Lištička

V #3

by Jane Feather, I. Mertusová (Translator), L. Mazalová (Translator)

Když se Hugo Lattimer po skončení napoleonských válek vrací domů, z neohroženého kapitána válečné fregaty se změní v majitele zanedbaného panství na anglickém venkově.Návrat do rodného hnízda však znamená také návrat k deprimujícím vzpomínkám z mládí, kdy se jako nezkušený mladík dostal do spolku zvrácených aristokratů. Svůj pocit morálního selhání utápí v alkoholu. Jeho někdejší platonická láska Elizabeth, která také přišla do styku s perverzními praktikami tohoto spolku, ho v zášti ustanoví poručníkem své sedmnáctileté dcery Chloe.
Spontální Chloe způsobí navzdory ubíjející desetileté výchově v dívčím ústavu v Hugově chátrajícím sídle i v jeho životě zásadní převrat. A nejen proto, že je zastánkyní práv všech týraných bytostí.

Genres: Historical Romance, Romance, Historical, Regency, Historical Fiction, British Literature, Fiction

300 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1994

About the author

Jane Feather (born Jane Robotham) is a popular British–American writer of historical romance novels. In 1984 she wrote five contemporary romances under the pseudonym Claudia Bishop. She is a New York Times-bestselling, award–winning writer, and has more than ten million romance novels in print.

Reviews

[Naksed · Rating 2 out of 5]

In Vixen, Jane Feather tackles the real life Hellfire Clubs that originated in England in the 18th century. These were secret societies where high ranking politicians and aristocrats had drug-fueled orgies with prostitutes (nicknamed nuns) amidst sacrilegious, satanic rituals mimicking and mocking actual church rituals. It is an interesting topic to build a story around but imho, the execution of it failed for me in this book.

The hero in Vixen was a member of this secret society (renamed here the Congregation instead of Hellfire Club) when he was an impudent, young heir to a fortune, which he squandered on this cult and its charismatic leader. He only stopped his participation when he realized that the women who took part in these rituals were not all willing. Some of them had been kidnapped and roofied. Additionally, he had fallen in love with the aristocratic, "pure" wife of the cult leader and was outraged when the leader one day brought his wife, under the influence of drugs, to be basically gang banged by all the members of the Congregation. Hero killed the cult leader in a duel, renounced the cult, and took off for the Napoleonic Wars, trying to put all this filth behind him. He failed miserably and became a drunk instead, in order to keep away his nightmares.

About fourteen years later, he becomes the unwitting legal guardian of the daughter of the woman he had loved so desperately (and chastely) during his cult days. She is a seventeen-year old, convent-raised, young girl who has no idea of her bleak past, or the fact that her step brother, now the leader of the cult, is bent on "revenge" against her and her guardian.

What follows is a predictable story of how guardian and ward fall in love and jointly thwart the efforts of the villainous cult members.

The story wasn't all bad. The characterization of the heroine was well done. Raised in an emotional wasteland, with a dead father and a mother who loathed her (for reasons unbeknownst to her) and continued to sink in a laudanum addiction rather than care for her unwanted daughter, the heroine is nevertheless a cheerful, bright, caring and compassionate person. Since she lacked love from people, she created her own family of abused and abandoned pet animals. What could have been cheesy and Mary-Sue-ish in the hands of another author actually became a rather sympathetic and warm portrait of a plucky young woman who can't fail to tug at your heartstrings.

However, the story dismally failed in its portrayal of an unromantic and irredeemable hero who kept comparing his ward negatively against the memory of her mother. I got the feeling that he lusted after his ward but that she would never ever come close to dethroning her own mother in his heart. At one point, he actually looked at her and thought of her in disgust, considering that her enjoyment of sex must be borne out of some genetic depravity that she inherited from her father, one of the vilest, most unscrupulous men he has ever known. In comparison, the idealized love he had for her "ladylike" mother had never been spoiled by such low instincts as carnal pleasure and therefore she is the superior, ultimate angel of purity and grace in his eyes. Rather barftastic view of things, though admittedly a very common one in that (and let's face it this) era. The whole Madonna-Whore complex is alive and well in this story.

He also had no intention of marrying her, even after debauching her, and quite cheerfully pushed her into matrimony with a number of eligible suitors. He had no jealousy or possessiveness towards her, which for me, is a big fail in the romance department.

When she is inevitably kidnapped by the villains, he takes his time pursuing her, pausing to eat heartily and play the piano, while on her trail, when he knows exactly what kind of depraved animals these men are and what they are going to subject her to.

In the end, after the inevitable reunion, she asks him if he will marry her and he nonchalantly replies that "someone has to." If this is his idea of a joke, I was not amused. There has to be some point in the novel where the hero's icy, rocky, thick fortress of emotional distance cracks and he gives the reader (and the heroine of course) the satisfaction of revealing vulnerability, feeling, and honesty. This did not happen here and as such, the romance, for me, failed dismally.

Added to that is of course the fact that the characters of this allegedly historical romance speak and act like contemporary characters. This, though irksome, would not automatically suck the joy out of reading for me if it was at least balanced with a fantastic romance or a swashbuckling adventure, but in this case, it only served to emphasize how lame the entire story was.

[Lauren · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars

[Melluvsbooks]

DNF @ 64% - I give up.

Things I overlooked:

- their first time happens almost out of nowhere - I was surprised because there hadn’t really been any tension yet… but ok..

- he compares her to her mom (who he loved 14 yrs ago but they never had sex) - now this should have bothered me more but it hit me different that it normally would - I thought that although he’d start out kind of thinking negatively, his thoughts always took a turn to grudgingly admiring what was different about her compared to her mom - so I had a different take away than other readers

- he slept (drunkenly) with a back alley prostitute the day after he took the h’s v-card AND be brought this person to his house and screwed her on the VERY COUCH on which he took the h’s v-card… and the h walks in 🥴— I was pissed about a whole host of things in this scenario… but the h wasn’t all that upset by it… so I kept going 🤷🏼‍♀️

- he starts sleeping with the h again (with that nasty dirty dick of his 🤢) - regularly - he isn’t even trying to resist - and the night he had the prostitute at the house was never addressed 😵‍💫

None of these things were why I bailed.

No, what broke the camel’s back was that the H is FINE with looking for a spouse for the h. Not even a little tiny glimmer of jealousy. Not a qualm about screwing her every day and night while also finding her a husband. And lack of possessiveness is a fatal flaw for me. I can forgive a lot of things (see above list of romance atrocities) but a man who is cool with handing his girl over to someone else (FOREVER) ain’t it.

Why even do this ward/guardian trope if we’re not gonna get jealous rages and torn bodices??

😐

🙋🏼‍♀️bye

[Jena]

Note to self avoid.
The H loved her mom, and finds the h lacking when compared to her mom. Reviewers said H loved the mom more, and was still in love with her….Gag.

He killed her dad? And now her stepbrother wants to kill him and her…
Wtfery kind of story is this crap….🤢

[LuvBug · Rating 1 out of 5]

I stopped reading this book the moment I realized that the hero was in love with the heroine's mother at one time! YUCK!!!!

[Read With Chey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Okay I really liked this 😂

Problematic? Absolutely. Hot? Of course.

My main complaint here is about the heroine and it’s for a stupid reason, but she acts like a 14 year old. Yeah she’s 17 and the hero is her 35 y/o guardian, but it’s not really hot when he’s scolding her because she’s behaving like an ACTUAL child? Ya know?? I’d liken it to how I feel about Lisa Kleypas’ heroine in Devil in Spring. It’s a great book, but must the heroine act like a 10 y/o?

Anyway, that confusing tidbit aside, this was a wacky and wild ride I was happy to be on!

[T from Istria 💛💚 · Rating 1 out of 5]

Disgusting and vile about very young stupid heroine and much older even stupider hero with a non redeemable past (the hero that is, he did despicable things AND was in love with heroines mother, eww) who takes advantage of heroine/ward.
There is nothing likeable in this story.

[bell · Rating 2 out of 5]

I have been trying to find a book I read several years ago about a girl who had 3 guardians and fell in love with one. Hence, I have been sloshing my way through book lists reading any romance with a guardian-ward love relationship, which brought me to this book.
I was barely able to finish this book and only because I skipped page after page.
I grew up on bodice rippers, so jerky hero's etc don't bother me since I put it in context of the time period, but this book was a little creepy for me.
Hero was part of an organization like the "hellfire club" . In the first pages of this story we are in the middle of a sword duel between the hero (Hugo) and an older gentleman whom was like his father. The older gentleman was the leader of the club and had brought his wife (Elizabeth) to participate. The hero was secretly in love with her and challenges the man, who loses. The gentleman's son promises revenge. The hero never sets eyes again on Elizabeth, though she lives nearby, but she sends a letter reminding him that he said he would always help her. Elizabeth's daughter ends up in a convent school and rarely see's her mom Elizabeth, except for a few times a year and her mom is heavily into laudanum, so basically the relationship is non existent. Years later a women shows up on the hero's doorstep claiming that he is her guardian and of course she is Elizabeth's daughter. He has insta lust for her and the author keeps reminding the reader how much she looks like her mother (creepy part). The half brother tries to wrest guardianship from the hero, so that the heroine will marry the half brothers step-son, Crispin (I think it's his step-son) (which I guess makes it her step cousin) . Both men are jerks and the hero spends all his free time drunk, wallowing in self pity. Of course they sleep together in the first few pages and the encounter may put off some faint hearted readers. The heroine wanted the encounter to happen, but the hero treats her like a total jerk afterwards because of his self loathing.
In the meantime, the heroine collects all kinds of hurt animals , which make appearances throughout the book. In fact the first page when the heroine shows up her cat is giving birth on the doorway ( it def was a little weird to have that in the story, it didn't really add to it and was a what the heck moment) .
Anyway, Hugo realizes in order to stop any shenanigans with Crispin and her brother he can't be drunk and hung over 24/7 , so he looks himself away for several days in order to go straight. Unfortunately, he has been such a jerk that his actions and disappearance basically propels the heroine to hang with her relatives since she is just looking to belong. Attempted kidnappings, threats etc etc abound until HEA.
I barely could finish it because Hugo was just such a jerk and wastrel and I felt he was never really redeemed in my eyes. I think the animal piece could have been left out , since it detracted from the story . The hellfire piece would have been enough to keep the story moving swiftly.

[Nan · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked this book but Jane Feather come on. She can do better. The thing that pissed me off was the age gap between Chloe and Hugo. Seriously and the guy used to love her mother! And Chloe is just too arghh.. there's something about her character in the book that pissed me off!

[Lucimar · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hugo Lattimer é um homem torturado pelo passado, e na maioria das vezes se encontra embriagado. Um dia ao retornar para casa depois de uma noite na esbórnia encontra Chloe Gesham, da qual fora nomeado tutor e não quer que ela permaneça na mesma casa que ele, porque além de solteiro e ela não tem uma acompanhante apropriada e há coisas do passado que podem por em perigo a vida dela, Chloe não esperava esse rechaço e por ser muito teimosa, impõe seu desejo e fica morando com ele. Hugo termina por concordar, mas planeja arranjar um bom casamento para ela. Mas, esta tem seus próprios planos e investe na sedução, o que para Hugo se torna uma tortura, porque não consegue resistir a tentação que ela representa.
Algumas passagens desse livro me lembra o filme "De olhos bem fechados" com a Nicole Kidman.

[Daneesha · Rating 3 out of 5]

this was a good read. however, i dislike when the heroine is willfully stubborn. of course, when she doesn't listen, she gets into trouble. the guardian was kind of stodgy and "old". he was in his mid thirties, but he was definitely not as virile as most romantic heroes in that age group.

[Alexis-Morgan Roark · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am torn between being repulsed at the whole IDEA of their relationship since he had a thing-even if it wasn't sexual-with her MOTHER and ROFLMAO. This book is truly funny. More than a little creepy, too.

[Camilya · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book probably 3 years ago but I'm constantly thinking about it. So when I caught myself thinking about it this last time I picked it back up to reread. One of my absolutely favorite historical romances. The characters are so real and easy to identify with.

[Nessa · Rating 3 out of 5]

#oldermanyoungerwoman #taboostories

IS THERE SUCH A THING AS CALM ANGST? BECAUSE WHILE THIS STORY WAS UNDOUBTEDLY DRIVEN BY ANGST AND A MAN'S TORMENTED PAST...I THINK THIS IS THE MOST MATURE ANGST I'VE EVER READ. Now, for those who don't like an asshole hero, I can certainly understand why you'd rate this book a 2 stars or less. But thankfully for me, there's fun in that because you'll ultimately see them change.

HUGO is the definition of a big fat jerk coupled with being washed out, drunk and living his life in a nightmare he can't get out of. The story begins with a retelling of his past where Hugo kills villain's father because I believe they were involved in some sort of cult - depravity and violence, drugs, debauchery of virgins and whores...you name it. And Hugo was once a member of that dreadful cult - one that eventually killed the woman he loved. I don't know what bad luck I have to be faced with heroes who pine for their ex-lovers, or perhaps authors are losing their originality? Once or twice is fine but, to be faced with so many male leads who are constantly thinking of their dead wife or ex-lover can be downright annoying. No women likes to feel second best, and sometimes that's how it makes a reader feel.

Anyways, Hugo doesn't have an honourable bone in his body. He's the most unconventional guardian I've ever met, who debauches his ward and they continue to be lovers while he's trying to marry her off and let her be someone else's problem. Frankly, one reason why I gave this a 3 stars was because...Hugo was too damned calm. This is almost drama-free, as in, even when he loses his cool...he's still cool. Get it? It's a pity because I felt his character while deliciously tortured, lacks warm. Have you ever heard that in a relationship, one person will always love the other more? Well, that's true here because I feel a lot from the heroine's side for Hugo, but this block of a man...is much more...cooler. I suppose in some way, I wanted him to prove in a grand, romantic gesture that he does feel for her apart from saving her life in the end.

Do I understand Hugo's motivation to push the heroine away? Yes but, I don't agree with them. What the hell kind of logic is "Okay, I'll fuck my ward but then foist her off on somewhere else because seeing her with men her age is messing with my heart, and if she's gone, then this trouble will no longer pain me and I can move on with my life". FUCK that shit. Emotions are like ghosts that follow you. You can't runaway from it because it's what you feel in your heart. But I did understand his fear of losing Chloe's trust when she learns about his past and how he killed her father. These little things do fuck up a person's confidence even if the other party will love you for it no matter your past.

CHLOE is a delightful, nurturing and selfless heroine. I wouldn't call her flighty or air-headed but, she can be reckless to the point where she doesn't care about her safety. She's definitely wily and learns soon to twist Hugo around her little finger - be it with machinations or with sex. But don't worry, she's no manipulative bitch. Chloe just yearns to be with him wholeheartedly and as a woman who can't help but be drawn to people's pain with the intention to help them, she wants to set him free from his ghosts too. I think the award for resilience should go to her because she's been through so much, being thrust upon a guardian who doesn't want her, having never known her mother, and having no one to love her but her faithful dog, Dante. Chloe's the kind of character you just want to cherish and hold in the palm of your hands so that she may never be tarnished by bad influences.

OVERALL this had your atypical tormented hero who tries to emotionally push his ward away and the bad guys who are after Chloe's inheritance that is tied to Hugo's past. I've only got one word to describe this book in a nutshell. QUEER. Compared to other historical regency romances, the way the characters have been written...is just almost refreshingly different. Although, since I do enjoy reading it for a little bit of drama, I wished Hugo had thrown a jealous fit for once or DO something instead of being so calm and cool all the time. But I suppose that's his appeal. Confounded man!

Strangely, I think what I enjoyed best was how the occult parts were so vividly written because you often find that in a contemporary dark romance novel, and not a HR.

Oh, but I have to be honest and say is one of those stories you enjoy in the moment but don't remember much of the plot a few months later. Sadly.

[Christie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was my 1st book by this Author and it won’t be my last! In fact after this review I’m going to look for more of her books. So this books storyline went a completely different way. I’m not certain but I’m thinking this Author is a older one who wrote earlier on making certain things different from todays. Most of today’s hr romance is very respectful of women . Not that this was disrespectful , because I didn’t really get that but today’s book of the hero messes up we see remorse and if he sleeps with the heroine in a moment of weakness he’s mad and then purposes marriage . This hero did not do that. Early on in the book around page 84 we have a sex scene. Typically I’d be turned off by this but the author really did build it up and make it so they did have some sort of relationship and chemistry together . The sex scene was great and passionate but after well the hero freaks out and is rude and awful and yells at her . Keep in mind this book is a guardian/ward book and he’s a good 15 years or so older she’s 17 he’s I think 35 . He completely takes her virginity . This is where I say today’s books are different. Typically the hero might go down on her or finger her. No we get a full sex scene he takes her virginity and then yells at her to get out. Typically I’d be mad but I was curious where this would lead . Hugo has a horrible past and is linked to Chloe. He was in love with her mother ( no they didn’t have sex) but Hugo use to belong to this colt in his younger days a sex colt basically . So he feels remorse about it but somehow Chloe gets him to have sex with her again they basically are friends with benefits but Chloe loves him and is making it her mission to marry him. I’m awful at reviews lol but I just loved this book it was different you have a friends with benefit situation and there’s always one who wants more . Only they both secretly wanted more just one was not able to admit it. I there was a bit of a mystery that also keeps the reader going but it didn’t take away from the romance . My only big complaint was the end . I really felt Hugo’s love for Chloe could have been a bit more . Don’t get me wrong he loves her but I would have liked to see a bigger declaration of love. Like I’ve been a ass I can’t live without you . I felt a little gipped on the end . Yes he risked his life for her but I would have liked a bit more action on him declaring his love for her . But it’s still a 5 star read

[Carmen Bailey · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5
I loved the characters of this book. Chloe was so awesome. I really felt for her and admired her bravery and compassion. Initially I was nervous about Dante the dog being way too big of a part of the story. But he and all her animals really endeared themselves to me.

Hugo was great too. I was proud of him for overcoming his addiction. I didn't love that he slept with Chloe continually considering their age gap and the nature of their relationship. Samuel was an awesome sidekick.

It was harrowing to read about the sex trafficking that he took part in. I think his naïveté and then his shame and guilt absolved him enough of his participation, but I wish he had tried to stop The Congregation from meeting in the present day. He did only live seven miles away and had to know that Jasper still perpetuated the horrible drugging and rape. And how could he have not protected Chloe more from Jasper and Crispin's friend who was entertaining her all summer. He had to have been more suspicious! And I'm glad he saved her, but how could he stand just leaving her with them while he planned her rescue. He knew what they were capable of! Gah it sickens me how they drugged her. It was so horrible.

And I just didn't buy their romance as I would prefer to. It really did feel like more of a fatherly, guardian-type relationship. She got the short end of the stick. Like they worked well together, but like as a family. This was a fun book to read, but the romance was the weakest link for sure.

[penelopewanders]

Well. There was a time when I devoured these books by Jane Feather, but it has been several years since then. I'm a little unsure whether it's just this one book or if I was truly oblivious to a host of details which definitely now dampen my enjoyment - at least here. As in the previous book I read, here too we have a beast of a hero - in this case a drunken sot lurching from unconsciousness to blurry retreat. The beauty is, as the title proclaims, not all that is demure and proper, so the vixen lands under his guardianship. There are some exciting plot points, but between the age difference and the guardian who abuses his power, the crispness of the story starts to grow limp. Yet again we have a romance novel where significant information is withheld from the heroine in guise of protection, whereas if Chloe had understood what was at stake, innumerable mistakes would not have been made and so many unnecessary risks would have been avoided. Perhaps that would have made for a boring story? I prefer to think that forewarned is forearmed and it would have been nice to see Chloe outwitting her enemies rather than bungling along. It was interesting to see the hero battle his inner demon - but there too, why hide what was happening from the heroine? Interesting read nonetheless. Just to say, many of Feather's stories are quite light and funny, but the V series seems much more intense. Definitely the case here.

[MJ · Rating 2 out of 5]

I realized about halfway through this book that I read it more than ten years ago and wish I could have avoided it. The h is a 17 year old who grew up in a nunnery (basically) and has suddenly shown up at her new guardian's home after the death of her mother. The H is the guardian. He is 34 years old, a drunk, and used to be in love with the h's mother and in fact, killed the h's father. The h looks just like her mother and not too long after she comes to stay with the H, they have sex. The H does not offer to marry her. He gives her a drink to make sure there are no consequences. This is when I recalled I had already read and disliked the story so I only skimmed the rest of the book but read enough to understand that the two continue to have a sexual relationship while she searches for a husband.

This book checked all my ick factors: H in love with the mom, older man taking advantage of a young girl, sex cult, etc.

[Serial Romance Librarian · Rating 2 out of 5]

The premise was intriguing—Hellfire Club and guardian falling for his ward. This book, sadly, was not romantic. The H was never redeemed in my opinion. It was laborious to get through and the ending was not satisfying at all. Very disappointed.

[m. · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 STARS

This book could've done with a spanking scene honestly 😂 but otherwise, I quite enjoyed it. Chloe was at times immature, but considering she's only 17 it did not bother me. Will be reading more from this author because I love me some old school historical romance, yum!

[Helena Justina · Rating 1 out of 5]

Intentando encontrar la razón de mi interés por esta novela cuando era adolescente... probablemente mi poca experiencia en novela romántica histórica.

No tengo mucho que añadir, la diferencia de edad me resulta desagradable (muy inquietante todo, de verdad) y los dos personajes son idiotas.

[Meredith · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is such garbage why do I keep rereading it?

[Caroline · Rating 2 out of 5]

It's preposterous and predictable. The heroine is so ridiculously stupid. The hero is a cad, but not in the interesting way.

[Anamika · Rating 1 out of 5]

DNF @ 24%
Very interesting plot narrated poorly. Good writing. Poor story telling. Well! Maybe 🤔 not engaging enough. Boring to read.

[Mihika in lovezone]

H loved h’s mother. Eww.

[marie fricchione]

Vixen Is A Winner

As always, Jane Feather has written a most glorious unusual unique story of true love passion and the battle of good and evil.
Hugo is the reluctant guardian of 17 year old Chloe. In his past he had killed her father but that’s a long ugly story. Nonetheless they fall in love throughout the story and evil forces are purged in the meantime.
I read and re-read all Feather’s books-this one is my 4th time! Yes, it’s that good!
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!♥️

[Elle · Rating 3 out of 5]

To escape the demons of his past, Hugo Latimer has been drowning his sorrows for more than a decade. When he arrives at his much neglected estate one day, it's to find a coach, a lot of luggage, a strange and diverse collection of animals, and a glowing young woman who looks like a more perfect version of Elizabeth, the love he's been trying to forget. Had Hugo bothered to read his mail over the last year or so, this might not have been unexpected. Seems his former love, on learning of her imminent death, chose to place her daughter Chloe and her considerable inheritance under Hugo's guardianship--he'll be needed to keep Chloe safe from Jasper, Chloe's evil and debauched brother, and Crispin, Jasper's even creepier stepson.

Many years ago, Hugo was a member of a cult-like group called the Congregation, which used rituals as an excuse to engage in debauchery and drug use. He's haunted by his actions with this group, particularly after he realized that not all of the women he had joined in using had been willing. He ended up killing Jasper's father, Elizabeth's husband, to protect Elizabeth from being the victim of such a ritual. The Congregation is alive and well, and led now by Jasper, who feels that because the cult was denied the use of Elizabeth, they are owed her daughter. He also would like control of Chloe's wealth. He's determined to marry her to Crispin, who is very much under his thumb, as is pretty much everyone in his sphere.

Chloe Gresham has grown up in boarding schools away from her mother, who was always ill (we learn later that the woman had a deeply painful past and an addiction to laudanum). She knows nothing of the past, and can't understand why nobody seemed to want her. And now she's the unwelcome burden of this man, Hugo. Chloe has known Jasper well enough to distrust his cruelty, and she didn't much like Crispin when they were children, though she's willing to allow his attentions, particularly when Hugo just gives her orders and then gets drunk, and when he shows her the joys of passion, then kicks her out of his bed and tells her to stay away.

The Congregation could make a good, scary backdrop for the story, but Feather treads too lightly, I found myself comparing this one to similar stories in Anne Stuart's House of Rohan series, where the cult was much more threatening, in part because we got a better look at their activities. Not necessarily Feather's fault; this was written more than a decade before Stuart's series, and I think the genre probably trod more lightly in general around the aberrant sexual activities of the villains.

At the end of the day this is another compelling read. Again it's lacking Feather's usual careful attention to the era and historical backdrop and I found I missed it, but it's still a decent story.

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

I finally finished this book last night. I wanted to read it so much but I didn't have any time to it really sucked. This book was amazing I really liked Chloe she reminded me of myself by the way she talked and everything she did for animals. It was really good to hear that in a book. I thought this book was going to end way differently than it did. I really liked the ending of the book. I thought she really was going to marry some idiot that would take all her money and use her in a disrespectful way. I was really mad when they captured her and I thought Hugo wasn't going to make it on time to save Chloe. I was so happy that he got there on time. So happy!:)

[Nashwa نشوى · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read it when I was only 20, and the heroine of the book is 17 years old, and that just sounds to be perfect I know, but why did I feel disturbed?! let me tell you..
A teenager in my age -then- no matter what she'd be craving romance, she wouldn't feel ok about an adult who is also an authority getting emotional benefits from and sleeping with a 17-years-old girl! No, not for reasonable people at any age.. The script was moving a bit slowly, getting boring from the middle to the end. I don't regret buying it, but I could have made a better choice.

[Vali · Rating 3 out of 5]

The book was well written and the passion between H and h was nicely transfered to the reader, but I couldn't rate this book higher because I think I have had enough of historical romances that simply transfer our own era and customs back to a previous century. I believe that it would be highly impossible for a 17 year old well brought up miss of the Regency era to be so casual about having "no strings" sex with her ward, no matter how much she thought she loved him...