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What a Woman Needs
From award-winning author Caroline Linden comes a dazzling tale of seduction, intrigue, and unexpected lessons in love…
Charlotte Griffolino knows a rake when she sees one—and the man her niece longs to marry most definitely qualifies. Stuart Drake is handsome, charming—and penniless. That he is interested in more than Susan’s considerable inheritance is highly unlikely. That he will be immune to Charlotte’s allure is even more unlikely…
With a Viscount title in his future, Stuart expects it shouldn’t be difficult to marry an heiress. Still, once he meets Charlotte, how hard will it be to charm her? Quite, actually. Now Stuart has only one to take revenge on her through seduction. But learning what this woman needs might only leave him hungry for more…
Charlotte Griffolino knows a rake when she sees one—and the man her niece longs to marry most definitely qualifies. Stuart Drake is handsome, charming—and penniless. That he is interested in more than Susan’s considerable inheritance is highly unlikely. That he will be immune to Charlotte’s allure is even more unlikely…
With a Viscount title in his future, Stuart expects it shouldn’t be difficult to marry an heiress. Still, once he meets Charlotte, how hard will it be to charm her? Quite, actually. Now Stuart has only one to take revenge on her through seduction. But learning what this woman needs might only leave him hungry for more…
345 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 2005
103 people are currently reading
420 people want to read
About the author
Caroline Linden
57 books1,703 followersCaroline Linden was born a reader, not a writer. She earned a degree in mathematics from Harvard University and worked as a programmer in the financial services industry before realizing writing fiction is much more exciting than writing code. Her books have won the NEC-RWA Readers' Choice Award, the JNRW Golden Leaf, the Daphne du Maurier Award, and RWA's RITA Award, and have been translated into seventeen languages around the world. She lives in New England.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 85 reviews
September 6, 2020
First of all Mary Sarah is a dreadful narrator. She takes a melodramatic tone and it has a sing-song quality that just does not work in narration. I would not recommend the audio for this book.
Forewarning, this might get a bit spoilery:
Ok, so I read this many years ago, early in my discovery of Linden and never picked it up again. It's the one Linden that stood out as one I didn't like much. I couldn't say I remembered it well. The basic plot is not very appealing. Fortune hunter pursues debutante and falls for the experienced aunt instead. The aunt, Charlotte, is a seductress. I think that is probably the simplest way to explain her. She grew up in England to good family and left in a cloud of disgrace, making her way across Europe and eventually marrying an Italian Count. She lives scandalously until her brother dies and she had guardianship over her heiress niece who is just about at that marrying age. Having been the naive debutante taken in by a fortune-hunting rogue, Charlotte is determined her niece does not meet the same fate.
Stuart Drake has had a run of bad luck. He's been embroiled in scandal that was blown out of proportion and caused him to be cut off from his family. It could not come at a worse time in terms of his current and future plans, so the most expedient solution is to marry an heiress. He's a future viscount so he at least has a title to offer. Things are going great. He's found a girl that has taken to him and all he needs to do is convince her aunt. On the night he is to meet the wicked old aunt (as described by the neice), he encounters an enchanting, irresistible seductress. Guess who? Anyways, I do find that part distasteful. But it's early on, and there's plenty of time to overcome it. And I do think it does. Plus the chemistry is very potent.
This was, I believe, Linden's first full-length novel, and I thinks its very good. It has some risky subjects, which I applaud. Charlotte is a lady rake. Stuart is by no means inexperienced, but she is the experienced one. Her marriage was a non-traditional one and had some kinkiness to it. Some of her demons are related to her worth and being an object of desire. But she also did not seem to be afraid to take own her pleasure. I really thought she was an interesting character, but I expect some readers will judge her rakish past -- that whole double-standard thing in romance novels.
I would not recommend this to a Linden newbie.The plot is a bit crazy and the story telling is not entirely smooth, but I enjoyed this a lot more than I expected based on my vague impressions from reading many years ago.
Forewarning, this might get a bit spoilery:
Ok, so I read this many years ago, early in my discovery of Linden and never picked it up again. It's the one Linden that stood out as one I didn't like much. I couldn't say I remembered it well. The basic plot is not very appealing. Fortune hunter pursues debutante and falls for the experienced aunt instead. The aunt, Charlotte, is a seductress. I think that is probably the simplest way to explain her. She grew up in England to good family and left in a cloud of disgrace, making her way across Europe and eventually marrying an Italian Count. She lives scandalously until her brother dies and she had guardianship over her heiress niece who is just about at that marrying age. Having been the naive debutante taken in by a fortune-hunting rogue, Charlotte is determined her niece does not meet the same fate.
Stuart Drake has had a run of bad luck. He's been embroiled in scandal that was blown out of proportion and caused him to be cut off from his family. It could not come at a worse time in terms of his current and future plans, so the most expedient solution is to marry an heiress. He's a future viscount so he at least has a title to offer. Things are going great. He's found a girl that has taken to him and all he needs to do is convince her aunt. On the night he is to meet the wicked old aunt (as described by the neice), he encounters an enchanting, irresistible seductress. Guess who? Anyways, I do find that part distasteful. But it's early on, and there's plenty of time to overcome it. And I do think it does. Plus the chemistry is very potent.
This was, I believe, Linden's first full-length novel, and I thinks its very good. It has some risky subjects, which I applaud. Charlotte is a lady rake. Stuart is by no means inexperienced, but she is the experienced one. Her marriage was a non-traditional one and had some kinkiness to it. Some of her demons are related to her worth and being an object of desire. But she also did not seem to be afraid to take own her pleasure. I really thought she was an interesting character, but I expect some readers will judge her rakish past -- that whole double-standard thing in romance novels.
I would not recommend this to a Linden newbie.The plot is a bit crazy and the story telling is not entirely smooth, but I enjoyed this a lot more than I expected based on my vague impressions from reading many years ago.
April 19, 2020
Stuart Drake will someday inherit a Viscount title. He's also handsome and charming, but knee deep in debt. He needs a rich bride and quickly. As he pursues a young heiress, he makes an enemy of her aunt and Aunt Charlotte makes his life hell.
Other than the hero, I really didn't care for any characters in the book. I hated Charlotte, her niece, and the hero's parents. This was a chore to get through.
2.5 stars rounded up!
Other than the hero, I really didn't care for any characters in the book. I hated Charlotte, her niece, and the hero's parents. This was a chore to get through.
2.5 stars rounded up!
June 29, 2016
I will be honest, I love Caroline Linden's books. Her Scandalous series is one of my absolute favorites. When she announced that she was writing a story about the Duke of Ware, a secondary character in her first novel, What a Woman Needs, I took that as a sign that I had to read this sooner rather than later. Unfortunately, this wasn't my cup of tea and nothing like Linden's current writing style, but the Duke of Ware was delicious and I am more excited than ever to read his book.
In this story, we meet Charlotte and Stuart. Charlotte is a young widow who has been chaperoning her niece in society. Charlotte was deceived by a fortune hunter and it ruined her life--she is determined not to let that happen to her niece. Stuart is a misunderstood man desperately trying to get out from under his father's thumb. When his father cuts him off, Stuart's best chance of capturing the quiet life he wants starts with marrying an heiress, Charlotte's niece to be exact. Charlotte and Stuart make disastrous first impressions on each other, Charlotte forbids the engagement, and Charlotte's niece consequently runs away. What ensues after that is a drama filled story overrun with misunderstandings, rash judgments, crazy villains, stupid decisions, and needless angst. The characters didn't act like real people, the fought all the time, and their sexual encounters made no sense.
The only light in this for me was the Duke of Ware. He appears for a few scenes in the middle of the book when Stuart stays with him while in London. The Duke of Ware is sexy, wealthy, and haunted. There is a memorable scene where Stuart gets rather uncomfortable with the attention that the duke pays Charlotte. He is obviously searching for something or someone and hasn't quite found it yet. Very interesting :)
Anyways, I am glad that Linden has moved away from these overly dramatic stories into a writing style that is more romantic and character driven. While this story isn't one I'd re-read again, mostly because I thought Charlotte was overly judgmental and Stuart was a bit controlling, it was nice to see how Linden's writing has evolved...and to meet the Duke. Yay--so glad I don't have too long to wait to read about him. I would have been bummed out if I'd had to wait 12 years for his story!
Overall 2 stars = I finished the story and Caroline's writing was still excellent, but the crazy plot and soap-opera-esque characters weren't my cup of tea.
In this story, we meet Charlotte and Stuart. Charlotte is a young widow who has been chaperoning her niece in society. Charlotte was deceived by a fortune hunter and it ruined her life--she is determined not to let that happen to her niece. Stuart is a misunderstood man desperately trying to get out from under his father's thumb. When his father cuts him off, Stuart's best chance of capturing the quiet life he wants starts with marrying an heiress, Charlotte's niece to be exact. Charlotte and Stuart make disastrous first impressions on each other, Charlotte forbids the engagement, and Charlotte's niece consequently runs away. What ensues after that is a drama filled story overrun with misunderstandings, rash judgments, crazy villains, stupid decisions, and needless angst. The characters didn't act like real people, the fought all the time, and their sexual encounters made no sense.
The only light in this for me was the Duke of Ware. He appears for a few scenes in the middle of the book when Stuart stays with him while in London. The Duke of Ware is sexy, wealthy, and haunted. There is a memorable scene where Stuart gets rather uncomfortable with the attention that the duke pays Charlotte. He is obviously searching for something or someone and hasn't quite found it yet. Very interesting :)
Anyways, I am glad that Linden has moved away from these overly dramatic stories into a writing style that is more romantic and character driven. While this story isn't one I'd re-read again, mostly because I thought Charlotte was overly judgmental and Stuart was a bit controlling, it was nice to see how Linden's writing has evolved...and to meet the Duke. Yay--so glad I don't have too long to wait to read about him. I would have been bummed out if I'd had to wait 12 years for his story!
Overall 2 stars = I finished the story and Caroline's writing was still excellent, but the crazy plot and soap-opera-esque characters weren't my cup of tea.
August 4, 2024
2.5
This book started out strong but then I lost interest when they were forced to find her runaway niece.
This book started out strong but then I lost interest when they were forced to find her runaway niece.
January 21, 2013
I really enjoyed this story. The author is new to me and I will be seeking out more of her back list.
I found that the story kept me interested and I was invested emotionally. The hero was much more than the usual depiction for this genre. I liked the humor and the mystery. The heroine was a real ball buster on the outside but a hurt 17 year old on the inside.
I liked that the couple not being young. I liked how the hero helped the heroine discover the real truth about how her life had led her to the climatic end. The hero had some really interesting things happen in his back story that I didn't suspect. I recommend.
I found that the story kept me interested and I was invested emotionally. The hero was much more than the usual depiction for this genre. I liked the humor and the mystery. The heroine was a real ball buster on the outside but a hurt 17 year old on the inside.
I liked that the couple not being young. I liked how the hero helped the heroine discover the real truth about how her life had led her to the climatic end. The hero had some really interesting things happen in his back story that I didn't suspect. I recommend.
February 13, 2011
I enjoyed this romance! It's not the most dazzling cast of characters but it's well-written and well-done. I thought the plot was original and it was refreshing to read about a woman of experience (and actual experience, not just, "Oh, she's not a virgin") and her romance with the lead male.
On a side note, what's with the over-accomplished romance writers? Linden and Julia Quinn are both Harvard grads who got bored (Linden with programming and math; Quinn with medical school) and decided to write romance novels. I just hate them on principle! ;)
On a side note, what's with the over-accomplished romance writers? Linden and Julia Quinn are both Harvard grads who got bored (Linden with programming and math; Quinn with medical school) and decided to write romance novels. I just hate them on principle! ;)
July 28, 2018
O pai de Stuart decide que não vai mais sustentá-lo e por isso ele vai a caça de um herdeira. Mas a herdeira tem uma tia - Charlotte - que não deseja que um caçadotes arrebate a fortuna da sobrinha e então no intuito de mostrar para sobrinha quem ele é realmente, decide seduzi-lo. Charlotte é uma mulher a frente de seu tempo, decidida, sedutora e vivem de acordo com suas próprias regras. Mas logo enxergará Stuart com outros olhos ao conviver com ele...
August 16, 2017
Leído en marzo 2010
Me encantó...
Me encantó...
October 3, 2021
4 stars. What can I say? Caroline Linden books are rarely a disappointment for me - and this one was very good, especially considering it was her first full length novel.
This is the story of Charlotte and Stewart. Stewart had been cut off by his father and is trying to gain some financial independence by marrying an heiress. He courts Charlotte’s niece and plans to marry the girls for mercenary reasons, but Charlotte has heard unsavory gossip about Stewart while she was in London and is adamant that she will put a stop to their plans. The niece, being 17 years old, thinks she knows everything and casts her aunt in the roll of villain, opposing her at every turn. She ends up running away and Charlotte assumes that Stewart is responsible for her actions. With a pistol held to him, they travel to London together, where Charlotte and Stewart end up working together to find her niece. Meanwhile, they fall in love and have a HFN. There’s supposedly an epilogue on her website, but the link is broken so… 😭😭😭
I will admit that this book was super frustrating to read because of all the name drops. The author mentions many characters in this book that make appearances in future books - or are the heroes of future books. It was absolutely maddening because I had the burning desire to keep them straight and couldn’t just move on without figuring out who was who. That’s just me though, and a normal person wouldn’t be bothered by this.
This trope is normally also an issue for me, but I felt like the author did this fairly well. It was clear that the hero wasn’t a horrible person, but just desperate in the moment. He didn’t see a way out of his problems and he truly never planned to treat the heroine’s niece poorly. He did, however, nearly go to bed with the heroine immediately after promising to propose to the niece. If the h hadn’t stopped his progress, he would have gone through with it. Not his best moment, but also it somehow didn’t bother me as much as a similar scene in a similar book would have. He didn’t even kiss the niece, and was having major doubts, so I guess it seemed less bad for that reason.
Safety was pretty good overall. The worst part of this book was what I just mentioned, that the hero was trying to become engaged to the h’s niece, and then immediately tried to sleep with the h. They were both very experienced, some of her past sexual experiences seemed coerced by her dead husband, who couldn’t get it up, but wanted to watch her with other men. There’s some slight om/ow drama but nothing extreme or too angsty.
This is the story of Charlotte and Stewart. Stewart had been cut off by his father and is trying to gain some financial independence by marrying an heiress. He courts Charlotte’s niece and plans to marry the girls for mercenary reasons, but Charlotte has heard unsavory gossip about Stewart while she was in London and is adamant that she will put a stop to their plans. The niece, being 17 years old, thinks she knows everything and casts her aunt in the roll of villain, opposing her at every turn. She ends up running away and Charlotte assumes that Stewart is responsible for her actions. With a pistol held to him, they travel to London together, where Charlotte and Stewart end up working together to find her niece. Meanwhile, they fall in love and have a HFN. There’s supposedly an epilogue on her website, but the link is broken so… 😭😭😭
I will admit that this book was super frustrating to read because of all the name drops. The author mentions many characters in this book that make appearances in future books - or are the heroes of future books. It was absolutely maddening because I had the burning desire to keep them straight and couldn’t just move on without figuring out who was who. That’s just me though, and a normal person wouldn’t be bothered by this.
This trope is normally also an issue for me, but I felt like the author did this fairly well. It was clear that the hero wasn’t a horrible person, but just desperate in the moment. He didn’t see a way out of his problems and he truly never planned to treat the heroine’s niece poorly. He did, however, nearly go to bed with the heroine immediately after promising to propose to the niece. If the h hadn’t stopped his progress, he would have gone through with it. Not his best moment, but also it somehow didn’t bother me as much as a similar scene in a similar book would have. He didn’t even kiss the niece, and was having major doubts, so I guess it seemed less bad for that reason.
Safety was pretty good overall. The worst part of this book was what I just mentioned, that the hero was trying to become engaged to the h’s niece, and then immediately tried to sleep with the h. They were both very experienced, some of her past sexual experiences seemed coerced by her dead husband, who couldn’t get it up, but wanted to watch her with other men. There’s some slight om/ow drama but nothing extreme or too angsty.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 20, 2018
!! ATTENTION !! there is a really nice epilogue with the title : What Every Woman Needs for Christmas on C. L.'s website . Just click on the book cover of What a Woman Needs and you'll find it . Review in Englisch - see below .
Ik heb de Nederlands talige uitgave gelezen : De ongrijpbare erfgename - Candlelight Historische roman 603 .
Dit is het 1e boek van deze schrijfster en ik vond het een lekker vlot weg lezend verhaal wat ik 4 sterren zou hebben gegeven ware het niet voor een klein gedeelte van het verhaal wat het voor mij behoorlijk verpeste . Charlotte Griffolino is de weduwe van een heel oud vies mannetje die "het" zelf niet meer kon en haar daarom commandeerde om op zijn aanwijzing mannen te verleiden en sex met ze te hebben waarbij hij dan stiekem kon toekijken .BAH .. getverdegetver .
Voor zover ik nu kan beoordelen is de enige verbinding van dit boek met de Reece trilogie , is dat er op pagina 213 van dit boek een stukje tekst aan hem en zijn bruid zijn gewijd .
This is the first book publisched from this author and I thought it was an easy - smooth read and I would had given it 4 stars . But there was a small part of the story which ruined it . Charlotte Griffolino is the widow of a dirty old man who could not do "it" himself anymore and therefore ordered her to have sex with men he choose and he could secretely watch them . BAH ...jukjukjuk .
There is no other connection of this book with the Reece trilogie than a short mention of Marcus Reece and his bride in this story .
Ik heb de Nederlands talige uitgave gelezen : De ongrijpbare erfgename - Candlelight Historische roman 603 .
Dit is het 1e boek van deze schrijfster en ik vond het een lekker vlot weg lezend verhaal wat ik 4 sterren zou hebben gegeven ware het niet voor een klein gedeelte van het verhaal wat het voor mij behoorlijk verpeste . Charlotte Griffolino is de weduwe van een heel oud vies mannetje die "het" zelf niet meer kon en haar daarom commandeerde om op zijn aanwijzing mannen te verleiden en sex met ze te hebben waarbij hij dan stiekem kon toekijken .BAH .. getverdegetver .
Voor zover ik nu kan beoordelen is de enige verbinding van dit boek met de Reece trilogie , is dat er op pagina 213 van dit boek een stukje tekst aan hem en zijn bruid zijn gewijd .
This is the first book publisched from this author and I thought it was an easy - smooth read and I would had given it 4 stars . But there was a small part of the story which ruined it . Charlotte Griffolino is the widow of a dirty old man who could not do "it" himself anymore and therefore ordered her to have sex with men he choose and he could secretely watch them . BAH ...jukjukjuk .
There is no other connection of this book with the Reece trilogie than a short mention of Marcus Reece and his bride in this story .
May 4, 2008
I am definitely becoming spoiled but all the good books I've been reading lately and I find that my tolerance for silly plots is not as big as it once was?
In this book the hero is courting an innocent young girl who sees him as her ticket to a life in London. Because she is a rich heiress and he is penniless her guardian, Charlotte, assumes the hero must be a fortune hunter (which he is) and sets out to not only forbid the match but to totally ruin him. To prove he is not an honourable gentleman she first tries to seduce him and when he (not knowing who she is) responds to that she humiliates him and spreads some horrible gossip about him so no one will receive him in the future. Despite all this when her ward disappears without a trace Drake, the hero, sets out to help Charlotte find her. The same woman who believed horrible lies about him and spread the word everywhere... So although she ruined his life socially he still wants to help her... and although she believes the worst from him she still feels he can't be all that bad. Does this make any sense? And why didn't he just tell her the truth about that gossip? It's not like he didn't have the opportunity with him breaking into her house and then she breaking into his bedroom. And after they arrive in London and she stays at his parent's house it's his own mother (who seems loving and caring when speaking to her son) who tells Charlotte that Drake is weak and incapable of facing responsibilities. He will never marry her and he has always been a disappointment to his father! Wow, with a mother like this who needs enemies...
After this I decided this one qualified for DNF status!!
But I persevered and read it till the end. There was a mystery about something Charlotte was in possession of and that was what led to Susan's disappearance but it wasn't all that interesting to me. And both Drake and Charlotte kept behaving like children who could have solved half their problems if they just talked to each other. And the same could be said of his parents who, it seems, had their own dose of misunderstandings to deal with.
Grade: C-
I have the second book in the series in my TBR pile and I'm hesitating between getting rid of it unread or just pick it up next and am done with it...
In this book the hero is courting an innocent young girl who sees him as her ticket to a life in London. Because she is a rich heiress and he is penniless her guardian, Charlotte, assumes the hero must be a fortune hunter (which he is) and sets out to not only forbid the match but to totally ruin him. To prove he is not an honourable gentleman she first tries to seduce him and when he (not knowing who she is) responds to that she humiliates him and spreads some horrible gossip about him so no one will receive him in the future. Despite all this when her ward disappears without a trace Drake, the hero, sets out to help Charlotte find her. The same woman who believed horrible lies about him and spread the word everywhere... So although she ruined his life socially he still wants to help her... and although she believes the worst from him she still feels he can't be all that bad. Does this make any sense? And why didn't he just tell her the truth about that gossip? It's not like he didn't have the opportunity with him breaking into her house and then she breaking into his bedroom. And after they arrive in London and she stays at his parent's house it's his own mother (who seems loving and caring when speaking to her son) who tells Charlotte that Drake is weak and incapable of facing responsibilities. He will never marry her and he has always been a disappointment to his father! Wow, with a mother like this who needs enemies...
After this I decided this one qualified for DNF status!!
But I persevered and read it till the end. There was a mystery about something Charlotte was in possession of and that was what led to Susan's disappearance but it wasn't all that interesting to me. And both Drake and Charlotte kept behaving like children who could have solved half their problems if they just talked to each other. And the same could be said of his parents who, it seems, had their own dose of misunderstandings to deal with.
Grade: C-
I have the second book in the series in my TBR pile and I'm hesitating between getting rid of it unread or just pick it up next and am done with it...
March 4, 2015
Stuart Drake is a rake of sorts but has now been reined in by his father for being in one scandal too many. His father has totally cut him off from his allowance and he is nearly penniless and even relying on his friends for a place to stay. As he has no other choice, he needs to marry a wealthy heiress soon.
Miss Susan Tratter is a young girl who is a great bride prospect. She is very pretty, has a generous dowry and is totally infatuated with him. But there is a a problem in the form of her chaperone/guardian/widowed/aunt Charlotte. She is totally against Stuart courting Susan because she has had lots of experience with men like him. At 30 years of age, she has lived many places in the world and has a “past” as well.
As Stuart presses his attentions upon Susan, the very beautiful Charlotte plots to best him at his own game by flirting with him to show that he truly is a fortune-hunter. However, the “game” begins to heat up as their bantering leads to an attraction.
When Susan goes missing and Charlotte is found to have an intruder who has broken into her home looking through some items left to her by her late husband, Stuart and Charlotte band together to find out where Susan is and who is this thief and what is he looking for.
The characters and intertwining plots make for a very gripping story that will keep the reader up late not wanting to put the book down. I thoroughly enjoyed the novel and hope others will read it too. The backgrounds of Stuart and Charlotte are not to be missed.
This is a re-release of the novel originally published in 2005. It’s really nice to see great books brought out again so new readers can enjoy a great story.
Miss Susan Tratter is a young girl who is a great bride prospect. She is very pretty, has a generous dowry and is totally infatuated with him. But there is a a problem in the form of her chaperone/guardian/widowed/aunt Charlotte. She is totally against Stuart courting Susan because she has had lots of experience with men like him. At 30 years of age, she has lived many places in the world and has a “past” as well.
As Stuart presses his attentions upon Susan, the very beautiful Charlotte plots to best him at his own game by flirting with him to show that he truly is a fortune-hunter. However, the “game” begins to heat up as their bantering leads to an attraction.
When Susan goes missing and Charlotte is found to have an intruder who has broken into her home looking through some items left to her by her late husband, Stuart and Charlotte band together to find out where Susan is and who is this thief and what is he looking for.
The characters and intertwining plots make for a very gripping story that will keep the reader up late not wanting to put the book down. I thoroughly enjoyed the novel and hope others will read it too. The backgrounds of Stuart and Charlotte are not to be missed.
This is a re-release of the novel originally published in 2005. It’s really nice to see great books brought out again so new readers can enjoy a great story.
March 16, 2015
Great!
What a Woman Needs is a great historical romance with adventures, secrets and a penniless hero, needing an heiress to marry.
Stuart Darke is good looking, charming and in the line for a viscount title and he is courting an heiress to end his penniless existence.
Charlotte Griffonline is a woman of experience and guardian of her niece (the heiress)and she does everything in her power to protect her niece from fortune hunters.
At the beginning of the book I didn't like the heroin, she was shrewd , mean and jumped to conclusion without thinking, but the more I learn about her past and what she had been through I really like her.
Stuart was fabulous and great who did everything in his power to help Charlotte when she was in a desperate situation.
I really enjoyed reading this amazing story with twists and turns, adventures and family secrets.
Thank you Caroline Linden
What a Woman Needs is a great historical romance with adventures, secrets and a penniless hero, needing an heiress to marry.
Stuart Darke is good looking, charming and in the line for a viscount title and he is courting an heiress to end his penniless existence.
Charlotte Griffonline is a woman of experience and guardian of her niece (the heiress)and she does everything in her power to protect her niece from fortune hunters.
At the beginning of the book I didn't like the heroin, she was shrewd , mean and jumped to conclusion without thinking, but the more I learn about her past and what she had been through I really like her.
Stuart was fabulous and great who did everything in his power to help Charlotte when she was in a desperate situation.
I really enjoyed reading this amazing story with twists and turns, adventures and family secrets.
Thank you Caroline Linden
March 16, 2022
1.5 Stars
Truthfully this wasnt that interesting. I found it a little hard to believe tbh. I didn't like the heroine Charlotte at all. It wasn't until 60-70% she showed some true empathy toward the hero Stuart but by then it was too late IMO. She was a cold-hearted shrew who sat on her high horse and judged others by making assumptions on barely any accurate information. Yes, yes, she had experience to allow for some of her blatantly biased behavior but frankly she was too cruel for my taste. It was unwarranted. The hero Stuart in comparison was a goddamn angel with how she acted in the first half of the book. I was never more happy than I was when she realized just how wrong she was about him and her treatment of him halfway through the book when she met his parents. Hah!
Her character had all the right moving parts to make an interesting heroine, but it was executed so poorly. She was annoying. I hated her. She was judgmental and outrageously rude. She also harped so much on how she should've never did this or that then her niece Susan wouldn't have done this or that. Woman, Susan was a naive dumbass with shit for brains. She needed to grow up. Throwing tantrums, calling her aunt names, whining and then running away...hahahaha she was awful too. And Susan as a character was such a lazy attempt at writing a troubled young girl dealing with the loss of her father if I ever read one. She was so cliched I couldn't help but cringe with her every scene.
Overall I'm surprised I finished it. It wasn't terrible. Some may actually enjoy it but my god I did not.
Truthfully this wasnt that interesting. I found it a little hard to believe tbh. I didn't like the heroine Charlotte at all. It wasn't until 60-70% she showed some true empathy toward the hero Stuart but by then it was too late IMO. She was a cold-hearted shrew who sat on her high horse and judged others by making assumptions on barely any accurate information. Yes, yes, she had experience to allow for some of her blatantly biased behavior but frankly she was too cruel for my taste. It was unwarranted. The hero Stuart in comparison was a goddamn angel with how she acted in the first half of the book. I was never more happy than I was when she realized just how wrong she was about him and her treatment of him halfway through the book when she met his parents. Hah!
Her character had all the right moving parts to make an interesting heroine, but it was executed so poorly. She was annoying. I hated her. She was judgmental and outrageously rude. She also harped so much on how she should've never did this or that then her niece Susan wouldn't have done this or that. Woman, Susan was a naive dumbass with shit for brains. She needed to grow up. Throwing tantrums, calling her aunt names, whining and then running away...hahahaha she was awful too. And Susan as a character was such a lazy attempt at writing a troubled young girl dealing with the loss of her father if I ever read one. She was so cliched I couldn't help but cringe with her every scene.
Overall I'm surprised I finished it. It wasn't terrible. Some may actually enjoy it but my god I did not.
May 23, 2017
Stuart Drake’s father has cut him off due to his scandalous behavior. He is not a saint, but the gossip is overblown. He needs money to take care of his estate, and decides the quickest way to get it is to wed an heiress. He finds one in Susan Tratter, but he must convince the girl’s old crone of a guardian aunt to allow the marriage. Well first, the guardian is not an old crone; she’s a beautiful widow. Second, Aunt Charlotte knows a fortune hunter when she sees one, and she sees one in Stuart. She’s right, of course, but Stuart doesn’t like what he is doing, but he is desperate. A battle of wits ensues, and before it is over, Stuart and Charlotte have fallen in love, Susan has found a new beau, and is kidnapped and held ransom for a treasure he believes Charlotte has.
This is a good story, a wonderful romance with some scandal, some gossip, and a mystery woven in. Stuart and Charlotte are strong likeable characters, and they have great chemistry. They both have troubled pasts and need to overcome them. My favorite secondary character is Charlotte’s companion, Lucia. She adds a little perspective to Charlotte’s dilemma and a bit of humor to the story. The interaction between Stuart and Charlotte and the mystery of the treasure keep the reader interested start to finish. The ending will surprise you. A good read.
This is a good story, a wonderful romance with some scandal, some gossip, and a mystery woven in. Stuart and Charlotte are strong likeable characters, and they have great chemistry. They both have troubled pasts and need to overcome them. My favorite secondary character is Charlotte’s companion, Lucia. She adds a little perspective to Charlotte’s dilemma and a bit of humor to the story. The interaction between Stuart and Charlotte and the mystery of the treasure keep the reader interested start to finish. The ending will surprise you. A good read.
October 23, 2007
Okay I was told that this book was WONDERFUL and I have to admit at first I couldn't put it down. The heroine was great and spunky the hero was a try as hard as you can to marry for money without saying sorry for it. And the sexual tension was killing me. Then the middle happened and I gave up. I got tired of whodunit and poor me my parents hate me that's what makes me the hero and poor me I'm a heroine that learned the hard way about scandal and whoa is me and whoa is he crap. WHO CARES tell me once and move on. DOn't tell me the same thing over and over and then just in case I didn't get it smack me with it by finally showing me. Anyway I didn't finish the book so I have no idea how it ended.
August 9, 2021
Quando mi avvicino ad una nuova autrice, come in questo caso, sono sempre molto curiosa e piena di aspettative.
La trama seppur incentrata principalmente sulle vicende sentimentali tra Stuart e Charlotte non manca di un risvolto “giallo”.
Man mano che si procede nella lettura l’autrice getta frammenti del passato dei due protagonisti fino all'epilogo finale con un colpo di scena incredibile.
Lo stile è scorrevole e in certi punti anche divertente con un livello di sensualità molto piccante nei dialoghi ma anche nelle scene.
Un finale dove tutti trovano la propria strada. Un romanzo niente male!
La trama seppur incentrata principalmente sulle vicende sentimentali tra Stuart e Charlotte non manca di un risvolto “giallo”.
Man mano che si procede nella lettura l’autrice getta frammenti del passato dei due protagonisti fino all'epilogo finale con un colpo di scena incredibile.
Lo stile è scorrevole e in certi punti anche divertente con un livello di sensualità molto piccante nei dialoghi ma anche nelle scene.
Un finale dove tutti trovano la propria strada. Un romanzo niente male!
February 2, 2023
Like more than a few of these historical romances I started this thinking the characters and the story were flawed. Naturally, way before I got to the happily ever after ending, I was hooked and now have no choice but to read much more Caroline Linden, especially the stories of the Dukes of Ware and Exeter.
October 19, 2017
It took me awhile to get into this one because none of the characters were very likable. Then, at the halfway point, something changed (the mystery in the plot) to make it a more compelling read. Suddenly, I could empathize with the characters more, and by the end, I found I really liked them.
April 4, 2015
A very entertaining steamy adventure/romance.
November 14, 2018
Great fast paced and engaging storyline.
November 28, 2019
Consensual Sex, Love and Marriage in Historical Context: WHAT A WOMAN NEEDS
http://fangswandsandfairydust.com/201...
I voluntarily reviewed an advance reader’s copy of this book. No remuneration was exchanged and all opinions presented herein are my own except as noted.
It’s quite unusual that I dislike a book to the point where I cannot find something praiseworthy. But, this is one I found hard to finish, and strangely embarrassed when it was overheard..
The premise, that a woman would be exiled by her father, never hear from him again, lived dissipatedly, and then, upon her brother’s death be summoned back to be her wealthy, debutante niece’s guardian, is a little off; no matter how much he had loved his sister (he was her only family contact), why would one entrust one’s child to a woman who’s life until then was quite scandalous.
But what really, really annoyed me was that Stuart seems to nearly force a woman to have sex. He is considered quite a rake, although he has explanations for each instance he was kicked out of the family home and is facing financial ruin because of a real estate deal. His behavior at several points in the story left me feeling rather icky.
Also, throughout the 19th century marriages were often made for purely financial reasons. Although Amazon calls it a Regency, there was no specific period but it felt as if it occurred in the late-Regency (after Napoleon) or possibly early Victorian (before train travel). It doesn’t seem that Stuart is a wastrel; he has been cut off and is now in debt due to that and his real estate deal. Nor, outside of two situations which are explained away, does he seem to be a seducer of young women. Indeed his nearly forcing sex on his intended’s aunt, and his past seem at odds — not that he was a saint, but neither is he a rapist. But, this book goes around insisting on love and that was just not the primary consideration in marital arrangements as it is today — especially where auntie had a bad experience with love relationships. And, as the young woman goes on to make even dumber choices, Stuart would have been a better choice.
Then there’s the matter of regaining an important piece of jewelry, instead of contriving, either on his own or through a friend, to ask for its return, politely, he does it stupidly, even criminally. This leads to new circumstances leading to the enemies to lovers trope.
So, poor behavior which, today, would have lead to an assault charge, as well as inconsistent characterization (maybe he’s just complex?) and historically inaccurate insistence on love left me with a dislike for the book.
The narrator was new to me and had a strangely soft voice with a nice accent but a strange cadence.
I wasa unhappy with this book because I have been in the mood for Regency lately, and have like Caroline Linden in the past. There was one part I found intriguing about misplaced romance and a related new romance. This was originally in print in 2015, so I can’t claim it is dated in style, but it just did not work for me.
May 27, 2017
Me encantó. Me sorprendí cuando ví que aquí no tenía demasiado puntaje.
Pero bueno, como se dice, sobre gustos no hay nada escrito. Quizá, no tenía demasiadas expectativas del libro (que es el primero que leo de la autora).
En mi opinión tiene más de comedia que de drama, no por lo que pasa que podría ser la mar de dramático, sino por el estilo de la novela.
Stuart es heredero (en segundo grado, primero está su padre) de un vizcondado, pero su vida ha sido un poco complicada por la mala relación con su padre; la falta de responsabilidades lo ha llevado a una existencia un poco frívola. A sus 32 años ha decidido sentar cabeza con un proyecto propio pero una serie de circunstancias desafortunadas (como dice el refrán "el comedido huele a podrido") hacen que pierda su ingreso familiar y esté al borde de la quiebra. La solución : casarse con una heredera.
Charlotte es inglesa de buena familia pero un desliz de su juventud hizo que su padre la echara de su casa enviándola a vivir con unos parientes en Francia. Terminó casada con un conde italiano y ahora, ya viuda, regresó a Inglaterra para hacer de tutora de su sobrina Susan, una joven heredera de diecisiete años.
Stuart pone sus ojos en Susan pero Charlotte, que no quiere que su sobrina sufra en un matrimonio sin amor, se opone entablando una lucha contra él aunque salten chispas de otro tipo cuando están juntos. Pero peligros del pasado hacen que ambos se unan para salvar a Susan y surjan sentimiento profundos.
Un par de escenas sensuales intensas. Recordar que Charlotte es una viuda apasionada a la que no hay que enseñarle nada, sólo el amor.
Quizá algunas cosas parezcan como traídas de los pelos, cosillas pasadas por alto y perdonadas tácitamente (pero recordar aquello que tira más que una yunta de bueyes), secretos sorpresivos revelados recién al final, Susan es una tonta al cubo y esas cosas, pero me resultó ágil y entretenida.
De ahí mis cuatro estrella.
Pero bueno, como se dice, sobre gustos no hay nada escrito. Quizá, no tenía demasiadas expectativas del libro (que es el primero que leo de la autora).
En mi opinión tiene más de comedia que de drama, no por lo que pasa que podría ser la mar de dramático, sino por el estilo de la novela.
Stuart es heredero (en segundo grado, primero está su padre) de un vizcondado, pero su vida ha sido un poco complicada por la mala relación con su padre; la falta de responsabilidades lo ha llevado a una existencia un poco frívola. A sus 32 años ha decidido sentar cabeza con un proyecto propio pero una serie de circunstancias desafortunadas (como dice el refrán "el comedido huele a podrido") hacen que pierda su ingreso familiar y esté al borde de la quiebra. La solución : casarse con una heredera.
Charlotte es inglesa de buena familia pero un desliz de su juventud hizo que su padre la echara de su casa enviándola a vivir con unos parientes en Francia. Terminó casada con un conde italiano y ahora, ya viuda, regresó a Inglaterra para hacer de tutora de su sobrina Susan, una joven heredera de diecisiete años.
Stuart pone sus ojos en Susan pero Charlotte, que no quiere que su sobrina sufra en un matrimonio sin amor, se opone entablando una lucha contra él aunque salten chispas de otro tipo cuando están juntos. Pero peligros del pasado hacen que ambos se unan para salvar a Susan y surjan sentimiento profundos.
Un par de escenas sensuales intensas. Recordar que Charlotte es una viuda apasionada a la que no hay que enseñarle nada, sólo el amor.
Quizá algunas cosas parezcan como traídas de los pelos, cosillas pasadas por alto y perdonadas tácitamente (pero recordar aquello que tira más que una yunta de bueyes), secretos sorpresivos revelados recién al final, Susan es una tonta al cubo y esas cosas, pero me resultó ágil y entretenida.
De ahí mis cuatro estrella.
September 27, 2018
Great story!
This is a cleverly plotted and well written historical romance with many twists and turns that I really did not expect.
The main characters, Charlotte who has strength and wit on her side and Stuart who just wants to make something of himself and who knows how to woo and romance a lady, make a good pair and I loved the way they teased and supported each other.
I also loved the niece, Susan. She is such silly, immature young lady, but quite sweet too.
Of course there is a villain who needs to be foundj and unarmed and then there are family and friends who give the main characters much needed support.
Caroline Linden has written and delightful story and I enjoyed and was thoroughly entertained by it so I am quite happy to recommend it and hope you enjoy it as much as I have.
This is a cleverly plotted and well written historical romance with many twists and turns that I really did not expect.
The main characters, Charlotte who has strength and wit on her side and Stuart who just wants to make something of himself and who knows how to woo and romance a lady, make a good pair and I loved the way they teased and supported each other.
I also loved the niece, Susan. She is such silly, immature young lady, but quite sweet too.
Of course there is a villain who needs to be foundj and unarmed and then there are family and friends who give the main characters much needed support.
Caroline Linden has written and delightful story and I enjoyed and was thoroughly entertained by it so I am quite happy to recommend it and hope you enjoy it as much as I have.
January 5, 2018
Loved it! 4.5 stars. I am going to have to start reserving my five-star reviews for truly life-altering reads, but books that generate more than two emotional responses will always make me effusive in my ratings.
Excellent characters--even the annoying ones--and an excellent female protagonist who acts and reacts very believably make this a great read. I also like how Linden dealt with a woman with a "past."
On the downside, there might have been too much wavering and hand-wringing in certain parts, but not enough to make me want to stop reading.
Excellent characters--even the annoying ones--and an excellent female protagonist who acts and reacts very believably make this a great read. I also like how Linden dealt with a woman with a "past."
On the downside, there might have been too much wavering and hand-wringing in certain parts, but not enough to make me want to stop reading.
March 18, 2018
Like the last book I read by Caroline Linden, our hero Stuart started out as a real shit. Seriously, he was totally unlikable. Charlotte was a bit better, but it took a while to warm up to her. I was a bit bored until the middle of the story, where things picked up. The sensual scenes were very well done. Things really moved quickly near the end, and Stuart redeemed himself. There were some surprises I was not expecting at all. One thing drove me crazy, and that was Charlotte's niece Susan. The girl was dumb as a rock. I wanted to beat her with that rock.
September 17, 2018
The hero is likeable enough, but the heroine is one of these feisty, independent women who turns out just to be quick tempered, judgemental, prone to exhibitionist tantrums, lacking enough grace to apologise ...frankly annoying. As for the story....I'm happy to suspend my disbelief, but the back stories of the principal characters are so unbelievable and, by the time I'd waded through the histrionics and the superfluous sex scenes, uninteresting, that I can only wonder at how much Caroline Linden improved in most of her later books.
September 27, 2018
Sensual and entertaining with plot twists to keep you turning the pages
Interesting and sensual, this story has a few twists and some odd turns, but will keep you turning the pages. This is a slow seduction, but very sexy! A few scenarios are a little implausible, but are a main part of the plot (like the niece's abduction). There seems to be several unanswered questions at the end of the book, but that is what life is like...
Interesting and sensual, this story has a few twists and some odd turns, but will keep you turning the pages. This is a slow seduction, but very sexy! A few scenarios are a little implausible, but are a main part of the plot (like the niece's abduction). There seems to be several unanswered questions at the end of the book, but that is what life is like...
August 23, 2019
The chemistry between the leads is fantastic. I love their constant battle of wills before they get to know each other better.
The mystery subplot is a bit less fleshed out, and all the info about Stuart's family near the end was a tad too rushed and twisty turny to believe / have an emotional impact. The subplot involving Susan also seemed resolved a bit too smoothly at the end.
But Charlotte and Stuart are incredible together, and I love how their relationship progressed.
The mystery subplot is a bit less fleshed out, and all the info about Stuart's family near the end was a tad too rushed and twisty turny to believe / have an emotional impact. The subplot involving Susan also seemed resolved a bit too smoothly at the end.
But Charlotte and Stuart are incredible together, and I love how their relationship progressed.
April 4, 2021
h is "old" widow but beautiful. H is very handsome behaves atrociously in the beginning, somewhat redeems himself as a honorable beta later.
Wavering between 2 and 3 stars.
2 stars as the story required yet another beautiful woman for the attraction to be there and H sticking with her despite her misbehaving past. All of the H's think it is for the h's loyalty, integrity, etc. but truly it is the beauty.
Settled on 3 as the H somewhat redeems himself as a beta.
Wavering between 2 and 3 stars.
2 stars as the story required yet another beautiful woman for the attraction to be there and H sticking with her despite her misbehaving past. All of the H's think it is for the h's loyalty, integrity, etc. but truly it is the beauty.
Settled on 3 as the H somewhat redeems himself as a beta.
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