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Once a Rake
Irresistible Seduction Only Leads To. . . War had scarred the Earl of Ashby's face...and perhaps his soul. Before being wounded in the Napoleonic war and shunning society, the dashing lord had been a notorious rake. Now, Isabel Aubrey, a proper lady, dares to approach the masked, reclusive nobleman for a large donation to a worthy charity--and decides she must save him from his self-loathing. She begins to flirt. He responds. She invites him to a masquerade ball. He accepts and dazzles her with a kiss.
The Most Scandalous Passion. . .
But Isabel already has a fiance and despite her attraction to the earl she knows she must reject him. Yet no force on earth is greater than the passion that leads her into his bed; nothing she has ever experienced is more exciting and erotic. Now he asks her to stay with him although it will mean her ruin. Isabel must not say yes--and the smitten earl cannot let her say no. To win her body and her heart, he initiates an outrageous scheme that only a rake would devise--and no woman can resist.
Praise for Rona Sharon and My Wicked Pirate
"A rich, sweeping, passionate read." --"New York Times" bestselling author Rosemary Rogers
""My Wicked Pirate" is wickedly fun." --"Booklist"
"A passionate debut. . .the action never stops." --"Romantic Times""
The Most Scandalous Passion. . .
But Isabel already has a fiance and despite her attraction to the earl she knows she must reject him. Yet no force on earth is greater than the passion that leads her into his bed; nothing she has ever experienced is more exciting and erotic. Now he asks her to stay with him although it will mean her ruin. Isabel must not say yes--and the smitten earl cannot let her say no. To win her body and her heart, he initiates an outrageous scheme that only a rake would devise--and no woman can resist.
Praise for Rona Sharon and My Wicked Pirate
"A rich, sweeping, passionate read." --"New York Times" bestselling author Rosemary Rogers
""My Wicked Pirate" is wickedly fun." --"Booklist"
"A passionate debut. . .the action never stops." --"Romantic Times""
331 pages, ebook
First published January 1, 2007
13 people are currently reading
487 people want to read
About the author
Rona Sharon
5 books67 followersRona Sharon is the author of critically acclaimed historical novels of intrigue, passion, and danger. Her latest, ROYAL BLOOD, is a tale of lust and violence in the treacherous Tudor Court.
From her home on the Mediterranean Coast in Tel Aviv, surrounded by thousands of years of history, Rona brings her passion for culture and travel to her writing and never fails to deliver a story that carries a punch… and a dagger.
From her home on the Mediterranean Coast in Tel Aviv, surrounded by thousands of years of history, Rona brings her passion for culture and travel to her writing and never fails to deliver a story that carries a punch… and a dagger.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 66 reviews
September 13, 2010
I am so mad at this book right now! What happened?!?!? Everything was going nicely until page 295. That page is where the book went bipolar on me and made me hate it.
In the beginning we're treated to a sweet love story. Paris has been reclusive after his return from the war and Isabel is finally determined to lure him into spending time with her. She had a bit of puppy love for him when she was younger. Paris was best friend to her older brother, Will, and whenever they would get leave from the war they would come visit. Isabel worshiped him and mooned over him constantly. For his part, Paris longed for the sort of home their family had and thought Isabel was sweet.
Isabel makes sure to insert herself into his home as often as possible and tries to deal with his insecurities about his scars as best as she can. Paris was scarred in the war and is afraid of anyone new seeing him. Isabel was patient and persuasive, and they both fell sweetly into love with each other. Paris had a bit of need mixed up in that love, but with time and patience he would have healed more and straightened himself out.
So, it hits page 294 and I'm really wondering why there are so many pages left in the story. Everything seems to be wrapping up nicely, and I'm looking forward to them being together. But then page 295 hits and I find out why there's so many pages left! Because the author wants to throw in out of character actions and wild misunderstandings just to draw things out!!! Argh!!!
What started with me enjoying it, ended with me absolutely hating it! Isabel turned into a spoiled brat. She (out of the blue) decided that the relationship that she longed for with Paris wasn't good enough unless he ignored all his fears and courted her for a year or so in front of all the ton. She constantly accused him of making their relationship shameful because he was afraid of being seen in public.
Paris miraculously faces his fears and runs into the public eye for her, but they still don't get together. Instead, he creates a ridiculous plot to win her that just causes even more misunderstandings. Time and time again it felt like the hero and heroine would finally get together, only to have yet ANOTHER misunderstanding or insecurity stand in their way. At one point Isabel thinks "oh he really does love me!" to herself, but two seconds later she's back to doubting him and their relationship.
WHAT WAS WRONG WITH THIS STORY AND THESE CHARACTERS????
Just when I thought things couldn't get any more complicated, a caricature villain is thrown into the plot with a blackmail scheme just to make things drawn out even longer! Paris and Isabel were finally getting together and the author had to ruin it AGAIN.
I'm just so mad! What pisses me off the most was that the first half was so promising. It was a little flowery and melodramatic, but that wasn't bothering me that much. I got a bit of an eye twitch whenever Paris referred to his penis by name, but I was still able to ignore it. But I cannot ignore 150 pages of wild misunderstandings and illogical character behavior.
I was interested in seeing if this author had put out a story for Iris and Ryan, but after the second half of this book, no thanks!
In the beginning we're treated to a sweet love story. Paris has been reclusive after his return from the war and Isabel is finally determined to lure him into spending time with her. She had a bit of puppy love for him when she was younger. Paris was best friend to her older brother, Will, and whenever they would get leave from the war they would come visit. Isabel worshiped him and mooned over him constantly. For his part, Paris longed for the sort of home their family had and thought Isabel was sweet.
Isabel makes sure to insert herself into his home as often as possible and tries to deal with his insecurities about his scars as best as she can. Paris was scarred in the war and is afraid of anyone new seeing him. Isabel was patient and persuasive, and they both fell sweetly into love with each other. Paris had a bit of need mixed up in that love, but with time and patience he would have healed more and straightened himself out.
So, it hits page 294 and I'm really wondering why there are so many pages left in the story. Everything seems to be wrapping up nicely, and I'm looking forward to them being together. But then page 295 hits and I find out why there's so many pages left! Because the author wants to throw in out of character actions and wild misunderstandings just to draw things out!!! Argh!!!
What started with me enjoying it, ended with me absolutely hating it! Isabel turned into a spoiled brat. She (out of the blue) decided that the relationship that she longed for with Paris wasn't good enough unless he ignored all his fears and courted her for a year or so in front of all the ton. She constantly accused him of making their relationship shameful because he was afraid of being seen in public.
Paris miraculously faces his fears and runs into the public eye for her, but they still don't get together. Instead, he creates a ridiculous plot to win her that just causes even more misunderstandings. Time and time again it felt like the hero and heroine would finally get together, only to have yet ANOTHER misunderstanding or insecurity stand in their way. At one point Isabel thinks "oh he really does love me!" to herself, but two seconds later she's back to doubting him and their relationship.
WHAT WAS WRONG WITH THIS STORY AND THESE CHARACTERS????
Just when I thought things couldn't get any more complicated, a caricature villain is thrown into the plot with a blackmail scheme just to make things drawn out even longer! Paris and Isabel were finally getting together and the author had to ruin it AGAIN.
I'm just so mad! What pisses me off the most was that the first half was so promising. It was a little flowery and melodramatic, but that wasn't bothering me that much. I got a bit of an eye twitch whenever Paris referred to his penis by name, but I was still able to ignore it. But I cannot ignore 150 pages of wild misunderstandings and illogical character behavior.
I was interested in seeing if this author had put out a story for Iris and Ryan, but after the second half of this book, no thanks!
March 9, 2018
4 Estrellas. He disfrutado un montón de éste libro, me lo recomendaron hace mucho tiempo, y quizás lo que lamento es no haberlo leído antes, pues me ha parecido tan fascinante que creo que cualquier lectora de romance histórico debería leerlo.
Lo primero que debería destacar, es que se trata de una novela de Regencia, que trata un tema muy clásico y trillado dentro de la literatura romántica. Cualquiera puede decir que es un retelling de la Bella y la Bestia, y le diría que sí, pero el libro ha destacado por otros detalles que para mí, lo han hecho imprescindible.
Entre ellos, es que pese a la densidad de la novela, pues es bastante larga y profunda, tiene un estilo muy fluido que en seguida engancha y se lee solo. Es gracias a ésa ligereza en las descripciones y los diálogos, lo que hace que sea muy llevadera. Pero la verdad del asunto está en que ¿Quién puede resistirse a una novela tipo Bella y Bestia?
El libro trata sobre el oscuro y atormentado conde de Ashby, y una dama de buena cuna, Isabel. El hermano mayor de Isabel, Will, fue el mejor amigo de Ashby, juntos, se alistaron en el ejército y sobrevivieron durante varias campañas napoleónicas, hasta que Will pereció en Waterloo, y Ashby, preso de la culpa, de los horrores vividos, y de las cicatrices que le dejó la guerra a su rostro, decidió recluirse y convertirse en un ermitaño.
Han pasado dos años desde Waterloo, Isabel y dos amigas suyas están llevando a cabo una obra de caridad para las viudas y familiares de soldados fallecidos. Necesitan fondos y apoyo para su causa, e Isabel necesita a alguien que vivió implicado en ésa vida para que las ayude. Un día decide visitar al conde de Ashby, pese a que sabe que no será bien recibida y probablemente la echarán a la calle, pero Isabel no ceja en su empeño. Cuando era una adolescente se enamoró del guapo amigo de su hermano, pese a la fama de libertino y disipador que lo perseguía, pero Isabel veía en él mucho más allá de su fama, y aunque ahora no sea un hombre entero, está dispuesta a volver a ver al amigo de Will.
Sus primeros acercamientos no será fáciles, Ashby no deja que nadie lo vea, y mucho menos Isabel. Se las ingenia para que todo esté en tinieblas, y lo más importante, se muestra con una máscara para que nadie le vea las cicatrices de su rostro. A pesar de todo, Ashby tampoco olvidó nunca a Isabel, siempre supo que ella estuvo enamorada de él, por eso mismo se ha negado a que el mundo vuelva a verlo. Ashby guarda demasiados secretos, rencor y odio hacia sí mismo como para que una hermosa joven como Isabel pierda el tiempo y su vida con alguien como él.
Pero la verdad es que el libro será mucho más que la mera apariencia de lo que puede ser. Isabel hace tiempo que dejó su primera temporada, y debe casarse ¡Ya! El problema es que ella siempre quiso a Ashby y no quiere conformarse con menos, pero durante el libro entrarán en juego otros pretendientes, además de algunos fantasmas del propio pasado de Ashby, que volverán para atormentar a los protagonistas.
Sí, he dicho que es una novela clásica, un epítome de la novela romántica de Regencia, pero también es cierto que da muchas vueltas a lo mismo, y los protagonistas se hallarán en un continuo tira y afloja. Entiendo que a algunas personas pueda parecerles pesado, pero yo lo he disfrutado mucho, como digo, me han encantado sus diálogos, sus pullas, sus injurias, así como las escenas más enternecedoras.
Sobre todo lo que destacaré es la personalidad de los protagonistas, pues ambos a su manera me han encantado. Ashby es ahora un hombre oscuro, y atormentado, desde la guerra ha vivido recluido y nadie lo ha visto. Antaño fue un libertino, muy querido y deseado por todas las féminas, pero la guerra acabó con ése Ashby. A pesar de ello, siempre fue buena persona, y en el fondo no deja de ser un hombre de su época y responsable para con su título y situación.
En Isabel tenemos a una joven de buena familia y educación. Es hermana de un vizconde, posee una gran dote y es hermosa, por eso mismo su madre piensa que ya debería haberse casado. Pero si algo me ha gustado de Isabel es que es testaruda y terca, que no se deja conducir ni avasallar por nadie, mucho menos por su madre o el propio Ashby, es independiente y no la gusta recibir órdenes.. Este es un rasgo que he admirado mucho, sobre todo en estos días en que tan próximo hemos tenido el Día de la Mujer, y siempre admiro en una novela de época encontrarme con una mujer moderna, con todo el sentido de la palabra, por mucho que esto no se entienda como algo verosímil, sobre todo en una sociedad en que la mujer era algo poco más importante que un mueble, siempre pertenecía al hombre de la casa y no tenía ni voz ni voto. Pero Isabel es lo suficientemente inteligente como para tener un gran sueño y cumplirlo, y en el terreno sentimental, ser amada como se merece y no con imposiciones ¿Es tanto pedir? Bueno, pues me ha encantado.
No diré mucho más, porque creo que es una novela, que pese a que tiene unos cuántos años, merece leerse y disfrutarse. Siempre diré que es una lástima que actualmente las editoriales no apuesten por este tipo de novelas, esto era buena literatura y no lo que nos publican ahora.
Lo que más pena me da ahora, es que me he quedado con ganas de más, pues da a entender que las amigas de Isabel también podrían tener su historia, y por lo que he visto de la autora, solo escribió tres libros y son independientes. Es una lástima, porque este libro me ha encantado y me gustaría leer más cosas suyas. Sin más, lo recomiendo encarecidamente si te gustan las novelas de este tipo, que sean de Regencia, un cliché tipo Bella y Bestia, pero aún así, una novela densa, profunda, y muy bonita.
Lo primero que debería destacar, es que se trata de una novela de Regencia, que trata un tema muy clásico y trillado dentro de la literatura romántica. Cualquiera puede decir que es un retelling de la Bella y la Bestia, y le diría que sí, pero el libro ha destacado por otros detalles que para mí, lo han hecho imprescindible.
Entre ellos, es que pese a la densidad de la novela, pues es bastante larga y profunda, tiene un estilo muy fluido que en seguida engancha y se lee solo. Es gracias a ésa ligereza en las descripciones y los diálogos, lo que hace que sea muy llevadera. Pero la verdad del asunto está en que ¿Quién puede resistirse a una novela tipo Bella y Bestia?
El libro trata sobre el oscuro y atormentado conde de Ashby, y una dama de buena cuna, Isabel. El hermano mayor de Isabel, Will, fue el mejor amigo de Ashby, juntos, se alistaron en el ejército y sobrevivieron durante varias campañas napoleónicas, hasta que Will pereció en Waterloo, y Ashby, preso de la culpa, de los horrores vividos, y de las cicatrices que le dejó la guerra a su rostro, decidió recluirse y convertirse en un ermitaño.
Han pasado dos años desde Waterloo, Isabel y dos amigas suyas están llevando a cabo una obra de caridad para las viudas y familiares de soldados fallecidos. Necesitan fondos y apoyo para su causa, e Isabel necesita a alguien que vivió implicado en ésa vida para que las ayude. Un día decide visitar al conde de Ashby, pese a que sabe que no será bien recibida y probablemente la echarán a la calle, pero Isabel no ceja en su empeño. Cuando era una adolescente se enamoró del guapo amigo de su hermano, pese a la fama de libertino y disipador que lo perseguía, pero Isabel veía en él mucho más allá de su fama, y aunque ahora no sea un hombre entero, está dispuesta a volver a ver al amigo de Will.
Sus primeros acercamientos no será fáciles, Ashby no deja que nadie lo vea, y mucho menos Isabel. Se las ingenia para que todo esté en tinieblas, y lo más importante, se muestra con una máscara para que nadie le vea las cicatrices de su rostro. A pesar de todo, Ashby tampoco olvidó nunca a Isabel, siempre supo que ella estuvo enamorada de él, por eso mismo se ha negado a que el mundo vuelva a verlo. Ashby guarda demasiados secretos, rencor y odio hacia sí mismo como para que una hermosa joven como Isabel pierda el tiempo y su vida con alguien como él.
Pero la verdad es que el libro será mucho más que la mera apariencia de lo que puede ser. Isabel hace tiempo que dejó su primera temporada, y debe casarse ¡Ya! El problema es que ella siempre quiso a Ashby y no quiere conformarse con menos, pero durante el libro entrarán en juego otros pretendientes, además de algunos fantasmas del propio pasado de Ashby, que volverán para atormentar a los protagonistas.
Sí, he dicho que es una novela clásica, un epítome de la novela romántica de Regencia, pero también es cierto que da muchas vueltas a lo mismo, y los protagonistas se hallarán en un continuo tira y afloja. Entiendo que a algunas personas pueda parecerles pesado, pero yo lo he disfrutado mucho, como digo, me han encantado sus diálogos, sus pullas, sus injurias, así como las escenas más enternecedoras.
Sobre todo lo que destacaré es la personalidad de los protagonistas, pues ambos a su manera me han encantado. Ashby es ahora un hombre oscuro, y atormentado, desde la guerra ha vivido recluido y nadie lo ha visto. Antaño fue un libertino, muy querido y deseado por todas las féminas, pero la guerra acabó con ése Ashby. A pesar de ello, siempre fue buena persona, y en el fondo no deja de ser un hombre de su época y responsable para con su título y situación.
En Isabel tenemos a una joven de buena familia y educación. Es hermana de un vizconde, posee una gran dote y es hermosa, por eso mismo su madre piensa que ya debería haberse casado. Pero si algo me ha gustado de Isabel es que es testaruda y terca, que no se deja conducir ni avasallar por nadie, mucho menos por su madre o el propio Ashby, es independiente y no la gusta recibir órdenes.. Este es un rasgo que he admirado mucho, sobre todo en estos días en que tan próximo hemos tenido el Día de la Mujer, y siempre admiro en una novela de época encontrarme con una mujer moderna, con todo el sentido de la palabra, por mucho que esto no se entienda como algo verosímil, sobre todo en una sociedad en que la mujer era algo poco más importante que un mueble, siempre pertenecía al hombre de la casa y no tenía ni voz ni voto. Pero Isabel es lo suficientemente inteligente como para tener un gran sueño y cumplirlo, y en el terreno sentimental, ser amada como se merece y no con imposiciones ¿Es tanto pedir? Bueno, pues me ha encantado.
No diré mucho más, porque creo que es una novela, que pese a que tiene unos cuántos años, merece leerse y disfrutarse. Siempre diré que es una lástima que actualmente las editoriales no apuesten por este tipo de novelas, esto era buena literatura y no lo que nos publican ahora.
Lo que más pena me da ahora, es que me he quedado con ganas de más, pues da a entender que las amigas de Isabel también podrían tener su historia, y por lo que he visto de la autora, solo escribió tres libros y son independientes. Es una lástima, porque este libro me ha encantado y me gustaría leer más cosas suyas. Sin más, lo recomiendo encarecidamente si te gustan las novelas de este tipo, que sean de Regencia, un cliché tipo Bella y Bestia, pero aún así, una novela densa, profunda, y muy bonita.
May 30, 2022
This review was originally posted on Addicted To Romance
This review may contain spoilers, so fair warning, upon reading the review.
First Impressions
Once a Rake was a high impulse read and I had no clue what I was missing out on until I read this one. I actually was pointed towards this story when a friend on Goodreads pointed it was only .99 cents on Amazon (and it might still be that price so I would check it out) and I started to read the sample and I was completely drawn into the story and I couldn’t put it down, so I immediately bought the book and started reading it and I was so captivated by this story. Instantly you are drawn into the story and there is such a sense of intensity to the story and there was this spark of life that is present throughout the whole story and I have to say it has been so LONG since a regency romance was such a win for me. So many regencies of late have been —-and I hate to say it this way but BORING and generic and nothing exciting but in this standalone, I was on the edge of my seat brimming with excitement and I realized THIS is what I have been missing in historicals and why I have become so burnt out and I definitely will be picking up more historicals released around this time frame because apparently that have the content that I am looking for.
Summary
Isabel Aubrey has been Earl of Ashby since she was a teenager, he was her brother’s best friend and fought with her brother in Waterloo, but now he has been back and even though her brother didn’t survive, Ashby did even though he has scars and hides himself like a recluse in his home, but what Isabel doesn’t realize is that Ashby has also been in love with her for years and suffers shame from the time in the war and can’t bring himself to face her. Isobel is a bluestocking and always out helping those less fortunate. But her current endeavor is to help those widows and families suffering from the effects of the war. And she is working on getting legislation passed through the House of Lords and she needs the influence that Ashby would have with his position has in society. At first, Ashby is determined to not help Isobel, but her sweet charming nature slowly warms his heart and makes him believe that they could have a future together. A deep passion will rise between them but the past and Ashbys self doubt could ruin the bond of trust and affection that they are building with each other and he will have to work his heart and body into winning his lady’s heart and prove his love to her…
What I Loved
Once A Rake was such a brilliant standalone that quickly won my heart and I absolutely adored the way that this story developed. This does have a beauty and beast retelling of sorts and I really loved how this book kept me on my toes. I honestly never knew where this story would turn and I am realizing how predictable my historical’s have been in recent years, because there was such a flair of drama that was so well balanced, we see true honest emotions come to light and inner demons that Ashby will have to battle. The growth of their relationship was magnificent and I really enjoyed the chemistry because yeah it was steamier than I would have expected from a historical published in 2007. I was really fascinated with the time period too, as we are dealing with the Napaleonic war. We see such character growth in our main leads here but most especially our hero. He goes on such a journey because we do see a few flashbacks of him before the war where he was so energetic, full of laughter, and had such a fresh view of the world. Then we see what the war did to him and what he was forced to do especially as it pertains to Isabel’s brother and my heart just broke for him and then to see him as a broken man who with the help of Isabel who has such solid faith in him, to rebuild his life and learn to go out into society despite his scars. Then we see the beautiful changes in him just like we see in Beast from the fairytale and it was so life-changing seeing this growth throughout the whole story. As for the romance, these two definitely have their struggles and most of it stems from Ashby’s lack of faith in himself and i do like that Isabel was so understanding about it all and was willing to be so open-minded about what he was dealing with, and accepting him as the man he is. I will say don’t pay attention to the blurb because it mentions that Isabel has a fiancee….I don’t know what book they are referring to but she has no fiancee. She has suitors and there is a man that wants her hand but she avoids him like the plague haha so there isn’t any cheating or anything because she isn’t in a relationship with someone else. I think if you are looking for something more a historical then I can’t recommend this one enough to you. You definitely can’t go wrong with a Rona Sharon and she delivers a power-packed romance!!
What I Struggled With
There wasn’t hardly anything I struggled with to be honest, I just loved everything about this one.
Overall View
I found Once A Rake to be unpredictable, leaves you on edge with emotion and satisfying feels, a romance that will take you to new depths and leave you with some surprises along the way, and will addict you from beginning to end! A TRUE HISTORICAL JEWEL THAT IS A MUST-READ!
This review may contain spoilers, so fair warning, upon reading the review.
Love is not love which alters when it alteration finds, or bends with the remover to remove,’” she recited softly. “‘Oh, no; it is an ever-fixed mark, that looks on tempests, and is never shaken.
First Impressions
Once a Rake was a high impulse read and I had no clue what I was missing out on until I read this one. I actually was pointed towards this story when a friend on Goodreads pointed it was only .99 cents on Amazon (and it might still be that price so I would check it out) and I started to read the sample and I was completely drawn into the story and I couldn’t put it down, so I immediately bought the book and started reading it and I was so captivated by this story. Instantly you are drawn into the story and there is such a sense of intensity to the story and there was this spark of life that is present throughout the whole story and I have to say it has been so LONG since a regency romance was such a win for me. So many regencies of late have been —-and I hate to say it this way but BORING and generic and nothing exciting but in this standalone, I was on the edge of my seat brimming with excitement and I realized THIS is what I have been missing in historicals and why I have become so burnt out and I definitely will be picking up more historicals released around this time frame because apparently that have the content that I am looking for.
Becoming friends and lovers at the same time is the best thing that can happen to a man and a woman.
Summary
Isabel Aubrey has been Earl of Ashby since she was a teenager, he was her brother’s best friend and fought with her brother in Waterloo, but now he has been back and even though her brother didn’t survive, Ashby did even though he has scars and hides himself like a recluse in his home, but what Isabel doesn’t realize is that Ashby has also been in love with her for years and suffers shame from the time in the war and can’t bring himself to face her. Isobel is a bluestocking and always out helping those less fortunate. But her current endeavor is to help those widows and families suffering from the effects of the war. And she is working on getting legislation passed through the House of Lords and she needs the influence that Ashby would have with his position has in society. At first, Ashby is determined to not help Isobel, but her sweet charming nature slowly warms his heart and makes him believe that they could have a future together. A deep passion will rise between them but the past and Ashbys self doubt could ruin the bond of trust and affection that they are building with each other and he will have to work his heart and body into winning his lady’s heart and prove his love to her…
Real men cried, quietly, privately, as Paris did, because his heart was crying.
What I Loved
Once A Rake was such a brilliant standalone that quickly won my heart and I absolutely adored the way that this story developed. This does have a beauty and beast retelling of sorts and I really loved how this book kept me on my toes. I honestly never knew where this story would turn and I am realizing how predictable my historical’s have been in recent years, because there was such a flair of drama that was so well balanced, we see true honest emotions come to light and inner demons that Ashby will have to battle. The growth of their relationship was magnificent and I really enjoyed the chemistry because yeah it was steamier than I would have expected from a historical published in 2007. I was really fascinated with the time period too, as we are dealing with the Napaleonic war. We see such character growth in our main leads here but most especially our hero. He goes on such a journey because we do see a few flashbacks of him before the war where he was so energetic, full of laughter, and had such a fresh view of the world. Then we see what the war did to him and what he was forced to do especially as it pertains to Isabel’s brother and my heart just broke for him and then to see him as a broken man who with the help of Isabel who has such solid faith in him, to rebuild his life and learn to go out into society despite his scars. Then we see the beautiful changes in him just like we see in Beast from the fairytale and it was so life-changing seeing this growth throughout the whole story. As for the romance, these two definitely have their struggles and most of it stems from Ashby’s lack of faith in himself and i do like that Isabel was so understanding about it all and was willing to be so open-minded about what he was dealing with, and accepting him as the man he is. I will say don’t pay attention to the blurb because it mentions that Isabel has a fiancee….I don’t know what book they are referring to but she has no fiancee. She has suitors and there is a man that wants her hand but she avoids him like the plague haha so there isn’t any cheating or anything because she isn’t in a relationship with someone else. I think if you are looking for something more a historical then I can’t recommend this one enough to you. You definitely can’t go wrong with a Rona Sharon and she delivers a power-packed romance!!
As their gazes locked in silence, something rare and extraordinary happened between them: She felt his soul, and he felt hers. Their spirits touched. It was a bond forged by their mutual love and grief for her brother, as though Will himself had swept by to unite them and then vanished.
What I Struggled With
There wasn’t hardly anything I struggled with to be honest, I just loved everything about this one.
Overall View
I found Once A Rake to be unpredictable, leaves you on edge with emotion and satisfying feels, a romance that will take you to new depths and leave you with some surprises along the way, and will addict you from beginning to end! A TRUE HISTORICAL JEWEL THAT IS A MUST-READ!
December 20, 2016
Ha estado bien. Entretenido, de las novelas de antes. Con giros, malentendidos y amores pasionales que vienen desde la infancia
Admito que ha empezado muy bien, pero luego la historia se me ha vuelto algo repetitiva. Con ciertasactitudes que no he entendido muy bien y otras que me han dejado ojiplática (más con la intención, creo, de continuar dándole vueltas al mismo tema que para que la historia avance)
En mi opinión hay escenas de hot gratuitas que poco aportan más que el disfrute del lector
Una mala muy tópica y un malo con el que la autora se ha pasado un pelo jajaja
En general, no está mal, ya que pese a su extensión engancha bastante, quizás con menos páginas se hubiera conseguido lo mismo
Seguramente las dos amigas también tienen su historia
Admito que ha empezado muy bien, pero luego la historia se me ha vuelto algo repetitiva. Con ciertasactitudes que no he entendido muy bien y otras que me han dejado ojiplática (más con la intención, creo, de continuar dándole vueltas al mismo tema que para que la historia avance)
En mi opinión hay escenas de hot gratuitas que poco aportan más que el disfrute del lector
Una mala muy tópica y un malo con el que la autora se ha pasado un pelo jajaja
En general, no está mal, ya que pese a su extensión engancha bastante, quizás con menos páginas se hubiera conseguido lo mismo
Seguramente las dos amigas también tienen su historia
June 28, 2020
Isabel ha perdido a su hermano en la guerra pero en realidad ella ha perdido mucho más... Ahora, quiere hacer algo por las viudas y familias de los soldados que murieron y quedan desamparados. Ella tiene la idea de una ley pero esta debe ser aprobada en el parlamento y obviamente allí no pueden entrar las mujeres. Buscando un hombre perfecto para que presente esta ley ella está convencida que el viejo amigo de su hermano, y su primer amor de niña, será el representante perfecto. Si solo Ashby no se hubiera recluido por miedo a cómo se ven sus cicatrices...
ME HE ENAMORADO. Lo juro por Dios que me ha encantado ❤️. Hacía tiempo que un libro no me gustaba tanto. Es verdad que el libro está lleno de tiras y aflojas sentimentales. Ashby es un recluso en su propia casa por miedo a asustar a la gente por culpa de lo que le dijo la perra de Olivia, pero creo que Isabel también es demasiado insistente con que saliera. Creo que las cosas pueden conseguirse de mejor manera si se va poco a poco no que sea de la noche para la mañana y más si es alguien que lleva dos años sin salir de casa 🙄. Esto es algo que me desesperaba de Isabel, necesitaba que todo fuese como ella quisiera y no se esforzaba por comprender o ayudar a Ashby en ese sentido. Ella no puede saber lo que es vivir asustado de tu apariencia porque ella no lo tenía que pasar. Obviamente la entiendo en la parte de que no quería ser el secreto de nadie pero ella también necesitaba tener paciencia y caminar con él.
En cuanto a Ashby, con sus defectos todos expuestos desde el principio sabes que o lo amas o no lo haces. Es un gruñón ermitaño pero es un idiota adorable. Es imposible que no te den ganas de abrazarlo y comerle a besos la cara. Creo que de la historia el fue quien más sacrificó e hizo por estar con Isabel, ella poco hizo más que esconderse de vez en cuando para ir a verlo. Así que Ashby, estoy aquí, por si quieres casarte conmigo 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣.
En fin, que es una historia maravillosa, preciosa, que hacía tiempo que no disfrutaba tanto de leer un libro y aunque es extenso y como ya dije tiene demasiados tira y afloja me ha encantado ❤️. Echo en falta que no haya libros de sus amigas Iris y Sophia, sobre todo de Iris por lo de Ryan, me gustaría saber si al final pasaba algo entre ellos... Una pena, pero por lo demás recomendadisimo!
ME HE ENAMORADO. Lo juro por Dios que me ha encantado ❤️. Hacía tiempo que un libro no me gustaba tanto. Es verdad que el libro está lleno de tiras y aflojas sentimentales. Ashby es un recluso en su propia casa por miedo a asustar a la gente por culpa de lo que le dijo la perra de Olivia, pero creo que Isabel también es demasiado insistente con que saliera. Creo que las cosas pueden conseguirse de mejor manera si se va poco a poco no que sea de la noche para la mañana y más si es alguien que lleva dos años sin salir de casa 🙄. Esto es algo que me desesperaba de Isabel, necesitaba que todo fuese como ella quisiera y no se esforzaba por comprender o ayudar a Ashby en ese sentido. Ella no puede saber lo que es vivir asustado de tu apariencia porque ella no lo tenía que pasar. Obviamente la entiendo en la parte de que no quería ser el secreto de nadie pero ella también necesitaba tener paciencia y caminar con él.
En cuanto a Ashby, con sus defectos todos expuestos desde el principio sabes que o lo amas o no lo haces. Es un gruñón ermitaño pero es un idiota adorable. Es imposible que no te den ganas de abrazarlo y comerle a besos la cara. Creo que de la historia el fue quien más sacrificó e hizo por estar con Isabel, ella poco hizo más que esconderse de vez en cuando para ir a verlo. Así que Ashby, estoy aquí, por si quieres casarte conmigo 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣.
En fin, que es una historia maravillosa, preciosa, que hacía tiempo que no disfrutaba tanto de leer un libro y aunque es extenso y como ya dije tiene demasiados tira y afloja me ha encantado ❤️. Echo en falta que no haya libros de sus amigas Iris y Sophia, sobre todo de Iris por lo de Ryan, me gustaría saber si al final pasaba algo entre ellos... Una pena, pero por lo demás recomendadisimo!
December 19, 2014
Once a rake is the story of a war hero, who has returned home scarred from war, living as a recluse for over two years. The heroine is the sister of his dearest friend who died in the war and has been in love with him for years. She decides to use her charity work as a reason to bring him out of his cage and get in touch with him anew. The plan seems to work; at least halfway. She does get in touch with him, and he even seems to be attracted to her, but he refuses to go out in society. During two thirds of the book, he keeps wearing a mask, so that she does not see his scars and run away in fear, as his former fiance did. His plan is to get her in bed first and remove the mask later, so that she'll be too "tied" to him to leave him. How 'heroic' is that line of thinking I wonder? There is also another suitor who is after her hand, or should I say her dowry. This man is known as the "Blond Angel", a man who makes women swoon on the ballrooms, but is also the brother of the hero's former fiance. Who, unsurprisingly, wants to win him back, even though she's married to another.
Once a Rake has good premises. A scarred, recluse man who used to be the beau of the ton is forced to leave his shell because of a young, persistent, clever girl. I love scarred heroes and initially this one showed much promise, as did the heroine. That was until the first half of the book ended. Which, IMHO, is where the book should have ended as well. After that, the heroine became an unrelenting dynast, confused in her own games. Torn between two friends, each of whom has a completely different view on marriage -one bad, one good- she follows their conflicting advice in turns, unable to form a mind on her own and completely confusing the poor hero, who from a war hero and proud man turns into a meek sheep, willing to crawl all his way to her feet, if that means he'll gain her "unconditional" love. I have to say, there were passages that were very good in the book. However, almost everytime I became engrossed in the story, I was abruptly awakened by a stupid act or phrase, usually from the heroine. In fact, this book was so full of "small treasures" that I couldn't help but write them here for everyone to see:
*********Spoilers***********
Without comments: "I want to <...> pleasure you so thoroughly that you would sing an entire operetta by the time I'm through."
A new definition on "unconditional" love: Perhaps she did want him, but she'd mapped out a Via Dolorosa for him to undertake before she pronounced him worthy of her unconditional, uninhibited, unaltered love, and he wasn't certain he would prevail.
Heroine's friend to heroine:"You foolish, impetuous girl! You turned down the man you adore to marry a peacock you don't care a straw about?"
<<....>>
"Must everything happen according to your timetable? Must everything be now or never?" Well, her friend said it all. I rest my case.
"I begged her to marry me, to spend her life with me, and she accused me of being a despicable monster, who doesn't care a whit about her and wanted to put her in a cage." I can't help but wonder why he still keeps crawling after her...
Another definition on unconditional, uninhibited love... Heroine speaking:-"I believe you. I shouldn't have doubted you- but it's your fault! If you were forthright with me..."
-"Even so, you were quick to assume the worst about me, knowing me as well as you do." Once again, how it's his fault she assumed the worst about the man she loves is beyond me...
A new definition on faith: "Your faith in my competence is heartwarming, Isabel."
"I have every faith in you, but what can you do? There is nothing to be done."
Her thoughts after her TSTL moment, where she made a bad situation a real mess and after he told her to trust him to handle the problem.
Hero: "Do you realize what you've done?"
There he went, assuming the role of a big brother again.
Hero: "You are an impetuous, reckless, irresponsible brat, who's been permitted to run wild all her life and has not learned to check her impulses." My thoughts exactly!
****************
What is sad, is that the book was not badly written as a whole and the characterisation was good and interesting. I think a good editor could have remove at least 100-150 pages and corrected some of those silly phrases and actions I mentioned above. It just needed a little tighter supervision and this could even be a 4 stars book. It's really sad that the second part was so different compared to the first; Like the first wasa edited while the second was not. It was not a bad book and had I been in a less critical mood, I'd probably rate it with 3 stars. But the heroine's actions in the end, and the fact that it took me 7 days to finish this, sealed its fate for me:)
Once a Rake has good premises. A scarred, recluse man who used to be the beau of the ton is forced to leave his shell because of a young, persistent, clever girl. I love scarred heroes and initially this one showed much promise, as did the heroine. That was until the first half of the book ended. Which, IMHO, is where the book should have ended as well. After that, the heroine became an unrelenting dynast, confused in her own games. Torn between two friends, each of whom has a completely different view on marriage -one bad, one good- she follows their conflicting advice in turns, unable to form a mind on her own and completely confusing the poor hero, who from a war hero and proud man turns into a meek sheep, willing to crawl all his way to her feet, if that means he'll gain her "unconditional" love. I have to say, there were passages that were very good in the book. However, almost everytime I became engrossed in the story, I was abruptly awakened by a stupid act or phrase, usually from the heroine. In fact, this book was so full of "small treasures" that I couldn't help but write them here for everyone to see:
*********Spoilers***********
Without comments: "I want to <...> pleasure you so thoroughly that you would sing an entire operetta by the time I'm through."
A new definition on "unconditional" love: Perhaps she did want him, but she'd mapped out a Via Dolorosa for him to undertake before she pronounced him worthy of her unconditional, uninhibited, unaltered love, and he wasn't certain he would prevail.
Heroine's friend to heroine:"You foolish, impetuous girl! You turned down the man you adore to marry a peacock you don't care a straw about?"
<<....>>
"Must everything happen according to your timetable? Must everything be now or never?" Well, her friend said it all. I rest my case.
"I begged her to marry me, to spend her life with me, and she accused me of being a despicable monster, who doesn't care a whit about her and wanted to put her in a cage." I can't help but wonder why he still keeps crawling after her...
Another definition on unconditional, uninhibited love... Heroine speaking:-"I believe you. I shouldn't have doubted you- but it's your fault! If you were forthright with me..."
-"Even so, you were quick to assume the worst about me, knowing me as well as you do." Once again, how it's his fault she assumed the worst about the man she loves is beyond me...
A new definition on faith: "Your faith in my competence is heartwarming, Isabel."
"I have every faith in you, but what can you do? There is nothing to be done."
Her thoughts after her TSTL moment, where she made a bad situation a real mess and after he told her to trust him to handle the problem.
Hero: "Do you realize what you've done?"
There he went, assuming the role of a big brother again.
Hero: "You are an impetuous, reckless, irresponsible brat, who's been permitted to run wild all her life and has not learned to check her impulses." My thoughts exactly!
****************
What is sad, is that the book was not badly written as a whole and the characterisation was good and interesting. I think a good editor could have remove at least 100-150 pages and corrected some of those silly phrases and actions I mentioned above. It just needed a little tighter supervision and this could even be a 4 stars book. It's really sad that the second part was so different compared to the first; Like the first wasa edited while the second was not. It was not a bad book and had I been in a less critical mood, I'd probably rate it with 3 stars. But the heroine's actions in the end, and the fact that it took me 7 days to finish this, sealed its fate for me:)
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 26, 2008
I loved this heart-warming book and was thrilled to discover a new author. Once a Rake was a breath of fresh air for me -a very nice change after the stacks of contemporary romances that I have been reading lately.
Isabel and Ashby were wonderful characters with strong personalities. Their developing relationship was very sweet and (eventually) very sexy. I personally thought that the flashbacks to their younger years were well-written. The villan was horrible and the various subplots were interesting. I was slightly disappointed that one of the subplots involving Ryan did not develop further. Hopefully there will be a sequel!
Isabel and Ashby were wonderful characters with strong personalities. Their developing relationship was very sweet and (eventually) very sexy. I personally thought that the flashbacks to their younger years were well-written. The villan was horrible and the various subplots were interesting. I was slightly disappointed that one of the subplots involving Ryan did not develop further. Hopefully there will be a sequel!
May 5, 2021
3.5 estrellas.
Siento que la autora buscaba llenar la historia con todos los elementos típicos para cubrir todo, y el resultado es una sobrecarga de elementos, villanos planos, huecos en la argumenración, etc.
Peeeeeero.... me ha gustado, sobre todo el personaje masculino que es muy complejo y profundo. No como el cliché de dios griego súper poderoso, aquí Ashby sufre las consecuencias de la guerra y se hace un ermitaño pero que al mismo tiempo no quiere estar solo. Lo ves sufrir y sentirse feo, tener miedo y ansiar la vida a lado de la protagónica aún pensando que debe dejarla ir para que sea feliz.
Solamente por este personaje ya me siento satisfecha y contenta con el libro.
Siento que la autora buscaba llenar la historia con todos los elementos típicos para cubrir todo, y el resultado es una sobrecarga de elementos, villanos planos, huecos en la argumenración, etc.
Peeeeeero.... me ha gustado, sobre todo el personaje masculino que es muy complejo y profundo. No como el cliché de dios griego súper poderoso, aquí Ashby sufre las consecuencias de la guerra y se hace un ermitaño pero que al mismo tiempo no quiere estar solo. Lo ves sufrir y sentirse feo, tener miedo y ansiar la vida a lado de la protagónica aún pensando que debe dejarla ir para que sea feliz.
Solamente por este personaje ya me siento satisfecha y contenta con el libro.
May 12, 2014
A very long book (almost 450 pages), but a very good book -- I couldn't put it down!
In this heartwarming story, the strong, troubled, lonely and handsome Paris, Earl of Ashby leaves England to fight Napoleon with his best friend Will and returns with physical as well as emotional scars, which include not returning with his best friend Will. He returns with what he left behind, which is an even stronger love for Will's little sister Isabel. -- From amazon.com
This is a wicked and sensual story as Paris and Izzy wind down the path of true love.
In this heartwarming story, the strong, troubled, lonely and handsome Paris, Earl of Ashby leaves England to fight Napoleon with his best friend Will and returns with physical as well as emotional scars, which include not returning with his best friend Will. He returns with what he left behind, which is an even stronger love for Will's little sister Isabel. -- From amazon.com
This is a wicked and sensual story as Paris and Izzy wind down the path of true love.
November 2, 2012
Could hardly put it down. Well worth the read.
May 29, 2022
This book is very draining. It was one thing after another. Too many secrets, lies and deceits. Too drawn out.
August 8, 2017
Buen comienzo, a fuego lento, lastima que mas tarde empiece a decaer, demasiadas repeticiones y vueltas sobre lo mismo. La protagonista pasa de ser decidida y encantadora a ser una pesada insufrible. Le sobran un monton de paginas.
April 2, 2011
Once, the dashing major and Earl of Ashby was the most notorious rake of London, women swoon when they saw him, but that all changed when a canon-shell exploded in his face during the war with Napoleon. Devastated and feeling guilty over the death of his best friend Will, he retreats to his London townhouse, shuns society and lives as a recluse. Until she shows up at his doorstep, asking him to support her charity. The little girl, Isabel Aubrey, he once knew as Will’s little sister has full-grown in a beautiful and breathtaking woman. He still remembers the innocent kiss she stole from him as a girl, at that time Isabel was too young, however, the beautiful woman in front of him isn’t and she makes him feel alive again and slowly wakes up the rake in him. Now he is in pursuit of the one thing he wants most – her, he would do anything for her but he cannot give the one thing she asks for...
As a little girl, Isabel Aubrey used to have a big crush on Ashby, her brother’s best friend. Now she spends her time with pinching donations for her charity and is trying very hard to avoid the marital state her family wants for her. After seeing Ashby again she knows why, she still has it bad for him. He still is the dashing man she once knew even though he did not show her his face and is emotionally tormented by the war. She decides that she is going to save him from his solitary life and chase away the demons from the war. Soon the attraction between them crackles in the air and now she realises there will never be another man for her, if only he would feel the same about her, but he still refuses to show her his face and give her his trust...
Once A Rake is the second novel of Rona Sharon and it has a total different vibe to it then her first novel My Wicked Pirate, however the impact of this story is the same. From the moment your eyes make contact with the pages you will not be able to close the book and want to finish it in one-sitting, all 448 pages will keep you spellbound!
The setting for this story is London in the Regency period and though Rona Sharon paints a fantastic and very vivid picture of London in that period of time, do not expect a typical regency story. Forget the light-hearted courting of rogues, posh balls and ladies who only want to attract a husband and get ready for a Regency noir, a powerful and emotional gripping love story that focus solely on the relationship between two people and the obstacles, the misunderstandings and the past they have to overcome. This novel is all about trust, love and friendship.
The main characters of this story are Ashby and Isabel. Ashby is this tormented war hero who cannot forgive himself for the horrible things he had to do during the war and he loathes himself because of his face, he does not really live his life, he solely exists. Isabel is full of life, passionate and fights for her beliefs and the people she loves. Their attraction for one another changes from a smouldering fire into a blazing passion, you can actually feel the heat coming from the pages!
Isabel to Ashby and vice versa:
“What are you doing here? I thought you were a recluse, who never left his home.”
“Ashby Park is my home.” And it will be yours too, if you ‘ll have me.
She wouldn’t look at him. “What a coincidence that you should be visiting your country estate while I am happen to be spending the week on the neighbouring property.”
“There is no coincidence about my visit. I followed you, Isabel.”
The many secondary characters only add to the story. Ashby’s servants will make you laugh because they always try to carp Ashby and of course fail to do so, Lord John who tries to court Isabel is as slippery as an eel and will give you goose bumps, while Isabel’s friends Sophie and Iris will warm your heart with their loyalty and friendship. As for Isabel’s family, you can feel the love radiating from all of them. All these characters come to live due to the talented writing skill of Rona Sharon.
Once A Rake is an emotional gripping story that will pull at all your heartstrings. It is refreshing, delightfully different, fast-paced and has plenty of witty banter to keep you captivated till the last page. Rona Sharon has written another page turner and has effortlessly found her way to my keeper shelves!
As a little girl, Isabel Aubrey used to have a big crush on Ashby, her brother’s best friend. Now she spends her time with pinching donations for her charity and is trying very hard to avoid the marital state her family wants for her. After seeing Ashby again she knows why, she still has it bad for him. He still is the dashing man she once knew even though he did not show her his face and is emotionally tormented by the war. She decides that she is going to save him from his solitary life and chase away the demons from the war. Soon the attraction between them crackles in the air and now she realises there will never be another man for her, if only he would feel the same about her, but he still refuses to show her his face and give her his trust...
Once A Rake is the second novel of Rona Sharon and it has a total different vibe to it then her first novel My Wicked Pirate, however the impact of this story is the same. From the moment your eyes make contact with the pages you will not be able to close the book and want to finish it in one-sitting, all 448 pages will keep you spellbound!
The setting for this story is London in the Regency period and though Rona Sharon paints a fantastic and very vivid picture of London in that period of time, do not expect a typical regency story. Forget the light-hearted courting of rogues, posh balls and ladies who only want to attract a husband and get ready for a Regency noir, a powerful and emotional gripping love story that focus solely on the relationship between two people and the obstacles, the misunderstandings and the past they have to overcome. This novel is all about trust, love and friendship.
The main characters of this story are Ashby and Isabel. Ashby is this tormented war hero who cannot forgive himself for the horrible things he had to do during the war and he loathes himself because of his face, he does not really live his life, he solely exists. Isabel is full of life, passionate and fights for her beliefs and the people she loves. Their attraction for one another changes from a smouldering fire into a blazing passion, you can actually feel the heat coming from the pages!
Isabel to Ashby and vice versa:
“What are you doing here? I thought you were a recluse, who never left his home.”
“Ashby Park is my home.” And it will be yours too, if you ‘ll have me.
She wouldn’t look at him. “What a coincidence that you should be visiting your country estate while I am happen to be spending the week on the neighbouring property.”
“There is no coincidence about my visit. I followed you, Isabel.”
The many secondary characters only add to the story. Ashby’s servants will make you laugh because they always try to carp Ashby and of course fail to do so, Lord John who tries to court Isabel is as slippery as an eel and will give you goose bumps, while Isabel’s friends Sophie and Iris will warm your heart with their loyalty and friendship. As for Isabel’s family, you can feel the love radiating from all of them. All these characters come to live due to the talented writing skill of Rona Sharon.
Once A Rake is an emotional gripping story that will pull at all your heartstrings. It is refreshing, delightfully different, fast-paced and has plenty of witty banter to keep you captivated till the last page. Rona Sharon has written another page turner and has effortlessly found her way to my keeper shelves!
January 1, 2024
Could not put down!!!
I very much enjoyed this story. The story had comedy, crying, happiness, mystery, sadness, friendship, charity, war, love, family, and more. This is a reread for me. Izzy was a very likable character. She maybe one of my favorite characters. Will, of to next read. Thanks Rona Sharon. 💖
I very much enjoyed this story. The story had comedy, crying, happiness, mystery, sadness, friendship, charity, war, love, family, and more. This is a reread for me. Izzy was a very likable character. She maybe one of my favorite characters. Will, of to next read. Thanks Rona Sharon. 💖
June 26, 2015
Mi primer amor.
Así es como clasifico a Lord Ashby. Con esta historia es imposible que debes de creer en el amor ( y en las autoras buenas que saben escribir histórica, no como las mierdas actuales). Yo amé a Lord Ashby de inicio a fin.
El hombre es caballeroso, pero tosco, lindo pero marcado por la guerra y curtido por un secreto que no le deja tranquilo pues tiene todo que ver con la mujer que ama y desea con cada célula de su cuerpo. Un secreto que no solo lo tortura, sino que también hace que ante sus propios ojos solo se vea como un monstruo ( El secreto y las cicatrices de guerra), por lo que por cada esfuerzo de Isabell para acercarce a él, Ashby era más rápido, más escurridizo y jodidamente caliente.
Rona tiene una maldita habilidad para hacer que los lectores babeen por sus héroes. Ashby y Eros, el pirata, son los bombones más deliciosos de la caja de Rona. Tiene muchos diálogos divertidos y lo equilibra muy bien con el drama central de la historia.
Es de las buenas históricas, con personajes femeninos que son buenas para la época, pero que a la vez, son fuertes y decididas.
Y como yo sufro de estocolmo con Ashby, solo diré cosas buenas de él, porque, es mi primer amor histórico. Así que quizás ustedes lo ven como una típica y común historia, pero para mi, es una perfecta historia.
Esta es una de las pocas que tengo en mi categoría de ¡INOLVIDABLE!
Así es como clasifico a Lord Ashby. Con esta historia es imposible que debes de creer en el amor ( y en las autoras buenas que saben escribir histórica, no como las mierdas actuales). Yo amé a Lord Ashby de inicio a fin.
El hombre es caballeroso, pero tosco, lindo pero marcado por la guerra y curtido por un secreto que no le deja tranquilo pues tiene todo que ver con la mujer que ama y desea con cada célula de su cuerpo. Un secreto que no solo lo tortura, sino que también hace que ante sus propios ojos solo se vea como un monstruo ( El secreto y las cicatrices de guerra), por lo que por cada esfuerzo de Isabell para acercarce a él, Ashby era más rápido, más escurridizo y jodidamente caliente.
Rona tiene una maldita habilidad para hacer que los lectores babeen por sus héroes. Ashby y Eros, el pirata, son los bombones más deliciosos de la caja de Rona. Tiene muchos diálogos divertidos y lo equilibra muy bien con el drama central de la historia.
Es de las buenas históricas, con personajes femeninos que son buenas para la época, pero que a la vez, son fuertes y decididas.
Y como yo sufro de estocolmo con Ashby, solo diré cosas buenas de él, porque, es mi primer amor histórico. Así que quizás ustedes lo ven como una típica y común historia, pero para mi, es una perfecta historia.
Esta es una de las pocas que tengo en mi categoría de ¡INOLVIDABLE!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 11, 2016
Um romance apaixonante com os ingredientes que me apaixonam: um homem que anteriormente foi um celebre libertino, conde Ashby e ao voltar da guerra mutilado, se esconde do mundo. As cicatrizes não estão somente no corpo, estão arraigadas na alma dele. É que se pode dizer um homem enigmático, forte, apaixonado, terno e débil que nos envolve e comove. E ela, não fica atrás, Isabel é uma mulher carismática que sempre foi apaixonada por ele. Ela é que conseguirá que ele saia da concha na qual se envolveu. É ela que sonhou desde menina com este homem...e lutará para conseguir este amor há tanto tempo desejado.
Diálogos perfeitos. Personagens idem. São páginas de profundas emoções: risos, choros, etc. Perfeito! e a autora encerra este com o belíssimo poema de Elizabeth Barret Browing:
Se hás de me amar,
que seja só pelo amor de meu amor.
Não digas nunca: a amo por seu aspecto, seu sorriso,
sua voz gentil ou um traço de seu carácter que me apraz,
que fez nos sentíssemos felizes aquele dia...
Porque todas essas coisas podem mudar,
E sabes, amor meu? Até o amor morre...
Não me queiras tampouco pelas lágrimas
que compassivo enxugas em meu rosto...
Pois posso esquecer-me de chorar graças a ti,
E assim perder teu amor em consequência!
Pelo amor de meu amor quero que me ames,
para que o amor dure eternamente.
Diálogos perfeitos. Personagens idem. São páginas de profundas emoções: risos, choros, etc. Perfeito! e a autora encerra este com o belíssimo poema de Elizabeth Barret Browing:
Se hás de me amar,
que seja só pelo amor de meu amor.
Não digas nunca: a amo por seu aspecto, seu sorriso,
sua voz gentil ou um traço de seu carácter que me apraz,
que fez nos sentíssemos felizes aquele dia...
Porque todas essas coisas podem mudar,
E sabes, amor meu? Até o amor morre...
Não me queiras tampouco pelas lágrimas
que compassivo enxugas em meu rosto...
Pois posso esquecer-me de chorar graças a ti,
E assim perder teu amor em consequência!
Pelo amor de meu amor quero que me ames,
para que o amor dure eternamente.
December 5, 2010
I've been skipping reviewing the trashy romances I read, but that's snobby, plus since I've not read anything else in a month due to reader's block, this accounts for my time. Do note that my star rating is necessarily on a different scale.
Elitist caveats aside, "Once a Rake" had some decent character development and snappy banter, and despite a predictable plot and stereotyped characters (the golden innocent beauty, the scarred brooding hero), the story paces along, until about halfway through. The book could have been maybe 150+ pages shorter - the series of Bollywood-esque misunderstandings and convolutions that take place in the second half are wholly unnecessary, and don't jive with the rest of it.
Still, I'm giving it four stars, not just because it was set in 1800's London (fun to read about a city where you've lived) and the lush detailed description of the couture of that time, but because there is some awesome sex in it, and not just torn lace shifts and glimpses of heaving bosoms, but explicit foreplay and kissing, lots of straight up nudity, tender teasing oral (heavy on the cunning linguistics, sweet), and of course, crash bang simultaneous intercoursal orgasms.
Elitist caveats aside, "Once a Rake" had some decent character development and snappy banter, and despite a predictable plot and stereotyped characters (the golden innocent beauty, the scarred brooding hero), the story paces along, until about halfway through. The book could have been maybe 150+ pages shorter - the series of Bollywood-esque misunderstandings and convolutions that take place in the second half are wholly unnecessary, and don't jive with the rest of it.
Still, I'm giving it four stars, not just because it was set in 1800's London (fun to read about a city where you've lived) and the lush detailed description of the couture of that time, but because there is some awesome sex in it, and not just torn lace shifts and glimpses of heaving bosoms, but explicit foreplay and kissing, lots of straight up nudity, tender teasing oral (heavy on the cunning linguistics, sweet), and of course, crash bang simultaneous intercoursal orgasms.
February 14, 2008
I wanted to really like this book so much! I loved the storyline. The is scarred from fighting in the Napolean War and recovering from survivors guilt and has been in love with the heroine almost all of his life.
Well, first and formost I really liked the hero. He had alot of redeeming qualities about him. He WORKED hard to convince the heroine to love and accept him. Yes, he had flaws, but he would work his way through them and come out better for it.
On the other hand I did not care for the heroine much. At first, she was strong and noble. Her stubborness and love for him helps him come out of his reclusive state. But as the story progressed she became childish, and did nothing but send mixed signals to the hero. There were MANY times I wanted to throw the book across the room because of her immaturity...I thought in the end the hero deserved so much better.
Because of my fondness of the hero, I give this 3 stars. Hell, I would even let him join our harem...I know he would too, just to get away from her nagging ass...lol.
Well, first and formost I really liked the hero. He had alot of redeeming qualities about him. He WORKED hard to convince the heroine to love and accept him. Yes, he had flaws, but he would work his way through them and come out better for it.
On the other hand I did not care for the heroine much. At first, she was strong and noble. Her stubborness and love for him helps him come out of his reclusive state. But as the story progressed she became childish, and did nothing but send mixed signals to the hero. There were MANY times I wanted to throw the book across the room because of her immaturity...I thought in the end the hero deserved so much better.
Because of my fondness of the hero, I give this 3 stars. Hell, I would even let him join our harem...I know he would too, just to get away from her nagging ass...lol.
January 6, 2014
I read this book some time ago before I was on Goodreads and only just came across it again, so I thought I would mark it up. Normally I wouldn't probably particularly remember a book so far down the track (I think I read it three or four years ago), except with this one I HATED the heroine. The book was actually pretty good to a certain stage, then the heroine did something which *pissed me off* so badly I ditched the book on the spot, no second chances given. That particular behaviour by the heroine was such a big no no in romance I have remembered this author particularly to note I will never read another one of her books if that's how she treats her readers. There you go. Normally I give DNFs no stars but put reasons why I DNFd it, but in this case it warrants a one star ... bad naughty author to do that in her book.
July 11, 2015
I tried to finish this book. I did it, but it was hard. Normally I whip through a book in a couple hours. But this one... oh geez. It was promising. It seemed like a sweet & cute story. But where do I start? *SPOILERS*
The heroes disfigurement turned out to be some scratches. Way to blow things out of proportion. "Gargoyle"? Really?
The amount of misunderstandings and I love you/I hate you/I love you again was unnecessary and I just really got to the point where I didn't care.
The plot with best friend? Necessary. The plot with the broke beau to blackmail her? Unnecessary. If I was Paris, I'd have thrown my hands in the air and said "forget it, this is ridiculous". Most novels of this type follow a pretty predictable pattern, but it was like the story was done early and so the author threw in all these extra issues to make the word count.
Noooooo thanks.
The heroes disfigurement turned out to be some scratches. Way to blow things out of proportion. "Gargoyle"? Really?
The amount of misunderstandings and I love you/I hate you/I love you again was unnecessary and I just really got to the point where I didn't care.
The plot with best friend? Necessary. The plot with the broke beau to blackmail her? Unnecessary. If I was Paris, I'd have thrown my hands in the air and said "forget it, this is ridiculous". Most novels of this type follow a pretty predictable pattern, but it was like the story was done early and so the author threw in all these extra issues to make the word count.
Noooooo thanks.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 15, 2011
This book turned out much better than I expected. I almost didn't read it because of some of the bad reviews. Rona Sharon did an excellent job with this story. I don't believe there is any way she could have shortened it and still made it believable. All the problems don't just go away once the hero and heroine figure out they are in love! She had to take us through the process of someone changing so the reader would feel satisfied in the end that the love would last forever. The only thing I didn't like about the story is the talking to Ashby's genitals as if it is a person. Some people might be into that but I just found it immature and annoying, and a distraction to the scenes in which it occurred.
June 4, 2022
This wasn't bad, but it just felt circuitous. Like Beauty and the Beast with a dash of suffragette Evie Dunmore plotlines. The arguments the two leads kept having were textbook wash, rinse, repeat. Also, Izzy was super dramatic and occasionally did things solely to hurt Paris, and messing with your partner's emotions is a no-no for me. Paris needed gentle love and coaxing, but she kept losing her patience with him. I loved the inclusion of Will and Paris' final encounter, because it added a grit and a specter over the story that I thought was beautifully done. Just wish I could get past Izzy.
February 3, 2014
No me encantó, ese final fue taaan arggg
Y no me gustó como manejaban a los personajes secundarios, casi siempre me quedo prendada de las historias secundarias, si están bien manejadas, y de la historia de su amiga desdichada, me hubiera gustado saber más. Siento que lo puso solo como de relleno por que nunca terminó de decirnos nada sobre ellos...
Bahhh espero que el año continúe mejor con las lecturas! :/
Y no me gustó como manejaban a los personajes secundarios, casi siempre me quedo prendada de las historias secundarias, si están bien manejadas, y de la historia de su amiga desdichada, me hubiera gustado saber más. Siento que lo puso solo como de relleno por que nunca terminó de decirnos nada sobre ellos...
Bahhh espero que el año continúe mejor con las lecturas! :/
February 27, 2016
Gostei da trama, dos diálogos e de como a autora conseguiu levá-los aos altos e baixos, por conta dos ciúmes, dos desentendimentos, das palavras ditas em momentos inapropriados, sem deixar que os vai-e-vem deles caísse na monotonia. Gostei da autenticidades e dos personagens secundários, tais como o mordomo dele e as adoráveis gêmeas, irmã dela. Hilária a primeira vez que ela se apresenta na casa dele. Morri de rir. Gostei muito por ter me proporcionado bons momento, sem me enfastiar.
March 5, 2008
I like it when the characters are in love and together earlier in a romance and the conflicts are external. I'll usually also accept a romance if it's set in this time period much more readily than I will a modern setting romance novel. Sort of 'Phantom of the Opera' meets 'Little Women'. Sort of.
May 4, 2008
Book 2. Pretty good but not as good as My Wicked Pirate.
December 3, 2014
This poor author keeps getting saddled with cheesetastic covers. It's a shame, because this book is wonderful and Rona Sharon should be a lot more popular than she is.
March 19, 2017
2.5 stars
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