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The Matchmaker #2
The Bridal Quest
The matchmaker's ultimate challenge.
Lady Irene Wyngate has sworn she'll never marry, keeping suitors at bay with her cautious tongue. But there is one man she can't scare: Gideon, long-lost heir to the Earl of Radbourne. He was kidnapped as a child and grew up tough on the London streets. And though he's been restored to his family, he is still more at home in gambling dens than stately ballrooms.
Irene isn't attracted to Gideon, or so she says when matchmaker Francesca Haughston asks for her help to civilize him for marriage. After all, he is a rogue with a dubious past - a handsome rogue, she has to admit. But as she reluctantly begins to yield to love, wicked family secrets come to light... with devastating consequences for the reluctant lovers.
Lady Irene Wyngate has sworn she'll never marry, keeping suitors at bay with her cautious tongue. But there is one man she can't scare: Gideon, long-lost heir to the Earl of Radbourne. He was kidnapped as a child and grew up tough on the London streets. And though he's been restored to his family, he is still more at home in gambling dens than stately ballrooms.
Irene isn't attracted to Gideon, or so she says when matchmaker Francesca Haughston asks for her help to civilize him for marriage. After all, he is a rogue with a dubious past - a handsome rogue, she has to admit. But as she reluctantly begins to yield to love, wicked family secrets come to light... with devastating consequences for the reluctant lovers.
384 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published March 1, 2008
185 people are currently reading
1014 people want to read
About the author
Candace Camp
121 books1,250 followersCandace Camp is the New York Times bestselling author of over sixty books.
Her first novel, *Bonds of Love*, was published by Jove Publishing in 1978, under the pseudonym Lisa Gregory. Two pseudonyms (Kristin James and Sharon Stephens)and many books later, Candace writes under her own name Candace Camp and still loves creating stories.
Candace lives in Austin, Texas, with her husband and is the mother of Young Adult author Anastasia Hopcus.
Her first novel, *Bonds of Love*, was published by Jove Publishing in 1978, under the pseudonym Lisa Gregory. Two pseudonyms (Kristin James and Sharon Stephens)and many books later, Candace writes under her own name Candace Camp and still loves creating stories.
Candace lives in Austin, Texas, with her husband and is the mother of Young Adult author Anastasia Hopcus.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 159 reviews
August 13, 2019
Just what I needed! A well-written and fun historical romance with great main characters.
The Bridal Quest by Candance Camp starts off with the main characters meeting in an unorthodox way.
Lady Irene Wyngate ends up stopping Gideon from beating her Dad to a pulp. Her Dad deserved it and he’s the main reason why she doesn’t want to marry.
Irene was a great character to like. She wasn’t pretentious, spoke her mind and felt fine being a spinster. She doesn’t want a marriage like what her Mom and Dad had. Her Dad was a peer of the ton along with being an alcoholic, angry and cheated on her Mom all the time. Irene protected her brother and mother when her Dad got drunk and mean.
So, I totally understood why she did not want to get married!
I really liked the character of Gideon. Gideon and his Mom were taken by kidnappers when he was 4 years old. He was never found until he was much older. He grew up on the streets of London and became a self made man. He ends up being the long lost heir of the Earl of Radbourne.
I enjoyed the whole mystery of why he was kidnapped and what happened to his Mom. It was a nice, cozy mystery in the middle of a fun historical romance.
I liked the relationship between Irene and Gideon. I believed the attraction, chemistry and friendship.
I'm looking forward to reading the rest of the series!
The Bridal Quest by Candance Camp starts off with the main characters meeting in an unorthodox way.
Lady Irene Wyngate ends up stopping Gideon from beating her Dad to a pulp. Her Dad deserved it and he’s the main reason why she doesn’t want to marry.
Irene was a great character to like. She wasn’t pretentious, spoke her mind and felt fine being a spinster. She doesn’t want a marriage like what her Mom and Dad had. Her Dad was a peer of the ton along with being an alcoholic, angry and cheated on her Mom all the time. Irene protected her brother and mother when her Dad got drunk and mean.
So, I totally understood why she did not want to get married!
I really liked the character of Gideon. Gideon and his Mom were taken by kidnappers when he was 4 years old. He was never found until he was much older. He grew up on the streets of London and became a self made man. He ends up being the long lost heir of the Earl of Radbourne.
I enjoyed the whole mystery of why he was kidnapped and what happened to his Mom. It was a nice, cozy mystery in the middle of a fun historical romance.
I liked the relationship between Irene and Gideon. I believed the attraction, chemistry and friendship.
I'm looking forward to reading the rest of the series!
April 2, 2017
Ευχάριστο βιβλίο. Ότι πρέπει για να χαλαρώσεις, ακατάλληλο όμως για όσες (εννοείται απευθύνεται σε γυναίκειο κοινό) έχουν υψηλά λογοτεχνικά κριτήρια. Έχει δράση, μυστήριο, -φυσικά- πολύ ρομάντζο και εξαιρετική χημεία ανάμεσα στους πρωταγωνιστές.
3,5/ 5 αστεράκια
3,5/ 5 αστεράκια
June 27, 2023
The 2nd book of this series was better than the first. I laughed quite a lot with the main characters in the first half of this book. The heroine is a lioness and she'snot afraid to bite. The second half was a tad boring imo but an okay read overall.
3.5 rounding it up to 4.
3.5 rounding it up to 4.
January 27, 2024
Ortalamanın biraz üstünde, güzel bir kitap olabilecekken yazarın sonu çok allandırıp budaklandırdığını ve sonu çok oldu bittiyse getirdiğini düşünüyorum. Onun dışında çıtır çerezlik bir kitap, ama tabii ki de ben 2 aydır okuyup bitirmeye çalışıyorum. Bu rs beni öldürecek...
August 16, 2023
Gideon was left in London as a 4 year old. Found years later by his family.
Irene is determined to stay unmarried.
These two people meet up again after their first meeting 9 years earlier.
A enjoyable story with lots going on.
Irene is determined to stay unmarried.
These two people meet up again after their first meeting 9 years earlier.
A enjoyable story with lots going on.
June 11, 2017
I honestly thought going into this that I'd have to endure scene after scene of Irene spouting her feminist ideals about the rights women should have, but that's not at all the case. I love this quaint unorthadox romance match between the main characters Irene and Gideon. Irene was a person who was determine to remain a spinster for valid reasons. Gideon who was kidnapped at 4 years old and grew up as a poor urchin later to gain his own personal wealth using the hard knock methods of survival and thrived. Gideon did not wish marriage but knew he must provide and heir to his estate. Irene is no exception: she won't get married because she doesn't want to "belong" to a man the way her mother belonged to her abusive father. The reoccurring character is Lady Francesca, the matchmaker. I actually enjoyed this book; it had a mystery intertwined with the storyline. This time, we meet Irene and Gideon. Irene is dead set against marriage fearing its bonds after being raised in a house where her father drank, gambled and treated his family with violence. Lady Irene Wyngate really should marry. Her brother's wife doesn't like her and she doesn't have enough money to move out. She's sharp-tongued and most of the eligible suitors avoid her.
I really liked it! More than the first one! It has a better plot and more interesting main characters! Also, I liked the mystery in the story! Great tension, arguing, and battle of wit and wills between main characters - definitely better than the first Matchmaker book. This book is the second in Candace Camp's Matchmaker Series and follows The Marriage Wager. My main complaint with the first book of the series still holds true here, but it wasn't as bothersome. I don't know if this is Camp's normal writing style, but in neither book does she show the hero's POV (except for once for a total of 4 lines in this one) and I find it very disconcerting. I'd already read the first book in the Matchmakers series and honestly had no intention of reading this one, but when you find a book by an author you like at the library you have to check it out. The heroine didn't really interest me based on what I'd gotten from the summary. Turns out, I was very wrong. Once again, another fun read from Candace Camp. I love her stories because her heroines aren't helpless; they tend to be a little older, a little caustic, with lots of spunk. The hero in this book is great, too. This is the second book in the matchmaker series. Once again, could not put it down! Two for two in this series. Again, she favors "older" heroines and people who aren't necessarily wealthy beyond words. Truly wonderful, touching story, great characters.
I really liked it! More than the first one! It has a better plot and more interesting main characters! Also, I liked the mystery in the story! Great tension, arguing, and battle of wit and wills between main characters - definitely better than the first Matchmaker book. This book is the second in Candace Camp's Matchmaker Series and follows The Marriage Wager. My main complaint with the first book of the series still holds true here, but it wasn't as bothersome. I don't know if this is Camp's normal writing style, but in neither book does she show the hero's POV (except for once for a total of 4 lines in this one) and I find it very disconcerting. I'd already read the first book in the Matchmakers series and honestly had no intention of reading this one, but when you find a book by an author you like at the library you have to check it out. The heroine didn't really interest me based on what I'd gotten from the summary. Turns out, I was very wrong. Once again, another fun read from Candace Camp. I love her stories because her heroines aren't helpless; they tend to be a little older, a little caustic, with lots of spunk. The hero in this book is great, too. This is the second book in the matchmaker series. Once again, could not put it down! Two for two in this series. Again, she favors "older" heroines and people who aren't necessarily wealthy beyond words. Truly wonderful, touching story, great characters.
November 13, 2009
During the first few chapters, I came very close to setting this book down and never picking it up again. Lady Irene Wyngate is determined not to marry, and insists on making this clear to everyone. It’s great that she’s an independent heroine, but I just couldn’t envision some woman talking to the ton at a ball and spouting out why she would never marry. While I liked that she was a modern, independent thinker, her talking openly about it didn’t jive with her deire to be considered proper.
Other than that, I really enjoyed the book. Her not wanting to marry (and the reasons she doesn’t want to marry) set up for good tension between her and Gideon. I loved their sparring. It brought both characters to life. And there were several wonderful, sensual love scenes.
At first I didn’t know what to make of the plot since it focuses on the fact Gideon was kidnapped as a child and grew up in the slums of London. It’s a somewhat odd plot, but it provided enough twists and surprises to keep everything moving.
While this is not one of my favorite romances overall, I came to really like both the hero and heroine.
Other than that, I really enjoyed the book. Her not wanting to marry (and the reasons she doesn’t want to marry) set up for good tension between her and Gideon. I loved their sparring. It brought both characters to life. And there were several wonderful, sensual love scenes.
At first I didn’t know what to make of the plot since it focuses on the fact Gideon was kidnapped as a child and grew up in the slums of London. It’s a somewhat odd plot, but it provided enough twists and surprises to keep everything moving.
While this is not one of my favorite romances overall, I came to really like both the hero and heroine.
November 13, 2017
Leído en Nov 2011
me gustó.... bastante entretenido!!
me gustó.... bastante entretenido!!
November 3, 2013
Honestly this book was bearable at most. I read The Courtship Dance a while back and that bored me to tears. i had been hoping that this book might be a little different but it was just as boring. I mean there was nothing wrong with it precisely... it was just so BLAND. I can't see myself ever picking a book up by this author again.
June 13, 2017
2.5 stars rounded up to 3.
This the usual story of the determined spinster who ends up changing her mind when she meets The One. My first book by this author, and she writes well, including a little murder mystery for fun.
What I found strange about this book is that the only insight I had into a character's mind and thoughts came from the heroine, Irene. The story was told completely from her POV, and I could only guess at what the hero and the secondary characters were feeling because we are never told. Their facial expressions and tone of voice (angry, grim, embarrassed etc) are described, but by locking me out of their heads, I found it difficult to get close to them and that detachment created an I-don't-really-care-what-happens-to-them feeling in me as I read the book. It probably did not help that I have been listening to an audiobook by Kelly Bowen at the same time, where both protagonists do a LOT of thinking and I have developed a real understanding of their motives, attitudes and personal back history. (Thanks, Caz and the Audio Gals - really enjoying it!) In contrast, the hero of The Bridal Quest is a two-dimensional enigma that I, unfortunately, cannot be bothered solving.
If all the author's books are written the same way, I don't think I will be reading any more.
This the usual story of the determined spinster who ends up changing her mind when she meets The One. My first book by this author, and she writes well, including a little murder mystery for fun.
What I found strange about this book is that the only insight I had into a character's mind and thoughts came from the heroine, Irene. The story was told completely from her POV, and I could only guess at what the hero and the secondary characters were feeling because we are never told. Their facial expressions and tone of voice (angry, grim, embarrassed etc) are described, but by locking me out of their heads, I found it difficult to get close to them and that detachment created an I-don't-really-care-what-happens-to-them feeling in me as I read the book. It probably did not help that I have been listening to an audiobook by Kelly Bowen at the same time, where both protagonists do a LOT of thinking and I have developed a real understanding of their motives, attitudes and personal back history. (Thanks, Caz and the Audio Gals - really enjoying it!) In contrast, the hero of The Bridal Quest is a two-dimensional enigma that I, unfortunately, cannot be bothered solving.
If all the author's books are written the same way, I don't think I will be reading any more.
September 17, 2012
Söz Dinlemez Kalbim-Candace Camp
Yazarın Matchmakers Serisinin 2.Kitabı idi Goodreads Puanı 5/,3,84 Benim puanım 5/4
Seri Şu Şekilde;
Matchmakers (Çöpçatan Serisi)
1. The Marriage Wager (2007) Aşk Engel Tanımaz
2. The Bridal Quest (2008) Söz Dinlemez Kalbim
aka The Bridal Conquest
3. The Wedding Challenge (2008)
4. The Courtship Dance (2009)
Serinin ilk kitabı Aşk engel Tanımaz'ı çeviren Ceren Kurtoğulları'nın çevirmesi yayın evi adına isabetli bir karar bence..Kitabı yine çok rahat okudum..Candace Camp'in kalemini seviyorum çok akıcı bir uslüp ile yazıyor.Erkeklerin iç seslerine romanda pek yer vermiyor..Bu da sanırım yazarın sitili..Ama beni çok fazla da rahatsız etmiyor..
Serinin ilk kitabından tanıdığımız Lady Francesca Haughston'ın Rochostor Dük'ü ile tutuştuğu iddiadan hatırlıyoruz..Bu ikili benim kalbimi fethetmişti..Oğlan kardeşini evlendirme de başarısı ile Dük ile olan iddiayı kazanmıştı..Ama maddi durumu henüz düzelememişti..
Serinin 3.Kitabında Dük'ün kız kardeşi Carla 4.Kitabında bu çok merak ettiğim ikilinin kitabını okuyacağız..Tabii ki en çok Françesca ve Kusursuzluk timsali Dük'ün hikayesini merak ediyorum..
Serinin 4.Kitabı Söz Dinlemez Kalbim'e gelince kurgusu çok güzeldi..Hiç sıkılmadan okudum.
Evlilikten ödü patlayab Lady İrene Wyngate ile Radbourne Kontu'nun varisi Gideon'un hikayesi idi..İrene'nin korkusunun en büyük sebebi zalim ve bencil babasının davranışları yüzünden di aslında..Bu yzüden evlinerek erkeğin hükmü altına girmeyi ret ediyordu..
Gideon ile İrene'nin yolları da genç kızın babası yüzünden bir gece yarısı kesişmiş idi aslında..Babasını emrinde çalışan bir kadına musallat olduğu için uyarmaya gelen Gideon İrene'yi kendisine çevirdiği silahı ile ilk kez görmüştü..Genç kızı da unutmamıştı..
Bu olaydan tam 10 yıl sonra bu iki gencin yolları tekrar kesişir..Gideon'un gizemli ve aykırı geçmişi çok çarpıcı ve sırlar ile doludur..Küçük yaşta terkedilip büyük zorluklar ile yaşaması babasının o kaybolduktan sonra bulmak için beklediği çabayı göstermemiş olması Gideon'un cevaplarını aradığı sorulardır..
Yıllar sonra kavuştuğu ailesinden beklediği sıcaklığı görmemesi ünvanın her şeyden çok önemli olması onun canının acıtmıştır..
Öte yandan İrene babasını kaybetmiş olup babasının bıraktığı borçlarla boğuşan ağabeyi evlendikten sonra annesi ile birlikte onu evlendirmek için fırsat kollayan sevmeyen yengesi ile birlikte yaşamaktadır..Zaman zaman yaşanan tartışmalar canını acıtsa da evlenmemeğe kesin kararlı olup sert ve açık sözlü bir genç kız olup erkekleri yanına yanaştırmamaktadır..
Ama yeniden bulduğu ailesi Gideon'un aileden yapılan baskıları sonucunda İrene'yi oldukça hareketli ve heyecanlı günler beklemekteydi..Çünkü Gideon tanışacağı bekar genç kızlar için düzenlenecek davette çöpçatanlık yapan Francesca'ya özellikle İrene'in isimin vererek davet edilmesini sağlıyacaktır..
Büyük bir keyifle okudum..Francesca ve Dük'ün olduğu sahneler çok fazla olmasada kitabın sonundaki sahne gelecek iki kitabın daha da haraketli ve heyecanlı olacağının göstergesi idi...
Umarım bu sefer Candace Camp'i okumak için çok fazla ara verilmez..Tavsiye ederim..
Yazarın Matchmakers Serisinin 2.Kitabı idi Goodreads Puanı 5/,3,84 Benim puanım 5/4
Seri Şu Şekilde;
Matchmakers (Çöpçatan Serisi)
1. The Marriage Wager (2007) Aşk Engel Tanımaz
2. The Bridal Quest (2008) Söz Dinlemez Kalbim
aka The Bridal Conquest
3. The Wedding Challenge (2008)
4. The Courtship Dance (2009)
Serinin ilk kitabı Aşk engel Tanımaz'ı çeviren Ceren Kurtoğulları'nın çevirmesi yayın evi adına isabetli bir karar bence..Kitabı yine çok rahat okudum..Candace Camp'in kalemini seviyorum çok akıcı bir uslüp ile yazıyor.Erkeklerin iç seslerine romanda pek yer vermiyor..Bu da sanırım yazarın sitili..Ama beni çok fazla da rahatsız etmiyor..
Serinin ilk kitabından tanıdığımız Lady Francesca Haughston'ın Rochostor Dük'ü ile tutuştuğu iddiadan hatırlıyoruz..Bu ikili benim kalbimi fethetmişti..Oğlan kardeşini evlendirme de başarısı ile Dük ile olan iddiayı kazanmıştı..Ama maddi durumu henüz düzelememişti..
Serinin 3.Kitabında Dük'ün kız kardeşi Carla 4.Kitabında bu çok merak ettiğim ikilinin kitabını okuyacağız..Tabii ki en çok Françesca ve Kusursuzluk timsali Dük'ün hikayesini merak ediyorum..
Serinin 4.Kitabı Söz Dinlemez Kalbim'e gelince kurgusu çok güzeldi..Hiç sıkılmadan okudum.
Evlilikten ödü patlayab Lady İrene Wyngate ile Radbourne Kontu'nun varisi Gideon'un hikayesi idi..İrene'nin korkusunun en büyük sebebi zalim ve bencil babasının davranışları yüzünden di aslında..Bu yzüden evlinerek erkeğin hükmü altına girmeyi ret ediyordu..
Gideon ile İrene'nin yolları da genç kızın babası yüzünden bir gece yarısı kesişmiş idi aslında..Babasını emrinde çalışan bir kadına musallat olduğu için uyarmaya gelen Gideon İrene'yi kendisine çevirdiği silahı ile ilk kez görmüştü..Genç kızı da unutmamıştı..
Bu olaydan tam 10 yıl sonra bu iki gencin yolları tekrar kesişir..Gideon'un gizemli ve aykırı geçmişi çok çarpıcı ve sırlar ile doludur..Küçük yaşta terkedilip büyük zorluklar ile yaşaması babasının o kaybolduktan sonra bulmak için beklediği çabayı göstermemiş olması Gideon'un cevaplarını aradığı sorulardır..
Yıllar sonra kavuştuğu ailesinden beklediği sıcaklığı görmemesi ünvanın her şeyden çok önemli olması onun canının acıtmıştır..
Öte yandan İrene babasını kaybetmiş olup babasının bıraktığı borçlarla boğuşan ağabeyi evlendikten sonra annesi ile birlikte onu evlendirmek için fırsat kollayan sevmeyen yengesi ile birlikte yaşamaktadır..Zaman zaman yaşanan tartışmalar canını acıtsa da evlenmemeğe kesin kararlı olup sert ve açık sözlü bir genç kız olup erkekleri yanına yanaştırmamaktadır..
Ama yeniden bulduğu ailesi Gideon'un aileden yapılan baskıları sonucunda İrene'yi oldukça hareketli ve heyecanlı günler beklemekteydi..Çünkü Gideon tanışacağı bekar genç kızlar için düzenlenecek davette çöpçatanlık yapan Francesca'ya özellikle İrene'in isimin vererek davet edilmesini sağlıyacaktır..
Büyük bir keyifle okudum..Francesca ve Dük'ün olduğu sahneler çok fazla olmasada kitabın sonundaki sahne gelecek iki kitabın daha da haraketli ve heyecanlı olacağının göstergesi idi...
Umarım bu sefer Candace Camp'i okumak için çok fazla ara verilmez..Tavsiye ederim..
January 8, 2021
Lady Irene Wyngate, 25, spinster, lives with her brother and his wife and her mother with no plans to ever marry. She has seen what it means to be a woman under the thumb of a husband and wants no part of it. Lady Francesca Haughston, living on the edge of genteel poverty, uses her connections to match girls who's families are having problems launching them with suitable matches. She is approached by Lady Odelia to find a match for her great nephew who was kidnapped as child and grew up on the streets before going into business and being found and returned to his family. Now as the Earl Radbourne he is a little plebeian for the society ladies. But he has one request Lady Irene must be included in any selection they present. This was a fun plot with a very outspoken heroine and a blunt hero striking sparks off each other and interesting back stories for both characters.
February 14, 2019
The Bridal Quest by Candace Camp is probably one of my favourite books written by this author. The characters are incredibly magnetic!! I adored the heroine and absolutely LOVED the hero. Gideon is absolutely swoon worthy. I don’t think there was anything about his character that didn’t draw me in. I loved the relationship between Gideon and Irene, it was believable and full of fireworks. The storyline was fun, full of adventure, mystery and was completely unpredictable. A very well rounded story that keeps you turning the pages. Loved it!!
May 13, 2018
Me gusto mas que el anterior.
Irene es independiente, terca y con muchos miedos hacia el matrimonio, lo que la hace un poco molesta cuando rechaza a Gideon. Gideon creció en la calle y ahora es un exitoso hombre de negocios. A esta novela le falto profundizar mas sobre todo, hay muchos temas interesantes que no llegaron a tejerse como debieron por lo que sentí quedaron como hilos sueltos.
Sigue sin gustarme eso de leer nada mas los pensamientos de Irene y Francesca. Que por cierto, esta ultima se sigue llevando el protagonismo...
Irene es independiente, terca y con muchos miedos hacia el matrimonio, lo que la hace un poco molesta cuando rechaza a Gideon. Gideon creció en la calle y ahora es un exitoso hombre de negocios. A esta novela le falto profundizar mas sobre todo, hay muchos temas interesantes que no llegaron a tejerse como debieron por lo que sentí quedaron como hilos sueltos.
Sigue sin gustarme eso de leer nada mas los pensamientos de Irene y Francesca. Que por cierto, esta ultima se sigue llevando el protagonismo...
June 28, 2019
After watching her parents' marriage fall apart due to her father's uncontrollable temper and appetite for debauchery, Lady Irene Wingate has vowed never to fall in love. She hides her heart behind a sharp tongue and a severe countenance, until Lady Francesca Haughston introduces her to Gideon, the newly appointed Earl of Radbourne. Gideon, who was only recently "rescued" from the London streets where he rose from street urchin to successful businessman, is an embarrassment to his noble family--mostly because of his accent, lack of refinement, and poor manners (aka inability to put up with their snobbish, controlling ways). Gideon remembers Irene from the time she stopped a brawl between Gideon and her father--and has decided he wants her as his wife. Although attracted to Gideon, Irene stubbornly maintains her vow not to marry. In order to draw the two together, Lady Francesca invites Irene to come to Gideon's residence under the guise of improving his manners so that he may make a match with one of the eligible ladies who will be arriving for a house party the following week. Eager to get away from her sister-in-law Irene accepts and gets drawn into the search for Gideon's past, the truth of his mother's disappearance and a feeling of burgeoning love that can't be denied.
When Irene was first introduced at the tender age of 16, I was blown away. I thought "This girl is a badass". It's not every day you run across a kickass female character in a romance novel. However, by the time we made it to Lady Spence's birthday ball where our hero and heroine meet, the badass vibes were slowly morphing into bitch territory. Sadly, her personality only went down from there. After meeting Gideon her personality does a complete 180 and becomes absolutely indistinguishable from every every other romance novel heroine's. She spends her days arguing with herself about why she shouldn't marry, lying to her friends and family about her feelings, getting jealous when the hero pays even a minimal amount of attention to another lady, and patting herself on the back for snubbing the hero's advances (while still dreaming about being in a relationship with him). I hoped that such a logical, no nonsense woman would follow the "accept she has feelings, decides she'll just use the hero for his sexy body, and then dump him, only to realize she actually loves him" route, but sadly, that was not the case. Overall, I found Irene extremely annoying--mostly because the author had initially led me to believe she was a different kind of heroine.
As other reviewers mentioned, this novel would have improved greatly by having Gideon's POV included. I found Gideon to be a dark and rather severe romantic hero. He certainly lusted after Irene and they had chemistry, but other than one scene with his step-brother Timothy, we never see the vulnerable side of Gideon. Understanding more about his past life on the streets and how he feels about his new surroundings, as well as why he is drawn to Irene, would have made him a more sympathetic and lovable character. Furthermore, listening to Irene whine about how much she was attracted to Gideon but would never marry for 300 pages made me ready to chuck this book across the room. It would have been nice to have a few chapters told from Gideon's POV to break up the monotony.
I have to say that I'm pretty disappointed in this novel. I felt there was a lot of great material to work with. Lady Irene could have been a real badass character (another scene where she wields the pistols would have been amazing!) and we could have been entertained and amused by more scenes of the ladies teaching Gideon courtly manners and etiquette. Instead, we are subjected to scene after scene of Gideon chasing an unwilling Irene who rebuffs him over and over again (while secretly falling more and more in love).
The true heroine of this story is Lady Francesca Haughston who had the wit, grace, diplomacy and good sense to keep the whole situation from going to hell.
When Irene was first introduced at the tender age of 16, I was blown away. I thought "This girl is a badass". It's not every day you run across a kickass female character in a romance novel. However, by the time we made it to Lady Spence's birthday ball where our hero and heroine meet, the badass vibes were slowly morphing into bitch territory. Sadly, her personality only went down from there. After meeting Gideon her personality does a complete 180 and becomes absolutely indistinguishable from every every other romance novel heroine's. She spends her days arguing with herself about why she shouldn't marry, lying to her friends and family about her feelings, getting jealous when the hero pays even a minimal amount of attention to another lady, and patting herself on the back for snubbing the hero's advances (while still dreaming about being in a relationship with him). I hoped that such a logical, no nonsense woman would follow the "accept she has feelings, decides she'll just use the hero for his sexy body, and then dump him, only to realize she actually loves him" route, but sadly, that was not the case. Overall, I found Irene extremely annoying--mostly because the author had initially led me to believe she was a different kind of heroine.
As other reviewers mentioned, this novel would have improved greatly by having Gideon's POV included. I found Gideon to be a dark and rather severe romantic hero. He certainly lusted after Irene and they had chemistry, but other than one scene with his step-brother Timothy, we never see the vulnerable side of Gideon. Understanding more about his past life on the streets and how he feels about his new surroundings, as well as why he is drawn to Irene, would have made him a more sympathetic and lovable character. Furthermore, listening to Irene whine about how much she was attracted to Gideon but would never marry for 300 pages made me ready to chuck this book across the room. It would have been nice to have a few chapters told from Gideon's POV to break up the monotony.
I have to say that I'm pretty disappointed in this novel. I felt there was a lot of great material to work with. Lady Irene could have been a real badass character (another scene where she wields the pistols would have been amazing!) and we could have been entertained and amused by more scenes of the ladies teaching Gideon courtly manners and etiquette. Instead, we are subjected to scene after scene of Gideon chasing an unwilling Irene who rebuffs him over and over again (while secretly falling more and more in love).
The true heroine of this story is Lady Francesca Haughston who had the wit, grace, diplomacy and good sense to keep the whole situation from going to hell.
August 31, 2020
En verdad sería un 3.5. Lo que pasa es que las comparaciones son odiosas y en este caso pues claramente gana el anterior porque me gustó más, pero esta historia también es muy bonita.
Seguimos con la ayuda de la dama de sociedad. Sus intrigas y de más. Un libro bastante típico dentro del género, pero que la autora sí que consigue construir de una manera que te atrape y te haga sonreír. A mí esta clase de historias es que por encima de todo: me dejan una sonrisa en la cara. Y eso pues, personalmente, ya me aporta mucho más que cualquier otra cosa.
Me ha gustado mucho que en este caso fuera él, Radbourne, el que necesitase la "ayuda" y el que tuviera que encontrar la prometida. Ella es que es de esas mujeres que ha jurado no casarse y que no piensa ceder ante un hombre. Me gusta mucho como se hace hincapié en la situación de las mujeres en estos libros, sin necesidad de hacer un gran revuelo por ello, ni dar clase. Sino que con pequeños detalles ya se narra muy claramente muchas de las problemáticas que tenían.
Vale la pena: sí. pero por favor, leedlos por ordern.
Seguimos con la ayuda de la dama de sociedad. Sus intrigas y de más. Un libro bastante típico dentro del género, pero que la autora sí que consigue construir de una manera que te atrape y te haga sonreír. A mí esta clase de historias es que por encima de todo: me dejan una sonrisa en la cara. Y eso pues, personalmente, ya me aporta mucho más que cualquier otra cosa.
Me ha gustado mucho que en este caso fuera él, Radbourne, el que necesitase la "ayuda" y el que tuviera que encontrar la prometida. Ella es que es de esas mujeres que ha jurado no casarse y que no piensa ceder ante un hombre. Me gusta mucho como se hace hincapié en la situación de las mujeres en estos libros, sin necesidad de hacer un gran revuelo por ello, ni dar clase. Sino que con pequeños detalles ya se narra muy claramente muchas de las problemáticas que tenían.
Vale la pena: sí. pero por favor, leedlos por ordern.
March 28, 2013
Irene has never desired marriage in any form, despite the strong pressure from family, who doesn't understand her independent nature. Irene doesn't want to have to depend on a man for anything, or to become his property of sorts, where he can abuse her to his hearts content if its his wish. When Francesca Haughton, a well known matchmaker, comes to Irene asking for her help, Irene doesn't suspect that Francesca is trying to push Irene into the arms of Gideon. Irene instantly shields herself when she senses that he is one word "Trouble", the sexy and irresistible kind that could land her in a world of hurt in the end. Gideon, has recently come into his title, after being informed of his parentage and that he has been a aristocrat all of this time. He didn't expect to join a family, that aren't all that bad, but they don't encourage him to join happily into Society. With their insistent pushes to get married, Gideon knows he might as well do it sooner rather than later. So he is in pursuit of a wife. When he first meets Irene, he is instantly drawn to her and knows that it won't be easy, she is going to make his life very difficult, but he thrives on challenge. Gideon knows that Irene is exactly what he wants in a wife. Now comes the hard part, proving to her the kind of man he truly is, and that marriage to him wouldn't even come close to her greatest fears.Its been a while since I had read the first book in this series. I do know that I really enjoyed it, even though its been a couple of years. So did i enjoy "The Bridal Quest" just as much? I would say "YES". I found it to be a charming story of two strong willed characters, most stubborn in their purpose. We see that love can be just as stubborn, and has a way of getting through the toughest defenses. Gideon was very sure of himself and did what was expected, but he had backbone, and didn't let anyone run over him. It was a delight to see him pursue Irene, a woman who is full on 100% against marriage. Irene was not my favorite heroine, she wasn't horrible or anything of that nature, but there were times that I found her a bit annoying. As the story progressed however, she started to really grow on me. The story line had quite a bit of a mystery plot to it, that just added something more exciting to the book. I did enjoy the sensuality portion of this story, even though it wasn't too strong, I felt like there was a good balance overall. There was I felt something missing in the story, I couldn't pin point it, but I didn't get fully 100% into it like I wanted. However it was a very enjoyable story nevertheless. Overall it was a witty and endearing story that did keep me involved in the story in a delicious way. I found myself falling in love with Gideon and Irene. I did enjoy seeing how their story progressed and had some beautifully written descriptions that only charmed me even more. Even though there were a few set backs to the story, I did really enjoy reading this one, a love story you can relax into. If your looking for a fun and flirty romance, than this one is for you. You won't be disappointed.
July 15, 2013
ok la trama è sempre quella..lei single che non vuole sposarsi e poi incontra lui..e cambia idea.
però l'ho trovato divertente, romantico e con un pò di mistero al punto giusto.
si lei è troppo indiepndente per essere uan vera dama dell'epoca..ma i sui battibecchi con lui sono stati davvero esilaranti.
La parte più divertente? ovviamente lei che si ostina a dire che non prova interesse per lui e poi appena lo vede va in brodo di giuggiuole..e si fa un saccodi storie mentali..vi giuro sono troppo divertenti! forse perchè un pò mi sono rivista in lei, forse perchè è leggero e si legge in velocità e miha fatto dimenticare i pensieri quotidiani..m ale quattro stelle per me se le è meritate.
però l'ho trovato divertente, romantico e con un pò di mistero al punto giusto.
si lei è troppo indiepndente per essere uan vera dama dell'epoca..ma i sui battibecchi con lui sono stati davvero esilaranti.
La parte più divertente? ovviamente lei che si ostina a dire che non prova interesse per lui e poi appena lo vede va in brodo di giuggiuole..e si fa un saccodi storie mentali..vi giuro sono troppo divertenti! forse perchè un pò mi sono rivista in lei, forse perchè è leggero e si legge in velocità e miha fatto dimenticare i pensieri quotidiani..m ale quattro stelle per me se le è meritate.
February 11, 2019
❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
💋💋
I am loving this series, it’s so different from others I’ve read and wonderful in its writing and descriptions.
Candace has excelled in this, the second book , again Teresa is in action bringing together two people that have a combined destiny.
Gideon and Irene.
Irene is so feisty I love her aggressive and honest ways .
Gideon is very much the same but he seems to have a softer edge to him .
And of course always there in the background is the Duke Of Rochford , my favourite of characters, he must get a book soon .
All In all ,another hit for Ms Camp.
I received an advance copy of this book and chose to submit a review
💋💋
I am loving this series, it’s so different from others I’ve read and wonderful in its writing and descriptions.
Candace has excelled in this, the second book , again Teresa is in action bringing together two people that have a combined destiny.
Gideon and Irene.
Irene is so feisty I love her aggressive and honest ways .
Gideon is very much the same but he seems to have a softer edge to him .
And of course always there in the background is the Duke Of Rochford , my favourite of characters, he must get a book soon .
All In all ,another hit for Ms Camp.
I received an advance copy of this book and chose to submit a review
January 3, 2024
4.5
Great way to start the my 2024 reading journey. The mystery became kind of predictable, but still very good. For me it was the best outcome.
I loved the MCs, they were great and had an amazing built up.
And the heroine didn't make a dumb decision on the end, like saddly it hapenned on book 1 (but the book is still a gem)
Can't wai to continue the series, and finally get to Francesca and the Duke's story.
Great way to start the my 2024 reading journey. The mystery became kind of predictable, but still very good. For me it was the best outcome.
I loved the MCs, they were great and had an amazing built up.
And the heroine didn't make a dumb decision on the end, like saddly it hapenned on book 1 (but the book is still a gem)
Can't wai to continue the series, and finally get to Francesca and the Duke's story.
January 9, 2017
I really liked it! More than the first one! It has a better plot and more interesting main characters! Also, I liked the mystery in the story!
May 18, 2022
E' un pò meglio del primo, ma di poco.
La coppia protagonista è sicuramente più viva di quella del primo libro, anche se ad un certo punto Irene ha cominciato ad essere pesante. Una cosa che ho notato è che la Camp non crede molto agli opposti che si attraggono, crede più al " chi si assomiglia si piglia ". Dico la verità, a me non piace molto questa scrittrice, mi sembra che faccia il compitino, nei suoi libri non trovo calore o passione. L'unico motivo per cui ho continuato a leggere questa seria è che voglio leggere la storia di Lady Francesca ed il Duca di Rochford, so anche che mi deluderà purtroppo. Mi piacerebbe tanto essere smentita.
La coppia protagonista è sicuramente più viva di quella del primo libro, anche se ad un certo punto Irene ha cominciato ad essere pesante. Una cosa che ho notato è che la Camp non crede molto agli opposti che si attraggono, crede più al " chi si assomiglia si piglia ". Dico la verità, a me non piace molto questa scrittrice, mi sembra che faccia il compitino, nei suoi libri non trovo calore o passione. L'unico motivo per cui ho continuato a leggere questa seria è che voglio leggere la storia di Lady Francesca ed il Duca di Rochford, so anche che mi deluderà purtroppo. Mi piacerebbe tanto essere smentita.
December 2, 2018
I loved Gideon and Irene’s road to HEA! Candace Camp is a master at writing the enemy to lovers trope and she adds a mystery into this story. Irene was a tough heroine to bring to the marriage deal but Francesca has a way of easing a reluctant bride into favoring the idea. She now has to successful matches to her credit and I’m hoping she can bring the Duke of Rochford around soon as well. I love this series!
February 15, 2021
I really enjoyed this - better than book one actually. Looking forward to the next.
July 25, 2017
Great tension, arguing, and battle of wit and wills between main characters - definitely better than the first Matchmaker book
This book is the second in Candace Camp's Matchmaker Series and follows The Marriage Wager. My main complaint with the first book of the series still holds true here, but it wasn't as bothersome. I don't know if this is Camp's normal writing style, but in neither book does she show the hero's POV (except for once for a total of 4 lines in this one) and I find it very disconcerting. The story is told exclusively from the heroine's narrative, with small exception - the aforementioned 4 lines and we do see Francesca's (the matchmaker of the series) POV occasionally. In all of the other historical romances I've read, the story is told in third person from **both** of the main characters' - and sometimes secondary characters' - POV (for good reason!).
Camp doesn't do this; in The Marriage Wager it really bothered me because we didn't see enough of the hero in other ways so that at the end of the book I felt I still didn't really know him. She does a much better job of this in The Bridal Quest and I would happily have given the book 5 stars if it weren't for the fact that the hero's perspective is still needed. Other than that, this book is a charm and I will undoubtedly reread it.
SUMMARY:
Lady Irene Wyngate (25) is a sharp-tongued witty young woman (known by the ton as a shrew) who is very unusual for a lady of her class - she has absolutely no interest in *ever* getting married. Watching her drunk lout of a father wreak havoc in everyone's life with his whoring, gambling, and frightful rages and tempers convinced her long ago that she wanted to be under no man's rule and would remain as independent as possible for the rest of her life. She has never questioned her decision until she meets Gideon, Earl of Radbourne, for although she tries to cling to logic and remember what a boorish, arrogant, and rude man he is ... every interaction with Gideon excites her, her body comes alive when he's around, and she can't help but want to see more of his rare smiles and almost-never-heard laughs.
Gideon, Earl of Radbourne (31) was kidnapped at the age of four and grew up in the tough East End of London instead of living in comfort among the English aristocracy. He was recently restored to his family and they are anxious for him to get married; though Gideon is determined to decide on the lady himself, he is amenable to the idea and so agrees. His family asks for Lady Francesca Haughston's help, however, for they fear that it will be difficult to find a proper, young lady who is willing to marry Gideon, since despite his wealth, title, and handsome looks, he's rough around the edges, his hair is too long, he continues his involvement in his business affairs (a tradesman ::gasp::), he is far too direct, he doesn't dance well, and the list goes on. A country house party is organized and although Irene insists that she is attending in order to get her and her mother away from her horrible sister-in-law for awhile and NOT to be one of Gideon's prospective brides, Gideon is determined to change her mind ...
COMMENTS:
The relationship between Irene and Gideon is wonderful - a clash between two opinionated and strong-minded people. It's highly entertaining watching their attraction develop, despite both of their attempts to fight the undeniable chemistry between them (her caustic remarks are priceless and it's so funny when despite his anger he can't bring himself to write her off). There were several laugh-out-loud moments for me and I love the scenes when Irene finds herself defending Gideon against rude criticism despite herself and that she slaps him - not once, but twice!! This book was wonderful and the hero and heroine were perfect for each other - they're both strong, honest, intelligent, loyal, kind, and straight-forward and blunt to the point of rudeness.
Candace Camp combines a completely lovable hero and heroine (with wonderfully antagonistic - but humorous - interactions and great chemistry and dialogue), both friendly and horrible relatives, a family mystery (was Gideon really kidnapped? what happened all those years ago?), and the continually entertaining and curious relationship between Francesca and the Duke of Rochford (which will finally be resolved in the fourth and final book of the Matchmaker Series, The Courtship Dance, out February 1, 2009!!) to create a delightful historical romance.
This book is the second in Candace Camp's Matchmaker Series and follows The Marriage Wager. My main complaint with the first book of the series still holds true here, but it wasn't as bothersome. I don't know if this is Camp's normal writing style, but in neither book does she show the hero's POV (except for once for a total of 4 lines in this one) and I find it very disconcerting. The story is told exclusively from the heroine's narrative, with small exception - the aforementioned 4 lines and we do see Francesca's (the matchmaker of the series) POV occasionally. In all of the other historical romances I've read, the story is told in third person from **both** of the main characters' - and sometimes secondary characters' - POV (for good reason!).
Camp doesn't do this; in The Marriage Wager it really bothered me because we didn't see enough of the hero in other ways so that at the end of the book I felt I still didn't really know him. She does a much better job of this in The Bridal Quest and I would happily have given the book 5 stars if it weren't for the fact that the hero's perspective is still needed. Other than that, this book is a charm and I will undoubtedly reread it.
SUMMARY:
Lady Irene Wyngate (25) is a sharp-tongued witty young woman (known by the ton as a shrew) who is very unusual for a lady of her class - she has absolutely no interest in *ever* getting married. Watching her drunk lout of a father wreak havoc in everyone's life with his whoring, gambling, and frightful rages and tempers convinced her long ago that she wanted to be under no man's rule and would remain as independent as possible for the rest of her life. She has never questioned her decision until she meets Gideon, Earl of Radbourne, for although she tries to cling to logic and remember what a boorish, arrogant, and rude man he is ... every interaction with Gideon excites her, her body comes alive when he's around, and she can't help but want to see more of his rare smiles and almost-never-heard laughs.
Gideon, Earl of Radbourne (31) was kidnapped at the age of four and grew up in the tough East End of London instead of living in comfort among the English aristocracy. He was recently restored to his family and they are anxious for him to get married; though Gideon is determined to decide on the lady himself, he is amenable to the idea and so agrees. His family asks for Lady Francesca Haughston's help, however, for they fear that it will be difficult to find a proper, young lady who is willing to marry Gideon, since despite his wealth, title, and handsome looks, he's rough around the edges, his hair is too long, he continues his involvement in his business affairs (a tradesman ::gasp::), he is far too direct, he doesn't dance well, and the list goes on. A country house party is organized and although Irene insists that she is attending in order to get her and her mother away from her horrible sister-in-law for awhile and NOT to be one of Gideon's prospective brides, Gideon is determined to change her mind ...
COMMENTS:
The relationship between Irene and Gideon is wonderful - a clash between two opinionated and strong-minded people. It's highly entertaining watching their attraction develop, despite both of their attempts to fight the undeniable chemistry between them (her caustic remarks are priceless and it's so funny when despite his anger he can't bring himself to write her off). There were several laugh-out-loud moments for me and I love the scenes when Irene finds herself defending Gideon against rude criticism despite herself and that she slaps him - not once, but twice!! This book was wonderful and the hero and heroine were perfect for each other - they're both strong, honest, intelligent, loyal, kind, and straight-forward and blunt to the point of rudeness.
Candace Camp combines a completely lovable hero and heroine (with wonderfully antagonistic - but humorous - interactions and great chemistry and dialogue), both friendly and horrible relatives, a family mystery (was Gideon really kidnapped? what happened all those years ago?), and the continually entertaining and curious relationship between Francesca and the Duke of Rochford (which will finally be resolved in the fourth and final book of the Matchmaker Series, The Courtship Dance, out February 1, 2009!!) to create a delightful historical romance.
May 7, 2024
⭐️4.25/5⭐️
The couple’s love story was engaging and entertaining. This could have been a 6star read, but a couple of small things I could not overlook: there was no insight into the H’s point of view, and too much time was spent on the subplot, time that could have been spent with the couple.
💕FOR THE REASONS I READ ROMANCE:
The Connection of the Couple: 5/5
Do I believe the couple will endure after the last chapter: 5/5
Couple spent enough happy times together: 2.5/5
Give and Take balance between the couple: 5/5
Couple was balanced and suited: 5/5
Banter and Fun Times: 4/5
🖋️THE WORDS
Show and not Tell: 4/5
Was I transported and enraptured: 5/5
Was the language sophisticated: 4.5/5
⛔️(SPOILERS BELOW)⛔️
🌸OTHER NOTES
My personal taste:
I like it when there is a declared marriage before the sex in historicals and that happened here. I don’t like subplots but the subplot was tolerable here and I didn’t skip it the way I normally do. I liked how the love story was built up and it was a slow burn. I liked the h but didn’t feel like we knew the H enough.
Characters Likability:
h: I liked her! I liked how independent and intelligent she was. I liked that she held on to her self control and her beliefs as well. I hate it when the h is convinced about something but changes her mind instantly once she gets kissed or made out with. This h really struggled, did not give in to passion so easily and kept her head about her.
H: I felt like I didn’t know him. I think we needed more insight into his thoughts, which we got none of here and it took away from the love story. We were told the H was somewhat stoic, we saw him enjoying teasing the h and beyond that, I did not know how he felt about the h. I felt I really needed to know that especially once the competition arrived.
The Connection:
The build up between the couple was lovely, a slow burn, and I enjoyed it. I liked how the enemies part of their relationship was ever present until the end. I loved how the h came to the H’s defense constantly and how we saw how she grew to love him. Like I said earlier, if only we saw the H’s journey it would have felt more complete.
Angst, was it worth it? Yes
Push Pull: The H was constantly asking her to marry him and the h consistently said no, instead of hating the pushing away, I thought it was cute. When she finally said yes, it was very satisfying.
The Ending: The end was mainly about the relevation of the mystery concerning the H’s mother’s disappearance. We do get the proposal where the h finally says yes and that was good, but it was not central and I wished it was.
SUMMARY
My favorite thing about this book:
I liked how the h held out on saying yes until the very end. I would usually hate that but because you could see her reasons and her struggle, it kept me at the edge of my seat.
I liked that we got a proper marriage proposal.
I liked the drama, the proposal, she says no, he runs away, she says yes, then he has to take back the proposal and she slaps him and he’s like “what the hell”, and he holds on to the h, won’t let her out of his sight as he is getting pulled to do other important things. It was so great. Not heavy but entertaining.
What I didn’t like:
I did like the subplot (a lot more than I usually do), concerning the mystery of what happened to the H’s mother but I found it was too long and took up too much real estate on the pages. I would have wanted to cut that part by 50% and give us insight into what the H was feeling. I thought that was sorely missing.
Should you read this: Yes!
Will this go on my favorites shelf to read again: No. It almost made it to my favorites. If the couple spent more time together and less time on the subplot I would have. And I am missing that H’s viewpoint!
The couple’s love story was engaging and entertaining. This could have been a 6star read, but a couple of small things I could not overlook: there was no insight into the H’s point of view, and too much time was spent on the subplot, time that could have been spent with the couple.
💕FOR THE REASONS I READ ROMANCE:
The Connection of the Couple: 5/5
Do I believe the couple will endure after the last chapter: 5/5
Couple spent enough happy times together: 2.5/5
Give and Take balance between the couple: 5/5
Couple was balanced and suited: 5/5
Banter and Fun Times: 4/5
🖋️THE WORDS
Show and not Tell: 4/5
Was I transported and enraptured: 5/5
Was the language sophisticated: 4.5/5
⛔️(SPOILERS BELOW)⛔️
🌸OTHER NOTES
My personal taste:
I like it when there is a declared marriage before the sex in historicals and that happened here. I don’t like subplots but the subplot was tolerable here and I didn’t skip it the way I normally do. I liked how the love story was built up and it was a slow burn. I liked the h but didn’t feel like we knew the H enough.
Characters Likability:
h: I liked her! I liked how independent and intelligent she was. I liked that she held on to her self control and her beliefs as well. I hate it when the h is convinced about something but changes her mind instantly once she gets kissed or made out with. This h really struggled, did not give in to passion so easily and kept her head about her.
H: I felt like I didn’t know him. I think we needed more insight into his thoughts, which we got none of here and it took away from the love story. We were told the H was somewhat stoic, we saw him enjoying teasing the h and beyond that, I did not know how he felt about the h. I felt I really needed to know that especially once the competition arrived.
The Connection:
The build up between the couple was lovely, a slow burn, and I enjoyed it. I liked how the enemies part of their relationship was ever present until the end. I loved how the h came to the H’s defense constantly and how we saw how she grew to love him. Like I said earlier, if only we saw the H’s journey it would have felt more complete.
Angst, was it worth it? Yes
Push Pull: The H was constantly asking her to marry him and the h consistently said no, instead of hating the pushing away, I thought it was cute. When she finally said yes, it was very satisfying.
The Ending: The end was mainly about the relevation of the mystery concerning the H’s mother’s disappearance. We do get the proposal where the h finally says yes and that was good, but it was not central and I wished it was.
SUMMARY
My favorite thing about this book:
I liked how the h held out on saying yes until the very end. I would usually hate that but because you could see her reasons and her struggle, it kept me at the edge of my seat.
I liked that we got a proper marriage proposal.
I liked the drama, the proposal, she says no, he runs away, she says yes, then he has to take back the proposal and she slaps him and he’s like “what the hell”, and he holds on to the h, won’t let her out of his sight as he is getting pulled to do other important things. It was so great. Not heavy but entertaining.
What I didn’t like:
I did like the subplot (a lot more than I usually do), concerning the mystery of what happened to the H’s mother but I found it was too long and took up too much real estate on the pages. I would have wanted to cut that part by 50% and give us insight into what the H was feeling. I thought that was sorely missing.
Should you read this: Yes!
Will this go on my favorites shelf to read again: No. It almost made it to my favorites. If the couple spent more time together and less time on the subplot I would have. And I am missing that H’s viewpoint!
June 15, 2011
Aside from Francesca--and perhaps Calandra--all the women in this novel were distressingly annoying.
The heroine, Irene, kept up constant assertions that she would never, ever get married, despite clearly being in love with the hero. Even worse was the heroine's obnoxious sister-in-law, who was probably written in only to be the catalyst for the heroine to want to escape to the country. The heroine's "competition" was a ridiculous caricature, developed, I'm sure, for the sole purpose of putting the heroine in a more positive light.
In spite of this, I thought the plot would be solid, because the central mystery involved a kidnapping that occured back when the hero was 4. Unfortunately, it touch bloated with unnecessary plot points that didn't do much for the furthering of the mystery or character development. In total:
1. The second wife of the hero's father hates the hero coming to claim his title because her son, eventually proven to be illegitimate(!), was supposed to be the heir.
2. A slew of misunderstandings lead the heroine to believe that she is doing what's best by abandoning the hero after he has announced their betrothal. Even stranger, she leaves with the girl who had assumed she was betrothed the hero.
3. The hero's grandfather attempts to bribe the heroine with a ruby necklace, fake, in order to get the heroine to leave. The heroine is (rightfully) outraged, but is accused of theft later--after she's already left the hero.
4. It is discovered that the hero is not his dead father's son, but rather the love-child of his mother and his dead father's brother.
5. And finally, the hero's mother, murdered by her husband and then covered up by the husband's valet.
The heroine, Irene, kept up constant assertions that she would never, ever get married, despite clearly being in love with the hero. Even worse was the heroine's obnoxious sister-in-law, who was probably written in only to be the catalyst for the heroine to want to escape to the country. The heroine's "competition" was a ridiculous caricature, developed, I'm sure, for the sole purpose of putting the heroine in a more positive light.
In spite of this, I thought the plot would be solid, because the central mystery involved a kidnapping that occured back when the hero was 4. Unfortunately, it touch bloated with unnecessary plot points that didn't do much for the furthering of the mystery or character development. In total:
1. The second wife of the hero's father hates the hero coming to claim his title because her son, eventually proven to be illegitimate(!), was supposed to be the heir.
2. A slew of misunderstandings lead the heroine to believe that she is doing what's best by abandoning the hero after he has announced their betrothal. Even stranger, she leaves with the girl who had assumed she was betrothed the hero.
3. The hero's grandfather attempts to bribe the heroine with a ruby necklace, fake, in order to get the heroine to leave. The heroine is (rightfully) outraged, but is accused of theft later--after she's already left the hero.
4. It is discovered that the hero is not his dead father's son, but rather the love-child of his mother and his dead father's brother.
5. And finally, the hero's mother, murdered by her husband and then covered up by the husband's valet.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 16, 2012
i am so in love with this book. it made me giddy, excited and giggles while reading it. definitely a match for gideon and irene. irene may be so reluctant to marry but whenever gideon is present she cannot deny the excitement she feels when she is beside him and kissing him had certain effects on her. i love their banter and how gideon is such a romantic type. despite all the controversies and secrets of gideon's kidnap issue, i love how irene stood up for him and is always beside him ready to face new developments. definitely a page turner for me.
October 18, 2012
Candace Camp / Söz Dinlemez Kalbim
Serinin ilk kitabı ile severek takip ettiğim bir yazar oldu benim için , serinin 2. ktabını ilk kitaptan daha çok beğendiğimi söylemeliyim :) başından itibaren çevresindekilere evlenmeyeceğini söyleyerek durumunu kabullettiren Leydi İren bu durumunu bir tek Radbourn kontu 'nun varisi Gideon Radbourn e kabullendirmekte zorlanır .. Her karşılaşmalarında iki keçi misali dikleşen ve inatlaşan çiftimizin atışmaları ve diyalogları bana göre keyifliydi .
Sürükleyici ve sıkılmadan okuyacağınız bir hikaye diyebilirim ...
Serinin ilk kitabı ile severek takip ettiğim bir yazar oldu benim için , serinin 2. ktabını ilk kitaptan daha çok beğendiğimi söylemeliyim :) başından itibaren çevresindekilere evlenmeyeceğini söyleyerek durumunu kabullettiren Leydi İren bu durumunu bir tek Radbourn kontu 'nun varisi Gideon Radbourn e kabullendirmekte zorlanır .. Her karşılaşmalarında iki keçi misali dikleşen ve inatlaşan çiftimizin atışmaları ve diyalogları bana göre keyifliydi .
Sürükleyici ve sıkılmadan okuyacağınız bir hikaye diyebilirim ...
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