy ending instead of a sign of a great moral wrong that needs righting.

Linnet Holland is the daughter of a hard-nosed American businessman, in London for a season and in love with a fop. She is 'headstrong', meaning she has a fairly low bullshit tolerance, which is extremely likeable. Jack Featherstone is a 'devilish earl' who has to carry most of the silly Romance Plot Mechanics – he has to publicly kiss Linnet and ruin her reputation because Reasons! Which he can't explain properly because Other Reasons! romance plooooooot! – and occasionally overshoots Harrison Ford style charmingly inept confidence into being a dick, which again in the genre is a tricky line to walk.

The romance part is perfectly fine – the chemistry is good, the conflict is a bit silly but not ludicrous. The problem is that the happy ending hinges on Linnet's father and Jack agreeing to go into business together and form an investment company to 'get into Africa'.

Please stop and think about what an American and an English man ‘getting into Africa’ in 1890 means. The ‘Congo Free State’ was established by Leopold II of Belgium in 1885; in just twenty years, half the people living there (10 million people, out of 20 million) had been killed by European colonisers seeking profit. Our romantic hero has looked at that and go, "Absolutely, yes, let’s get in on that! Yay, money!"

Jack is unhappy that he was born rich, because it means he doesn’t know how to work. He explains to himself, "investments like this were a good way to secure the future of their estates and their children, and through those investments, he could earn his living." The problem is that there is no line drawn between the kind of 'earning a living' that's doing something useful like making shoes or inventing things, and the kind of 'earning a living' that involves chopping hands off five-year-olds and giving them to their parents because their toddler didn’t bring you enough rubber sap that day. Just the idea of Earning A Living is very important, much better than using your money to help people, because ‘making money’ is morally good and how it’s made is morally neutral-to-irrelevant.

Linnet is opposed to her would-be fiancé and her father going into the ‘African investment’ business together, not because she’s worried about the (by then very well publicised in the UK) horrific systematic abuses and killings in European-colonised Africa, but because she doesn’t want her marriage to be tied to her father's business dealings. (Which is also a reasonable problem to have.) She asks why Jack doesn't just want a dowry, as was usual. He replies: "I don’t want him to just give me money for marrying you. This is a chance to earn my way, to have some useful knowledge, to have a purpose in the world. I can build something, make something of my life, and this deal with your father gives me the chance to do all that."

Look, again, I am not demanding that all fun stories about posh people set during the British Empire are supposed to be about righting global wrongs (although the more of those, the better). I only ask that they not explicitly raise the spectre of making global wrongs worse, then offer a plausible out (Linnet receiving a dowry instead of the two men in her life going into colonising business together), and finally double back to explain why actually starting up a business that, even if we’re only counting its direct effects, will probably result in the mutilation and deaths of thousands, is for the best – because it means that our hero will feel better about himself. Especially when this takes up most of the conversation between the two romantic leads on the last page. Literally the ending of this is "YAY NOW WE’RE DOING RACIST GENOCIDE FOR MONEY TOO, LET’S KISS!"

THIS IS BAD.
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