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The Rakes of Fallow Hall #3
The Maddening Lord Montwood
The Rakes of Fallow Hall wagered that they would never succumb to love—yet in Vivienne Lorret's newest novel, the final rogue meets his match
Frances Thorne can handle anything—except losing her position, her home, and her father to debtor's prison all in one day. So when a generous offer of assistance falls into her lap, she's grateful for a second chance, even if it seems too good to be true. The last thing she needs is for the charming, infuriating—maddening—Lord Lucan Montwood to stand in her way.
The end of the bachelors' wager is near, and Lucan Montwood can taste victory—just so long as he can stay away from the one woman who sees through his façade. Yet when he learns that Frances has been caught in an insidious trap, Lucan can't deny that he will do anything to help. Convincing her to trust him is the hard part, resisting her is next to impossible, but falling in love with her? That may be far too simple.
Frances Thorne can handle anything—except losing her position, her home, and her father to debtor's prison all in one day. So when a generous offer of assistance falls into her lap, she's grateful for a second chance, even if it seems too good to be true. The last thing she needs is for the charming, infuriating—maddening—Lord Lucan Montwood to stand in her way.
The end of the bachelors' wager is near, and Lucan Montwood can taste victory—just so long as he can stay away from the one woman who sees through his façade. Yet when he learns that Frances has been caught in an insidious trap, Lucan can't deny that he will do anything to help. Convincing her to trust him is the hard part, resisting her is next to impossible, but falling in love with her? That may be far too simple.
280 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published July 14, 2015
109 people are currently reading
625 people want to read
About the author
Vivienne Lorret
37 books1,304 followersUSA Today bestselling author VIVIENNE LORRET writes fun and steamy Regency historical romances. She lives in the Midwest where she coaxes words out of giant mugs of tea and attempts to jot them down before they can escape. For her entire catalog of books, including the Liars’ Club, her latest series from Avon, please visit www.vivlorret.net
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 89 reviews
August 4, 2015
Vivienne Lorrett wraps up her Rakes of Fallow Hall trilogy with Lucian’s story. Lucian is the dark, broody member of the trio of friends who wagered against ever getting married. And he is the last man standing, with only 6 months to go. It should be easy for him to hold out because A) he really has no plans to ever marry and B) that 10-thousand pound payout is essentially a matter of life and death for him.
Lucian borrowed that very amount of money from Lord Whitelock in order to save his father’s old steward Thorne from hanging for a crime he didn’t commit. Ever since then, Lucian’s luck at gambling has shriveled up and his dastardly father has disowned him. If he doesn’t win the wager with his friends, Thorne will go back to the hangman. It seem like Whitelock may be somehow behind Lucian’s losing streak. To make matters worse, he seems to have taken an unusual interest in Thorne’s daughter, Frances.
Lucian doesn’t know how or why Whitelock is conspiring against him or why he has made Frances into his wife’s companion, but he is determined to figure it out. He makes it his mission to keep Frances safe and unwittingly falls in love with her in the process.
The read was pleasant and I rather enjoyed watching the relationship between Frances and Lucian go from adversarial to sensual. But I had some serious issues with the book. The biggest problem I had was with the overwhelming powers of the villain. HOW did Whitelock manage to pull all those strings at once? How did he ensure Lucian lost so soundly? How did he orchestrate all of his plans so effortlessly? And still have a spotless reputation? Beyond that, the reason he targeted Frances felt flimsy.
Then there is Thorne. I can’t reconcile the man Lucian described before his arrest with his behavior afterwards. I kept waiting for a reveal that Whitelock was drugging him too, to explain away his character destruction, but no.
All this –and I had issues with Lucian, himself. He is willing to take 10-thousand pounds from his friends in a bet, but not a loan. He’d let this fester for three years, rather than ripping off the band-aid… And promise or not, the fact that he kept his situation a secret from his friends and Frances was just stupid.
I thought the reveal of why Whitelock framed Lucian was lame. And the off camera fate of Lucian’s father was highly unsatisfactory.
Plus, while the romance had some engaging moments, especially in the dialogue and banter, I felt like the revelation that these two were in love felt like flipping a switch. One day, each realized they were in love –and well, that was it.
This one was not great for me overall. There was some spark, but I had way too many issues to overlook.
Rating: C-
*ARC provided by Avon
Lucian borrowed that very amount of money from Lord Whitelock in order to save his father’s old steward Thorne from hanging for a crime he didn’t commit. Ever since then, Lucian’s luck at gambling has shriveled up and his dastardly father has disowned him. If he doesn’t win the wager with his friends, Thorne will go back to the hangman. It seem like Whitelock may be somehow behind Lucian’s losing streak. To make matters worse, he seems to have taken an unusual interest in Thorne’s daughter, Frances.
Lucian doesn’t know how or why Whitelock is conspiring against him or why he has made Frances into his wife’s companion, but he is determined to figure it out. He makes it his mission to keep Frances safe and unwittingly falls in love with her in the process.
The read was pleasant and I rather enjoyed watching the relationship between Frances and Lucian go from adversarial to sensual. But I had some serious issues with the book. The biggest problem I had was with the overwhelming powers of the villain. HOW did Whitelock manage to pull all those strings at once? How did he ensure Lucian lost so soundly? How did he orchestrate all of his plans so effortlessly? And still have a spotless reputation? Beyond that, the reason he targeted Frances felt flimsy.
Then there is Thorne. I can’t reconcile the man Lucian described before his arrest with his behavior afterwards. I kept waiting for a reveal that Whitelock was drugging him too, to explain away his character destruction, but no.
All this –and I had issues with Lucian, himself. He is willing to take 10-thousand pounds from his friends in a bet, but not a loan. He’d let this fester for three years, rather than ripping off the band-aid… And promise or not, the fact that he kept his situation a secret from his friends and Frances was just stupid.
I thought the reveal of why Whitelock framed Lucian was lame. And the off camera fate of Lucian’s father was highly unsatisfactory.
Plus, while the romance had some engaging moments, especially in the dialogue and banter, I felt like the revelation that these two were in love felt like flipping a switch. One day, each realized they were in love –and well, that was it.
This one was not great for me overall. There was some spark, but I had way too many issues to overlook.
Rating: C-
*ARC provided by Avon
July 9, 2025
Lucan Montwood and his friends made a wager. Not to marry in the following year. But now that his two friends are happily married, he just have to wait until the end of the year to get the money. Oh dear Lucan, if only it was that easy...
Frances Thorne's father was Lucan's family's stewart. She had a girlish crush on him but these days she just find him exasperating because he always seems to be everywhere she goes and not knowing all the piece of the puzzle about a certain event, she still blame him for it. There's tragedy and conspiracy that's still following him and Lucan is determined to protect her. Frances still hope that decent men exist, but would certainly never believe that an infamous gambler and rake like Lucan Montwood could be one. Oh dear Frances, you might not be as intuitive as you think.
My heart broke for the hero and that he still felt unjustly guilty for the past. I could only admire his dedication to protect Frances and felt my heart flutter at how hard he felt for her. Frances was also an interesting character. Confident and independent and yet not quite as perceptive as she thought she was. And this is one of the many reasons why I enjoy Vivienne Lorret's books so much; how she always gift us with lovable but "real" characters, with flaws and all. I liked how Frances attraction to Lucan translate into a prickly attitude and how he deal with it.
Frances Thorne's father was Lucan's family's stewart. She had a girlish crush on him but these days she just find him exasperating because he always seems to be everywhere she goes and not knowing all the piece of the puzzle about a certain event, she still blame him for it. There's tragedy and conspiracy that's still following him and Lucan is determined to protect her. Frances still hope that decent men exist, but would certainly never believe that an infamous gambler and rake like Lucan Montwood could be one. Oh dear Frances, you might not be as intuitive as you think.
My heart broke for the hero and that he still felt unjustly guilty for the past. I could only admire his dedication to protect Frances and felt my heart flutter at how hard he felt for her. Frances was also an interesting character. Confident and independent and yet not quite as perceptive as she thought she was. And this is one of the many reasons why I enjoy Vivienne Lorret's books so much; how she always gift us with lovable but "real" characters, with flaws and all. I liked how Frances attraction to Lucan translate into a prickly attitude and how he deal with it.
December 18, 2021
DNF
Man, I really wanted to like this book and, at first, I started to. The plot was good, the characters solid and believable. Nothing was too over the top or overdone and neither was anything underplayed.
But jfc it was the heroine that did me in. AGAIN.
She was such an insufferable prick. Once she'd made up her mind about something (or in this case someone), it was set. Even if she had a "feeling" that something wasn't right, she kept up that facade and refused to listen to her own damn instincts or even other people. She was narrow minded and shallow, not when it came to people's looks but just in people in general.
I wanted to throw her out a fucking window but i ended up settling for pulling at my hair in frustration.
Sure she had that "i hate him but im falling for him" ploy going on that i usually love but the constant dislike and refusal to see the hero as anything other than the bad guy (without any actual cause to boot), out-weighed any of the lighter, more romantic moments.
At first I understood her misgivings about the hero; Apple doesn’t fall far from the tree and all that. She doesn’t know him. He could be just like his father, etc etc. not to mention, SHE didn't know the things he'd done for her and her father. SHE hadn't been there to see any of those nicer more life saving things he'd done that we the readers were informed on. And it wasn't like he was throwing that information around for all to hear either. So, each, I understood her behavior…. To a DEGREE.
There were a lot of small instances when they WERE together and she WAS shown how kind and thoughtful he was yet all she did was throw his father's misdeeds in his face, judging him almost completely on that alone. She constantly called him a rake and blaggard and this and that, reminding him time and again of his gambling etc etc etc. She was so damn high and mighty all the damn time, not once letting him defend himself and then scoffing at him when he does.
And what does the hero do? He lets it go and smiles. He puts up with it and he still looks out for her.
And for the life of me i didn't know why. I guess because I know people and I myself have shitty parents, it just feels that much unfair and frustrating that the child (the hero) is being judged completely by the misdeeds of their parent(s).
This is made worse by the fact that her mentality towards him didn't change for well past the halfway mark (when i stopped reading). At that point I’d like SOME positive feelings between the hero and heroine!
After that, I just couldn't take it anymore. She kept constantly shoving the hero's father (a real devious man tbh) wrongdoings in the hero's face, judging and blaming him for it time and again and it just got old so damn quick.
Largely, I was disappointed because I went in with higher expectations. I honestly expected to like this book way more than I actually did because it had all the elements I usually love: a heroine that wears glasses and is a working gentry, a rakish hero, and a wicked scheme going on in the shadows. I WANTED to like this book. But the prude, judgmental heroine just wasn't worth it. I feel like in 10 yrs she’ll be that shrewish, spiteful wife that finds everything little thing her husband does wrong and picks at it and complains about him all the time and he’s just there taking her disdain and ridicule cause he didn’t take out the trash that one time.
The story sounded like it was really interesting and the epilogue was sweet so if you don't mind the heroine all that much it's worth a read. For me? Nah, I'm done with this.
Man, I really wanted to like this book and, at first, I started to. The plot was good, the characters solid and believable. Nothing was too over the top or overdone and neither was anything underplayed.
But jfc it was the heroine that did me in. AGAIN.
She was such an insufferable prick. Once she'd made up her mind about something (or in this case someone), it was set. Even if she had a "feeling" that something wasn't right, she kept up that facade and refused to listen to her own damn instincts or even other people. She was narrow minded and shallow, not when it came to people's looks but just in people in general.
I wanted to throw her out a fucking window but i ended up settling for pulling at my hair in frustration.
Sure she had that "i hate him but im falling for him" ploy going on that i usually love but the constant dislike and refusal to see the hero as anything other than the bad guy (without any actual cause to boot), out-weighed any of the lighter, more romantic moments.
At first I understood her misgivings about the hero; Apple doesn’t fall far from the tree and all that. She doesn’t know him. He could be just like his father, etc etc. not to mention, SHE didn't know the things he'd done for her and her father. SHE hadn't been there to see any of those nicer more life saving things he'd done that we the readers were informed on. And it wasn't like he was throwing that information around for all to hear either. So, each, I understood her behavior…. To a DEGREE.
There were a lot of small instances when they WERE together and she WAS shown how kind and thoughtful he was yet all she did was throw his father's misdeeds in his face, judging him almost completely on that alone. She constantly called him a rake and blaggard and this and that, reminding him time and again of his gambling etc etc etc. She was so damn high and mighty all the damn time, not once letting him defend himself and then scoffing at him when he does.
And what does the hero do? He lets it go and smiles. He puts up with it and he still looks out for her.
And for the life of me i didn't know why. I guess because I know people and I myself have shitty parents, it just feels that much unfair and frustrating that the child (the hero) is being judged completely by the misdeeds of their parent(s).
This is made worse by the fact that her mentality towards him didn't change for well past the halfway mark (when i stopped reading). At that point I’d like SOME positive feelings between the hero and heroine!
After that, I just couldn't take it anymore. She kept constantly shoving the hero's father (a real devious man tbh) wrongdoings in the hero's face, judging and blaming him for it time and again and it just got old so damn quick.
Largely, I was disappointed because I went in with higher expectations. I honestly expected to like this book way more than I actually did because it had all the elements I usually love: a heroine that wears glasses and is a working gentry, a rakish hero, and a wicked scheme going on in the shadows. I WANTED to like this book. But the prude, judgmental heroine just wasn't worth it. I feel like in 10 yrs she’ll be that shrewish, spiteful wife that finds everything little thing her husband does wrong and picks at it and complains about him all the time and he’s just there taking her disdain and ridicule cause he didn’t take out the trash that one time.
The story sounded like it was really interesting and the epilogue was sweet so if you don't mind the heroine all that much it's worth a read. For me? Nah, I'm done with this.
May 9, 2022
That scene on the piano...
July 19, 2015
I'm such a fan of this series, sad to see it end.
November 28, 2017
hei siapa yang nolak pesona seorang gentleman yang melindungi-mu secara diam2?
August 9, 2023
What a load of Nonsense, avoid at any cost if you can.
January 13, 2025
So crazy but fun
July 20, 2015
Rating 4 1/2 Stars
Posted on What I'm Reading
I have enjoyed this series immensely, and The Maddening Lord Montwood is definitely the perfect ending to the series. I adore how Lucan story reveals so much more that relates to the series and gives the insight of why the wager was made. Actually, the insight why Lucan needed to win the wager.
Throughout the series we saw Lucan as the main instigator when it came to trying to push Rafe and Gabriel into marriage. We actually don't see a lot of them in Lucan's story. They are there, but they don't play a huge role into the story. The story focuses on Lucan, Frances, Lord Whitelock, and Hugh Thorne (Frances's father). There some twist to the story I didn't see until the end.
The Maddening Lord Montwood is trying to help Hugh Thorne, but he can't tell Frances anything cause of the slime ball Lord Whitelock. Whitelock manipulates the situation for his benefit, but no one knows. Throughout the story he's described as
"he's too good to be true. Never heard a bad word so much as a whispered about him. No one is that crisp and clean on the outside without a wrinkled soul on the inside."
Personally, he reminded me of a snake in the grass, I don't like snakes, and he gave a creeptastic vibe. We slowly learn about Whitelock's character. However, Frances doesn't believe he's an evil guy at first, but slowly starts to realize.
I adore Lucan and Frances. I like that we got to know Lucan a little better. He's charming, but it's an act. I like that deep down he cares about people. He goes out on the limb for Hugh, but he doesn't tell Frances the whole situation. Frances is an interesting character, because she took all the lessons of her mother to heart. However, she does get blinded by Whitelock's character at first. Snaky like. I'm so glad things started to click together.
Like I said, a perfect ending to the series. We have a snaky villain, and hero that doesn't consider himself a hero. Yet, when it boils down he saves the day and gets the girl. This can be read as a standalone, but I think it's funner to read in order. Take a chance on Montwood and watch him take on the challenge that is Whitelock.
Copy provided by Avon via Edelweiss.
Posted on What I'm Reading
I have enjoyed this series immensely, and The Maddening Lord Montwood is definitely the perfect ending to the series. I adore how Lucan story reveals so much more that relates to the series and gives the insight of why the wager was made. Actually, the insight why Lucan needed to win the wager.
Throughout the series we saw Lucan as the main instigator when it came to trying to push Rafe and Gabriel into marriage. We actually don't see a lot of them in Lucan's story. They are there, but they don't play a huge role into the story. The story focuses on Lucan, Frances, Lord Whitelock, and Hugh Thorne (Frances's father). There some twist to the story I didn't see until the end.
The Maddening Lord Montwood is trying to help Hugh Thorne, but he can't tell Frances anything cause of the slime ball Lord Whitelock. Whitelock manipulates the situation for his benefit, but no one knows. Throughout the story he's described as
"he's too good to be true. Never heard a bad word so much as a whispered about him. No one is that crisp and clean on the outside without a wrinkled soul on the inside."
Personally, he reminded me of a snake in the grass, I don't like snakes, and he gave a creeptastic vibe. We slowly learn about Whitelock's character. However, Frances doesn't believe he's an evil guy at first, but slowly starts to realize.
I adore Lucan and Frances. I like that we got to know Lucan a little better. He's charming, but it's an act. I like that deep down he cares about people. He goes out on the limb for Hugh, but he doesn't tell Frances the whole situation. Frances is an interesting character, because she took all the lessons of her mother to heart. However, she does get blinded by Whitelock's character at first. Snaky like. I'm so glad things started to click together.
Like I said, a perfect ending to the series. We have a snaky villain, and hero that doesn't consider himself a hero. Yet, when it boils down he saves the day and gets the girl. This can be read as a standalone, but I think it's funner to read in order. Take a chance on Montwood and watch him take on the challenge that is Whitelock.
Copy provided by Avon via Edelweiss.
July 19, 2015
The enigmatic Lord Montwood has been intriguing me with his appearances in Everhart’s and Danvers’ stories – they are his fellow Rakes of Fallow Hall, who have already found their happy-ever-afters. These three friends made a substantial wager that they wouldn’t marry, and Lucan Montwood is the last bachelor standing. He has no intention of marrying – not only does he desperately need the winnings, he’s not fit for marriage, or so he thinks.
Lucan is handsome and charming, but he feels there’s a darkness within him. In reality, the darkness is just unfounded guilt that he feels for events that happened in his childhood, things beyond his control. In fact, the cruelties Lucan suffered have shaped him into a person who is always trying to come to the rescue of others. One such instance is when his father’s man of business, Mr. Thorne, is framed and jailed for a crime he didn’t commit. He will be hanged if Lucan can’t find a way to help. Unknowingly, Lucan makes a devil’s bargain, which will come back to haunt him.
Thorne’s daughter, Frances, has no reason to trust men. When her father was jailed, her fiance ran off with her dowry and married another. Then when her father got out of jail, he stole her earnings to buy liquor, and can’t hold a job. She has become somewhat jaded about the male sex, so she’s especially leery of Montwood’s continual appearances.
While Lucan’s intention is just to protect Frances, he finds himself really attracted to her, despite her initial hostility toward him. Eventually she starts to see what a caring person he really is, and lets down her guard.
This was my favorite book, and my favorite of the rakes. There is so much to enjoy in this story, a passionate love, a mystery, an odious villain, a matchmaking dog, and a swoonworthy hero. I’m a huge fan of epilogues, and this one was particularly lovely. THE MADDENING LORD MONTWOOD is an excellent, well written book that I thoroughly enjoyed and recommend highly.
As reviewed for Roses Are Blue http://t.co/zuuzbV48Yt
Lucan is handsome and charming, but he feels there’s a darkness within him. In reality, the darkness is just unfounded guilt that he feels for events that happened in his childhood, things beyond his control. In fact, the cruelties Lucan suffered have shaped him into a person who is always trying to come to the rescue of others. One such instance is when his father’s man of business, Mr. Thorne, is framed and jailed for a crime he didn’t commit. He will be hanged if Lucan can’t find a way to help. Unknowingly, Lucan makes a devil’s bargain, which will come back to haunt him.
Thorne’s daughter, Frances, has no reason to trust men. When her father was jailed, her fiance ran off with her dowry and married another. Then when her father got out of jail, he stole her earnings to buy liquor, and can’t hold a job. She has become somewhat jaded about the male sex, so she’s especially leery of Montwood’s continual appearances.
While Lucan’s intention is just to protect Frances, he finds himself really attracted to her, despite her initial hostility toward him. Eventually she starts to see what a caring person he really is, and lets down her guard.
This was my favorite book, and my favorite of the rakes. There is so much to enjoy in this story, a passionate love, a mystery, an odious villain, a matchmaking dog, and a swoonworthy hero. I’m a huge fan of epilogues, and this one was particularly lovely. THE MADDENING LORD MONTWOOD is an excellent, well written book that I thoroughly enjoyed and recommend highly.
As reviewed for Roses Are Blue http://t.co/zuuzbV48Yt
July 23, 2015
Vivienne Lorret has completely blown me away with this series so far, so the Maddening of Lord Montwood had A LOT to live up too…
Everything in Frances life was taken away in one go! No job, no home and her Father (Hugh Thorne) was taken off to debtor’s prison. Add to that the betrayal of the men in her life; it is understandable that she is unwilling to trust Lucan Montwood! Despite the fact that she has known him since childhood, she doesn’t really know him at all! After all, who makes a 10,000 pound bet with their friends to stay single…but even knowing that and even when lies and scheming of another person, taints her opinion of Lucan…she still begins to care for him.
Lord Lucan Montwood has also lost everything that he cared about. His mother has been murdered and the murderer (Lucas Father) seems to have gotten away with it, by shifting the blame on to Hugh Thorne (Family Steward). Lucan makes it his mission to protect Hugh Thorne, with the aid of Viscount Whitelock. But nothing is as truly as it seems! And if that isn’t enough, He falls in love with Thorne’s daughter Frances, who only sees him as a rake.
But nothing is truly as it seems, and you are left wondering, who is good and who is bad and will love win in the end…
Wow! What a twist! What an ending! I can honestly say that this book is full of surprises, from the beginning to the end and it was such a joy to read and a wonderful end to such an amazing series.
Where it comes to the basics, Vivienne Lorret always knocks it out of the park. It was such a smooth and well developed read, which kept me gripped to the end.
I give The maddening of Lord Montwood and well deserved 10 out of 10!
Everything in Frances life was taken away in one go! No job, no home and her Father (Hugh Thorne) was taken off to debtor’s prison. Add to that the betrayal of the men in her life; it is understandable that she is unwilling to trust Lucan Montwood! Despite the fact that she has known him since childhood, she doesn’t really know him at all! After all, who makes a 10,000 pound bet with their friends to stay single…but even knowing that and even when lies and scheming of another person, taints her opinion of Lucan…she still begins to care for him.
Lord Lucan Montwood has also lost everything that he cared about. His mother has been murdered and the murderer (Lucas Father) seems to have gotten away with it, by shifting the blame on to Hugh Thorne (Family Steward). Lucan makes it his mission to protect Hugh Thorne, with the aid of Viscount Whitelock. But nothing is as truly as it seems! And if that isn’t enough, He falls in love with Thorne’s daughter Frances, who only sees him as a rake.
But nothing is truly as it seems, and you are left wondering, who is good and who is bad and will love win in the end…
Wow! What a twist! What an ending! I can honestly say that this book is full of surprises, from the beginning to the end and it was such a joy to read and a wonderful end to such an amazing series.
Where it comes to the basics, Vivienne Lorret always knocks it out of the park. It was such a smooth and well developed read, which kept me gripped to the end.
I give The maddening of Lord Montwood and well deserved 10 out of 10!
January 9, 2016
The Maddening Lord Montwood follows the same patterns as the previous two books in the series, and for the most part is a well written and thought out story. Like the other books, this one has some inconsistencies - but I really do believe it's par for the genre.
The good: Poor Lucan is finally explained. Why he plays the piano so beautifully. Why he gambles for his income. Why he believes he should never marry. This book showed the Rake's closeness better than the previous (they're like brothers, where in the first one they seemed more like roommates). I wish Lucan would have gone to his friends with his troubles earlier, but I understand why he didn't. Lucan and France's bond over his piano playing is awesome. It makes me wish I could hear him. Also, I like that the dog of many names doesn't play as large of a role. It got s little annoying in the other books.
The not as good: The most disappointing aspect is the rushed ending. There are several really nasty characters who are engaged in truly despicable doings - but the ending of the story brushes all this aside. Lucan's father and brother get a hasty paragraph in the epilogue, as does the physician who helped cover up the murders. Also, there was speculation regarding the opium plantation, and if Whitelock's wife was being intentionally drugged, but that wasn't really addressed. Up to that point the story had a lot of layers, and it's a shame it didn't get wrapped up Ina nice little package at the end.
The good: Poor Lucan is finally explained. Why he plays the piano so beautifully. Why he gambles for his income. Why he believes he should never marry. This book showed the Rake's closeness better than the previous (they're like brothers, where in the first one they seemed more like roommates). I wish Lucan would have gone to his friends with his troubles earlier, but I understand why he didn't. Lucan and France's bond over his piano playing is awesome. It makes me wish I could hear him. Also, I like that the dog of many names doesn't play as large of a role. It got s little annoying in the other books.
The not as good: The most disappointing aspect is the rushed ending. There are several really nasty characters who are engaged in truly despicable doings - but the ending of the story brushes all this aside. Lucan's father and brother get a hasty paragraph in the epilogue, as does the physician who helped cover up the murders. Also, there was speculation regarding the opium plantation, and if Whitelock's wife was being intentionally drugged, but that wasn't really addressed. Up to that point the story had a lot of layers, and it's a shame it didn't get wrapped up Ina nice little package at the end.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 9, 2016
I eagerly anticipated this story because out of all the rakes, I liked Lucan the best because of his "still waters" character. He was one of those heroes that you just can't wait to find out about. Once I found out about him, I liked him even more and I wanted him to be paired with a woman worthy of his character.
And trust me, Frances was not it. I truly disliked her attitude and self-righteous demeanor. What a judgmental bitch! I get the reasons for her original impression of Lucan, but once he had started showing her who he really is, she just persisted in casting him as a bad guy. What a waste!
Let me tell you. This hero deserved someone much better than what he got.
If you've read this series from the start, go ahead and read this story too. If you're new to this author, skip this one and read book two in this series.
Melanie for b2b
Complimentary copy provided by the publisher
And trust me, Frances was not it. I truly disliked her attitude and self-righteous demeanor. What a judgmental bitch! I get the reasons for her original impression of Lucan, but once he had started showing her who he really is, she just persisted in casting him as a bad guy. What a waste!
Let me tell you. This hero deserved someone much better than what he got.
If you've read this series from the start, go ahead and read this story too. If you're new to this author, skip this one and read book two in this series.
Melanie for b2b
Complimentary copy provided by the publisher
October 16, 2016
Boring.
October 14, 2021
I suspect that jumping into the last book did not give a just picture of the series. the attenuated ties to the Wallflower wedding series were more wispy than I wished. From reading the reviews of the first two books, gathered the second title was the best. But I read Lucan's story. It was rather disjointed, somewhat beyond belief even one stretched to encompass the villains and the innocents. Lucan was an estimable, very desirable hero. Frances was too over set throughout the plot to make herself memorable. The small tailor book of the sketches of the backsides of the male were intriguing but never explained, except perhaps for Frances's hidden fantasies. Push pull between h/h was acceptable especially when Lucan came nightly to see if she was alright. it seemed Frances's love affair materialized out of nowhere while Lucan's was a far deeper attachment. Despite the matchmaker RJ, the hesitant affair was too hesitant. it was the piano seduction scene however, that collapsed my applause for the plot: it was too contrived, almost impossible, not reflecting a deep passion, in fact opportunistic rather than passionate. This where you needed a floor seduction, full frontal, not a saddle yourself here my lady. the villain got his just punishment-not the broken neck but the back and life confined in a bath chair. what was left hanging was the fate of the wife, what happened to her? Lucan's father and brother also were perfectly punished. the redemption of Thorne and the life that Tommy had with him was also justice. a delightful epilogue which should have rounded the tale still left something missing. perhaps it was the mood today, or that the series was not read in order. was surprised that Lucan was blamed for the wager they all agreed upon, but that came to naught as each had a most satisfactory HEA. and that is why we read this stuff, n'est ce pas?
March 19, 2022
3 stars
Overall impression:
I enjoyed the book while I was reading it and sped through it, because the writing is engaging and the mystery was interesting. And I quite like a protective MMC. But as soon as I finished, a whole catalogue of deficiencies immediately came to mind. So, it was very readable but not a masterpiece by any stretch.
What I didn’t like so much:
We were lead to wonder whether the wife was being drugged, and not crazy after all, but we never find out or hear what happens to her!?
Lucan should have just borrowed the 10k from any number of people who offered. How is winning 10k from your friends gambling more honorable than borrowing it!? And relatedly, I don’t understand how Lucan could really be prevented from ever winning at cards for 2.5 years. That just doesn’t make sense. He could have gone to Monte Carlo or anywhere beyond Whitelock’s grasp.
Lucan should have just told Frances why he borrowed the 10k instead of letting her think he was deceiving her. That was such an unnecessary misunderstanding.
There was very little romance between the MCs. There was lust and there was stalking, but I’d have liked more wooing and more emotional development. And I was a bit disappointed in Montwood’s character. From the previous book, I thought he’d be very brooding and a tortured artist type, and while he have a bit of that, he was more cocky and domineering than brooding. I also wish Frances had been as well-developed as Hedley, but she fell a little flat. Though I don’t agree with the other reviewers who say she was too judgmental and slow to trust Lucan. I felt like she was reasonably wary of him based on her experiences and his type, but then trusted him as soon as he kissed her.
Overall impression:
I enjoyed the book while I was reading it and sped through it, because the writing is engaging and the mystery was interesting. And I quite like a protective MMC. But as soon as I finished, a whole catalogue of deficiencies immediately came to mind. So, it was very readable but not a masterpiece by any stretch.
What I didn’t like so much:
We were lead to wonder whether the wife was being drugged, and not crazy after all, but we never find out or hear what happens to her!?
Lucan should have just borrowed the 10k from any number of people who offered. How is winning 10k from your friends gambling more honorable than borrowing it!? And relatedly, I don’t understand how Lucan could really be prevented from ever winning at cards for 2.5 years. That just doesn’t make sense. He could have gone to Monte Carlo or anywhere beyond Whitelock’s grasp.
Lucan should have just told Frances why he borrowed the 10k instead of letting her think he was deceiving her. That was such an unnecessary misunderstanding.
There was very little romance between the MCs. There was lust and there was stalking, but I’d have liked more wooing and more emotional development. And I was a bit disappointed in Montwood’s character. From the previous book, I thought he’d be very brooding and a tortured artist type, and while he have a bit of that, he was more cocky and domineering than brooding. I also wish Frances had been as well-developed as Hedley, but she fell a little flat. Though I don’t agree with the other reviewers who say she was too judgmental and slow to trust Lucan. I felt like she was reasonably wary of him based on her experiences and his type, but then trusted him as soon as he kissed her.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 2, 2021
Lucan Montwood dijebak oleh Lord Whitelock sebesar 10rb pounds, demi menyelamatkan Thorne, pegawai ayahnya yg setia yg dituduh mencuri. Lucan hrs mengembalikan uang tsb dlm wkt 3 thn, dan jika tidak, bukti² yg memberatkan Thorne akan muncul kembali.
Frances, anak gadis Thorne sudah tumbuh mjd wanita dewasa yg memikat spt ibunya. Agak aneh jg dia digambarkan sbg nerdy woman yg menggunakan kacamata. Dan aneh lagi, Lord Whitelock tertarik pd Frances di usia spinster (27 thn). Baiklah, abaikan hal² ini, walau Frances dan Lucan kerap tidak cocok tapi mrk tidak bisa memungkiri benih² ketertarikan mrk. Dan saya menyayangkan betapa buruknya intuisi Frances, bahkan stl diperingatkan berkali-kali oleh Lucan, dia tidak percaya ada org sebejat dan semanipulatif Whitelock.
Wahai para pecinta tatakrama kelas wahid, Lord Whitelock adalah contoh terbaik setan yg menggunakan kedok figur orang yg sopan santun dan selalu menolong orang² susah terutama gadis² cantik lugu yg tidak keberatan membalas budi kebaikannya dgn melakukan apapun yg diperintah lord setan ini.
Saya merasa ada plothole dibalik hubungan Lucan, kakaknya dan ayahnya. Sayangnya gak ada penjelasan rinci ttg ini, sebab tau² Lucan sdh mewarisi gelar marquess ayahnya ini.
Saya sdh membaca 3 buku author ini, well, saya pribadi kurang sreg dgn gaya bercerita author yg suka mengulang-ulang sesuatu, chemistry yg kurang mengena (malah cenderung mengada-ada), dan plot yg kurang sempurna. So so ajalah mnrt saya.
Frances, anak gadis Thorne sudah tumbuh mjd wanita dewasa yg memikat spt ibunya. Agak aneh jg dia digambarkan sbg nerdy woman yg menggunakan kacamata. Dan aneh lagi, Lord Whitelock tertarik pd Frances di usia spinster (27 thn). Baiklah, abaikan hal² ini, walau Frances dan Lucan kerap tidak cocok tapi mrk tidak bisa memungkiri benih² ketertarikan mrk. Dan saya menyayangkan betapa buruknya intuisi Frances, bahkan stl diperingatkan berkali-kali oleh Lucan, dia tidak percaya ada org sebejat dan semanipulatif Whitelock.
Wahai para pecinta tatakrama kelas wahid, Lord Whitelock adalah contoh terbaik setan yg menggunakan kedok figur orang yg sopan santun dan selalu menolong orang² susah terutama gadis² cantik lugu yg tidak keberatan membalas budi kebaikannya dgn melakukan apapun yg diperintah lord setan ini.
Saya merasa ada plothole dibalik hubungan Lucan, kakaknya dan ayahnya. Sayangnya gak ada penjelasan rinci ttg ini, sebab tau² Lucan sdh mewarisi gelar marquess ayahnya ini.
Saya sdh membaca 3 buku author ini, well, saya pribadi kurang sreg dgn gaya bercerita author yg suka mengulang-ulang sesuatu, chemistry yg kurang mengena (malah cenderung mengada-ada), dan plot yg kurang sempurna. So so ajalah mnrt saya.
November 2, 2021
This was legitimately, a mess.
I'm still not entirely sure what happened with Thorne and the counterfeiting or whatever THAT storyline was.
The hero, who I thought I'd like based on the prior books, was pretty awful, engaging in kidnapping and stalking which is very much not what I like in a hero.
The heroine was...inexplicably dense and dour. Like, he falls for her and one of the qualities he notices about her is that she never smiles. This is not someone he has met recently. This is someone he has known since, if not childhood, at least his teen years. And she doesn't smile. Ever. I mean, eventually in the book she smiles because that's how things work, but who is drawn to someone who never ever smiles? She also has bad feelings about things and routinely ignores them which is downright bizarre considering her whole "job" at the beginning of the book is teaching other girls when things feel off how to defend themselves or get themselves out of a tricky situation.
So, infuriating, not particularly fun ending to the trilogy.
I'm still not entirely sure what happened with Thorne and the counterfeiting or whatever THAT storyline was.
The hero, who I thought I'd like based on the prior books, was pretty awful, engaging in kidnapping and stalking which is very much not what I like in a hero.
The heroine was...inexplicably dense and dour. Like, he falls for her and one of the qualities he notices about her is that she never smiles. This is not someone he has met recently. This is someone he has known since, if not childhood, at least his teen years. And she doesn't smile. Ever. I mean, eventually in the book she smiles because that's how things work, but who is drawn to someone who never ever smiles? She also has bad feelings about things and routinely ignores them which is downright bizarre considering her whole "job" at the beginning of the book is teaching other girls when things feel off how to defend themselves or get themselves out of a tricky situation.
So, infuriating, not particularly fun ending to the trilogy.
May 22, 2019
Lorret did a nice job with the plot for this installment -- both the character motives and mystery. Yet, having binge-read this and the prequel series, I can't help wish for slightly dialed-down lust. I appreciate that all hey books in these two linked series have a certain slow-burn element, it's both the delay and gradually increasing heat that make such books really sing. (For a master class, read the two wonderfully restrained mystery/romance series by Deanna Raybourn -- both Julia Grey and Veronica Speedwell are fantastic.)
Especially having read a Diane Gaston book after this, it's clear that strong romance -- even one with full consummation -- need not have the leads' physical awareness of each other turned up so high from the start.
That criticism aside, the community developed across the six books of these two linked series had a lot to do with my reading all of them. And I really liked the use of the dog in this series.
Especially having read a Diane Gaston book after this, it's clear that strong romance -- even one with full consummation -- need not have the leads' physical awareness of each other turned up so high from the start.
That criticism aside, the community developed across the six books of these two linked series had a lot to do with my reading all of them. And I really liked the use of the dog in this series.
September 24, 2020
So so aja.G bener bener suka/ga suka jg karena ceritanya biasa aja.
Serial terakhir pengennya sih rada nendang tp ya kurang aja.
Sbenarnya suka ama karakter Frances yg kuat.mandiri sambil kerja untuk mnghidupi bokapnya.tp lama-lama,jd melempem.Scepat itu"kegatelan"ama lucan.
Oke elo 27thn,tp perlu ya diulang-ulang"sebagai cewe usia 27thn"oke elo perawan tua,tp ckup skali aja disebut.
Lebih tertarik misteri kebaikan sifat lord whitelock.
Trnyata oh ternyata...
Serial terakhir pengennya sih rada nendang tp ya kurang aja.
Sbenarnya suka ama karakter Frances yg kuat.mandiri sambil kerja untuk mnghidupi bokapnya.tp lama-lama,jd melempem.Scepat itu"kegatelan"ama lucan.
Oke elo 27thn,tp perlu ya diulang-ulang"sebagai cewe usia 27thn"oke elo perawan tua,tp ckup skali aja disebut.
Lebih tertarik misteri kebaikan sifat lord whitelock.
Trnyata oh ternyata...
March 17, 2024
I liked it, it was cute, shame that the author or editor didn't do a good job. Lots and lots of typos, even to the point of renaming two characters with different names at the end. Delaney for Rafe's wife (hendeley? I think it was) and Victor for Lucan's brother Vincent.
So that killed the book a little for me.
I would also have been interested to know what the viscountess became.
Shame, I quite liked that series otherwise.
So that killed the book a little for me.
I would also have been interested to know what the viscountess became.
Shame, I quite liked that series otherwise.
July 21, 2024
I liked this one better than the second in the series.
I liked the main characters just fine. I didn’t love them, and I also think that the author did a good job having them fall in love rather than love at first site.
Once again, this had a pretty big plot but it was actually a good one. I liked how everything wrapped up.
But the best part was the epilogue. So cute and I’m excited to read potential newer reads from the kids POV?
I liked the main characters just fine. I didn’t love them, and I also think that the author did a good job having them fall in love rather than love at first site.
Once again, this had a pretty big plot but it was actually a good one. I liked how everything wrapped up.
But the best part was the epilogue. So cute and I’m excited to read potential newer reads from the kids POV?
June 15, 2018
New Author for my keeper shelf
I have just binged 7 of Ms. Lorret’s books in a four day period. I couldn’t put any of them down. They were all amazing. Her characters are wonderful and her plots will suck you into her world before you know it. Each story in this series was action packed, emotional, and had just the right amount of humor and intrigue.
I have just binged 7 of Ms. Lorret’s books in a four day period. I couldn’t put any of them down. They were all amazing. Her characters are wonderful and her plots will suck you into her world before you know it. Each story in this series was action packed, emotional, and had just the right amount of humor and intrigue.
August 5, 2019
I was at 25% and planning on giving up, but I'm glad I stuck with it. Lucan is actually a giving, caring man and it takes little for Frances to see that. And while there was still a big misunderstanding with our characters deciding they didn't trust each other, it didn't last long and the ending was sweet and satisfying. Only one loose end I can think of, and that isn't anything major.
August 28, 2019
The storyline doesn’t develop as needed. It automatically jumps to an attraction between the main characters but it isn’t based on anything substantial. It references their earlier interaction but not enough to make their automatic relationship believable. More back story is needed. Overall it feels like it starts at Chapter 20 of a 35 chapter book. Just needs more depth.
February 24, 2025
4.5 stars
Best one in this series because the story wasn't the usual historical romance types, rather, in my opinion, leans toward historical fiction but with romance. There is corruption, obsession, evil characters, and the theme of don't judge a person by their exterior and what they show in front of others.
Best one in this series because the story wasn't the usual historical romance types, rather, in my opinion, leans toward historical fiction but with romance. There is corruption, obsession, evil characters, and the theme of don't judge a person by their exterior and what they show in front of others.
April 24, 2018
This story was written well, however, I felt it got rushed towards the end. I didn’t care for how easily Frances believed the wrong person, I didn’t feel the chemistry so much as I read about it, but I still enjoyed this book
Read
August 9, 2019As the third in the series, this one was the most satisfying. Lord Montwood seems to be the most mysterious of the three, and the one least likely to marry. Both of them seemed to dislike each other, yet underneath that disdain hides passion, and a whole lot of secrets. Great fun.
August 31, 2019
Not as good as the others
I loved all the other Vivienne Lorret books but this was a chore, I can’t pinpoint why but it took more more than one day to finish. It was ok, I May have rushed it a bit after 50%.
I’ll still one click l her other books.
I loved all the other Vivienne Lorret books but this was a chore, I can’t pinpoint why but it took more more than one day to finish. It was ok, I May have rushed it a bit after 50%.
I’ll still one click l her other books.
September 12, 2019
I was soo excited to read Montwood's story but sadly I didn't like it. It's more of a preference I think because it's not badly written. I just didn't feel the connection between Montwood and Frances. Even the villian's a bit of a let down.
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