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Mallorens & Friends #13
Dulce seducción
Peregrine Perriam ha sido nombrado heredero de la propiedad de la familia, Perriam Manor, pero con dos condiciones: la primera es residir allí al menos treinta días al año. Por irritante que eso le resulte al independiente Perry, la segunda condición es mucho más difícil: debe desposar a una completa desconocida, Claris Mallow, antes de que pase un mes; caso contrario, perderá la herencia. El problema es que Claris prefiere mil veces ser pobre que contraer matrimonio… con cualquiera. Y para defender su soltería es capaz de apuntar con una pistola a quien intente doblegar su voluntad. Como si eso fuera poco, a raíz de una antigua disputa, la tía de Claris ha pronunciado una maldición sobre la familia de Perry. Ahora, el joven debe hacer lo posible para seducir a Claris, convencerla de que acepte un matrimonio de conveniencia y, de paso, que anule la maldición… Lo que es aun más difícil cuando es ella la que tiene los mayores poderes de seducción. • Nueva entrega de la serie de los Malloren. • «Otra entrega deliciosamente entretenida y exquisitamente sensual». Booklist • «Un nuevo triunfo de Jo Beverley». Affaire de Coeur
465 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 6, 2013
72 people are currently reading
1467 people want to read
About the author
Jo Beverley
141 books1,129 followersMary Josephine Dunn was born 22 September 1947 in Lancashire, England, UK. At the age of eleven she went to an all-girls boarding school, Layton Hill Convent, Blackpool. At sixteen, she wrote her first romance, with a medieval setting, completed in installments in an exercise book. From 1966 to 1970, she obtained a degree in English history from Keele University in Staffordshire, where she met her future husband, Ken Beverley. After graduation, they married on June 24, 1971. She quickly attained a position as a youth employment officer until 1976, working first in Newcastle-under-Lyme, Staffordshire, and then in West Bridgford, Nottinghamshire.
In 1976, her scientist husband was invited to do post-doctoral research at Dalhousie University in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada. When her professional qualifications proved not to be usable in the Canadian labour market, she raised their two sons and started to write her first romances.
Moved to Ottawa, in 1985 she became a founding member of the Ottawa Romance Writers’ Association, that her “nurturing community” for the next twelve years. The same year, she completed a regency romance, but it was promptly rejected by a number of publishers, and she settled more earnestly to learning the craft. In 1988, it sold to Walker, and was published as "Lord Wraybourne's Betrothed". She regularly appears on bestseller lists including the USA Today overall bestseller list, the New York Times, and and the Publishers Weekly list. She has been the recipient of numerous awards including the Golden Leaf, the Award of Excellence, the National Readers Choice, and a two Career Achievement awards from Romantic Times. She is also a five time winner of the RITA, the top award of the Romance Writers Of America, and a member of their Hall of Fame and Honor Roll.
Jo Beverley passed away on May 23, 2016 after a long battle with cancer.
In 1976, her scientist husband was invited to do post-doctoral research at Dalhousie University in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada. When her professional qualifications proved not to be usable in the Canadian labour market, she raised their two sons and started to write her first romances.
Moved to Ottawa, in 1985 she became a founding member of the Ottawa Romance Writers’ Association, that her “nurturing community” for the next twelve years. The same year, she completed a regency romance, but it was promptly rejected by a number of publishers, and she settled more earnestly to learning the craft. In 1988, it sold to Walker, and was published as "Lord Wraybourne's Betrothed". She regularly appears on bestseller lists including the USA Today overall bestseller list, the New York Times, and and the Publishers Weekly list. She has been the recipient of numerous awards including the Golden Leaf, the Award of Excellence, the National Readers Choice, and a two Career Achievement awards from Romantic Times. She is also a five time winner of the RITA, the top award of the Romance Writers Of America, and a member of their Hall of Fame and Honor Roll.
Jo Beverley passed away on May 23, 2016 after a long battle with cancer.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 92 reviews
June 24, 2022
4 Estrellitas. Pues sí, me gustó bastante como broche de serie, y digo broche porque es el último que escribió del mundo Malloren. Si Jo Beverley no hubiese fallecido, quizás habría seguido publicando la serie.
Llegamos a éste libro final siendo su protagonista Peregrine Perrian, el hijo menor del conde de Hernestcroff y hermano de Georgia, la protagonista del anterior libro.
Siglos atrás la rama de los Perrian se dividió en dos hermanas, en una derivó el condado, y en la otra una próspera propiedad del campo, que pasaría al condado si no quedaba ningún heredero varón con vida. Perrian Manor es ésta casa de campo y su propietario está muriendo sin descendencia. Sobre él pesa una maldición que no procurará heredero hasta que un descendiente varón se case con Claris Marrow.
Al principio de la novela, Peregrine acude a Perrian Manor por petición del primo Giles. Éste hizo infeliz a todo el que lo conoció, enfermo y a punto de morirse, aún puede urdir planes para atormentar a los vivos. En su testamento y para que Perrian Manor no pase al condado, Giles lega la propiedad a Peregrine, a cambio de que éste pase allí treinta días al año y se case con Claris Marrow para romper la maldición.
Peregrine piensa que lo de la maldición es una sarta de tonterías, y su vida en la ciudad, trabajando para el rey y el marqués de Rothgar le da el dinero y la vida que necesita. Pero siente curiosidad por la tal Claris Marrow, y como no tiene intención de casarse, no tiene problemas en proponérselo y darle a ella la casa.
Claris Marrow vive en la más absoluta miseria desde que su padre, párroco, regaló todo su dinero a la beneficencia y sin dejar nada a Claris y sus hermanos gemelos. Ahora, Claris intenta sacar adelante su casa y su pequeño huerto y a sus hermanos gemelos. Además, desde la muerte de su padre se instalaron con ella su abuela y una amiga de ésta.
Un día, acude a su pequeño pueblo el señor Peregrine Perrian y le hace una oferta escandalosa, a la cual Claris no desea aceptar. Claris no quiere casarse, no conoce a ése hombre y no quiere saber nada de él. Pero Peregrine le habla de ciertos recuerdos referente a la madre de Claris y su tía, Clarrie. Nora, su madre, le echó una maldición a Giles Perrian, debido a lo que éste le hizo a su hermana Clarrie, y esa maldición se romperá cuando un Perrian se case con su hija Claris.
Por supuesto es una serie de bobadas y ninguno cree en ellas, pero a Peregrine el trato no le disgusta y ve un deber el que Perrian Manor vuelva a la familia, así que durante unos cuántos días persuadirá a Claris para que acepte su oferta de matrimonio, ella podrá tener la casa, las tierras y el dinero que produzca y podrá darles una buena educación a los gemelos y comodidad para las dos ancianas que viven con ella. A cambio, su matrimonio será de nombre y ella sólo tendrá que soportar a Perry treinta días al año.
Claris acaba aceptando por el bien de su familia, pero una vez casados, ambos verán lo difícil que es mantener el trato que han hecho, cuando poco a poco empiecen a conocerse e intimar.
La verdad es que el libro no es corto pero pienso que lo he leído en un suspiro, me enganchó desde el principio y sus personajes principales me han gustado mucho, sobre todo Ellie, la acompañante de la abuela, y los gemelos, que me han ganado por lo que reverencian a Perry.
El romance se cuece a fuego lento y por eso creo que me ha gustado más. Cuando se conocen los protagonistas, no se gustan, Perry es un caballero de ciudad, casi un lechuguino elegante y Claris es vulgar y viste con harapos. Pero su nueva situación hará que empiecen a verse de otra manera, hasta el punto de que ambos desean consumar su matrimonio y de ahí crear un amor para el que ninguno de los dos estaba preparado.
El libro la verdad que me ha convencido. No es de los mejores de Jo Beverley y la verdad que lo de la maldición es una chorrada. Pero lo he leído rápido y lo he disfrutado, sólo me apena saber que he llegado al final, y ver a los Malloren de nuevo le ha dado un plus a la historia.
Llegamos a éste libro final siendo su protagonista Peregrine Perrian, el hijo menor del conde de Hernestcroff y hermano de Georgia, la protagonista del anterior libro.
Siglos atrás la rama de los Perrian se dividió en dos hermanas, en una derivó el condado, y en la otra una próspera propiedad del campo, que pasaría al condado si no quedaba ningún heredero varón con vida. Perrian Manor es ésta casa de campo y su propietario está muriendo sin descendencia. Sobre él pesa una maldición que no procurará heredero hasta que un descendiente varón se case con Claris Marrow.
Al principio de la novela, Peregrine acude a Perrian Manor por petición del primo Giles. Éste hizo infeliz a todo el que lo conoció, enfermo y a punto de morirse, aún puede urdir planes para atormentar a los vivos. En su testamento y para que Perrian Manor no pase al condado, Giles lega la propiedad a Peregrine, a cambio de que éste pase allí treinta días al año y se case con Claris Marrow para romper la maldición.
Peregrine piensa que lo de la maldición es una sarta de tonterías, y su vida en la ciudad, trabajando para el rey y el marqués de Rothgar le da el dinero y la vida que necesita. Pero siente curiosidad por la tal Claris Marrow, y como no tiene intención de casarse, no tiene problemas en proponérselo y darle a ella la casa.
Claris Marrow vive en la más absoluta miseria desde que su padre, párroco, regaló todo su dinero a la beneficencia y sin dejar nada a Claris y sus hermanos gemelos. Ahora, Claris intenta sacar adelante su casa y su pequeño huerto y a sus hermanos gemelos. Además, desde la muerte de su padre se instalaron con ella su abuela y una amiga de ésta.
Un día, acude a su pequeño pueblo el señor Peregrine Perrian y le hace una oferta escandalosa, a la cual Claris no desea aceptar. Claris no quiere casarse, no conoce a ése hombre y no quiere saber nada de él. Pero Peregrine le habla de ciertos recuerdos referente a la madre de Claris y su tía, Clarrie. Nora, su madre, le echó una maldición a Giles Perrian, debido a lo que éste le hizo a su hermana Clarrie, y esa maldición se romperá cuando un Perrian se case con su hija Claris.
Por supuesto es una serie de bobadas y ninguno cree en ellas, pero a Peregrine el trato no le disgusta y ve un deber el que Perrian Manor vuelva a la familia, así que durante unos cuántos días persuadirá a Claris para que acepte su oferta de matrimonio, ella podrá tener la casa, las tierras y el dinero que produzca y podrá darles una buena educación a los gemelos y comodidad para las dos ancianas que viven con ella. A cambio, su matrimonio será de nombre y ella sólo tendrá que soportar a Perry treinta días al año.
Claris acaba aceptando por el bien de su familia, pero una vez casados, ambos verán lo difícil que es mantener el trato que han hecho, cuando poco a poco empiecen a conocerse e intimar.
La verdad es que el libro no es corto pero pienso que lo he leído en un suspiro, me enganchó desde el principio y sus personajes principales me han gustado mucho, sobre todo Ellie, la acompañante de la abuela, y los gemelos, que me han ganado por lo que reverencian a Perry.
El romance se cuece a fuego lento y por eso creo que me ha gustado más. Cuando se conocen los protagonistas, no se gustan, Perry es un caballero de ciudad, casi un lechuguino elegante y Claris es vulgar y viste con harapos. Pero su nueva situación hará que empiecen a verse de otra manera, hasta el punto de que ambos desean consumar su matrimonio y de ahí crear un amor para el que ninguno de los dos estaba preparado.
El libro la verdad que me ha convencido. No es de los mejores de Jo Beverley y la verdad que lo de la maldición es una chorrada. Pero lo he leído rápido y lo he disfrutado, sólo me apena saber que he llegado al final, y ver a los Malloren de nuevo le ha dado un plus a la historia.
June 24, 2016
Unlike the previous two, this one really does reward experience with other books in the series. Perry interacts with many of the Mallorens, so the more you know about them, the better you're probably going to be with those relationships. Also, the book has a seriously poor start. Indeed, the first half was very frustrating (which is a shame because I had so looked forward to Perry's book).
All of the problems with the first half are down to Claris. It's not just that she has negative motivation (i.e. she's motivated not to do something—in this case, have anything to do with men), it's that her motivation never makes any sense at all. I half expected it to come out that she had been raped or abused or something, so extreme was her reaction to anybody male. Since I started the novel half in love with Perry from the previous two books, this made her extremely unsympathetic and made me impatient for her to get over herself and move on to some other mode of operation.
Perry was everything we knew he would be. Which meant that Beverley spends less time with him, actually, which was further frustrating. So for the first half of the book, we had too little Perry and Claris was dead to me for her blatant stupidity. The second half, once Claris pulled her head out of her ego, was much more enjoyable. This was where the background story should have become foreground and carried us to the conclusion. Unfortunately, the background story turns out to be rather meh and never became anything I cared about, either. Add that Beverley kept the stupid "curse" thing going almost to the end and you have a story that was unnecessarily dilute and with less chance for Perry to really shine than I wanted.
All that said, this really wasn't a bad read. It's certainly better than many of the three-star reviews I've posted. Unfortunately, while the ending pushed it up to a solid 3.5 , it wasn't enough to overcome that poor start and diluted plot to round up to four stars. Which makes this a disappointment, but not a tragedy.
A note about Steamy: This is in the middle, maybe low-middle, of my steam range. There are kind-of-three explicit sex scenes, but the second is pretty short and the third almost brief. They were tightly tied to the emotional arc, though, so they felt well integrated.
All of the problems with the first half are down to Claris. It's not just that she has negative motivation (i.e. she's motivated not to do something—in this case, have anything to do with men), it's that her motivation never makes any sense at all. I half expected it to come out that she had been raped or abused or something, so extreme was her reaction to anybody male. Since I started the novel half in love with Perry from the previous two books, this made her extremely unsympathetic and made me impatient for her to get over herself and move on to some other mode of operation.
Perry was everything we knew he would be. Which meant that Beverley spends less time with him, actually, which was further frustrating. So for the first half of the book, we had too little Perry and Claris was dead to me for her blatant stupidity. The second half, once Claris pulled her head out of her ego, was much more enjoyable. This was where the background story should have become foreground and carried us to the conclusion. Unfortunately, the background story turns out to be rather meh and never became anything I cared about, either. Add that Beverley kept the stupid "curse" thing going almost to the end and you have a story that was unnecessarily dilute and with less chance for Perry to really shine than I wanted.
All that said, this really wasn't a bad read. It's certainly better than many of the three-star reviews I've posted. Unfortunately, while the ending pushed it up to a solid 3.5 , it wasn't enough to overcome that poor start and diluted plot to round up to four stars. Which makes this a disappointment, but not a tragedy.
A note about Steamy: This is in the middle, maybe low-middle, of my steam range. There are kind-of-three explicit sex scenes, but the second is pretty short and the third almost brief. They were tightly tied to the emotional arc, though, so they felt well integrated.
May 5, 2013
I have never really read a historical fiction novel so I wasn't sure what I would think of this book, but it sounded interesting. I was hooked from the very beginning! I couldn't put this book down! The author did a great job with character development! I love Claris, a strong willed woman who looks after her twin brothers after her mother's death. Peregrine (Perry) Perriam, is the son of an earl, who has no plan to marry. But when his cousin names him the heir to Perriam Manor, under the condition that he marries Claris (who at this point was a stranger to him) to break the curse on the family.
What starts out as two people who butt heads constantly, ends up being two people who learn to work together. There is a lot of action in this book that really grabs your attention, especially the attack on Dun Street! Perry really shines and ends up being quite the brave and chivalrous man! I absolutely loved this book!
I received a copy of this book for free through Goodreads First Reads.
What starts out as two people who butt heads constantly, ends up being two people who learn to work together. There is a lot of action in this book that really grabs your attention, especially the attack on Dun Street! Perry really shines and ends up being quite the brave and chivalrous man! I absolutely loved this book!
I received a copy of this book for free through Goodreads First Reads.
July 28, 2017
Found it in my grandpa's building library. It wasn't awful and while I'm a aucje for marriages of conviniece this one didn't feel that romantic by the end of the book.
August 31, 2013
An enjoyable read, although there is little conflict or angst in the story. A bit slow in the middle section, but picked up again when the hero and heroine go to London and do some investigation of the heroine's family. I thought the hero's counterspy work on behalf of the Marquess of Rothgar (the head of the Malloren family and a fabulous character in several of Jo Beverley's novels) could have had more space in the book ... But the descriptions of town and country life in the Georgian era are wonderful - such a refreshing difference from "historicals" that are really set in an alternate universe.
December 10, 2015
I haven't read a book by this author that wasn't anything but awesome - always waiting for the next release!
August 15, 2017
I miss Jo Beverley. Re-reading her Malloren World / Georgian Romances! Excellent Escapism! Very Good Reads.
November 2, 2025
Per questa serie posso tranquillamente vantarmi di aver dedicato sei anni di costanza per leggere tutti i tredici volumi, aspettando la riedizione di ciascuno negli Oro.
Per curiosità sono andata a vedere quando avevo iniziato a leggere questa saga ed era esattamente il 6 maggio del 2019 quando mi accingevo a leggere il primo dei libri dedicati alla famiglia Malloren, ai loro cugini e amici vari, su consiglio di Elen TD che non finirò mai di ringraziare.
Questa serie mi è proprio piaciuta. E tanto.
Pur essendo lunga, e pur avendo un paio di volumi non nelle mie corde, per il resto il mio giudizio è assolutamente positivo, tanto che sorridevo soltanto a veder annunciata una nuova uscita.
E pazienza se, poi, i Malloren principali apparivano soltanto in qualche cameo.
Il tredicesimo volume, in particolare, è stata una lettura più che appagante.
Abbiamo due rami della stessa nobile famiglia che si sono scippati a vicenda una preziosa tenuta per un paio di secoli, finchè l'anziano capostipite di un ramo è costretto a cederla all'altro ramo per mancanza di eredi. Ma ecco il dispetto: cede Perriam Manor al figlio cadetto del parente inviso, e gli impone di sciogliere pure una maledizione che grava sui proprietari, sposando una giovane sconosciuta, a sua volta discendente di colei che ha lanciato la maledizione.
Detto questo, la coppia di sposi forzati si troverà di fronte a una sfida: se Perry è determinato a riprendersi castello e terreni, Claris non è la classica nubile pronta ad accettare tutto pur di farsi mantenere. Intorno a loro, ci sono fratellini adorabili, parenti serpenti, persino una nonna erborista non proprio così disinteressata, e l'Inghilterra georgiana, tra cortigiani corrotti, spie e repressioni moraliste di fine settecento.
Libro molto bello e appassionante, a cui attribuisco cinque stelline come tributo finale per l'intera saga, e anche per l'apparizione di più personaggi che avevo amato, dal Marchese di Rothgar a Cyn Malloren, sino sino al marchese di Ashart e Genova.
Per curiosità sono andata a vedere quando avevo iniziato a leggere questa saga ed era esattamente il 6 maggio del 2019 quando mi accingevo a leggere il primo dei libri dedicati alla famiglia Malloren, ai loro cugini e amici vari, su consiglio di Elen TD che non finirò mai di ringraziare.
Questa serie mi è proprio piaciuta. E tanto.
Pur essendo lunga, e pur avendo un paio di volumi non nelle mie corde, per il resto il mio giudizio è assolutamente positivo, tanto che sorridevo soltanto a veder annunciata una nuova uscita.
E pazienza se, poi, i Malloren principali apparivano soltanto in qualche cameo.
Il tredicesimo volume, in particolare, è stata una lettura più che appagante.
Abbiamo due rami della stessa nobile famiglia che si sono scippati a vicenda una preziosa tenuta per un paio di secoli, finchè l'anziano capostipite di un ramo è costretto a cederla all'altro ramo per mancanza di eredi. Ma ecco il dispetto: cede Perriam Manor al figlio cadetto del parente inviso, e gli impone di sciogliere pure una maledizione che grava sui proprietari, sposando una giovane sconosciuta, a sua volta discendente di colei che ha lanciato la maledizione.
Detto questo, la coppia di sposi forzati si troverà di fronte a una sfida: se Perry è determinato a riprendersi castello e terreni, Claris non è la classica nubile pronta ad accettare tutto pur di farsi mantenere. Intorno a loro, ci sono fratellini adorabili, parenti serpenti, persino una nonna erborista non proprio così disinteressata, e l'Inghilterra georgiana, tra cortigiani corrotti, spie e repressioni moraliste di fine settecento.
Libro molto bello e appassionante, a cui attribuisco cinque stelline come tributo finale per l'intera saga, e anche per l'apparizione di più personaggi che avevo amato, dal Marchese di Rothgar a Cyn Malloren, sino sino al marchese di Ashart e Genova.
March 26, 2018
a fine story, but a bit of a lackluster Romance for the last Malloren novel.
January 2, 2015
Not my favorite of Jo Beverley's books. There's usually a bit more conflict and suspense in her books that just wasn't there in this one. Perry has been left Perriam Manor by his cousin, under the condition that he marry Claris Mallow. He doesn't want to marry anyone, but he doesn't want to lose the house, so he goes off to convince Claris. Meanwhile, she has no desire to marry either. Her parents had a miserable marriage and upon their deaths she is raising her twin brothers. There isn't much money but they are getting by. When Perry shows up to get her to marry him she doesn't want anything to do with him and chases him away. But she can't deny that marrying him would have benefits that would make life easier for her family so she gives in. She has demands of her own regarding the marriage and Perry is desperate enough to give in. It isn't long before both want more from the marriage that the business arrangement they had agreed on.
I have mixed feelings about Claris. I really liked her independence and the strength she had to have to make a life for herself and her brothers, grandmother and friend. I loved the scene where she used the pistol to chase Perry away. She did end up agreeing to marry him after realizing how the marriage would help her make a better life for her brothers. It bothered me a little that she seemed to give more weight to the goodies Perry provided than the benefits to her brothers. Claris worried that marriage to Perry would see the end of her independence. She was somewhat reassured by his actions as he kept the various promises he made, though she seemed to be constantly expecting him to go back on his promises. She had a tendency to take almost everything he said or did the wrong way and accuse him of breaking his word. Even though she had insisted on a marriage in name only, she decided that she wanted a child of her own and told Perry of her change of mind. I liked the way that she didn't hold back once she made that decision. Claris had been very nervous going into the marriage feeling that she was not up to the task of being a nobleman's wife. She was helped along the way by Genova Ashart (Winter Fire) and began to feel a bit more confident. I really enjoyed seeing her grow into her role as lady of the manor, but she still seemed a bit on the whiny side to me. I enjoyed her trip to London to see Perry and loved the way she stood up to a couple of the snotty ladies.
Perry's inheriting of Perriam Manor was a complete surprise to him. The conditions to do so were unpleasant but he was determined to do it to keep the manor in the family. He was terribly overconfident when he went to Claris the first time and it wasn't really a surprise to see him get shut down fast. I liked his sense of humor about it and loved his conversation with Genova Ashart about how to win Claris. I really liked the way that he was willing to give her complete control over the manor. It was fun to see him realize that he was attracted to her and bemoan the fact that he had agreed to a marriage in name only. I liked the way that he is kind to Claris and her family and does whatever he can to make the transition a smooth one. Perry is an usual hero in that he has no interest in the managing of the estate and admits that he has no clue as to how to do it. He insists that he is a Town guy, but he sure seems to like his time in the country with Claris. He has his duties in the city, most of which are tied to positions gotten for him by his father. One thing that bothered me about Perry was how he was under his father's thumb. I didn't like the way he caved in regarding the disposition of the manor. I liked seeing the work he did for Rothgar and thought a little more could have been done with that. When Claris came to visit Perry in London it caused him to think even more about the effect she has had on his life and how important he finds it to do things that make her happy. I liked the way that he finally took control of his life.
Secondary characters were done well within the story. Claris's grandmother was a pretty good foil to show Claris's goodness. Athena was not the most pleasant of people and showed up to be pretty selfish. I liked her friend/companion Ellie and was rooting for good things to happen with her. I loved Claris's brothers. They were a great mixture of good and mischievous. I liked the way they tried to watch out for Claris. They also enabled Claris to see a different side of Perry.
I have mixed feelings about Claris. I really liked her independence and the strength she had to have to make a life for herself and her brothers, grandmother and friend. I loved the scene where she used the pistol to chase Perry away. She did end up agreeing to marry him after realizing how the marriage would help her make a better life for her brothers. It bothered me a little that she seemed to give more weight to the goodies Perry provided than the benefits to her brothers. Claris worried that marriage to Perry would see the end of her independence. She was somewhat reassured by his actions as he kept the various promises he made, though she seemed to be constantly expecting him to go back on his promises. She had a tendency to take almost everything he said or did the wrong way and accuse him of breaking his word. Even though she had insisted on a marriage in name only, she decided that she wanted a child of her own and told Perry of her change of mind. I liked the way that she didn't hold back once she made that decision. Claris had been very nervous going into the marriage feeling that she was not up to the task of being a nobleman's wife. She was helped along the way by Genova Ashart (Winter Fire) and began to feel a bit more confident. I really enjoyed seeing her grow into her role as lady of the manor, but she still seemed a bit on the whiny side to me. I enjoyed her trip to London to see Perry and loved the way she stood up to a couple of the snotty ladies.
Perry's inheriting of Perriam Manor was a complete surprise to him. The conditions to do so were unpleasant but he was determined to do it to keep the manor in the family. He was terribly overconfident when he went to Claris the first time and it wasn't really a surprise to see him get shut down fast. I liked his sense of humor about it and loved his conversation with Genova Ashart about how to win Claris. I really liked the way that he was willing to give her complete control over the manor. It was fun to see him realize that he was attracted to her and bemoan the fact that he had agreed to a marriage in name only. I liked the way that he is kind to Claris and her family and does whatever he can to make the transition a smooth one. Perry is an usual hero in that he has no interest in the managing of the estate and admits that he has no clue as to how to do it. He insists that he is a Town guy, but he sure seems to like his time in the country with Claris. He has his duties in the city, most of which are tied to positions gotten for him by his father. One thing that bothered me about Perry was how he was under his father's thumb. I didn't like the way he caved in regarding the disposition of the manor. I liked seeing the work he did for Rothgar and thought a little more could have been done with that. When Claris came to visit Perry in London it caused him to think even more about the effect she has had on his life and how important he finds it to do things that make her happy. I liked the way that he finally took control of his life.
Secondary characters were done well within the story. Claris's grandmother was a pretty good foil to show Claris's goodness. Athena was not the most pleasant of people and showed up to be pretty selfish. I liked her friend/companion Ellie and was rooting for good things to happen with her. I loved Claris's brothers. They were a great mixture of good and mischievous. I liked the way they tried to watch out for Claris. They also enabled Claris to see a different side of Perry.
July 24, 2017
Most of the book was new to me, but a few plot points - especially at the end - were deja vu!
-- Karen, Merrillville Branch
-- Karen, Merrillville Branch
February 9, 2023
Summoned to the death bed of his distant cousin, the hero is shocked to learn that the man has given him the family estate in his will. The hero knows that the man has done this to cause a divide in his already horribly divided family. The hero is told that not only can he not just give the house to his tyrant father, but he's also requested to marry the granddaughter of the woman who put a curse on the family. The hero, a bit weak willed but determined to do his duty, sets off to the loathsome countryside to find his bride.
The heroine grew up with a mean mother and a fire and brimstone preacher father. Now, they're both dead but they've left their children very little to live on. When the handsome, slick tongue hero comes to her and offers her marriage and a new life, her pride makes her chase him off- quite latterly, she pulls a gun on him. But he is nothing if not persistent and eventually it's the idea of a better life for her twin brothers that finally make her succumb but only under the agreement that theirs will be a marriage in name only.
The hero readily agrees has he wants his life in town. They wed and for the first little while, the agreement stands. They develop an understand and even a friendship. Until the heroine begins to catch feelings. Not that anyone come blame her, the hero was charming and jolly and easy going. She also wants a baby and that's the catalyst to their tumble deep into the wilds of love.
I can say that this book was absolutely nothing like what I expected it to be-but unfortunately not in a good way. Reading the reviews from other users I came to expect a romance historical adventure but really it was very boring. Sure, there was such spy intrigue towards the end and the search for the origins of the curse but 90% of the novel was very slow paced without any drama to speak off. Firstly, the heroine was horribly annoying. She was so many different characters rolled into one that she became muddled and hard to predict. She was a lady. She had manners and the sophisticated speech if not entirely understanding social interactions of the time. But she was bitter and prickly and would often snap at those around her or just be a real bitch towards the hero for no good reason. Sure, he himself was selfish with no spine to stand up to his father-instead eagerly doing everything the man wanted of him to avoid conflict. But to the heroine he was kind and uplifting-treating her with nothing but respect, yet she gave him nothing but attitude. It really made me distance myself from understanding where she was coming from. Also, she had an insane temper and had a habit of pulling guns or threating the hero which I thought was absurdly melodramatic and didn't fit with the laid-back tone of the story. They had zero chemistry. For most of the book I honest believed the hero felt nothing towards her. He gave no hint at any deeper feelings than friendship so when he was suddenly so in love with his wife I didn't believe it. Also, the weird mismatch of romance spy intrigue and mystery was off putting and made no sense. Over all, this was a vast disappointment.
The heroine grew up with a mean mother and a fire and brimstone preacher father. Now, they're both dead but they've left their children very little to live on. When the handsome, slick tongue hero comes to her and offers her marriage and a new life, her pride makes her chase him off- quite latterly, she pulls a gun on him. But he is nothing if not persistent and eventually it's the idea of a better life for her twin brothers that finally make her succumb but only under the agreement that theirs will be a marriage in name only.
The hero readily agrees has he wants his life in town. They wed and for the first little while, the agreement stands. They develop an understand and even a friendship. Until the heroine begins to catch feelings. Not that anyone come blame her, the hero was charming and jolly and easy going. She also wants a baby and that's the catalyst to their tumble deep into the wilds of love.
I can say that this book was absolutely nothing like what I expected it to be-but unfortunately not in a good way. Reading the reviews from other users I came to expect a romance historical adventure but really it was very boring. Sure, there was such spy intrigue towards the end and the search for the origins of the curse but 90% of the novel was very slow paced without any drama to speak off. Firstly, the heroine was horribly annoying. She was so many different characters rolled into one that she became muddled and hard to predict. She was a lady. She had manners and the sophisticated speech if not entirely understanding social interactions of the time. But she was bitter and prickly and would often snap at those around her or just be a real bitch towards the hero for no good reason. Sure, he himself was selfish with no spine to stand up to his father-instead eagerly doing everything the man wanted of him to avoid conflict. But to the heroine he was kind and uplifting-treating her with nothing but respect, yet she gave him nothing but attitude. It really made me distance myself from understanding where she was coming from. Also, she had an insane temper and had a habit of pulling guns or threating the hero which I thought was absurdly melodramatic and didn't fit with the laid-back tone of the story. They had zero chemistry. For most of the book I honest believed the hero felt nothing towards her. He gave no hint at any deeper feelings than friendship so when he was suddenly so in love with his wife I didn't believe it. Also, the weird mismatch of romance spy intrigue and mystery was off putting and made no sense. Over all, this was a vast disappointment.
December 30, 2019
I give it 4.75 Stars
Jo Beverley writes such well thought out stories. I believe I have read them all and I cannot remember any ever disappointing me. I love reading Jo Beverley because she does such thorough research, and I always learn something new.
Seduction in Silk flows so well that I never wanted to put it down, I was always anxious to read the next chapter. The story brings a unique twist, to a couple who are forced by circumstances, into an unwanted marriage. The characters are fascinating, well defined, and very likeable. She places them in believable situations, allows them to work out their problems, without rushing them or ending too abruptly.
This book, a part of the Malloren series, can most definitely stand alone. Do not worry if you haven’t read any of the previous stories. Although there are characters from previous books, they are included in such a way that you should not feel that you are missing anything important to this story
Jo Beverley writes such well thought out stories. I believe I have read them all and I cannot remember any ever disappointing me. I love reading Jo Beverley because she does such thorough research, and I always learn something new.
Seduction in Silk flows so well that I never wanted to put it down, I was always anxious to read the next chapter. The story brings a unique twist, to a couple who are forced by circumstances, into an unwanted marriage. The characters are fascinating, well defined, and very likeable. She places them in believable situations, allows them to work out their problems, without rushing them or ending too abruptly.
This book, a part of the Malloren series, can most definitely stand alone. Do not worry if you haven’t read any of the previous stories. Although there are characters from previous books, they are included in such a way that you should not feel that you are missing anything important to this story
May 19, 2013
I have to say, this story sent me on an adventure. It drew me in from the very first encounter between Perry and his soon-to-be bride. I enjoyed reading about a woman that knew her own mind. She went through a lot in her young years. She raised two healthy twin boys as her own and deserved a new start. One thing I don't understand is why there was mention of all those politics. I usually love reading about history in book but this particular part did not seem to interest me. I still love this book and would read it again given then chance. I would also recommend it to friends. then ending was superb. Thank you for letting me be one of the first's to read it.
June 28, 2017
Yet another Jo Beverley novel where the "hero" is imperious and makes demands and is overall pretty unlikable to the point where I was rooting for the heroine to genuinely shoot him. Also, I resent novels where everyone either wants or roots for the heroine to end with this guy. True, she didn't need to pull a gun on him, but guess what? He didn't need to be high-handed. His entire demeanor is revolting when he goes to see her.
August 10, 2013
What to say about this book? It was fantastic!! The only thing I found wrong, was that I was disappointed in the mystery of the Heroine's family. I've only read one other book in this series and now have to find the others.
August 7, 2013
This is the 1st book by Jo Beverley that I have read.
All I can say is that I'm hooked. I can hardly wait to read the next one.
All I can say is that I'm hooked. I can hardly wait to read the next one.
April 13, 2023
I wasn't quite expecting it to end when I did-- I guess I was so wrapped up in the story. It's a good one, simple plot but entertaining. I liked it a lot.
September 18, 2024
I’ve read this book several times and always been too ambivalent to rate or review it. This most recent “reading” was actually the audiobook version performed by Susan Duerden, who does a great job.
I’m a sucker for a marriage of convenience story, which saves and makes this book for me, and ensures that I will probably read or listen to it again sometime. I like the way that Perry finds Claris increasingly attractive throughout the book, while Claris finds Perry attractive from the beginning but then finds him increasingly irresistible and trustworthy after they marry (even though he isn’t always truthful!) It is just so true that people we like become more attractive in our eyes. Perry and Claris have sex soon after the wedding, before they declare love or even recognize it in themselves, which for some reason I really like in a marriage-of-convenience story. Not a big fan of MOC’s that remain unconsummated for a long period.
There are some elements of the book I don’t like as well as I do the MOC. There are a couple of scenes in the beginning, which I think is supposed to be an extended meet-cute, in which Claris first points a pistol at Perry, then at second meeting, actually pulls the trigger. Pretty disturbing! Frequent Goodreads reviewer Jacob has some on-point things to say about that.
There’s this “curse” thing, that sucks up waaaay too many pages, but is also a required foundation of the plot, so I guess it kind of has to do so. The man whose estate Perry inherits attributed his children’s deaths to a curse, and included in his will the requirement that Perry marry Claris, whose aunt supposedly cast the curse, because he’d been told it might save him from hell. Which, OK, I guess a bizarre bequest requires a bizarre explanation. And, OK, I guess if I were Claris, and I knew I had a dodgy genetic legacy of mental instability from both of my parents, I might be interested in finding out that at least I’d had an aunt who was sweetly normal and hadn’t run around casting curses on people. And I might go a little out of my comfort zone to investigate that. So yes, the curse is integral to the book but for whatever reason, I found the whole idea unappealing, perhaps because of the connection to the deaths of infants and children.
Other elements of the book I found more enjoyable included the look into the employment of the youngest son of an earl (which Perry is), and the fact that having a sinecure from a patron meant that Perry was at that person’s beck and call. It seems that he had a couple of patronages (including one from the Marquess of Rothgar, which provides the tie to the Malloren series) plus an allowance from his father, from which he cobbled together his financial life. I’ve read quite a bit of HR but never really thought about how younger sons who didn’t marry wealthy women survived. The “important work” that keeps Perry in London is for Rothgar and the King but wraps up without much fanfare, unfortunately.
I also appreciated Claris’ enjoyment of London and warm-hearted affection for her brothers and for Ellie, her weird grandmother’s long-time companion. Elements of daily life and the political and social developments of the time in both country and city add interest and reflect Ms. Beverley’s study of the period.
The book concludes rather abruptly, but with Claris pregnant and Perry faithful and committed to living together fully, despite the opposition from his father. Seems that HR readers do love to conclude with a pregnancy, often in an epilogue. I’m not usually a fan of epilogues but this book might have benefited from one. I would have liked to know how Claris and Perry made a go of life in the country without familial support, and how her brothers turned out, from the perspective of a few more years into their relationship.
To summarize my conflicting feelings about the book into a rating is hard! I settled on four stars because I’m pretty sure that I will read this again sometime in the future, which is generally not the case when I give three stars.
I’m a sucker for a marriage of convenience story, which saves and makes this book for me, and ensures that I will probably read or listen to it again sometime. I like the way that Perry finds Claris increasingly attractive throughout the book, while Claris finds Perry attractive from the beginning but then finds him increasingly irresistible and trustworthy after they marry (even though he isn’t always truthful!) It is just so true that people we like become more attractive in our eyes. Perry and Claris have sex soon after the wedding, before they declare love or even recognize it in themselves, which for some reason I really like in a marriage-of-convenience story. Not a big fan of MOC’s that remain unconsummated for a long period.
There are some elements of the book I don’t like as well as I do the MOC. There are a couple of scenes in the beginning, which I think is supposed to be an extended meet-cute, in which Claris first points a pistol at Perry, then at second meeting, actually pulls the trigger. Pretty disturbing! Frequent Goodreads reviewer Jacob has some on-point things to say about that.
There’s this “curse” thing, that sucks up waaaay too many pages, but is also a required foundation of the plot, so I guess it kind of has to do so. The man whose estate Perry inherits attributed his children’s deaths to a curse, and included in his will the requirement that Perry marry Claris, whose aunt supposedly cast the curse, because he’d been told it might save him from hell. Which, OK, I guess a bizarre bequest requires a bizarre explanation. And, OK, I guess if I were Claris, and I knew I had a dodgy genetic legacy of mental instability from both of my parents, I might be interested in finding out that at least I’d had an aunt who was sweetly normal and hadn’t run around casting curses on people. And I might go a little out of my comfort zone to investigate that. So yes, the curse is integral to the book but for whatever reason, I found the whole idea unappealing, perhaps because of the connection to the deaths of infants and children.
Other elements of the book I found more enjoyable included the look into the employment of the youngest son of an earl (which Perry is), and the fact that having a sinecure from a patron meant that Perry was at that person’s beck and call. It seems that he had a couple of patronages (including one from the Marquess of Rothgar, which provides the tie to the Malloren series) plus an allowance from his father, from which he cobbled together his financial life. I’ve read quite a bit of HR but never really thought about how younger sons who didn’t marry wealthy women survived. The “important work” that keeps Perry in London is for Rothgar and the King but wraps up without much fanfare, unfortunately.
I also appreciated Claris’ enjoyment of London and warm-hearted affection for her brothers and for Ellie, her weird grandmother’s long-time companion. Elements of daily life and the political and social developments of the time in both country and city add interest and reflect Ms. Beverley’s study of the period.
The book concludes rather abruptly, but with Claris pregnant and Perry faithful and committed to living together fully, despite the opposition from his father. Seems that HR readers do love to conclude with a pregnancy, often in an epilogue. I’m not usually a fan of epilogues but this book might have benefited from one. I would have liked to know how Claris and Perry made a go of life in the country without familial support, and how her brothers turned out, from the perspective of a few more years into their relationship.
To summarize my conflicting feelings about the book into a rating is hard! I settled on four stars because I’m pretty sure that I will read this again sometime in the future, which is generally not the case when I give three stars.
November 8, 2025
For filial duty and his own continued income stream, youngest scion Perry must marry an impoverished stranger to regain a long disputed part of their family estate. He is not averse to what he pictures as a marriage of convenience with a country wife running the hard won property and himself continuing the sophisticated town life that he so enjoys.
However the needful bride Claris is not amenable, rejecting what is obviously a piece of luck falling out of the sky in favor of staying an old maid in penurious circumstances. This instant vehement opposition instead of reasoning things out makes her look foolish, given that she is being offered a life of ease without marital obligations. On top of that, her objections rise to murderous when in a fit of anger she fires what she thinks is a loaded gun point blank at the completely unthreatening suitor. Luckily her wiser grandmother had not inserted a bullet, otherwise the story would have been very short. Her only concern afterward is that she would have been punished as a murderess, not shame that she would have killed an entirely innocent man in a fit of pique.
Unfortunately, this stupid and ugly move disqualifies Claris from sympathetic heroine status. Someone whose judgment is that poor is hardly a romantic ideal but Perry passes it off as "showing spirit" and admires her "prickly nature".
If one ignores the gun incident, then the rest is believable enough. The grandmother Athena gives Perry the key to having his proposal accepted in that Claris has 2 young twin brothers she's raised since their parents died and will marry to better their lot. (Why big caring sister didn't figure that out on her own instead of waving a gun around like a madwoman is bothersome). Perry's charm smooths their road together and once Claris starts to understand how lucky she is to know him and benefit from his superb care, she reverts to a tolerable heroine.
There's another flare-up near the end that he makes a sacrifice to extinguish leaving her holding sway over what is now their shared home. So she never had to compromise anything except to start wearing beautiful clothes, have a staff of servants, eat much improved meals, have her brothers' future assured. There was everything in the arrangement for her and nothing for him except finding he loves an ordinary looking freckled bossy woman quick to anger. A little too lopsided when one wishes better for the oh so charming hero.
However the needful bride Claris is not amenable, rejecting what is obviously a piece of luck falling out of the sky in favor of staying an old maid in penurious circumstances. This instant vehement opposition instead of reasoning things out makes her look foolish, given that she is being offered a life of ease without marital obligations. On top of that, her objections rise to murderous when in a fit of anger she fires what she thinks is a loaded gun point blank at the completely unthreatening suitor. Luckily her wiser grandmother had not inserted a bullet, otherwise the story would have been very short. Her only concern afterward is that she would have been punished as a murderess, not shame that she would have killed an entirely innocent man in a fit of pique.
Unfortunately, this stupid and ugly move disqualifies Claris from sympathetic heroine status. Someone whose judgment is that poor is hardly a romantic ideal but Perry passes it off as "showing spirit" and admires her "prickly nature".
If one ignores the gun incident, then the rest is believable enough. The grandmother Athena gives Perry the key to having his proposal accepted in that Claris has 2 young twin brothers she's raised since their parents died and will marry to better their lot. (Why big caring sister didn't figure that out on her own instead of waving a gun around like a madwoman is bothersome). Perry's charm smooths their road together and once Claris starts to understand how lucky she is to know him and benefit from his superb care, she reverts to a tolerable heroine.
There's another flare-up near the end that he makes a sacrifice to extinguish leaving her holding sway over what is now their shared home. So she never had to compromise anything except to start wearing beautiful clothes, have a staff of servants, eat much improved meals, have her brothers' future assured. There was everything in the arrangement for her and nothing for him except finding he loves an ordinary looking freckled bossy woman quick to anger. A little too lopsided when one wishes better for the oh so charming hero.
February 6, 2020
Bitter and dying, the childless (not from want of trying despite 3 dead wives and 7 equally dead children, most of them sons) Giles Perriam summoned Perry (4th and youngest son of the Earl of Hernescroft) to his death bed in order to let him know the particulars of his inheritance... for it was agreed upon 7 generations ago among their kin, that in the absence of a male heir, the Beatrician inheritance would revert to the Cecilian and main branch of the Perriam family to make it one again BUT as Giles and his cunning lawyers would have it, it was not specified that such portion would go to the holder of the title, the Earl of Hernescroft, at this instance, Peregrine's father. Thus, angry as well as vindictive, Giles had his last say by making it impossible for Perry to bequeath his inheritance to his father, else it would be forfeited to another... also another proviso was that Perry must marry Claris Mallow within a month after Giles death so that a curse in Giles line would be lifted. Alas, despite being in dire straits with two twin brothers to raise, she did not want to marry even to save herself from a life of poverty. There are other layers and sub~plots here that make this one a very Entertaining and Fun read. I recommend this one for any Regency and/or Historical fan looking for a fine Romance with meat and wit in it.
August 19, 2025
Really disappointed in this. After the perfection that is A Scandalous Countess she produced this? I have adored Perry throughout the series, especially the last two books. He deserves so much better. Claris is a nutcase who goes from absolute hatred of all men for no apparent reason other than her parents bad marriage to agreeing to a marriage of convenience to seducing her husband in a week’s time. It was ridiculous. I hate her. She literally tried to kill him on their second meeting when she should have been kissing his feet for getting her out of the extreme poverty she and her family were suffering. In 24 hours she went from “go away and don’t come back or I’ll shoot you” to “I’m terrified he’s changed his mind.” I wanted to shoot her for treating Perry so badly. Then the plot goes off the rails on a witchcraft tangent for the entire second half of the book. Again, ridiculous. It’s like the interns wrote it. The one good thing I can say about it is the audiobook finally has a decent cover while the cover GR is using is dreadful. Doesn’t fit the story at all. I’m really sorry the series ended on such a stinker because there are a few great books in this series, and again, Perry deserves so much better than a disobedient angry harridan with a pistol.
November 26, 2025
Recensione per il blog opinioni librose, online dal 27 novembre
È di Monica Rosina Sorrenti la recensione di oggi.
Vi piacciono gli storici?
"Buongiorno a tutti, vi parlo del 13° vol della serie Mallorens & Friends si tratta di "finalmente a casa, Jo Beverley, pubblicato da Mondadori nella collana i romanzi oro.
Claris è diffidente verso il matrimonio perché è cresciuta in una famiglia dove acredine e fanatismo erano più forti di ogni altro sentimento. È convinta che la sua vita scorrerà serena se resterà sola, ma non ha fatto i conti con Peregrine che approda da lei determinato a sposarla. Un nobile che sembra pronto a offrirle la luna pur di convincerla, il tutto per il bene del castello e della sua famiglia."
BLOG: https://www.opinionilibrose.it/2025/1...
ORDER: https://amzn.to/43WFw26
#Prodottofornitoda Mondadori
#mallorensfriends #finalmenteacasa #mondadori #JoBeverley #monicas78 #recensione #recensionelibri #opinionilibroseblog
È di Monica Rosina Sorrenti la recensione di oggi.
Vi piacciono gli storici?
"Buongiorno a tutti, vi parlo del 13° vol della serie Mallorens & Friends si tratta di "finalmente a casa, Jo Beverley, pubblicato da Mondadori nella collana i romanzi oro.
Claris è diffidente verso il matrimonio perché è cresciuta in una famiglia dove acredine e fanatismo erano più forti di ogni altro sentimento. È convinta che la sua vita scorrerà serena se resterà sola, ma non ha fatto i conti con Peregrine che approda da lei determinato a sposarla. Un nobile che sembra pronto a offrirle la luna pur di convincerla, il tutto per il bene del castello e della sua famiglia."
BLOG: https://www.opinionilibrose.it/2025/1...
ORDER: https://amzn.to/43WFw26
#Prodottofornitoda Mondadori
#mallorensfriends #finalmenteacasa #mondadori #JoBeverley #monicas78 #recensione #recensionelibri #opinionilibroseblog
November 26, 2025
È di Monica Rosina Sorrenti la recensione di oggi.
Vi piacciono gli storici?
"Buongiorno a tutti, vi parlo del 13° vol della serie Mallorens & Friends si tratta di "finalmente a casa, Jo Beverley, pubblicato da Mondadori nella collana i romanzi oro.
Claris è diffidente verso il matrimonio perché è cresciuta in una famiglia dove acredine e fanatismo erano più forti di ogni altro sentimento. È convinta che la sua vita scorrerà serena se resterà sola, ma non ha fatto i conti con Peregrine che approda da lei determinato a sposarla. Un nobile che sembra pronto a offrirle la luna pur di convincerla, il tutto per il bene del castello e della sua famiglia."
BLOG: https://www.opinionilibrose.it/2025/1...
ORDER: https://amzn.to/43WFw26
#Prodottofornitoda Mondadori
#mallorensfriends #finalmenteacasa #mondadori #JoBeverley #monicas78 #recensione #recensionelibri #opinionilibroseblog
Vi piacciono gli storici?
"Buongiorno a tutti, vi parlo del 13° vol della serie Mallorens & Friends si tratta di "finalmente a casa, Jo Beverley, pubblicato da Mondadori nella collana i romanzi oro.
Claris è diffidente verso il matrimonio perché è cresciuta in una famiglia dove acredine e fanatismo erano più forti di ogni altro sentimento. È convinta che la sua vita scorrerà serena se resterà sola, ma non ha fatto i conti con Peregrine che approda da lei determinato a sposarla. Un nobile che sembra pronto a offrirle la luna pur di convincerla, il tutto per il bene del castello e della sua famiglia."
BLOG: https://www.opinionilibrose.it/2025/1...
ORDER: https://amzn.to/43WFw26
#Prodottofornitoda Mondadori
#mallorensfriends #finalmenteacasa #mondadori #JoBeverley #monicas78 #recensione #recensionelibri #opinionilibroseblog
January 27, 2019
I couldn’t decide whether to give this three or four stars. Maybe 3.5 then.
It was slow going at first, but the pace picked up at the end. I couldn’t wait to see how the curse & the espionage intrigue were resolved, and - of course - how Perry & Claris started their HEA. Indeed, despite the “honor thy father & mother” commandment, as Perry notes, the Bible further instructs a man to cleave unto his wife. So she becomes paramount (taking priority over his parents), if he was forced to choose between the two.
Side note: would Harrison (at the center of the espionage storyline) show up in another tale?
It has been a while since I’ve partaken of Ms. Beverley’s works. Although I’m sad she is no longer in this world, I have enjoyed this work (and others of hers) and look forward to revisiting the Malloren and the Company of Rogues.
It was slow going at first, but the pace picked up at the end. I couldn’t wait to see how the curse & the espionage intrigue were resolved, and - of course - how Perry & Claris started their HEA. Indeed, despite the “honor thy father & mother” commandment, as Perry notes, the Bible further instructs a man to cleave unto his wife. So she becomes paramount (taking priority over his parents), if he was forced to choose between the two.
Side note: would Harrison (at the center of the espionage storyline) show up in another tale?
It has been a while since I’ve partaken of Ms. Beverley’s works. Although I’m sad she is no longer in this world, I have enjoyed this work (and others of hers) and look forward to revisiting the Malloren and the Company of Rogues.
April 24, 2023
I really hate that with every book by Jo Beverley I read, that’s one less to read for the first time. I’ve already reread my favorites and will probably reread everything else soon. This wasn’t a new favorite, but even the books by her I like a little less that others are better than any other historical romance I’ve read that’s been written in the last hundred years.
I loved how the female protagonist here thought one thing until her gut said something else, and then she did that instead without continued rumination.
I loved how the female protagonist here thought one thing until her gut said something else, and then she did that instead without continued rumination.
January 1, 2020
#13 in the series. Can be read as a stand alone, but many characters from the other books make appearances. Ashart & Genova, Rothgar & Cyn Malloran.
This is Perry's story. I really liked Perry in the other books. Unfortunately, this one didn't really WOW me. Prickly heroines aren't my favorites & Claris is very prickly. She does have cause, but I had hoped for better for Perry.
The female on the cover looks nothing like Claris is described.
This is Perry's story. I really liked Perry in the other books. Unfortunately, this one didn't really WOW me. Prickly heroines aren't my favorites & Claris is very prickly. She does have cause, but I had hoped for better for Perry.
The female on the cover looks nothing like Claris is described.
August 6, 2019
For Perry Persian his life was unexpectedly changed by a death!
Upon the death of his cousin Files he inherited the man's property and income but a curse which he couldn't collect unless he married the daughter of a crony-partner in some misdeeds of the past! What actually inherited was the love of his life!
Upon the death of his cousin Files he inherited the man's property and income but a curse which he couldn't collect unless he married the daughter of a crony-partner in some misdeeds of the past! What actually inherited was the love of his life!
August 5, 2020
This started out a bit slow, but it really ended in such a beautiful way. Strangely enough I think I’ve enjoyed these later malloren books more than the early ones. I teared up a bit on the last page to know that this was Beverley’s final book in this world. Perry was a delight, Claris was extremely lovable after a rocky start. Truly gorgeous HEA
July 26, 2017
A curse, a marriage of convenience p!us true love
Claris and Perry seek their truths in a straightforward manner, but complications ensure us an engrossing read. Jo Beverly has not missed yet, and this was the tenth Beverly novel that I finished in a couple of weeks.
Claris and Perry seek their truths in a straightforward manner, but complications ensure us an engrossing read. Jo Beverly has not missed yet, and this was the tenth Beverly novel that I finished in a couple of weeks.
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