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The Duke Trilogy #3
The Duke's Indiscretion
The notorious lady's secret may be safe with the charming, seductive rogue...but her heart is in serious danger.
Lady Charlotte Hughes lives a double life. By day, she is the plain, demure sister of a domineering brother who wants her married and out of the way. By night, she is Lottie English, an intoxicating, glamorous woman of mystery—a famed opera singer who drives men wild with wanting her. But the only man Charlotte wants is Colin Ramsey, Duke of Newark, though the dashing nobleman would certainly never risk his reputation on a woman like her. Imagine her shock, then, when the duke reveals himself as a smitten fan...and, while attempting to seduce her, inadvertently discovers her true identity.
Charlotte will submit to the handsome duke's every wish, but only as his wife—a proposal Colin eagerly accepts. But his secret duty to the Crown—to expose Charlotte's nemesis—threatens the fiery, very real passion that consumes them. And when Charlotte herself is suddenly imperiled, Colin must choose where his loyalties lie—and risk everything for the remarkable lady who has so thoroughly captured his heart.
Lady Charlotte Hughes lives a double life. By day, she is the plain, demure sister of a domineering brother who wants her married and out of the way. By night, she is Lottie English, an intoxicating, glamorous woman of mystery—a famed opera singer who drives men wild with wanting her. But the only man Charlotte wants is Colin Ramsey, Duke of Newark, though the dashing nobleman would certainly never risk his reputation on a woman like her. Imagine her shock, then, when the duke reveals himself as a smitten fan...and, while attempting to seduce her, inadvertently discovers her true identity.
Charlotte will submit to the handsome duke's every wish, but only as his wife—a proposal Colin eagerly accepts. But his secret duty to the Crown—to expose Charlotte's nemesis—threatens the fiery, very real passion that consumes them. And when Charlotte herself is suddenly imperiled, Colin must choose where his loyalties lie—and risk everything for the remarkable lady who has so thoroughly captured his heart.
372 pages, Paperback
First published April 24, 2007
25 people are currently reading
556 people want to read
About the author
Adele Ashworth
11 books240 followersAdele Budnick was born in 1963. She has always felt she's led a rather dull life on her road to becoming a romance author. Unfortunately, she's also often been wrong.
From the first time she stepped onstage to sing Petula Clark's "Downtown" for a crowd (at the age of three in a Juarez, Mexico, hotel restaurant, dancing on the table at the urging of the Spanish-speaking waitresses), she knew she was destined to be a singer. Her first miscalculation.
At the age of six, as she watched one of the Apollo rockets take off on live Saturday-morning television, interrupting the most important TV shows of the decade—The Monkeys and Scooby-Doo—she decided she would become a diplomat. Much to her mother's chagrin, Adele was caught in a heated discussion with a telephone operator who insisted it simply wasn't possible to put a six-year-old child through to President Nixon at the White House just to make a complaint about important programming interruption. Diplomacy clearly wasn't for her.
In elementary school, Adele, being a voracious reader, decided she would be a defense attorney just like Nancy Drew's father. (One knew at any age that one couldn't make a living simply by being a mystery solver like Nancy, but solving crimes as an attorney seemed practical.) After three years of knowing she was destined for Harvard Law School, Adele finished every published Nancy Drew novel (53 of them at the time) and moved on to reading romance. Thus ended her dreams of solving crimes. The idea of law school seemed far less enjoyable after immersing herself in Victoria Holt at the age of twelve.
The Song Bird Years
Adele continued to pursue her singing into her teen years, deciding she was either going to be an editorial reader for a publishing company (because all she loved to do was read) or a Singing Superstar. She figured becoming a Superstar was probably an easier goal to achieve, and so, between reading romances (and in the late 70s there were very few to read), she practiced her art, training her developing coloratura soprano voice with private lessons from one of the best operatic instructors in the city of Albuquerque. Through numerous All-State Choir rehearsals, Jr. and High School choir practice, and various musical productions, she knew she was destined for stardom.
And then at the age of fifteen, her private vocal instructor told her the cold, hard facts: To really make it as a Broadway Singing Superstar, one not only has to read music well, but be able to act and dance and live on pennies. Adele does not dance (unless you count nightclubs in college and that time in Mexico when she was three…) and the "living on pennies" bit seemed highly questionable. Since her acting and music reading talents were also suspect, she decided Broadway might not be for her. Reality sure can be a shocker.
On the Career Path
In college as a journalism major (only because she had to major in something that might get her a paying job), she continued to pursue private vocal instruction with the University of Utah's finest, while performing in various musicals and college recitals. Having directed her through the lead in Cinderella, her drama teacher urged her to try out for local beauty—ahem—scholarship pageants. That was it. Adele was destined to be a singing, reading, reporting, Miss America.
Unfortunately, reality struck again. Not only was Adele a bit lacking in genius (to put it bluntly), being five feet and two inches tall, and possessing quite possibly the shortest legs in the history of womanhood left Adele doing well in talent portions of the contests, but lacking other…necessary attributes. Aside from being crowned Miss Sandy City and Miss Salt Lake County, the pageant thing never went anywhere. Alas, the Singing Beauty Queen future was out.
But Adele worked very hard at her favorite pastime and, by her senior year in college, she'd read just about every Kathleen E. Woodiwiss, Victoria Holt, Shirley Busbee, Laurie McBain,
From the first time she stepped onstage to sing Petula Clark's "Downtown" for a crowd (at the age of three in a Juarez, Mexico, hotel restaurant, dancing on the table at the urging of the Spanish-speaking waitresses), she knew she was destined to be a singer. Her first miscalculation.
At the age of six, as she watched one of the Apollo rockets take off on live Saturday-morning television, interrupting the most important TV shows of the decade—The Monkeys and Scooby-Doo—she decided she would become a diplomat. Much to her mother's chagrin, Adele was caught in a heated discussion with a telephone operator who insisted it simply wasn't possible to put a six-year-old child through to President Nixon at the White House just to make a complaint about important programming interruption. Diplomacy clearly wasn't for her.
In elementary school, Adele, being a voracious reader, decided she would be a defense attorney just like Nancy Drew's father. (One knew at any age that one couldn't make a living simply by being a mystery solver like Nancy, but solving crimes as an attorney seemed practical.) After three years of knowing she was destined for Harvard Law School, Adele finished every published Nancy Drew novel (53 of them at the time) and moved on to reading romance. Thus ended her dreams of solving crimes. The idea of law school seemed far less enjoyable after immersing herself in Victoria Holt at the age of twelve.
The Song Bird Years
Adele continued to pursue her singing into her teen years, deciding she was either going to be an editorial reader for a publishing company (because all she loved to do was read) or a Singing Superstar. She figured becoming a Superstar was probably an easier goal to achieve, and so, between reading romances (and in the late 70s there were very few to read), she practiced her art, training her developing coloratura soprano voice with private lessons from one of the best operatic instructors in the city of Albuquerque. Through numerous All-State Choir rehearsals, Jr. and High School choir practice, and various musical productions, she knew she was destined for stardom.
And then at the age of fifteen, her private vocal instructor told her the cold, hard facts: To really make it as a Broadway Singing Superstar, one not only has to read music well, but be able to act and dance and live on pennies. Adele does not dance (unless you count nightclubs in college and that time in Mexico when she was three…) and the "living on pennies" bit seemed highly questionable. Since her acting and music reading talents were also suspect, she decided Broadway might not be for her. Reality sure can be a shocker.
On the Career Path
In college as a journalism major (only because she had to major in something that might get her a paying job), she continued to pursue private vocal instruction with the University of Utah's finest, while performing in various musicals and college recitals. Having directed her through the lead in Cinderella, her drama teacher urged her to try out for local beauty—ahem—scholarship pageants. That was it. Adele was destined to be a singing, reading, reporting, Miss America.
Unfortunately, reality struck again. Not only was Adele a bit lacking in genius (to put it bluntly), being five feet and two inches tall, and possessing quite possibly the shortest legs in the history of womanhood left Adele doing well in talent portions of the contests, but lacking other…necessary attributes. Aside from being crowned Miss Sandy City and Miss Salt Lake County, the pageant thing never went anywhere. Alas, the Singing Beauty Queen future was out.
But Adele worked very hard at her favorite pastime and, by her senior year in college, she'd read just about every Kathleen E. Woodiwiss, Victoria Holt, Shirley Busbee, Laurie McBain,
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 58 reviews
August 25, 2019
2,5. El último de la trilogía y, para mí, el más flojo. Me ha costado creerme la historia, la trama es predecible hasta decir basta y la manera de comportarse de Colin es más la de uno de esos millonetis pagados de sí mismos que tanto abundan en la romántica contemporánea que la de un duque de un romance histórico. Y ese final previo al epílogo me ha dado un poco de vergüenza ajena.
#RitaAdele #RetoRita3
#RitaAdele #RetoRita3
October 22, 2020
2 Estrellitas y serie de los Duques terminada. Esta serie fue de más a menos, una pena, pero éste último libro me ha decepcionado un poquillo. La trama no estaba mal planteada, pero personajes poco atractivos y un desenlace algo chapucero no han ayudado mucho.
"Un amante indiscreto" cuenta la historia de Colin, duque de Newark y Charlotte Hughes. Colin era el último de los duques, el soltero, el libertino, y orgulloso de su condición. Pero Colin lleva un tiempo obsesionado con la última estrella de la ópera, Lottie English, y está dispuesto en convertirla en su amante.
Charlotte Hughes, hermana del conde de Bixham, tiene un gran secreto y una doble personalidad. De día es la recatada hermana del conde, apocada y sumisa, y él está deseando deshacerse de ella, que se case y le deje en paz, para que no sea una carga económica debido a sus abundantes deudas. Y por la noche, Charlotte se convierte en Lottie English, la gran revelación de la ópera británica.
Un día, Colin conoce al fin a Lottie, que lo cautiva y lo vuelve loco, pero su jefe en inteligencia le manda a casa del conde de Bixham para persuadirle de que le venda un piano, y así es como Colin conoce a Charlotte Hughes y encuentra algo raro y familiar en ella. Pronto, Colin se da cuenta de que Charlotte, la aburrida y solterona es la sensual Lottie, la mejor soprano de Inglaterra, y ella le hace una proposición que no puede rechazar. A cambio de casarse con ella, darle herederos y conseguir a su Lottie, él la dejará que vaya de gira por los teatros de toda Europa.
Esto no será lo único que ocurre en el libro, pues además del romance y el engaño por la doble vida de Charlotte, hay alguien que pretende asustarla o hacerla daño, pues su maestro le legó una partitura desconocida e inacabada de Händel. Alguien conoce de su existencia y quiere robársela.
En líneas generales, el libro podría haber estado bien. Pero sus personajes son poco atractivos, sobre todo Charlotte, no he conseguido creérmela y le sobra mucha prepotencia. Si hubiese sido una mujer del pueblo, una simple actriz y cantante, habría sido mas creíble. Pero que la hermana de un conde acabe cantando en los grandes escenarios pudiendo arruinar su buen nombre, no hay quien se lo crea. Por desgracia, Colin tampoco está a la altura, no empieza muy bien el libro, pero sí que va consiguiendo redimirse al final, aunque si soy sincera, la noche de bodas preferiría borrarla de mi memoria.
Adele Ashworth pretende darle una buena conclusión al libro cerrando el romance entre sus personajes, además de resolviendo el misterio sobre la partitura de Händel, pero me ha parecido muy chapucero y tampoco me lo he creído, vamos, absurdo y sin tener el qué.
Si le doy dos estrellas es porque está bien escrito y ambientado y la autora siempre pretende mostrar lugares originales y atractivos en sus libros, pero me ha fallado la trama y el romace, así que lo siento mucho, pero no me ha gustado mucho el cierre de ésta trilogía.
"Un amante indiscreto" cuenta la historia de Colin, duque de Newark y Charlotte Hughes. Colin era el último de los duques, el soltero, el libertino, y orgulloso de su condición. Pero Colin lleva un tiempo obsesionado con la última estrella de la ópera, Lottie English, y está dispuesto en convertirla en su amante.
Charlotte Hughes, hermana del conde de Bixham, tiene un gran secreto y una doble personalidad. De día es la recatada hermana del conde, apocada y sumisa, y él está deseando deshacerse de ella, que se case y le deje en paz, para que no sea una carga económica debido a sus abundantes deudas. Y por la noche, Charlotte se convierte en Lottie English, la gran revelación de la ópera británica.
Un día, Colin conoce al fin a Lottie, que lo cautiva y lo vuelve loco, pero su jefe en inteligencia le manda a casa del conde de Bixham para persuadirle de que le venda un piano, y así es como Colin conoce a Charlotte Hughes y encuentra algo raro y familiar en ella. Pronto, Colin se da cuenta de que Charlotte, la aburrida y solterona es la sensual Lottie, la mejor soprano de Inglaterra, y ella le hace una proposición que no puede rechazar. A cambio de casarse con ella, darle herederos y conseguir a su Lottie, él la dejará que vaya de gira por los teatros de toda Europa.
Esto no será lo único que ocurre en el libro, pues además del romance y el engaño por la doble vida de Charlotte, hay alguien que pretende asustarla o hacerla daño, pues su maestro le legó una partitura desconocida e inacabada de Händel. Alguien conoce de su existencia y quiere robársela.
En líneas generales, el libro podría haber estado bien. Pero sus personajes son poco atractivos, sobre todo Charlotte, no he conseguido creérmela y le sobra mucha prepotencia. Si hubiese sido una mujer del pueblo, una simple actriz y cantante, habría sido mas creíble. Pero que la hermana de un conde acabe cantando en los grandes escenarios pudiendo arruinar su buen nombre, no hay quien se lo crea. Por desgracia, Colin tampoco está a la altura, no empieza muy bien el libro, pero sí que va consiguiendo redimirse al final, aunque si soy sincera, la noche de bodas preferiría borrarla de mi memoria.
Adele Ashworth pretende darle una buena conclusión al libro cerrando el romance entre sus personajes, además de resolviendo el misterio sobre la partitura de Händel, pero me ha parecido muy chapucero y tampoco me lo he creído, vamos, absurdo y sin tener el qué.
Si le doy dos estrellas es porque está bien escrito y ambientado y la autora siempre pretende mostrar lugares originales y atractivos en sus libros, pero me ha fallado la trama y el romace, así que lo siento mucho, pero no me ha gustado mucho el cierre de ésta trilogía.
January 1, 2020
Última lectura del año
Una novela con un argumento novedoso y atrayente que al final termina lo importante sin ninguna importancia y consecuencia
No me he terminado de creer la historia y pese a la gran pasión que demuestran en las páginas ambos protagonistas, a mí me ha resultado muy forzosa. A excepción de esa primera escena sobre el tema, que sí me ha parecido muy pertinente y muy posible
Por lo demás, la trama de la partitura pasa sin pena ni gloria y el tema del romance me ha dejado muy desinflada.
Una novela que se respalda más sobre escenas de cama y atracción y pasión que sobre enamoramiento en sí
Flojo, la verdad
Una novela con un argumento novedoso y atrayente que al final termina lo importante sin ninguna importancia y consecuencia
No me he terminado de creer la historia y pese a la gran pasión que demuestran en las páginas ambos protagonistas, a mí me ha resultado muy forzosa. A excepción de esa primera escena sobre el tema, que sí me ha parecido muy pertinente y muy posible
Por lo demás, la trama de la partitura pasa sin pena ni gloria y el tema del romance me ha dejado muy desinflada.
Una novela que se respalda más sobre escenas de cama y atracción y pasión que sobre enamoramiento en sí
Flojo, la verdad
May 4, 2021
A unique story
July 10, 2016
Read this years ago. One of my favorite historical romances!!
April 4, 2019
Me esperaba más.
July 24, 2017
Leído en Enero 2010
May 15, 2009
Adele Ashworth is a master at writing historical romance. The way she writes her characters and sensual love scenes are very original and are keepers for anyone's bookshelf. With her latest, unfortunately her signature skill is missing. Those love scenes are intact and if you are interested in only that, then by all mean you will probably enjoy this book. The overall plot and characterization has been written before and most fans will be disappointed that there wasn't something more involved.
The hero Colin is yet another one of those spies for the government. He is in lust, well more obsessed with Lottie the star of the London opera. He wants her so badly that you do feel for the guy. But not for marriage (even though he is 35), but rather as his mistress. Lottie is not what she seems. She is really Charlotte, an English lady who on the side has an alter ego, which is opera Lottie that Colin lusts over. (And the fact he doesn't know who is who is a little unbelievable, but then we wouldn't have this story)
Colin finds out who Lottie is, since he thinks her brother is some enemy of the crown and then push come to shove and they marry. Colin will have the Lottie of his dreams in the bedroom and Charlotte will have money, freedom and able to sing all she wants.
Of course these two are constantly at a battle of wills with each other. Colin tries to seduce Charlotte every chance he gets because he wants his Lotte to come out and play. Charlotte does lust after Colin but he does all these wicked things to her that she is at odds with. She is an English lady after all!
Again if you like sensual love scenes than this book is for you. Other that all you have are those lust induced thoughts from our married couple. We have yet again a stereotypical story of secret enemies (thus the spying) and people not allowing to trust each other, but willing to share each other's bodies afraid to love till the very end.
To be blunt, this book should be on the bottom of any Ashworth's fan reading list.
The hero Colin is yet another one of those spies for the government. He is in lust, well more obsessed with Lottie the star of the London opera. He wants her so badly that you do feel for the guy. But not for marriage (even though he is 35), but rather as his mistress. Lottie is not what she seems. She is really Charlotte, an English lady who on the side has an alter ego, which is opera Lottie that Colin lusts over. (And the fact he doesn't know who is who is a little unbelievable, but then we wouldn't have this story)
Colin finds out who Lottie is, since he thinks her brother is some enemy of the crown and then push come to shove and they marry. Colin will have the Lottie of his dreams in the bedroom and Charlotte will have money, freedom and able to sing all she wants.
Of course these two are constantly at a battle of wills with each other. Colin tries to seduce Charlotte every chance he gets because he wants his Lotte to come out and play. Charlotte does lust after Colin but he does all these wicked things to her that she is at odds with. She is an English lady after all!
Again if you like sensual love scenes than this book is for you. Other that all you have are those lust induced thoughts from our married couple. We have yet again a stereotypical story of secret enemies (thus the spying) and people not allowing to trust each other, but willing to share each other's bodies afraid to love till the very end.
To be blunt, this book should be on the bottom of any Ashworth's fan reading list.
July 25, 2021
Ho letto il primo volume di questa trilogia nel 2018 e non ero rimasta granché colpita, però il secondo era stato medio e avevo concluso la recensione scrivendo di essere curiosa per il libro di Colin, l'unico che mi pareva salvarsi tra i tre duchi (non proprio tre tipi sveglissimi e mister simpatia...).
Quindi eccoci alla storia di Colin che, ovviamente, fa il duca ma serve anche il suo governo, e da tempo è innamorato della cantante d'opera Lottie English.
Ovviamente ci sono un po' di segreti e di equivoci, per cui i suoi tentativi di seduzione non saranno poi così facile.
Dell'intero libro la parte che mi ha divertito di più è quando lui (che si crede dotato di un fascino sessuale prorompente e ha una certa nomea in società) scopre che, insomma, alla prova del nove non si è rivelato questo grande amatore. Tant'è che lei s'è pure arrabbiata di brutto.
Grande ammirazione da parte mia per la duchessa, perché sa quel che vuole e lo ottiene.
Per una volta il nostro duca si ritrova un po' il manipolato nei giochi di potere matrimoniale...
Aggiungo che c'è anche una parte di intrigo che non guasta, peccato però che sia molto marginale e si risolva piuttosto in fretta. Poteva forse dare quel pizzico di pepe in più.
Collocherei il libro nella media; nel complesso questa non resta tra le serie memorabili.
Quindi eccoci alla storia di Colin che, ovviamente, fa il duca ma serve anche il suo governo, e da tempo è innamorato della cantante d'opera Lottie English.
Ovviamente ci sono un po' di segreti e di equivoci, per cui i suoi tentativi di seduzione non saranno poi così facile.
Dell'intero libro la parte che mi ha divertito di più è quando lui (che si crede dotato di un fascino sessuale prorompente e ha una certa nomea in società) scopre che, insomma, alla prova del nove non si è rivelato questo grande amatore. Tant'è che lei s'è pure arrabbiata di brutto.
Grande ammirazione da parte mia per la duchessa, perché sa quel che vuole e lo ottiene.
Per una volta il nostro duca si ritrova un po' il manipolato nei giochi di potere matrimoniale...
Aggiungo che c'è anche una parte di intrigo che non guasta, peccato però che sia molto marginale e si risolva piuttosto in fretta. Poteva forse dare quel pizzico di pepe in più.
Collocherei il libro nella media; nel complesso questa non resta tra le serie memorabili.
January 11, 2023
I lost interest after the first quarter of the book. I finished it but only because I skipped huge chunks of the book 😔
December 2, 2013
The review is also available on my blog, Bows & Bullets Reviews
This book gets two stars, which is pretty low for me on a romance novel, because there was nothing particularly memorable about it. It had the potential for greatness, storyline is an Earl's sister moonlighting as an opera singer. But the writing was mediocre and there were just too many obstacles for the heroine/hero. Also there were lapses in time. Days and weeks were literally skipped over when the happy couple weren't getting along.
This book gets two stars, which is pretty low for me on a romance novel, because there was nothing particularly memorable about it. It had the potential for greatness, storyline is an Earl's sister moonlighting as an opera singer. But the writing was mediocre and there were just too many obstacles for the heroine/hero. Also there were lapses in time. Days and weeks were literally skipped over when the happy couple weren't getting along.
January 28, 2012
Definitely liked this book the best of the trilogy.
October 8, 2014
I really enjoyed this book opera singers have a duel life and this book showed how sometimes fantasy just masks truth
dnf
January 18, 2021So the premise of the book is that the hero doesn’t recognize the heroine when she wears make up... and yet she is still in love with him... I don’t buy it.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 17, 2025
The Duke's Indiscretion ของอเดล แอชเวิร์ธ สำหรับแม็กซ์แล้วถือว่าเล่มนี้เป็นการกลับมาของอเดลค่ะ หลังจากไปทะเลเสียหลายปี เล่มนี้เป็นเล่มที่ดีที่สุดที่เธอเขียนให้กับเอว่อน (ซึ่งมันไม่ใช่คำชมอะไรมากมายหรอกนะ เพราะงานที่เธอเขียนสมัยอยู่เบิร์คเลย์มันดีมากกว่านี้เยอะนัก) แม็กซ์ชอบทั้งพระเอกและนางเอก และพล็อ��เรื่องที่เป็นเรื่องราวของความรัก โดยที่ไม่ต้องเจือปนพล็อตรองอะไรมากมายนัก
คอลินซึ่งมีตำแหน่งเป็นดยุค (ก็ชื่อเรื่องมันบอกอยู่แล้ว) ติดใจนักแสดงโอเปร่าสาวที่ชื่อล็อตตี้มาตลอดเวลาสามปีครึ่ง แต่เขายังไม่เคยมีโอกาสได้เจอกับเธอเลย จนกระทั่งวันหนึ่งที่เขาแอบเข้าไปหลังเวทีขณะที่เธอทำการแสดง สิ่งที่คอลินไม่รู้ก็คือ ล็อตตี้เองก็แอบชอบเขาอยู่ มันอาจไม่ใช่ความรัก แต่ก็มากพอจะทำให้เธอเลือกให้เขามาเป็นคู่ชีวิต
นั่นก็เพราะว่าล็อตตี้ไม่ใช่นักแสดงโอเปร่าทั่วไป อีกตัวตนหนึ่งของเธอคือชาร์ล็อตต์ น้องสาวของท่านเอิร์ล เธอรู้ว่าคอลินชอบเธอในฐานะของล็อตตี้มากพอจะยอมแต่งงานกับเธอ เพราะเขารู้ว่า คงไม่มีวันได้ล็อตตี้ไปครอบครองในฐานะอื่นได้ นอกจากการทำให้เธอกลายเป็นดัชเชสของเขา
เรื่องนี้นางเอกเป็นฝ่ายของพระเอกแต่งงานค่ะ ชาร์ล็อตต์ยื่นข้อเสนอที่คอลินไม่อาจปฏิเสธได้ แต่การแต่งงานเป็นเพียงจุดเริ่มต้นของคนสองคนที่แตกต่างกัน คอลินไม่ปลื้มนักหรอกที่รู้ว่า เขาถูกเลือกเพราะมีเงินมากพอจะทำให้ความฝันของล็อตตี้เป็นจริงในการเป็นนัก แสดงโอเปร่าชื่อดัง ส่วนชาร์ล็อตต์ก็อิจฉาอีกตัวตนนึงของเธอเองที่ดึงความสนใจทั้งหมดของคอลิ นเอาไว้ได้ ในขณะที่ภาพลักษณ์ความเป็นเลดี้ผู้เรียบร้อยกลับถูกมองข้าม
พล็อตรองในเรื่องเกี่ยวข้องกับความพยายามขโมยดนตรีที่ชาร์ล็อตต์ได้รับมา จากอาจารย์ทางดนตรีของเธอ ซึ่งไม่ค่อยมีน้ำหนักหรือน่าสนใจอะไรหรอก นั่นก็เพราะว่าพล็อตเรื่องไม่มีผลอะไรเลย แม็กซ์ชอบปฏิสัมพันธ์ระหว่างตัวพระเอกและนางเอกมากกว่า
เรื่องนี้สอบผ่านค่ะ
คอลินซึ่งมีตำแหน่งเป็นดยุค (ก็ชื่อเรื่องมันบอกอยู่แล้ว) ติดใจนักแสดงโอเปร่าสาวที่ชื่อล็อตตี้มาตลอดเวลาสามปีครึ่ง แต่เขายังไม่เคยมีโอกาสได้เจอกับเธอเลย จนกระทั่งวันหนึ่งที่เขาแอบเข้าไปหลังเวทีขณะที่เธอทำการแสดง สิ่งที่คอลินไม่รู้ก็คือ ล็อตตี้เองก็แอบชอบเขาอยู่ มันอาจไม่ใช่ความรัก แต่ก็มากพอจะทำให้เธอเลือกให้เขามาเป็นคู่ชีวิต
นั่นก็เพราะว่าล็อตตี้ไม่ใช่นักแสดงโอเปร่าทั่วไป อีกตัวตนหนึ่งของเธอคือชาร์ล็อตต์ น้องสาวของท่านเอิร์ล เธอรู้ว่าคอลินชอบเธอในฐานะของล็อตตี้มากพอจะยอมแต่งงานกับเธอ เพราะเขารู้ว่า คงไม่มีวันได้ล็อตตี้ไปครอบครองในฐานะอื่นได้ นอกจากการทำให้เธอกลายเป็นดัชเชสของเขา
เรื่องนี้นางเอกเป็นฝ่ายของพระเอกแต่งงานค่ะ ชาร์ล็อตต์ยื่นข้อเสนอที่คอลินไม่อาจปฏิเสธได้ แต่การแต่งงานเป็นเพียงจุดเริ่มต้นของคนสองคนที่แตกต่างกัน คอลินไม่ปลื้มนักหรอกที่รู้ว่า เขาถูกเลือกเพราะมีเงินมากพอจะทำให้ความฝันของล็อตตี้เป็นจริงในการเป็นนัก แสดงโอเปร่าชื่อดัง ส่วนชาร์ล็อตต์ก็อิจฉาอีกตัวตนนึงของเธอเองที่ดึงความสนใจทั้งหมดของคอลิ นเอาไว้ได้ ในขณะที่ภาพลักษณ์ความเป็นเลดี้ผู้เรียบร้อยกลับถูกมองข้าม
พล็อตรองในเรื่องเกี่ยวข้องกับความพยายามขโมยดนตรีที่ชาร์ล็อตต์ได้รับมา จากอาจารย์ทางดนตรีของเธอ ซึ่งไม่ค่อยมีน้ำหนักหรือน่าสนใจอะไรหรอก นั่นก็เพราะว่าพล็อตเรื่องไม่มีผลอะไรเลย แม็กซ์ชอบปฏิสัมพันธ์ระหว่างตัวพระเอกและนางเอกมากกว่า
เรื่องนี้สอบผ่านค่ะ
September 8, 2023
So far, its been incredibly disappointing and quite irritating honestly. The premise is so intriguing that I scoured to get my hands on this book but so far im just annoyed.
Charlotte convinces the duke to marry her. They have a clear deal; she will get her tour in Europe and he will get a wife to give him an heir but most important to this deal (as he clearly stated he could get anyone of his choosing to carry out the role of wife-he is a devilishly handsome and charming duke after all) is that he gets to bed her stage persona Lottie English, the opera singer he’s been in lust with for over 3years. Charlotte knows this and made it a point to not only sell the deal on this offer but also slip into the role to entice him.
So audience… I cant help but wonder why im supposed to side with her for getting mad at him for bedding said stage persona on their wedding night. Was it lacking in tact ? Perhaps. But Charlotte stated she herself has no real interest in sex outside of finding him conventionally attractive-her passion is her music afterall.
So again, audience, why is everyone making him the bad guy for wanting what he literally just traded his freedom for?? Its really miffing me cause if this is gonna be the contention in their relationship id hope he just gets a mistress as Charlotte is quite annoying. And all the other characters are equally gaslighting him.
I admit i havent read the first two installments, not certain if that would have helped me understand the authors choice.
Charlotte convinces the duke to marry her. They have a clear deal; she will get her tour in Europe and he will get a wife to give him an heir but most important to this deal (as he clearly stated he could get anyone of his choosing to carry out the role of wife-he is a devilishly handsome and charming duke after all) is that he gets to bed her stage persona Lottie English, the opera singer he’s been in lust with for over 3years. Charlotte knows this and made it a point to not only sell the deal on this offer but also slip into the role to entice him.
So audience… I cant help but wonder why im supposed to side with her for getting mad at him for bedding said stage persona on their wedding night. Was it lacking in tact ? Perhaps. But Charlotte stated she herself has no real interest in sex outside of finding him conventionally attractive-her passion is her music afterall.
So again, audience, why is everyone making him the bad guy for wanting what he literally just traded his freedom for?? Its really miffing me cause if this is gonna be the contention in their relationship id hope he just gets a mistress as Charlotte is quite annoying. And all the other characters are equally gaslighting him.
I admit i havent read the first two installments, not certain if that would have helped me understand the authors choice.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 18, 2019
Un amante indiscreto nos lleva a conocer a Colin a quien le dimos un rápido vistazo en el libro anterior "Un romance escandaloso" y en esta ocasión conoceremos a fondo a ese casanovas que tanto presume ser. La historia avanza un poco más rápido que en las demás historias, ya no se centra tanto en esa disyuntiva en la que caen las protagonistas si ceder o no ante los encantos de sus duques.
Quizás por esta razón me ha caído mejor Lottie por ser una mujer decidida y que sabe lo que quiere y con quien lo quiere. Al avanzar en la historia la personalidad de Lottie siento que se diluye, pero media vez cae en cuenta que no es una sola persona sino dos viviendo en un solo cuerpo esa fuerza retorna y le da mas vida a la historia.
La narración es amena y te atrapa desde un inicio por no ser tan lenta como las anteriores, eso le dio vida a toda la trilogía, son páginas que se van como agua. Vemos en esta ocasión a unos personajes secundarios un poco conocidos y que le dio un plus a la historia. Creo que una historia muy bien lograda y que sin duda quería seguir leyendo mas de esta autora.
Quizás por esta razón me ha caído mejor Lottie por ser una mujer decidida y que sabe lo que quiere y con quien lo quiere. Al avanzar en la historia la personalidad de Lottie siento que se diluye, pero media vez cae en cuenta que no es una sola persona sino dos viviendo en un solo cuerpo esa fuerza retorna y le da mas vida a la historia.
La narración es amena y te atrapa desde un inicio por no ser tan lenta como las anteriores, eso le dio vida a toda la trilogía, son páginas que se van como agua. Vemos en esta ocasión a unos personajes secundarios un poco conocidos y que le dio un plus a la historia. Creo que una historia muy bien lograda y que sin duda quería seguir leyendo mas de esta autora.
November 8, 2021
Abandonado
Apenas he leído un par de capítulos del libro cuando me he encontrado con algo que me ha hecho decidir dejar de leer.
En cierta escena de la ópera aparece Thomas, que creo entender que es el protagonista del libro "Un hombre que promete". Me ha dejado tan descolocada la descripción que hace del personaje (tan distinta de la del otro libro) que me he sentido en cierta forma "ultrajada" 😅. (En un libro te lo describen como muy alto, moreno, en buena forma física, de 39 años, con una cojera llamativa... y ahora de pronto es anciano, corpulento, con papada y pelo peinado en cortinilla para cubrir su calva).
No sé que pensar... puede que este personaje ya no salga más en el libro pero además se une el hecho de que Ramsey me ha parecido de lo más superficial y estúpido. No he llegado a "conocer" Charlotte pero creo que me voy a quedar con las ganas...
Quizás en el futuro lo retome...
Apenas he leído un par de capítulos del libro cuando me he encontrado con algo que me ha hecho decidir dejar de leer.
En cierta escena de la ópera aparece Thomas, que creo entender que es el protagonista del libro "Un hombre que promete". Me ha dejado tan descolocada la descripción que hace del personaje (tan distinta de la del otro libro) que me he sentido en cierta forma "ultrajada" 😅. (En un libro te lo describen como muy alto, moreno, en buena forma física, de 39 años, con una cojera llamativa... y ahora de pronto es anciano, corpulento, con papada y pelo peinado en cortinilla para cubrir su calva).
No sé que pensar... puede que este personaje ya no salga más en el libro pero además se une el hecho de que Ramsey me ha parecido de lo más superficial y estúpido. No he llegado a "conocer" Charlotte pero creo que me voy a quedar con las ganas...
Quizás en el futuro lo retome...
October 6, 2018
I don't really know how I truly feel about this novel. This was definitely my least favorite novel in the Duke Trilogy and I wavered between 3 and 4 stars on this. I love Ashworth's writing. It's just flawless. Honestly, that alone probably could have bumped this to a four for me, but overall it was just an average read. I can't say it's one I've ever have a desire to re-read but I'm not necessarily disappointed I read it either.
In The Duke's Indiscretion, Ashworth's hero Colin Ramsey leaves a lot to be desired. As it's a historical romance, everything works out in the end, but the conflict that is created between Colin and Charlotte is uncomfortable. The story goes, Colin is obsessed with Charlotte's secret personality "Lottie" - famous and sensual opera singer. Well when Charlotte convinces Colin the only way he'll ever have "Lottie" is if he marries Charlotte you know things aren't going to go well from there. Colin is not ready for marriage...he is definitely not mature enough to understand how to separate these two personalities. He's expecting a mistress and the rest of the book is his journey trying to redeem himself after a somewhat disgusting wedding night with his virginal bride. Of course Charlotte eventually falls for his routine because as he says - he's irresistible, women either fall for him completely or they don't at all because he's not interested. But what I really didn't like was how Colin made the mistake and literally had no clue what he'd done until Charlotte and his friends told him. That was disappointing. He truly thinks he's God's gift to women.
It's an interesting premise, but the beginning was just difficult to get through. I like Charlotte...I liked how she stood up for herself. I always love historical romances that include music or theater and this was definitely different seeing a proper lady as the famous opera singer. Her point of view was always interesting because she was always trying to plan...always trying to be methodical in her approach to her success as a singer. She worked hard and she rarely let anything distract her from her dreams. I have to say Charlotte did have her weak moments, but I liked how she used whatever resources were available to a woman of her time to advance her career. She did have a backbone, it's just that sometimes she was easily manipulated.
Despite my initial misgivings, I continued on...because I'd loved the first two books and I was going to get through this if it killed me. The second half was much better. The mystery surrounding who was after Charlotte was interesting and the drama between the two protagonists finally seems to get back on track. Any more details and I'd probably give away some spoilers. I enjoyed it, I did...but it just wasn't my favorite Ashworth. I've said it before and I'll say it again...Ashworth has a beautiful way with words. Her lyrical prose just wraps around you and doesn't let go. And despite how discouraging the rocky beginning was, I still found myself rooting for these two hoping they could figure this all out.
Overall, it was still worth the read and still worth discovering the conclusion to a really great series.
In The Duke's Indiscretion, Ashworth's hero Colin Ramsey leaves a lot to be desired. As it's a historical romance, everything works out in the end, but the conflict that is created between Colin and Charlotte is uncomfortable. The story goes, Colin is obsessed with Charlotte's secret personality "Lottie" - famous and sensual opera singer. Well when Charlotte convinces Colin the only way he'll ever have "Lottie" is if he marries Charlotte you know things aren't going to go well from there. Colin is not ready for marriage...he is definitely not mature enough to understand how to separate these two personalities. He's expecting a mistress and the rest of the book is his journey trying to redeem himself after a somewhat disgusting wedding night with his virginal bride. Of course Charlotte eventually falls for his routine because as he says - he's irresistible, women either fall for him completely or they don't at all because he's not interested. But what I really didn't like was how Colin made the mistake and literally had no clue what he'd done until Charlotte and his friends told him. That was disappointing. He truly thinks he's God's gift to women.
It's an interesting premise, but the beginning was just difficult to get through. I like Charlotte...I liked how she stood up for herself. I always love historical romances that include music or theater and this was definitely different seeing a proper lady as the famous opera singer. Her point of view was always interesting because she was always trying to plan...always trying to be methodical in her approach to her success as a singer. She worked hard and she rarely let anything distract her from her dreams. I have to say Charlotte did have her weak moments, but I liked how she used whatever resources were available to a woman of her time to advance her career. She did have a backbone, it's just that sometimes she was easily manipulated.
Despite my initial misgivings, I continued on...because I'd loved the first two books and I was going to get through this if it killed me. The second half was much better. The mystery surrounding who was after Charlotte was interesting and the drama between the two protagonists finally seems to get back on track. Any more details and I'd probably give away some spoilers. I enjoyed it, I did...but it just wasn't my favorite Ashworth. I've said it before and I'll say it again...Ashworth has a beautiful way with words. Her lyrical prose just wraps around you and doesn't let go. And despite how discouraging the rocky beginning was, I still found myself rooting for these two hoping they could figure this all out.
Overall, it was still worth the read and still worth discovering the conclusion to a really great series.
September 17, 2018
The last of the trilogy and the best. Another unique heroine, this time a talented opera singer Lottie English onstage, Lady Charlotte Hughes off. Colin, the Duke we met in the previous books, has been enamored of Lottie for 3 years. This is a story about love and what one will give up or support. I sobbed through the ending, and it was a satisfying ending to the trilogy as all 3 Duke's lived happily ever after.
December 2, 2023
Comenzó muy bien, en las primeras 50 páginas sentí muchas mariposas en la guata. Prometía mucho y de apoco empezó a decaer. Situaciones incomprendidas y el misterio era trivial, hasta ella lo mencionó durante la historia. Solo el no lo sabía. Si no fuera por las últimas 10 páginas del teatro y el epílogo hubiera sido 2⭐️
Pd: me encantó que le dieran un párrafo a su hija y hablaran de su futuro. Nunca había leído algo así
Pd: me encantó que le dieran un párrafo a su hija y hablaran de su futuro. Nunca había leído algo así
July 25, 2020
Este libro considero que es muy lindo y fácil de leer. La trama es buena, con una pizca de misterio y muchos secretos. Los personajes principales no están desarrollados, pero son sencillos lo cual hace que el poco desarrollo que tienen baste para entender sus comportamientos. Me gusta la época en la que está ambientada también.
October 23, 2024
In 1861, Colin Ramsey, Duke of Newark, wanted nothing more than to bed Lottie English, the lead soprano of the Royal Italian Opera House. This story tells of how they met, why they wed, and how they made their marriage work for them. There was also a little intrigue thrown in for good measure. It is well-written, with a nice mix of characters. A pretty good story.
May 21, 2017
Clever dilemma but too little time focused on solution. Will read Ashworth again if my favorites aren't available.
June 17, 2020
Fin de la serie, para nada memorable.
December 4, 2020
Loved it! She pulled a double duty as the Duke’s opera singer mistress and as his Duchess
August 23, 2011
Re-review: Well...after the rising expectation I had for the series since Duke of Scandal had been an awesome read...this book, although filled with the same tension, action, passion and romance...still it sort of dropped down in the end.
Story goes...Charlotte goes to the stage as Lottie English, everyone's favorite opera singer and it so happens that one of those "everyone" is someone in the form of Colin. Colin is notoriously the bad-boy among the three friends and his obsession with Lottie is sexy and lustful...until her very life gets to be on the line when a secret "hater" want something from her...want her dead too.
Personally...Colin is like any typical modern day asshole. Why? Because he damn always call her by her stage name, Lottie-portraying the sultry vixen seducing the audience with her enchanting voice--while Charlotte herself only wanted him to like her for her, as Charlotte, the woman who has her own quirks, inhibitions, dreams and passions... But as a story, this was a good read! I wanted to know so much more what happened between the three friends!!!
Story goes...Charlotte goes to the stage as Lottie English, everyone's favorite opera singer and it so happens that one of those "everyone" is someone in the form of Colin. Colin is notoriously the bad-boy among the three friends and his obsession with Lottie is sexy and lustful...until her very life gets to be on the line when a secret "hater" want something from her...want her dead too.
Personally...Colin is like any typical modern day asshole. Why? Because he damn always call her by her stage name, Lottie-portraying the sultry vixen seducing the audience with her enchanting voice--while Charlotte herself only wanted him to like her for her, as Charlotte, the woman who has her own quirks, inhibitions, dreams and passions... But as a story, this was a good read! I wanted to know so much more what happened between the three friends!!!
August 27, 2018
The famous soprano, Lottie English, is—unbeknownst to anyone—really the Lady Charlotte Hughes. Colin has been admiring Lottie from afar for almost three years when he finally decides to ask her to be his mistress. Instead, Lady Charlotte suggests they marry so that he can finance a European tour for her, and he can have her legally. Colin agrees, and soon discovers someone at the theater is trying to hurt her. But it's only when her dressing room is vandalized does Charlotte reveal that she possesses a rare, unpublished piece by George Handel that she supsects is the reason for all the violence. Fortunately, Colin secretly works for the government as a forger, and together they concoct a plan to set up the thief. As they work together, they discover true love in the face of danger.
September 18, 2019
Normally I don't bother reviewing romances, but I will for this one because of the music. (Stupid title, BTW) Our Victorian heroine is nobly born, but an opera singer! gasp! She also owns a priceless piece of music, by Handel. (Yeah Handel! yes I was on the board of Handel Week)
While the Handel does not get performed, our heroine is the lead soprano in an opera that was very popular at the time, although not done currently, The Bohemian Girl by Balfe. It has one song that is well known (Joan Sutherland sang it) "I Dreamt I lived in Marble Halls," so that is cool that it is in the book.
Anyway, typical romance except for the music.
I will add that Enya also recorded the same song -a very good version.
While the Handel does not get performed, our heroine is the lead soprano in an opera that was very popular at the time, although not done currently, The Bohemian Girl by Balfe. It has one song that is well known (Joan Sutherland sang it) "I Dreamt I lived in Marble Halls," so that is cool that it is in the book.
Anyway, typical romance except for the music.
I will add that Enya also recorded the same song -a very good version.
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