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The Unthinkable
Five years ago Eugenia “Genie” Prescott, the daughter of a country parson, gave her heart to a young nobleman who betrayed her. Seduced by an unspoken promise of marriage, she is forced from her home to avoid scandal. Irreparably changed from the destruction wrought by the failed relationship, Genie has paid for her sins in tragedy and heartbreak. Returning to England on the arm of the man who rescued her from hell, she is determined to reclaim the life denied her and never be at the mercy of a man again. But the secrets of the past threaten to ruin her future when she comes face-to-face with the man whose betrayal nearly destroyed her. Forced to choose between duty and desire, Lord Fitzwilliam Hastings refused to defy his family and do the marry a girl of inferior wealth and rank. But by time he realizes his error, Genie has disappeared. Haunted by the failure of his youth, and by the girl he could never forget, Hastings, now unexpectedly the Duke of Huntingdon, has searched for her for five years. But now that Genie is back, the duke has his chance for atonement and is determined to make it up to her… even if the reluctant Genie has to be persuaded.
355 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2015
31 people are currently reading
418 people want to read
About the author
Monica McCarty
62 books2,971 followersWhat do you get when you mix a legal career, a baseball career, motherhood, and a love of history with a voracious reader? In my case, a Historical Romance Author.
Like most writers, I’ve always loved to read. Growing up in California there was always plenty to do outside, but all too often I could be found inside curled up with a book (or two or three). I started with the usual fare: The Little House on the Prairie series, The Chronicles of Narnia, The Hobbit, Watership Down, Nancy Drew, and everything by Judy Blume. Once I cleared off my bookshelf, I started swiping books from my mom. Some, like Sidney Sheldon’s The Other Side of Midnight, probably weren’t the most appropriate choice for a pre-adolescent—although they were definitely illuminating. I can still remember the look of abject horror on my mom’s Catholic-girl-face when I asked her what a virgin was. After that rather brief conversation, she paid a little closer attention to what had disappeared off her book shelf, and steered me in the direction of Harlequin and Barbara Cartland romances. I was hooked. I quickly read through the inventory of the local library and was soon buying bags of romances at garage sales.
In high school, with the encouragement of my father (who I think was a little concerned about the steady diet of romances), I read over eighty of the Franklin Library’s One Hundred Greatest Books ever written—including Tolstoy, Confucius, Plato, and the entire works of Shakespeare. Some of them were tough going for a teenager, but the experience would prove an invaluable foundation for college. After reading War and Peace, I wasn’t easily intimidated.
For some reason Monica decided to go into writing and not fashion.
After graduation, I loaded up the VW (Jetta not Bus) and trekked down I-5 to attend the University of Southern California, majoring in Political Science and minoring in English (see why all that reading helped!). I joined the Kappa Kappa Gamma sorority, and when I wasn’t studying or at football games, did my best to support the local bartending industry. Ah, the good old days.
With that kind of fun, four years of college wasn’t quite enough. So leaving Tommy Trojan behind, I traveled back up north to Palo Alto for three more years of study at Stanford Law School. Once I survived the stress of the first semester, law school proved to be one of the best times of my life—garnering me a JD, life-long friends, a husband, and an unexpectedly intimate knowledge of baseball. (See “The Baseball Odyssey” below).
Law School was also where I fell in love with Scotland. In my third year, I took a Comparative Legal History class, and wrote a paper on the Scottish Clan System and Feudalism. So I immediately dropped out of law school and went on to write Scottish Historical Romances…well no, not quite. You see, I always knew I wanted to be a lawyer. My father was a lawyer, I was a “poet” (i.e., not into math), and I love to argue. It seemed natural.
So I finished law school, got married, passed the CA bar, moved to Minnesota (with a few stops along the way), waived into the MN bar, worked as a litigator for a few satisfying years, moved back to CA, had a couple of kids, realized that a legal career and being a single parent for most of the year (due to husband's career) would be extremely difficult, and THEN decided to sit down and write.
And how did I end up writing romance? It’s not as divergent as it seems. What I loved about being a lawyer are the same things I love about being a writer—research and writing. The only thing missing is the arguing, but that’s what a husband and kids are for, right?
Like most writers, I’ve always loved to read. Growing up in California there was always plenty to do outside, but all too often I could be found inside curled up with a book (or two or three). I started with the usual fare: The Little House on the Prairie series, The Chronicles of Narnia, The Hobbit, Watership Down, Nancy Drew, and everything by Judy Blume. Once I cleared off my bookshelf, I started swiping books from my mom. Some, like Sidney Sheldon’s The Other Side of Midnight, probably weren’t the most appropriate choice for a pre-adolescent—although they were definitely illuminating. I can still remember the look of abject horror on my mom’s Catholic-girl-face when I asked her what a virgin was. After that rather brief conversation, she paid a little closer attention to what had disappeared off her book shelf, and steered me in the direction of Harlequin and Barbara Cartland romances. I was hooked. I quickly read through the inventory of the local library and was soon buying bags of romances at garage sales.
In high school, with the encouragement of my father (who I think was a little concerned about the steady diet of romances), I read over eighty of the Franklin Library’s One Hundred Greatest Books ever written—including Tolstoy, Confucius, Plato, and the entire works of Shakespeare. Some of them were tough going for a teenager, but the experience would prove an invaluable foundation for college. After reading War and Peace, I wasn’t easily intimidated.
For some reason Monica decided to go into writing and not fashion.
After graduation, I loaded up the VW (Jetta not Bus) and trekked down I-5 to attend the University of Southern California, majoring in Political Science and minoring in English (see why all that reading helped!). I joined the Kappa Kappa Gamma sorority, and when I wasn’t studying or at football games, did my best to support the local bartending industry. Ah, the good old days.
With that kind of fun, four years of college wasn’t quite enough. So leaving Tommy Trojan behind, I traveled back up north to Palo Alto for three more years of study at Stanford Law School. Once I survived the stress of the first semester, law school proved to be one of the best times of my life—garnering me a JD, life-long friends, a husband, and an unexpectedly intimate knowledge of baseball. (See “The Baseball Odyssey” below).
Law School was also where I fell in love with Scotland. In my third year, I took a Comparative Legal History class, and wrote a paper on the Scottish Clan System and Feudalism. So I immediately dropped out of law school and went on to write Scottish Historical Romances…well no, not quite. You see, I always knew I wanted to be a lawyer. My father was a lawyer, I was a “poet” (i.e., not into math), and I love to argue. It seemed natural.
So I finished law school, got married, passed the CA bar, moved to Minnesota (with a few stops along the way), waived into the MN bar, worked as a litigator for a few satisfying years, moved back to CA, had a couple of kids, realized that a legal career and being a single parent for most of the year (due to husband's career) would be extremely difficult, and THEN decided to sit down and write.
And how did I end up writing romance? It’s not as divergent as it seems. What I loved about being a lawyer are the same things I love about being a writer—research and writing. The only thing missing is the arguing, but that’s what a husband and kids are for, right?
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 43 reviews
October 3, 2016
I would always read Monica McCarty. She sure can tell a story. But I think my need to connect to characters far outweights anything else. As other 2 books from McCarty, to which I also gave only 2 stars, I just do not like Genie and Fitzwilliam.
The story is on shake grounds as it is: Fitzwilliam seduced and then left Genie. As often as the word "seduce" is used in romance novels, I rarely feel that the action justifies the use of the word "to seduce". Fitzwilliam Hastings, you, are a seducer and an irresponsible cad.
I also feel that if you are going to do something, own it. Be it a mistake or a great success, own it and be practical about it. Genie is disillusioned. She slept with Fitzwilliam repeatedly, felt shame the entire time but hoped with all of her pathetic youthful heart that Fitzwilliam would "do the right thing". This is one of the TSTL behaviors I despise in heriones. Young ladies of those time periods should know better. I know it would have been normal for Genie to expect a proposal. But I cannot respect her for that. You did this to yourself. It is nobody's, not even Fitzwilliam's, fault, that you end up in that vulnerabl position. I would have respected her more, had Genie shown more of a backbone.
I had trouble with almost every character in this story. Everyone lied and connived. What a tangled web they weaved. But it did not razzel-dazzle me like McCarty's other stories, because in her other stories it was the intricate plot that was razzel-dazzling. In The Unthinkable, the characters made really questionable decisions and that along moved the story forward. Since I did not respect any of them, I lost interest in the book.
I do not know what they were all thinking. Genie lost her virtue and had to go to America and apparently lost some more. She came back to London with Edmund, who was actually sent by Fitzwilliam to fecth Genie, as a couple and fully planned on marrying Edmund because he could "give her what she needed". Edmund lied to Fitzwilliam and his best friend, stole his woman from under his nose and misused his trust. And we are expected to believe that he is s respectable man. Fitzwilliam seduced Genie and then refused to marry her. He regretted yeah but that hardly makes up for what happened. He looked for Genie and sent Edmund to find her. Then he had to somehow break them up because Genie was set on marrying Edmund. And Genie hated Fitzwilliam but loved him? Fitzwilliam wanted Genie but said he didn't love her? Edmund seemed to love Genie but somehow not as much as Fitzwilliam? I mean that just doesn't make sense and I am not convinced of any of their motives.
I hope the other Regency story from Monica McCarty is better. I would hate to believe that she could only do highlands, as much as I love the Highlands. As I said, I would always read her. But I really need better characters, I mean characters who appeal to me.
The story is on shake grounds as it is: Fitzwilliam seduced and then left Genie. As often as the word "seduce" is used in romance novels, I rarely feel that the action justifies the use of the word "to seduce". Fitzwilliam Hastings, you, are a seducer and an irresponsible cad.
I also feel that if you are going to do something, own it. Be it a mistake or a great success, own it and be practical about it. Genie is disillusioned. She slept with Fitzwilliam repeatedly, felt shame the entire time but hoped with all of her pathetic youthful heart that Fitzwilliam would "do the right thing". This is one of the TSTL behaviors I despise in heriones. Young ladies of those time periods should know better. I know it would have been normal for Genie to expect a proposal. But I cannot respect her for that. You did this to yourself. It is nobody's, not even Fitzwilliam's, fault, that you end up in that vulnerabl position. I would have respected her more, had Genie shown more of a backbone.
I had trouble with almost every character in this story. Everyone lied and connived. What a tangled web they weaved. But it did not razzel-dazzle me like McCarty's other stories, because in her other stories it was the intricate plot that was razzel-dazzling. In The Unthinkable, the characters made really questionable decisions and that along moved the story forward. Since I did not respect any of them, I lost interest in the book.
I do not know what they were all thinking. Genie lost her virtue and had to go to America and apparently lost some more. She came back to London with Edmund, who was actually sent by Fitzwilliam to fecth Genie, as a couple and fully planned on marrying Edmund because he could "give her what she needed". Edmund lied to Fitzwilliam and his best friend, stole his woman from under his nose and misused his trust. And we are expected to believe that he is s respectable man. Fitzwilliam seduced Genie and then refused to marry her. He regretted yeah but that hardly makes up for what happened. He looked for Genie and sent Edmund to find her. Then he had to somehow break them up because Genie was set on marrying Edmund. And Genie hated Fitzwilliam but loved him? Fitzwilliam wanted Genie but said he didn't love her? Edmund seemed to love Genie but somehow not as much as Fitzwilliam? I mean that just doesn't make sense and I am not convinced of any of their motives.
I hope the other Regency story from Monica McCarty is better. I would hate to believe that she could only do highlands, as much as I love the Highlands. As I said, I would always read her. But I really need better characters, I mean characters who appeal to me.
January 26, 2019
My first book by this author so here goes ... this book goes down as one which shows great character development and the author's honesty ...
Shy, young and naive h falls in love with handsome young H and sleeps with him ... he is young and rather immature so he gives into his mother's manipulations and is rather callous with h
H's mother blackmails young h into leaving home and there starts some very bad times for h
When the book opens, h is back in England, engaged to H's best friend who was actually tasked with looking for h in America ...
The growth comes from the naive h growing into a strong woman after suffering a lot of heartache and the immature H growing into a hardworking, ambitious man who is known for his trustworthiness
The honesty comes from the fact that author does not shyaway from unpleasantness; the H wrote a callous letter; not someone else but H himself; there are no other villains; it is simply a case of H letting h down and not a mutual misunderstanding ...
H has issues with the possibility of h being a whore; there is no instant blind acceptance but rather he honestly works through his feelings to realise his own hand in her suffering ...
H and h admit straight away they are not in love; there is a honest and gradual realisation of feelings ...
h was nearly raped and there is honesty in the way she deals with her traumas; there is no instant H's magic penis therapy; she needs to trust him and she does
h wants to take revenge and she does; honest in the way she feels; she feels he took a lot of advantage and she wants to see him punished; the same honesty is there in their ostracization ...
I liked the way h delivers regular smack downs to the H
All in all, its a great book; I took away one star as I felt there were some plotholes; like h doesn't get a chance to resolve matters with her sister, nasty Percy is not bitch slapped, OM (what a delicious character) doesn't find his happiness ... did the author write his book?
Worth reading ...
Shy, young and naive h falls in love with handsome young H and sleeps with him ... he is young and rather immature so he gives into his mother's manipulations and is rather callous with h
H's mother blackmails young h into leaving home and there starts some very bad times for h
When the book opens, h is back in England, engaged to H's best friend who was actually tasked with looking for h in America ...
The growth comes from the naive h growing into a strong woman after suffering a lot of heartache and the immature H growing into a hardworking, ambitious man who is known for his trustworthiness
The honesty comes from the fact that author does not shyaway from unpleasantness; the H wrote a callous letter; not someone else but H himself; there are no other villains; it is simply a case of H letting h down and not a mutual misunderstanding ...
H has issues with the possibility of h being a whore; there is no instant blind acceptance but rather he honestly works through his feelings to realise his own hand in her suffering ...
H and h admit straight away they are not in love; there is a honest and gradual realisation of feelings ...
h was nearly raped and there is honesty in the way she deals with her traumas; there is no instant H's magic penis therapy; she needs to trust him and she does
h wants to take revenge and she does; honest in the way she feels; she feels he took a lot of advantage and she wants to see him punished; the same honesty is there in their ostracization ...
I liked the way h delivers regular smack downs to the H
All in all, its a great book; I took away one star as I felt there were some plotholes; like h doesn't get a chance to resolve matters with her sister, nasty Percy is not bitch slapped, OM (what a delicious character) doesn't find his happiness ... did the author write his book?
Worth reading ...
November 11, 2017
Omg this story made me feel like weeping at times because it was so sad. The heroine was such a sweet young girl who didn't deserve to be treated like crap by the H's snobbish bitch of a mother. These 2 MC's certainly went through a lot of emotional pain before they finally got their HEA. I wished the hero had stood up to his cruel witchy mother all those years ago. The poor heroine had to be separated from her family and friends and go live in a strange country for years. However, at least she never lost her dignity and was saved from her poverty by the hero's friend. I am a bit conflicted about the friend who fell in love with her and wanted to marry her. He was so handsome, sexy and charming plus he did save her life. Part of me wanted her to marry him instead of getting back with the hero but in the end true love won. Sigh ...
September 16, 2019
What, I'm reading a Monica McCarty and I'm not in Scotland?? It's true, she has a few regency novels, this one was published in 2015.
Genie has a past with Huntingdon, but that is long over. The year is 1811 and Genie has created a new identity, a widow, returning from America. She has a plan to win over society and create the life for herself she's always wanted. Only one thing can stand in her way, and she comes face to face with him on her big night. We get a flashback in time that takes a few chapters and tells you exactly what their history is. I like this, because I feel like I'm not getting the whole story if they have a history but I don't get to see, or if its done in bits and pieces (like Sarah Macleans Day of the Duchess).
Something I love about McCarty is I feel like she always spends time with describing her hereos. I adore hearing about their bodies, their height, their eyes, their hair, their jawlines. Mmm.
Alas, this book has made me sad. It is a very heavy book. Its not happy. Its not funny. Its a hard read. You want your heart ripped out? Here you go. The things that basically all the characters experience is just sad, but the heroine, wow. Then when the hero and heroine come back together there is so much mistrust, anger, guilt and vengeful feelings, it's just overwhelming. Then it just continues through the book. You feel for the heroine, but don't worry she can be heartless. I didn't think I could feel for the hero but then I did. It was SO frustrating though. They are just mean to each other. That's the whole book. There's some safety issues I will list at the end. None of these relate directly to the hero (It's not a bodice ripper style book)
I was totally in love with the beginning of this book. I was really enjoying the intensity, the characters, I was invested in their happiness. However, as the book went on, and on it seemed to lose it's momentum and the characters started losing, not necessarily my interest, but my support. I was so annoyed with both of them and how they were treating each other especially after everything that had already happened.
There's too much of the past affecting them, there's too much mistrust and while you get a few kisses they come off more as almost like a jealous, possessive or manipulation strategy of the hero constantly. I didn't feel much tension at all, other than the pure sweetness in the initial flashback of their story. While the story doesn't necessarily have a big miscommunication issue, you just wanted them to sit down and talk and be honest with each other.
The sex in this book, I hate to say it, but to me was pure disappointment. I was continually let down. Not that it was good sex that wasn't written well or it didn't have enough details, it was legit bad sex. There was fear involved, there was fumbling, it was just not a pleasant thing to read. Apparently they do get it right a few times and IT'S ALL GLOSSED OVER!!! I was so annoyed to get a fumbling nonsense scene then hear that it was all glorious for awhile after that. Then when they come back together at 80 freaking % done with the book, the sex is even worse. I don't read the books for the sex. I really don't. But I love the sex and I felt super jipped by this story. At 93% you'll get good sex but by then did I care at all? No.
Also I strongly disliked how this book ended. I strongly disliked the epilogue. I just...no. I can't believe it's the same McCarty that wrote so many of my favorite books. Anyone else try this?
Safety issues: attempted sexual assault, physical assault, violence, miscarriage
Genie has a past with Huntingdon, but that is long over. The year is 1811 and Genie has created a new identity, a widow, returning from America. She has a plan to win over society and create the life for herself she's always wanted. Only one thing can stand in her way, and she comes face to face with him on her big night. We get a flashback in time that takes a few chapters and tells you exactly what their history is. I like this, because I feel like I'm not getting the whole story if they have a history but I don't get to see, or if its done in bits and pieces (like Sarah Macleans Day of the Duchess).
Something I love about McCarty is I feel like she always spends time with describing her hereos. I adore hearing about their bodies, their height, their eyes, their hair, their jawlines. Mmm.
Alas, this book has made me sad. It is a very heavy book. Its not happy. Its not funny. Its a hard read. You want your heart ripped out? Here you go. The things that basically all the characters experience is just sad, but the heroine, wow. Then when the hero and heroine come back together there is so much mistrust, anger, guilt and vengeful feelings, it's just overwhelming. Then it just continues through the book. You feel for the heroine, but don't worry she can be heartless. I didn't think I could feel for the hero but then I did. It was SO frustrating though. They are just mean to each other. That's the whole book. There's some safety issues I will list at the end. None of these relate directly to the hero (It's not a bodice ripper style book)
I was totally in love with the beginning of this book. I was really enjoying the intensity, the characters, I was invested in their happiness. However, as the book went on, and on it seemed to lose it's momentum and the characters started losing, not necessarily my interest, but my support. I was so annoyed with both of them and how they were treating each other especially after everything that had already happened.
There's too much of the past affecting them, there's too much mistrust and while you get a few kisses they come off more as almost like a jealous, possessive or manipulation strategy of the hero constantly. I didn't feel much tension at all, other than the pure sweetness in the initial flashback of their story. While the story doesn't necessarily have a big miscommunication issue, you just wanted them to sit down and talk and be honest with each other.
The sex in this book, I hate to say it, but to me was pure disappointment. I was continually let down. Not that it was good sex that wasn't written well or it didn't have enough details, it was legit bad sex. There was fear involved, there was fumbling, it was just not a pleasant thing to read. Apparently they do get it right a few times and IT'S ALL GLOSSED OVER!!! I was so annoyed to get a fumbling nonsense scene then hear that it was all glorious for awhile after that. Then when they come back together at 80 freaking % done with the book, the sex is even worse. I don't read the books for the sex. I really don't. But I love the sex and I felt super jipped by this story. At 93% you'll get good sex but by then did I care at all? No.
Also I strongly disliked how this book ended. I strongly disliked the epilogue. I just...no. I can't believe it's the same McCarty that wrote so many of my favorite books. Anyone else try this?
Safety issues: attempted sexual assault, physical assault, violence, miscarriage
January 17, 2018
I think this novel by Monica McCarty pales in comparison with her Highland Guard series, which I truly enjoyed. The story is set during the Regency in Great Britain (an unfamiliar era for me), and it’s just too sad there is no other historical element to the novel that would introduce me to this period. The main characters are pretty unremarkable and very annoying at times. Even their supposed romance isn't agreeable and a big letdown for me.
Nonetheless, this book is for you if you want a quick read and enjoy pure escapist romance.
Nonetheless, this book is for you if you want a quick read and enjoy pure escapist romance.
April 15, 2015
This is more like what I expected Monica McCarty book to be than the Tamping the rake. Good plot, well written, primary and secondary characters are well developed and everyone of them has flaws which makes them human and relateable. They are both very young when they first meet. He is the heir spare of his father, the Duke and she is the just turned 18, stunning daughter of a rector without the proper background, education or purse to be his match for a marriage. His mother interferes, blackmail her and sends her to America. A lot happens in the five years they are separated that makes even the idea of any future together unthinkable.
April 9, 2020
This is an ugly story. It has some ingredients of a 1980s bodice ripper...except the characters are bland and unappealing. If you’re going to make your male lead a villain, he ought to be a compelling one. And yet this duke is a boring, pompous prig...which is hypocritical, considering he is also a selfish, callous, cruel sexual predator. He spends a chunk of the book chasing the heroine after she’s forced to leave because of his betrayal. There is no sign that his pursuit is motivated by affection. He treats her like an object to be acquired, as though his acquisition will restore his honor and erase his former misdeeds. He continues to break promises to her so she will wed him, even though he’s not certain he even wants to marry her! (it takes his imagining her death to make him tell himself he values her and loves her. He then proceeds to rape her) I finished the book in hopes that there would be some grand redemption arc or some more depth to the characters, but I was disappointed. It was awful all the way though.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 5, 2021
So this is the third time I have read this book. I first read it a few years ago when I did not have much depth or variety in my author pool. So I decided to see if my 5 star rating could hold up to the test, yes it did. Before reading this I had read Monica McCartys Highland Guard series, which I highly recommend(several 5 star books) this is the lowest rated book that I think I have ever read. I guess a lot of MM fans just could not make the leap from the Highlands to here, but to me it was a great read. It kinda has that Judith McNaught feel and hands down she is the All time reigning Queen of HR. So if your looking for a good read try it. Plot 8(1-10) steaminess 7.5(1-10)
A powerfully sweet romance that takes you from the freshness of youth to the reality of life. Enjoy!
A powerfully sweet romance that takes you from the freshness of youth to the reality of life. Enjoy!
July 16, 2024
DNF - HATED IT!!!
I couldn't stomach the thought that she would go back to that monster after everything he did to her and all the horrors she had to endure because of him! He was a careless, idiotic, narcissistic monster as a youth, a lot worse and a lot darker as a man. Why would she despoil herself again, giving herself to such an undeserving, poor excuse for a man? Why? And why would marriage make anything better? The only thing that would have satisfied my rage on the h's behalf would be vengeance and the utter annihilation of him! I was all on the h's side until she decided to take him back. She's an idiot
I couldn't stomach the thought that she would go back to that monster after everything he did to her and all the horrors she had to endure because of him! He was a careless, idiotic, narcissistic monster as a youth, a lot worse and a lot darker as a man. Why would she despoil herself again, giving herself to such an undeserving, poor excuse for a man? Why? And why would marriage make anything better? The only thing that would have satisfied my rage on the h's behalf would be vengeance and the utter annihilation of him! I was all on the h's side until she decided to take him back. She's an idiot
June 1, 2015
3.5 stars only because the last part of the book was a little too melodramatic for me.
January 31, 2019
Loved the strong h!
September 3, 2024
I’ve always loved Monica McCarty’s work. The Highland Guard and Campbell Trilogy series. This is the first book of hers that’s written in Regency setting and I can’t tell if I love it or hate it.
It’s angst-ridden for sure. Very angsty. But there is a lot of push and pull tension emanating from start to finish, it’s like both of them are trying to level their playing field being mean towards each other. Although for the most part, the hate geared towards MMC is definitely warranted. For some reason, I love that this author is not horny-baiting FMC into forgiving MMC as part of a grovel and not afraid to make that fucker pay, unlike alot of others do. Horny baiting or body betrayals are not how you define grovelling! On the other hand, I also hate this book because both MMC and FMC are becoming too toxic, I pity Edmund (MMC’s bestfriend who was sent out to look for FMC after her disappearance but ended betraying MMC by falling for her and asking her hand for mariage) for being wedged in between them. As much I root for him, I know that, as per usual in HR, MMC will always reign supreme in FMC’s heart in the end. I wish she should have stayed with Edmund as he was far more a gentleman than MMC could ever dream of being.
It’s angst-ridden for sure. Very angsty. But there is a lot of push and pull tension emanating from start to finish, it’s like both of them are trying to level their playing field being mean towards each other. Although for the most part, the hate geared towards MMC is definitely warranted. For some reason, I love that this author is not horny-baiting FMC into forgiving MMC as part of a grovel and not afraid to make that fucker pay, unlike alot of others do. Horny baiting or body betrayals are not how you define grovelling! On the other hand, I also hate this book because both MMC and FMC are becoming too toxic, I pity Edmund (MMC’s bestfriend who was sent out to look for FMC after her disappearance but ended betraying MMC by falling for her and asking her hand for mariage) for being wedged in between them. As much I root for him, I know that, as per usual in HR, MMC will always reign supreme in FMC’s heart in the end. I wish she should have stayed with Edmund as he was far more a gentleman than MMC could ever dream of being.
June 7, 2023
I liked a lot of things about this book. It’s got good grovel and a very repentant hero! The premise is somewhat unique. It’s not common to find a historical romance with a hero who wrongs the heroine in this way, this severely. In the beginning Huntington comes across as weak, shallow, and selfish. He was young and made colossal mistakes. The heroine was not perfect. She should have known better. Especially given the era, and how and where she was raised. she certainly learned an extremely hard lesson. I was glad she rose like a phoenix from the ashes, and came back to England a much stronger, smarter woman. It was also great to watch the hero grow up into a responsible, repentant, and mature man, who was finally ready to love the heroine the way she deserved by the end. I would have liked an epilogue that followed them a little further into the future with children. Overall I really enjoyed this book. It has plenty of angst, some steam, revenge, and redemption. 4 1/2 stars rounded up to 5.
January 3, 2023
2.5 ⭐️
I am a huge fan of McCarty’s Highland Guard series, so I hoped her regency romance would hit the same mark. Unfortunately, it fell flat. Genie is a country beauty, quickly seduced by a son of a Duke visiting town for a season. Every possible miscommunication and bad decision follows, for both the main characters. Insert five years of tragedy for Genie, regret for the now duke Huntingdon, where they meet again. This is where it fell flat and seemed stretched. Bystanders to the main characters are sacrificed, along with more and more miscommunications and bad decisions. Both characters were cowards, and I need at least one of these characters to have some strong, redeeming character qualities. It came a little too late for my liking.
I am a huge fan of McCarty’s Highland Guard series, so I hoped her regency romance would hit the same mark. Unfortunately, it fell flat. Genie is a country beauty, quickly seduced by a son of a Duke visiting town for a season. Every possible miscommunication and bad decision follows, for both the main characters. Insert five years of tragedy for Genie, regret for the now duke Huntingdon, where they meet again. This is where it fell flat and seemed stretched. Bystanders to the main characters are sacrificed, along with more and more miscommunications and bad decisions. Both characters were cowards, and I need at least one of these characters to have some strong, redeeming character qualities. It came a little too late for my liking.
December 27, 2023
A worthy read
The editing on this book was excellent! The build and complexity of the story was great as well. Awesome development of characters, too.
The reason for 3 stars:
*It had many repetitive instances of information that the reader already knew as the story progressed. The heroine regurgitated the same info chapter per chapter. That distracts from the story, and it's a cumbersome.
* The heroine's character felt purposely restrained from logical thinking in order to achieve a desired ending. In other words, it didn't feel like a natural ending. It felt too perfect. It's too easy.
*There's a few plotholes. Actions that occurred that were not completely satisfied or concluded by the end. -I don't know if that was on purpose? Maybe this is a series?
The editing on this book was excellent! The build and complexity of the story was great as well. Awesome development of characters, too.
The reason for 3 stars:
*It had many repetitive instances of information that the reader already knew as the story progressed. The heroine regurgitated the same info chapter per chapter. That distracts from the story, and it's a cumbersome.
* The heroine's character felt purposely restrained from logical thinking in order to achieve a desired ending. In other words, it didn't feel like a natural ending. It felt too perfect. It's too easy.
*There's a few plotholes. Actions that occurred that were not completely satisfied or concluded by the end. -I don't know if that was on purpose? Maybe this is a series?
November 25, 2017
I am down to read anything Monica McCarty writes .I fell in love with the characters of her highland guards series , so when I noticed she had written another book I 1- clicked in a hurry.
The Unthinkable is not as action packed as her other books , but there are secrets , heartache and a battle for the one that got away.
When I began reading I noticed some of the characters names were Austen novel esc . , like Fitzwilliam and Edmund , but the characters are not like them at all.
The storyline is exciting , but I at times wanted the characters to show more emotions , speak their minds, anything to make them a little more likable .
The Unthinkable is not as action packed as her other books , but there are secrets , heartache and a battle for the one that got away.
When I began reading I noticed some of the characters names were Austen novel esc . , like Fitzwilliam and Edmund , but the characters are not like them at all.
The storyline is exciting , but I at times wanted the characters to show more emotions , speak their minds, anything to make them a little more likable .
January 23, 2024
I usually only give Ms. McCarty 3 stars and above but this one, I'm afraid I cannot settle for more than 1. I loathe the Hero. How can I call one? He's so not a Hero. He's undeserving to be called one. He behaved atrociously - bedding and seducing a virgin and then leaving her to fend for herself.
And when they met again many years after, he couldn't help but lash out at her about 'reacquainting' herself with him. Such a bastard. Not gentlemanly at all.
If I cannot root for the characters, I would not enjoy the book.
And when they met again many years after, he couldn't help but lash out at her about 'reacquainting' herself with him. Such a bastard. Not gentlemanly at all.
If I cannot root for the characters, I would not enjoy the book.
November 9, 2017
I was a huge fan of Monica's book. I read them all. But this one I think was written in a rush. The main characters are weak, even if they seem to have a real spine.
I have a 3-star rating because like always Monica has a real knowlege of the English language but the story is not attractive. What a difference with her other books.
Please Monica, don't commit this kind of book again ...............
I have a 3-star rating because like always Monica has a real knowlege of the English language but the story is not attractive. What a difference with her other books.
Please Monica, don't commit this kind of book again ...............
February 23, 2020
A too-young couple cannot withstand the pressure of his ducal parents' disapproval and the resulting separation makes for fabulous and realistic character growth. Hastings was a cad and Genie was forced to deal with the disastrous fallout alone. In fact, her bad fortune steadily grew until she was rescued in America five years later. Betrayal derails not only their love, but a life-long friendship, too. Her quest for revenge hampers Hastings's desire for atonement. There was no easy work around to their situation and McCarty did a thorough job of laying it out in all its ugly glory while giving Genie and Hastings the happy ending they deserved. Good read. 4 stars.
June 12, 2025
This is nothing like McCarty’s Highland Guard series. The two stars are for the start of the book. But 40% in and the Body Betrayal Syndrome ruined everything. The main leads were unlikeable. And after all
The heinous things the H and his mother did to her, Genie forgives them because of her treacherous body (of course)
The heinous things the H and his mother did to her, Genie forgives them because of her treacherous body (of course)
February 20, 2019
The Unthinkable
A different genre from what I usually choose to read by Monica McCarty. I have devoured the Highland Guards, and the black ops series. I find that she is equally talented in all genre's. This is a very good example of her talent.
A different genre from what I usually choose to read by Monica McCarty. I have devoured the Highland Guards, and the black ops series. I find that she is equally talented in all genre's. This is a very good example of her talent.
October 16, 2020
An appropriate title
A very intense story. The sorrow, danger, and courage of the heroine was amazing. The slow to mature steadfastness of the hero has one almost feeling sorry for him, especially given his own mother's behavior.
A very intense story. The sorrow, danger, and courage of the heroine was amazing. The slow to mature steadfastness of the hero has one almost feeling sorry for him, especially given his own mother's behavior.
December 31, 2017
This book was a lovely read and well written.
June 26, 2020
كتاب مختلف عن أكثر قصص فترة الريجنسي
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January 23, 2021Soy fan incondicional de Mónica McCarty, y es que sus novelas enganchan desde la primera página.
Me encanta como escribe. Esta novela no podía ser de otra manera. La recomiendo!!
Me encanta como escribe. Esta novela no podía ser de otra manera. La recomiendo!!
February 14, 2021
Una historia del primer amor, que paso por varios obstáculos y decisiones fallidas, pero que logró sobrevivir a pesar de todo....
February 19, 2017
Predictable, not very interesting, very rushed ending. Not what I expect from Monica McCarty at all. I LOVED her Highland Guard series and this was such a let down.
April 8, 2015
Wow...this was a surprise from Monica McCarty. Since this novel was barely reviewed and not glowingly, I was hesitant to purchase it. I was pleasantly surprised. It had a number of unexpected twists and went in directions I didn't expect. The main characters were very multi-layered and complex....both having good and bad sides to their personalities. They each made many mistakes and paid the price for them. I liked that they were so much more than the typical hero and heroine of the average historical romance. I really felt the emotion of what they were going through and shed a few tears at their pain. Any book that can make me cry must be exceptional as it rarely happens. It tells me how invested in the characters I was and how strong the story is to draw me in so completely. I also want to mention how hot the love scenes were...scorching hot!
I would recommend this novel to those who are looking for an unusual historical romance with some raw, darker and deeper elements running through it.
I would recommend this novel to those who are looking for an unusual historical romance with some raw, darker and deeper elements running through it.
March 21, 2021
I love the Highland Guard series by Monica McCarty, so this surprise find was an auto buy for me.
Despite the mixed reviews this book has received, I was not disappointed. The story had a number of unexpected twists that had me invested in following through so I could learn the fate of the star crossed lovers, who were both multi-layered and complex....and both stubborn and loyal to their loves ones, at times for the wrong reasons.
Both protagonists made many mistakes and paid the price for them. Definitely not your typical hero and heroine,although I think some of the heartaches could have been avoided if they had both communicated with each other. As usual, Ms McCarty wrote such strong emotions into their characters and story, I was drawn completely. Of course, under her masterful skills, the love scenes were scorchingly passionate and poignant.
Another highly enjoyable historical romance I'm proud to add to my digital library.
Despite the mixed reviews this book has received, I was not disappointed. The story had a number of unexpected twists that had me invested in following through so I could learn the fate of the star crossed lovers, who were both multi-layered and complex....and both stubborn and loyal to their loves ones, at times for the wrong reasons.
Both protagonists made many mistakes and paid the price for them. Definitely not your typical hero and heroine,although I think some of the heartaches could have been avoided if they had both communicated with each other. As usual, Ms McCarty wrote such strong emotions into their characters and story, I was drawn completely. Of course, under her masterful skills, the love scenes were scorchingly passionate and poignant.
Another highly enjoyable historical romance I'm proud to add to my digital library.
September 21, 2015
This was a good read, it showed some of the promiss of her later books, but at times the not so skilled writing became apparent.
Miss McCarty did manage to place the h/h in some pretty dreadfull situations in which all of the primary human emotions, and not all of them pretty, play a part. This superb skill however is mixed with some silly explanations (f.e. why doesn't she see her family) and an in my opinion a very silly ending (that is not the intimacy I would like to see resolved at the ending).
For those of you already familiar with miss McCarty's far superior writing in her later (but published earlier) books and so are already hard core fans: it's good to read and see how she developed.
For those of you that this was a first time reading of miss McCarty: this isn't her best work. Don't give up after reading this. Read her highland series. You'll love them. Guaranteed.
Miss McCarty did manage to place the h/h in some pretty dreadfull situations in which all of the primary human emotions, and not all of them pretty, play a part. This superb skill however is mixed with some silly explanations (f.e. why doesn't she see her family) and an in my opinion a very silly ending (that is not the intimacy I would like to see resolved at the ending).
For those of you already familiar with miss McCarty's far superior writing in her later (but published earlier) books and so are already hard core fans: it's good to read and see how she developed.
For those of you that this was a first time reading of miss McCarty: this isn't her best work. Don't give up after reading this. Read her highland series. You'll love them. Guaranteed.
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