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Dream Lover
DREAM LOVER
He came upon her as she swam in her secret crystal cave, the rugged stranger who stole her heart, then haunted her dreams when he disappeared. Emerald FitzGerald Montague thought her life was over when she was forced to marry another man, a man she despised . . . until Sean O'Toole, dark, dangerous, and handsome as sin, returned from the dead and swept her away in a whirlwind of scandal and desire . . .
DREAM LOVER
Bent on revenge after five years on a prison ship, Sean O'Toole, Earl of Kildare, kidnapped his enemy's daughter. Her name was Emerald, the innocent beauty he had known long ago, who had stirred his senses like no other woman. But now he planned to seduce her, abandon her . . . and bring disgrace to the hated Montagues. First he would restore the fire to her eyes, make her hunger for his steely embrace - then use her in an act of vengeance. But Sean didn't expect to find himself caught in the sudden heat of his own desires, bewitched by the magnificent beauty he'd planned to betray . . .
DREAM LOVER
He came upon her as she swam in her secret crystal cave, the rugged stranger who stole her heart, then haunted her dreams when he disappeared. Emerald FitzGerald Montague thought her life was over when she was forced to marry another man, a man she despised . . . until Sean O'Toole, dark, dangerous, and handsome as sin, returned from the dead and swept her away in a whirlwind of scandal and desire . . .
DREAM LOVER
Bent on revenge after five years on a prison ship, Sean O'Toole, Earl of Kildare, kidnapped his enemy's daughter. Her name was Emerald, the innocent beauty he had known long ago, who had stirred his senses like no other woman. But now he planned to seduce her, abandon her . . . and bring disgrace to the hated Montagues. First he would restore the fire to her eyes, make her hunger for his steely embrace - then use her in an act of vengeance. But Sean didn't expect to find himself caught in the sudden heat of his own desires, bewitched by the magnificent beauty he'd planned to betray . . .
DREAM LOVER
423 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 1997
40 people are currently reading
754 people want to read
About the author
Virginia Henley
66 books637 followersVirginia Syddall was born on December 5, 1935 in England, where her father, Thomas Syddall, taught her to love history. She obtained a degree in History in the University. In 1956, Virginia married Arthur Henley. They moved to America, and now they live most of the year in St. Petersburg, Florida, and they spend the hot summers in Ontario, Canada, where they have their two adult children and three grandsons.
Virginia Henley is a New York Times bestselling writer of historical novels. Her work has been translated into fourteen languages. She is the recipient of more than a dozen writing awards, including a Romantic Times Lifetime Achievement Award, a Waldenbooks' Bestselling Award, and a Maggie Award for Excellence from the Georgia Romance Writers.
Virginia Henley is a New York Times bestselling writer of historical novels. Her work has been translated into fourteen languages. She is the recipient of more than a dozen writing awards, including a Romantic Times Lifetime Achievement Award, a Waldenbooks' Bestselling Award, and a Maggie Award for Excellence from the Georgia Romance Writers.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 56 reviews
June 17, 2024
Reread: 6/15/24
It's still a good read!
Read 5/30/22
This book is an example of why I love this author! Bravo VH! 👏 This book had everything a good Bodice-ripper needs. It had revenge (got to love a good revenge story), love, deceit, betrayal, second chance romance, pregnancy, hot sex scenes, ect...
I highly recommend!
It's still a good read!
Read 5/30/22
This book is an example of why I love this author! Bravo VH! 👏 This book had everything a good Bodice-ripper needs. It had revenge (got to love a good revenge story), love, deceit, betrayal, second chance romance, pregnancy, hot sex scenes, ect...
I highly recommend!
December 7, 2025
So good to read two great books in a row
Virginia Henley's stories are like soft core bodice rippers. You get all the elements of a vintage HR without the abusive or oftentimes rapist hero.
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🕮⋆˚࿔✎𓂃 𝐣𝐨𝐢𝐧 𝐦𝐲 𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐦𝐲 𝐟𝐮𝐥𝐥 𝐫𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐞𝐰
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Virginia Henley's stories are like soft core bodice rippers. You get all the elements of a vintage HR without the abusive or oftentimes rapist hero.
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🕮⋆˚࿔✎𓂃 𝐣𝐨𝐢𝐧 𝐦𝐲 𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐦𝐲 𝐟𝐮𝐥𝐥 𝐫𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐞𝐰
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July 10, 2022
It took me some time to get into this book, and I read two others in the meantime. The first page with our heroine Emerald riding a dolphin seemed at first like a sex scene with the hero.
Sean (our hero)'s time aboard a prison ship was so interesting. I loved his strength and determination to escape. He vows revenge on the man who killed his brother and falsely got him imprisoned.
Definitely not my favorite Virginia Henley book, but there were some great romantic bits.
Sean was such a great alpha male, though it definitely felt like there was a before and after Sean.
I know that some readers definitely won't like how Emerald loses her virginity to the other man she marries. A fan on Virginia Henley's website wrote how Mr. Burke appears in every book, and sure enough, this book had a Paddy Burke! It's funny when you realize it.
I picked this one up because I hadn't read a Virginia Henley book in a while and wanted to do so. For some reason, I was kind of surprised at how graphic the sex scenes were here...(not that I'm complaining)
Sean (our hero)'s time aboard a prison ship was so interesting. I loved his strength and determination to escape. He vows revenge on the man who killed his brother and falsely got him imprisoned.
Definitely not my favorite Virginia Henley book, but there were some great romantic bits.
Sean was such a great alpha male, though it definitely felt like there was a before and after Sean.
I know that some readers definitely won't like how Emerald loses her virginity to the other man she marries. A fan on Virginia Henley's website wrote how Mr. Burke appears in every book, and sure enough, this book had a Paddy Burke! It's funny when you realize it.
I picked this one up because I hadn't read a Virginia Henley book in a while and wanted to do so. For some reason, I was kind of surprised at how graphic the sex scenes were here...(not that I'm complaining)
December 27, 2020
Credo sia uscito nel 1997, quindi ha un paio di decenni sulle spalle, e lo stile è quello tipico della Henley, ricalcando peraltro i gusti (ah, quanto mi piace usare questa espressione...) della fine del "secolo scorso": dunque, una sorta di soap opera in stile storico, con irlandesi contro inglesi, il tradimento perpetrato dalla gentildonna maritata che però ispira simpatia perché il marito cornuto è tanto malvagio, due figli che vivono liberi e selvaggi, nuotando tra i delfini (qui ho avuto una breve visione di "Laguna blu") e poi i fratelloni irlandesi che sognano di conquistare il mondo, senza avere l'astuzia e la maturità del loro capo clan.
Se avete letto la trama, saprete già che poi devia verso una sorta di retelling del "Conte di Montecristo" sempre in salsa irlandese, con il conte tradito che torna a casa bramando vendetta.
Insomma, c'è di tutto un po': ci sono ben due storie d'amore, tutti (almeno i buoni) sono bellissimi e fascinosi, con occhi fiammeggianti quando guardano le loro prede.
E alla nostra Emerald capita davvero di tutto, compreso quello di venire usata da un po' tutte le fazioni per gli interessi in gioco... sino a un epico parto che credo molte scrittrici contemporanee ritengano un elemento essenziale per dare il giusto tocco melodrammatico al romanzo: da Rossella O'Hara che aiuta Melania in poi, mi vengono in mente un sacco di esempi.
Nel complesso, una lettura poco impegnativa e certamente vivace, con colpi di scena e cambi repentini di fortuna.
C'è pure l'eroe che non guarda in faccia nessuno e poi si riscatta. Cos'altro volere di più?
Per dire: mentre su alcuni passaggi io resto un po' scettica, mia madre lo definisce uno di quei bei romanzi di una volta.
Indubbiamente, Emerald ha lasciato un certo segno.
Se avete letto la trama, saprete già che poi devia verso una sorta di retelling del "Conte di Montecristo" sempre in salsa irlandese, con il conte tradito che torna a casa bramando vendetta.
Insomma, c'è di tutto un po': ci sono ben due storie d'amore, tutti (almeno i buoni) sono bellissimi e fascinosi, con occhi fiammeggianti quando guardano le loro prede.
E alla nostra Emerald capita davvero di tutto, compreso quello di venire usata da un po' tutte le fazioni per gli interessi in gioco... sino a un epico parto che credo molte scrittrici contemporanee ritengano un elemento essenziale per dare il giusto tocco melodrammatico al romanzo: da Rossella O'Hara che aiuta Melania in poi, mi vengono in mente un sacco di esempi.
Nel complesso, una lettura poco impegnativa e certamente vivace, con colpi di scena e cambi repentini di fortuna.
C'è pure l'eroe che non guarda in faccia nessuno e poi si riscatta. Cos'altro volere di più?
Per dire: mentre su alcuni passaggi io resto un po' scettica, mia madre lo definisce uno di quei bei romanzi di una volta.
Indubbiamente, Emerald ha lasciato un certo segno.
did-not-finish
July 27, 2018So I picked this book up from my library. Never read anything by this author, the plot sounded interesting and it peeked my interest. But here I am skimming through it a day later and ended up leaving it sitting there for weeks unfinished cause the dialogue is just a tad too....much for my taste.
When you get stuff like this:
"I am about to anoint you, but let me warn you, beloved my hands will steal your reason. When I am done, I will own you body and soul."
"...I want to intoxicate you with my passion"
"He exploded. The night exploded."
"Rest today so we can make the night explode."
O_o
Nuff said.
There's a difference between sweet and saccharine and it's called overkill.
When you get stuff like this:
"I am about to anoint you, but let me warn you, beloved my hands will steal your reason. When I am done, I will own you body and soul."
"...I want to intoxicate you with my passion"
"He exploded. The night exploded."
"Rest today so we can make the night explode."
O_o
Nuff said.
There's a difference between sweet and saccharine and it's called overkill.
June 10, 2023
Anyone have safety spoilers for this? Yes, I gave it 4 stars -over 10 years ago- but I don’t remember anything about this book, and rereading my old favorites recently, I have come to realize I had no taste back then, so I don’t even trust my self 😂.
I read that the h ends up marrying om and sleeping with him.
Does the H cheat?
I read that the h ends up marrying om and sleeping with him.
Does the H cheat?
October 7, 2013
aarrgg this book make me so angry..started out great...i was loving it so much...reading past midnight....but then the author did something that I hate the most. My no.1 pet peeve- adulterous/cheating/non-virgin heroines. In this case the heroine eventually gets married to the villain and they did consummate their marriage!!!! WTH!!!!aarrgggg!!! I can't read anymore...
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 8, 2016
My mum is not a reader but she had a couple of books that she gave me because I AM a reader :P I said well let's see and... (In spanish it's called "Revancha de amor" aww(?)
This was so full of hatred, love, envy, revenge, anger, avarice, lust, pain...
To William Montague and Jack Raymond:
I really want to know if irish and british were like that in the past... It was horrible how british men treated women and how women accepted all that crap. I liked that irish women were brave and uncontrollable.
This was so full of hatred, love, envy, revenge, anger, avarice, lust, pain...
To William Montague and Jack Raymond:
I really want to know if irish and british were like that in the past... It was horrible how british men treated women and how women accepted all that crap. I liked that irish women were brave and uncontrollable.
January 6, 2020
I first read this story about 10-14 years ago and remember absolutely loving this story. It’s online with your typical 80s bodice ripper romance, (these books were what first got me into reading many moons ago) for years I had really gone off historical romances and had stuck only to contemporary but after a very busy few months I just needed a story to take me to another world, and to another time frame and this is exactly what this story did. I loved it now just as much as I loved reading it years ago, I was engrossed and when I got a chance to pick it up I couldnt stop reading. I’ve read most of this authors books in the past I remember this one and Tempted were my favourites. I think 2020 will definitely have more historical reads from me.
November 28, 2024
Dream Lover by Virginia Henley (1997) is consumed by a revenge plot … at times it almost overwhelms the romance. As the back cover blurb says, Emerald accidentally meets Sean while she’s swimming in a crystal cave .., she’s 16 and he’s 19. From the shores of Angelsey in Wales, to Ireland to London their lives are intertwined because of their father’s hate from business dealings.
Sean is wrongfully imprisoned for 5 years and manages to escape and seeks his vengeance against Emerald’s father. He uses Emerald… she always loved him and he rewards her love with lies and deceit.
Overall, the story didn’t hold my interest … way too many other people in the story especially the relatives in Ireland.. thought they were a distraction, and there was an over abundance of voyages by sea between London and Ireland that seem to happen in a matter of days. Just not plausible.
However, sex scenes were excellent… Henley has a gift for writing vivid passionate moments without purple prose. If u like HRs with revenge plots this book’s for u. Alas, it wasn’t my cup of tea. ⭐️⭐️⭐️
Sean is wrongfully imprisoned for 5 years and manages to escape and seeks his vengeance against Emerald’s father. He uses Emerald… she always loved him and he rewards her love with lies and deceit.
Overall, the story didn’t hold my interest … way too many other people in the story especially the relatives in Ireland.. thought they were a distraction, and there was an over abundance of voyages by sea between London and Ireland that seem to happen in a matter of days. Just not plausible.
However, sex scenes were excellent… Henley has a gift for writing vivid passionate moments without purple prose. If u like HRs with revenge plots this book’s for u. Alas, it wasn’t my cup of tea. ⭐️⭐️⭐️
November 30, 2020
Virginia Henley always starts her books with something really weird involving animals and the heroine" that's only ever thinly related to the plot. I don't know why she does that, but it puts me off reading.
I do persevere because I like her writing in general.
This involves ships, piracy, and revenge. The usual stuff.
I do persevere because I like her writing in general.
This involves ships, piracy, and revenge. The usual stuff.
May 12, 2020
Емералд е на 16 години, наполовина ирландка, наполовина англичанка, която заедно с майка си Амбър и брат си Джони живеят под жестоката тирания на баща й Уилям Монтегю. Зъл лорд, ненавиждащ иралндците, той не спира да наказва младата си съпруга и да тъпче двете си деца предизвиквайки само страх в сърцата им. Когато Емералд Фицджералд Монтегю среща за пръв път Шон Фицджералд О'Тул, привличането е моментално. Шон и Брат му Джоузеф са млади и богати, наследници на могъщият Шеймъс О'Тул, и на главата на рода Фицджералд. Един ден Джоузеф ще наследи графската титла на своят дядо и ще стане лорд Килдеър. Завиждайки на своят партньор, Шеймъс О'Тул, заради богатството и успехите, Уилям решава да да направи така, че лорд Килдеър да бъде обвинен в измяна, така ��е титлата да се прехвърли на Джоузеф. Решен да омъжи дъщеря си за него, той потрива доволно ръце, очаквайки дъщеря му да е новата графиня Килдеър. Това което дори не подозира, е дъщеря му е влюбена в Шон О'Тул, а собствената му съпруга е станала любовница на Джоузеф. Сега, той смята да накаже всички, заради прегрешенията им. С това, Уилям Монтегю слага началото на един план за отмъщение, превръщайки един млад мъж в само гневна сянка на това, което е бил някога. На Шон ще му отнемат 5 години на мъки, изпитания, лишения и болка, докато успее да избяга от съдба по-страшна и от смъртта, за да се върне като демон на отмъщението, за да накаже всички за несправедливостта, която е сполетяла семейството му и началото на неговото отмъщение е да отвлече Емералд, само седмица след като се е омъжила за братовчед си Джак, с обещанието, че ще я върне у дома, след като посее ирландското си копеле в корема й.
След като е оставена под жестоките грижи на баща си, Емералд не вижда никакъв шанс за спасение освен да приеме предложението за брак на братовчед й, надявайки се да се измъкне, от упеката на баща си, едва след сватбата разбира, че положението й е станало по-лошо. Не просто ще остане във властта на тиранина, който й е баща, но сега ще трябва да изтърпи и гнусното домогване на новият си съпруг.
Нещото, което хич не ми хареса е това, че въпреки, че имаше възможност, Шон не отвлече Емералд в деня на сватбата й, а седмици след това, и тя реално трябваше да консумира брака си, със своят първи братовчед. Което е супер гнусно, той е син на чичо й, за Бога, това си е пълно кръвосмешение за мен и е нещо, което никак, ама никак не ми хареса. Дори ми се виждаше доста гадно. Обаче после се замислих и осъзнах, че и Шон й е братовчед. Майка му и майката на Емералд са братовчедки и от там се зачудих, що за извратена логика, да караш героинята си да извърши кръвосмешение с първи братовчед от бащина линия и там, може би 3ти от майчина? Наистина в света на измислената литература, толкова ли не можа да измисли герой, който да не й е рода на наща?
Иначе книгата е доста интересна. Авторката обича да хваща историите си отдалече, да ни представя почти всички герои по отделно, да ни накара да вникнем в това, което е водещо за тях. Позволява на героите да израснат и еволюират, и макар на моменти да ме дразни, защото интересното е чак след средата на книгата, то поне книгите й са доста запомнящи се с десетките слоеве, които ни предоставя авторката.
В книгата е водещият рефрен за отмъщението. Всичко, което преживява Шон е толкова детайлно описано На моменти си го представях толкова ясно, че сякаш можех да подуша въздуха и да чуя шумовете около героят ни. Когато се зае с отмъщението си бе така стриктен и методичен.Със заплахи успя да накара Джони Монтегю да му съдейства в това да унищожи Уилям и Джак, без да подозира, че Джони му помага с радост. Начинът по който стъпка по стъпка изпълняваше перфектният план за унищожението на врага му, беше просто брилянтен. След като отвлече Емералд, той се държеше с нея като с кралица. Честно казано не знаех защо го прави. Защо въпреки, че смяташе да я върне при бащата и съпруга й, той се отнасяше толкова грижовно и любящо с нея. Ухажваше я, угаждаше й, изпълняваше всяка нейна молба и бяха толкова сладки. Семейството му започна да я приема, майка й се върна в живота й, брат й намери любовта, и въпреки, че връзката им бе силна, той се бе заклел на гроба на обичната си майка, да отмъсти.
Чела съм книгата и преди, но помнех много малко от нея. В мозъка ми обаче са се забили едни сцени, които винаги ще свързвам с тази книга.
Истината е, че книгата е доста ревлива, колкото и да не ти се иска, емоциите, които събужда са така силни и истински, че трябва да имаш сърце от лед, за да не те докоснат.
След като е оставена под жестоките грижи на баща си, Емералд не вижда никакъв шанс за спасение освен да приеме предложението за брак на братовчед й, надявайки се да се измъкне, от упеката на баща си, едва след сватбата разбира, че положението й е станало по-лошо. Не просто ще остане във властта на тиранина, който й е баща, но сега ще трябва да изтърпи и гнусното домогване на новият си съпруг.
Нещото, което хич не ми хареса е това, че въпреки, че имаше възможност, Шон не отвлече Емералд в деня на сватбата й, а седмици след това, и тя реално трябваше да консумира брака си, със своят първи братовчед. Което е супер гнусно, той е син на чичо й, за Бога, това си е пълно кръвосмешение за мен и е нещо, което никак, ама никак не ми хареса. Дори ми се виждаше доста гадно. Обаче после се замислих и осъзнах, че и Шон й е братовчед. Майка му и майката на Емералд са братовчедки и от там се зачудих, що за извратена логика, да караш героинята си да извърши кръвосмешение с първи братовчед от бащина линия и там, може би 3ти от майчина? Наистина в света на измислената литература, толкова ли не можа да измисли герой, който да не й е рода на наща?
Иначе книгата е доста интересна. Авторката обича да хваща историите си отдалече, да ни представя почти всички герои по отделно, да ни накара да вникнем в това, което е водещо за тях. Позволява на героите да израснат и еволюират, и макар на моменти да ме дразни, защото интересното е чак след средата на книгата, то поне книгите й са доста запомнящи се с десетките слоеве, които ни предоставя авторката.
В книгата е водещият рефрен за отмъщението. Всичко, което преживява Шон е толкова детайлно описано На моменти си го представях толкова ясно, че сякаш можех да подуша въздуха и да чуя шумовете около героят ни. Когато се зае с отмъщението си бе така стриктен и методичен.Със заплахи успя да накара Джони Монтегю да му съдейства в това да унищожи Уилям и Джак, без да подозира, че Джони му помага с радост. Начинът по който стъпка по стъпка изпълняваше перфектният план за унищожението на врага му, беше просто брилянтен. След като отвлече Емералд, той се държеше с нея като с кралица. Честно казано не знаех защо го прави. Защо въпреки, че смяташе да я върне при бащата и съпруга й, той се отнасяше толкова грижовно и любящо с нея. Ухажваше я, угаждаше й, изпълняваше всяка нейна молба и бяха толкова сладки. Семейството му започна да я приема, майка й се върна в живота й, брат й намери любовта, и въпреки, че връзката им бе силна, той се бе заклел на гроба на обичната си майка, да отмъсти.
Чела съм книгата и преди, но помнех много малко от нея. В мозъка ми обаче са се забили едни сцени, които винаги ще свързвам с тази книга.
Истината е, че книгата е доста ревлива, колкото и да не ти се иска, емоциите, които събужда са така силни и истински, че трябва да имаш сърце от лед, за да не те докоснат.
April 13, 2019
Typical example of 80's old style "boddice-ripper" type of writting style that I started out on and still absolutely love. Hero has all, loses all, and takes revenge against the daughter of the man who did him wrong in the best of ways...by falling in love with her even tho he fights and denies his feelings for her. Revenge and plots and abductions. All the feels.
May 4, 2017
This is my all time favourite historical romance / romance novel. Virginia Henley completely lets you fall in love with every one of the characters in this book! I have read it three times!
Both Emerald and Sean's fathers had been doing business for a long while not knowing that Sean's Brother had been having a secret affair with Emmerald's mother.
When Emerald's father discovers their secret he takes Emerald and her brother away and lies that their mother has abandoned them for her lover! Emerald’s father also decided to ruin Sean's family by killing Sean's brother and framing Sean for it. His mother died of a broken heart losing two sons. Sean is sent to prison and after 5 years manages to escape with only one thing on his mind - revenge! He will clear his criminal record, return to England and ruin Emmerald’s family!
This is where it gets exciting, he kidnaps Emerald who is all so willing to go along with him back to Ireland as she is in an awful marriage where her fiery spirit has been broken by her controlling father and husband.
Sean leaves a note to Emerald’s father and husband when he kidnaps Emerald that he would only return her to England when she has his Irish baby in her.
The story unfolds as Sean tries to turn the timid Emerald he has kidnapped back into the fiery Irish he had known when she was 16. Sean tries to keep his promise to avenge his brother and mother’s death but cannot as he is falling in love with Emerald. Does he keep this promise? Humm, you will have to read to find out! :o)
Both Emerald and Sean's fathers had been doing business for a long while not knowing that Sean's Brother had been having a secret affair with Emmerald's mother.
When Emerald's father discovers their secret he takes Emerald and her brother away and lies that their mother has abandoned them for her lover! Emerald’s father also decided to ruin Sean's family by killing Sean's brother and framing Sean for it. His mother died of a broken heart losing two sons. Sean is sent to prison and after 5 years manages to escape with only one thing on his mind - revenge! He will clear his criminal record, return to England and ruin Emmerald’s family!
This is where it gets exciting, he kidnaps Emerald who is all so willing to go along with him back to Ireland as she is in an awful marriage where her fiery spirit has been broken by her controlling father and husband.
Sean leaves a note to Emerald’s father and husband when he kidnaps Emerald that he would only return her to England when she has his Irish baby in her.
The story unfolds as Sean tries to turn the timid Emerald he has kidnapped back into the fiery Irish he had known when she was 16. Sean tries to keep his promise to avenge his brother and mother’s death but cannot as he is falling in love with Emerald. Does he keep this promise? Humm, you will have to read to find out! :o)
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 31, 2013
Still to this day one of my favorite books. I love that they are Irish, I love that he gives her, her life back and her freedom and I love the chemistry between these two characters. While freeing her from her horrible black life, she frees him!!! LOVE LOVE LOVE
July 8, 2015
I read this year's ago, and from memory it was one of my all time favorite historical romances. Now, after re-reading this almost 15 years after the first time, I don't think I can claim it as a favorite but it was still sweet and engaging.
July 21, 2018
SLIGHT SPOILERS AHEAD...My goal was to read three Virginia Henley books before moving on and unfortunately, this is the third, so I have to read someone else for a while, lol. Out of the three I read, this is the best for a few reasons: the heroine and hero are together for most of the book-- hello, steamy scenes (unlike the struggle in Enticed and the routine spousal deaths in A Woman of Passion), 90% of the characters are Irish, which is fun (the main characters in Enticed were Irish but spent most of their time in England), and both characters had things going on outside their relationship to worry about.
After meeting his father's shady British partner William Montague's daughter, Sean O'Toole's entire family feels Montague's wrath when Montague discovers his Irish wife has been having an affair with one of Sean's family. Sean is framed for a murder and spends five years on a prison ship before escaping with extreme vengeance on his mind. Meanwhile, Emerald (shockingly I didn't mind this silly name after a while) has had the "Irish" i.e. personality stomped out of her by her prejudice father and pervy cousin/suitor, and lives a life of total oppression.
"Dream Lover" is really a corny title and doesn't do the book justice. Yes, the couple dream about each other but not enough to warrant the book title. Also the description should be updated, it was the sole reason I avoided this book for so long. When I eventually found a better description, I picked it up right away. Sean's abduction of Emerald was really a convenient after-thought, unlike the the description. Sean was out to ruin Montague's whole life, not just wreck his daughter. Also, I would have expected someone as sheltered and oppressed as Emerald was made to feel would have a little more resistance when being kidnapped and propositioned but I probably wouldn't resist Sean that much either. This is one I'll definitely read again, I practically enhaled it in three days!
After meeting his father's shady British partner William Montague's daughter, Sean O'Toole's entire family feels Montague's wrath when Montague discovers his Irish wife has been having an affair with one of Sean's family. Sean is framed for a murder and spends five years on a prison ship before escaping with extreme vengeance on his mind. Meanwhile, Emerald (shockingly I didn't mind this silly name after a while) has had the "Irish" i.e. personality stomped out of her by her prejudice father and pervy cousin/suitor, and lives a life of total oppression.
"Dream Lover" is really a corny title and doesn't do the book justice. Yes, the couple dream about each other but not enough to warrant the book title. Also the description should be updated, it was the sole reason I avoided this book for so long. When I eventually found a better description, I picked it up right away. Sean's abduction of Emerald was really a convenient after-thought, unlike the the description. Sean was out to ruin Montague's whole life, not just wreck his daughter. Also, I would have expected someone as sheltered and oppressed as Emerald was made to feel would have a little more resistance when being kidnapped and propositioned but I probably wouldn't resist Sean that much either. This is one I'll definitely read again, I practically enhaled it in three days!
August 6, 2019
Emerald FitzGerald Montague falls in love with Sean O'Toole when he discovers her swimming with a porpoise in a cave in Angelsey. Sean is 19 and Emerald 16. Their fathers have been uneasy partners in the Irish/English smuggling trade for 20 years. Sean's older brother Joseph, meanwhile, is have an affair with Amber, Emerald's mother. When her father, an English aristocrat and an Admiralty official finds out, he informs on Sean's grandfather, the Earl of Kildare, who is killed. The he seizes Sean and Joseph. Joseph is killed and Sean is imprisoned for five years. Meanwhile, Amber is beaten and left for dead, but escapes to Ireland. Emerald is also imprisoned at home and then married off to a bastard cousin. When Sean escapes he seeks vengeance and gets it by destroying the family with the help of brother John. He kidnaps Emerald, they fall in love again, she becomes pregnant and then he dumps her back in London as the final blow to Montague. She has twins, he realizes his mistake and all works out. Lots of explicit sex - unnecessary to the plot, which was good.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 23, 2021
3 stars.
I’d like to say that the best part of the book is that it has some serious villains! SO many people to loathe!
The hero certainly had to overcome some difficult shit and I can respect a vengeful spirit….However, he was just an absolute douche through this whole book to pretty much everyone. Himself included. Also Emerald was a just a complete dumbass who spent the majority of this book on her back with not much else going on for herself, uggh. I hate that in a story. It’s pretty bad when I am skipping over the (many many) sexy scenes in a book because I just can’t stand what a cumdumpster (sorry for extreme language but she was just exactly that) she was! So perhaps they deserved each other. I don’t enjoy a heroine who is a doormat. So this book definitely fell short for me in many departments.
Overall: yep, a solid 3 stars for the pure villainous characters. They far outshine the disappointing heroine/hero.
I’d like to say that the best part of the book is that it has some serious villains! SO many people to loathe!
The hero certainly had to overcome some difficult shit and I can respect a vengeful spirit….However, he was just an absolute douche through this whole book to pretty much everyone. Himself included. Also Emerald was a just a complete dumbass who spent the majority of this book on her back with not much else going on for herself, uggh. I hate that in a story. It’s pretty bad when I am skipping over the (many many) sexy scenes in a book because I just can’t stand what a cumdumpster (sorry for extreme language but she was just exactly that) she was! So perhaps they deserved each other. I don’t enjoy a heroine who is a doormat. So this book definitely fell short for me in many departments.
Overall: yep, a solid 3 stars for the pure villainous characters. They far outshine the disappointing heroine/hero.
May 14, 2025
the weirdness of the opening chapter almost made me put it down...
this is a story all about Revenge...there is a seriously Evil bad guy (Montague) there are sooo many characters at some point it was challenging to keep them all straight....and it gets Very Dark in places so beware....but when the MMC (Sean) treats the FMC (emerald...I personally didn't care for this name but 🤷)...when he treats her Well it's lovely and romantic and very very sexy....(sex scenes were well done, consensual as well as original and plentiful)...but when he does the very bad thing... it is egregious!!
there are more than a few Big Misunderstandings....and both main characters miraculously heal from their traumas in a pretty quick timeline...if you like dark and twisty revenge wrapped in HR with plenty of steam....and a MMC who adores the female lead but gets sidetracked, go for it!!
(just beware that first chapter is pretty eye rolling...but it does get much better)
this is a story all about Revenge...there is a seriously Evil bad guy (Montague) there are sooo many characters at some point it was challenging to keep them all straight....and it gets Very Dark in places so beware....but when the MMC (Sean) treats the FMC (emerald...I personally didn't care for this name but 🤷)...when he treats her Well it's lovely and romantic and very very sexy....(sex scenes were well done, consensual as well as original and plentiful)...but when he does the very bad thing... it is egregious!!
there are more than a few Big Misunderstandings....and both main characters miraculously heal from their traumas in a pretty quick timeline...if you like dark and twisty revenge wrapped in HR with plenty of steam....and a MMC who adores the female lead but gets sidetracked, go for it!!
(just beware that first chapter is pretty eye rolling...but it does get much better)
July 27, 2025
cara, que história.
é uma história de vingança, o que eu sempre curto (embora eu prefira quando a mulher está se vingando rs). mas tem tantos pormenores e detalhes no contexto da situação da Europa que a pessoa fica super perdida por um bom tempo, até se acostumar com todos os jogadores e o tom da história.
não é ruim, nem chega a ser demais. mas é algo que tira um pouco do valor do livro, pelo menos pra mim. talvez, com uma história mais simples, eu tivesse me engajado mais. mas, enfim, é ok. a protagonista é bem romântica, apaixonada, do tipo que perdoa rápido. mais pro fim ela até se impôs, mas muito pouco, em minha humilde opinião. o relacionamento do casal principal até o conflito no fim é bem legal, quente e bonito.
o hot é bastante e é muito bom :)
5/5
é uma história de vingança, o que eu sempre curto (embora eu prefira quando a mulher está se vingando rs). mas tem tantos pormenores e detalhes no contexto da situação da Europa que a pessoa fica super perdida por um bom tempo, até se acostumar com todos os jogadores e o tom da história.
não é ruim, nem chega a ser demais. mas é algo que tira um pouco do valor do livro, pelo menos pra mim. talvez, com uma história mais simples, eu tivesse me engajado mais. mas, enfim, é ok. a protagonista é bem romântica, apaixonada, do tipo que perdoa rápido. mais pro fim ela até se impôs, mas muito pouco, em minha humilde opinião. o relacionamento do casal principal até o conflito no fim é bem legal, quente e bonito.
o hot é bastante e é muito bom :)
5/5
February 18, 2017
Splendid from beginning to end
Emerald Fitzgerald Montague is visiting Anglesey, Wales, when Sean O'Toole spies her cavorting in the water with a porpoise and believes she must be a water sprite. By the time he realizes she is a young girl, he is already in love with her.
But trouble between their families keeps them apart. Thereafter the two families seek vengeance against each other, and there is much suffering on both sides.
There is a lot of story in this book, complete with struggling and surviving, love and betrayal, broken hearts and broken bones, and yes, keep those Kleenex at hand.
If I had proofread this book, I would have corrected 12 errors.
Emerald Fitzgerald Montague is visiting Anglesey, Wales, when Sean O'Toole spies her cavorting in the water with a porpoise and believes she must be a water sprite. By the time he realizes she is a young girl, he is already in love with her.
But trouble between their families keeps them apart. Thereafter the two families seek vengeance against each other, and there is much suffering on both sides.
There is a lot of story in this book, complete with struggling and surviving, love and betrayal, broken hearts and broken bones, and yes, keep those Kleenex at hand.
If I had proofread this book, I would have corrected 12 errors.
January 18, 2022
Quando avevo chiesto a mia madre di farmi leggere qualche romanzo un po' erotico, mi aveva messo in mano tutti i libri di questa autrice e devo dire che nella mia mente di ragazzina alle prime esperienze, erano stati una lettura piena di fascino e molto intriganti. Adesso rimangono una lettura piacevole per passare il tempo senza molto impegno e la storia di Emerald è veramente splendida, con colpi di scena e una storia d'amore che ti coinvolge. Niente di perfetto, ma rileggo con affetto quando mi capita 😀
June 1, 2011
ini novel ya ampun isinya tokoh2nya kenapa tragis semua???? yg baca sampe geleng2 duh nasibmu.....
novel ini bercerita ttg perseteruan antara keluarga fitzgerald - O'toole dengan montaque.
William Montaque menikah dengan Amber Fitzgerald, puteri dari earl of kildred from Irish.
walo menikah dengan amber & bekerjasama dengan keluarga fitzegerald & o'toole namun william sangat menghina mereka. buat william keluarga irish istrinya hanya sekelompok orang2 hina.
william tidak pernah membiarkan amber maupun emerald & johnny untuk berkumpul dengan keluarga Irish mereka.
yg tidak diketahui William adl Joseph O'toole, putera margareth (kakak tertua Amelia) & shamus O'toole yg merupakan utusan keluarga o'toole sering mengambil barang di alengsly (kalo kagak salah nama kotanya ya), kediaman keluarga montaque, tertarik pd bibinya yg muda & jelita. akhirnya joseph & amelia malah jd sepasang kekasih tanpa sepengatahuan keluarga mereka.
duh ini ibu2 kagak sadar diri nih masa selingkuh sama ponakannya sendiri???!!!
Sean O'toole, putera ke 2 keluarga O'toole, muda tampan & penuh gairah hidup.
pertama kali bersua sepupunya, emerald sean langsung suka dengan kepolosan & semangat hidup emerald juga kecantikan emerald.
saat william membawa emerald & johnny ke Irish saat ulang tahun sean hubungan emerald & sean makin dekat.
sangat jelas emerald memuja sean & sean pun tergila2 pada sepupunya itu.
kecantikan emerald memang mempesona setiap orang, bahkan sepupu Irish nya pun iri.
ini nih 1 ciri khas VH, selalu diceritakan ceweqnya cantik takkkkkk terkira...
tadinya william ingin menjodohkan emerald yg masih berusia 15 tahun dengan joseph, future earl of kildred.
xixixixixii gitu joseph diberitahu dia mo dijodohin ma emerald langsung kaget & sean langsung teriak "over my dead body" wakakakakakaka
yg mereka tidak tau, emerald tidak sengaja mendengar pembicaraan joseph & sean ttg perselingkuhan joseph & amelia.
emerald langsung hancur berkeping2 & langsung menjauhi sang ibu.
semua jadi lebih berantakan ketika william akhirnya mengetahui perselingkuhan istrinya dengan joseph.
william menghajar amber & meninggalkannya tergolek hampir mati & melarang amelia untuk menemui ke 2 anaknya.
william membawa emerald & johnny kembali ke london & merubah mereka menjadi masyarakat kalangan atas london tulen.
william menyewa seorang wanita yg mendidik & mengawasi setiap tindak tanduk emerald. nama emerald diganti menjadi emma. sedang johnny menjadi john.
william menghilangkan semua yg berbau irish dari diri mereka.
william bahkan menghianati earl of kildred, ayah mertuanya hingga meninggal.
william juga membunuh joseph & menuduh sean hingga membuat sean harus meringkuk dipenjara.
tahun2 berlalu saat usia emma menginjak 21 tahun, ayahnya mengjodohkannya dengan jack raymond, putera haram kakak william.
emma mengira jika dia menikah dengan jack maka akan lepas dari cengkraman sang ayah, siapa yg kira ternyata nasibnya lebih buruk.
jack adl kaki tangan sang ayah.
sean, berhasil keluar dari penjara, meminta john untuk menghancurkan segala record kejahatan sean.
sean yg tau ibunya meninggal karna sedih & ayahnya tak berdaya menjadi sangat marah.
dendam & amarahnya berkobar. sean bertekad membalas dendam.
dengan bantuan john yg membenci sang ayah, sean menghancurkan bisnis perkapalan william.
sean juga membawa emerald ke castle lies, tempat tinggalnya di Irish.
disana sean merayu emerald, membuat emma kembali menjadi emerald.
memenuhi hari2 emerald dengan kebahagiaan & cinta. bahkan mempertemukan emereald dengan amelia kembali.
emerald sangat bahagia bisa bersama pujaan hatinya. dia menyerahkan hidup hati & kepercayaannya pd sean.
namun emerald tidak tau sean memiliki rencana tersendiri. sean bertekad akan menghamili emerald & akan mengembalikan emerald ke ayahnya setelah berhasil menghamili emerald.
hal yg dilakukannya begitu usia kandungan emerland sudah tua.
aduhhhhhh aq serasa bisa ngerasain sakit hati yg diderita emerald.
pria yg dipercaya & dicintainya ternyata mencampakannya & anak2nya dalam rahimnya demi balas dendam.
kenapa sean bisa begitu buta???!!!!!!
novel2 VH cowoqnya kebanyakan brengsek2 & seenaknya sendiri sama tokoh ceweqnya
& begonya si ceweq pasrah2 aja diperlakukan seenaknya begitu
tp VH ini novel2nya sarat emosi. bahasanya juga enak diikuti & kita spt bisa merasakan emosi tokoh2nya.
mantap banget deh......siapa yg mau nerbitin novel2 VH ke bahasa indonesia???? :p
hatiku yg lembut & penuh kasih ini menangis piluuuu membaca waktu sean mengembalikan emerald ke rumah ayah & suaminya eh si jack malah dorong emerald dari tangga
JACK RESEEEEEE!!!!!!!!!! syukurin kaki dia juga dihancurin sama john.
si sean walo brengsek begitu tp begitu tau emerald disemena2in sama suami & ayahnya langsung nyusul & membawa emerald kerumahnya.
sean merawat emerald yg tak sadar & demam tinggi sehabis melahirkan.
sean juga saat yg lain menyatakan puteri kecilnya sudah tak mungkin terselamatkan tp sean dengan sekuat tenaga membuat puterinya hidup & bertahan.
tp sean juga sadar kesalahannya pd emerald terlalu besar. jika dia mengira emerald akan melupaka semuanya dengan bgt mudah ga akan mungkin.
karna dendam & ketololannya sean hampir kehilangan wanita yg dicintainya & ke 2 anak kembarnya.
yahhhh emang tolol!!!!!!!
syukurin emerald pergi ninggalin dia yahhh walo pergi ga jauh2 amat wong belum2 udah kesusul sama sean :D
biar sean ngerasain sakitnya tercampakan.
yahhhhh ga pha2 deh yg penting khan happy end..... wajib itu....
hidup VH
novel ini bercerita ttg perseteruan antara keluarga fitzgerald - O'toole dengan montaque.
William Montaque menikah dengan Amber Fitzgerald, puteri dari earl of kildred from Irish.
walo menikah dengan amber & bekerjasama dengan keluarga fitzegerald & o'toole namun william sangat menghina mereka. buat william keluarga irish istrinya hanya sekelompok orang2 hina.
william tidak pernah membiarkan amber maupun emerald & johnny untuk berkumpul dengan keluarga Irish mereka.
yg tidak diketahui William adl Joseph O'toole, putera margareth (kakak tertua Amelia) & shamus O'toole yg merupakan utusan keluarga o'toole sering mengambil barang di alengsly (kalo kagak salah nama kotanya ya), kediaman keluarga montaque, tertarik pd bibinya yg muda & jelita. akhirnya joseph & amelia malah jd sepasang kekasih tanpa sepengatahuan keluarga mereka.
duh ini ibu2 kagak sadar diri nih masa selingkuh sama ponakannya sendiri???!!!
Sean O'toole, putera ke 2 keluarga O'toole, muda tampan & penuh gairah hidup.
pertama kali bersua sepupunya, emerald sean langsung suka dengan kepolosan & semangat hidup emerald juga kecantikan emerald.
saat william membawa emerald & johnny ke Irish saat ulang tahun sean hubungan emerald & sean makin dekat.
sangat jelas emerald memuja sean & sean pun tergila2 pada sepupunya itu.
kecantikan emerald memang mempesona setiap orang, bahkan sepupu Irish nya pun iri.
ini nih 1 ciri khas VH, selalu diceritakan ceweqnya cantik takkkkkk terkira...
tadinya william ingin menjodohkan emerald yg masih berusia 15 tahun dengan joseph, future earl of kildred.
xixixixixii gitu joseph diberitahu dia mo dijodohin ma emerald langsung kaget & sean langsung teriak "over my dead body" wakakakakakaka
yg mereka tidak tau, emerald tidak sengaja mendengar pembicaraan joseph & sean ttg perselingkuhan joseph & amelia.
emerald langsung hancur berkeping2 & langsung menjauhi sang ibu.
semua jadi lebih berantakan ketika william akhirnya mengetahui perselingkuhan istrinya dengan joseph.
william menghajar amber & meninggalkannya tergolek hampir mati & melarang amelia untuk menemui ke 2 anaknya.
william membawa emerald & johnny kembali ke london & merubah mereka menjadi masyarakat kalangan atas london tulen.
william menyewa seorang wanita yg mendidik & mengawasi setiap tindak tanduk emerald. nama emerald diganti menjadi emma. sedang johnny menjadi john.
william menghilangkan semua yg berbau irish dari diri mereka.
william bahkan menghianati earl of kildred, ayah mertuanya hingga meninggal.
william juga membunuh joseph & menuduh sean hingga membuat sean harus meringkuk dipenjara.
tahun2 berlalu saat usia emma menginjak 21 tahun, ayahnya mengjodohkannya dengan jack raymond, putera haram kakak william.
emma mengira jika dia menikah dengan jack maka akan lepas dari cengkraman sang ayah, siapa yg kira ternyata nasibnya lebih buruk.
jack adl kaki tangan sang ayah.
sean, berhasil keluar dari penjara, meminta john untuk menghancurkan segala record kejahatan sean.
sean yg tau ibunya meninggal karna sedih & ayahnya tak berdaya menjadi sangat marah.
dendam & amarahnya berkobar. sean bertekad membalas dendam.
dengan bantuan john yg membenci sang ayah, sean menghancurkan bisnis perkapalan william.
sean juga membawa emerald ke castle lies, tempat tinggalnya di Irish.
disana sean merayu emerald, membuat emma kembali menjadi emerald.
memenuhi hari2 emerald dengan kebahagiaan & cinta. bahkan mempertemukan emereald dengan amelia kembali.
emerald sangat bahagia bisa bersama pujaan hatinya. dia menyerahkan hidup hati & kepercayaannya pd sean.
namun emerald tidak tau sean memiliki rencana tersendiri. sean bertekad akan menghamili emerald & akan mengembalikan emerald ke ayahnya setelah berhasil menghamili emerald.
hal yg dilakukannya begitu usia kandungan emerland sudah tua.
aduhhhhhh aq serasa bisa ngerasain sakit hati yg diderita emerald.
pria yg dipercaya & dicintainya ternyata mencampakannya & anak2nya dalam rahimnya demi balas dendam.
kenapa sean bisa begitu buta???!!!!!!
novel2 VH cowoqnya kebanyakan brengsek2 & seenaknya sendiri sama tokoh ceweqnya
& begonya si ceweq pasrah2 aja diperlakukan seenaknya begitu
tp VH ini novel2nya sarat emosi. bahasanya juga enak diikuti & kita spt bisa merasakan emosi tokoh2nya.
mantap banget deh......siapa yg mau nerbitin novel2 VH ke bahasa indonesia???? :p
hatiku yg lembut & penuh kasih ini menangis piluuuu membaca waktu sean mengembalikan emerald ke rumah ayah & suaminya eh si jack malah dorong emerald dari tangga
JACK RESEEEEEE!!!!!!!!!! syukurin kaki dia juga dihancurin sama john.
si sean walo brengsek begitu tp begitu tau emerald disemena2in sama suami & ayahnya langsung nyusul & membawa emerald kerumahnya.
sean merawat emerald yg tak sadar & demam tinggi sehabis melahirkan.
sean juga saat yg lain menyatakan puteri kecilnya sudah tak mungkin terselamatkan tp sean dengan sekuat tenaga membuat puterinya hidup & bertahan.
tp sean juga sadar kesalahannya pd emerald terlalu besar. jika dia mengira emerald akan melupaka semuanya dengan bgt mudah ga akan mungkin.
karna dendam & ketololannya sean hampir kehilangan wanita yg dicintainya & ke 2 anak kembarnya.
yahhhh emang tolol!!!!!!!
syukurin emerald pergi ninggalin dia yahhh walo pergi ga jauh2 amat wong belum2 udah kesusul sama sean :D
biar sean ngerasain sakitnya tercampakan.
yahhhhh ga pha2 deh yg penting khan happy end..... wajib itu....
hidup VH
September 26, 2023
Standard 90s fair: hero betrays heroine for nonsensical reason, then, when she tries to stand up for herself and escape him, he beats her to public approval, and she responds with near-immediate forgiveness. If you’ve read Johanna Lindsay, Heather Graham, or any of those old novels, you’ve already read this one. Boring, unromantic stuff that should’ve stopped publication in the last century.
August 22, 2017
i don't like her mother
August 8, 2018
"Love is a journey from the first blush of physical attraction to a marriage of souls"
October 18, 2018
Epic. First time reading Virginia Henley. What a rush
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