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The Sutherland Sisters #1
Lady Eleanor's Seventh Suitor
Two sought-after sisters, a slew of suitors—and a vow to hold out for true love. How many proposals will it take to get to “I do”—especially when the stakes are high . . .
There have been six suitors so far, all vying for the attention—and generous dowry—of the beautiful, elusive Eleanor Sutherland. What does this woman really want? Who has what it takes to melt the heart of the so-called Lady Ice? These are the questions Camden West keeps asking himself. But rather than wait for answers, Cam takes matters into his own hands . . . for he has a secret weapon.
Cam knows that Ellie’s sister, Charlotte, harbors a scandalous secret—one that could bring ruin to the Sutherland name. If Ellie marries him, Cam promises to keep mum. But is she willing to sacrifice her own happiness for her sister’s reputation?
To Ellie’s surprise, it becomes clear that Cam doesn’t need her money, nor is he interested in her status. Soon, what begins as a sham engagement transforms into something deeper, and more passionate, than Ellie could have imagined. Is it possible that all Cam truly wanted was her? And is that reason enough to say yes—or is handsome Cam hiding something else? Even for a lady in love, only the truth will do . . .
There have been six suitors so far, all vying for the attention—and generous dowry—of the beautiful, elusive Eleanor Sutherland. What does this woman really want? Who has what it takes to melt the heart of the so-called Lady Ice? These are the questions Camden West keeps asking himself. But rather than wait for answers, Cam takes matters into his own hands . . . for he has a secret weapon.
Cam knows that Ellie’s sister, Charlotte, harbors a scandalous secret—one that could bring ruin to the Sutherland name. If Ellie marries him, Cam promises to keep mum. But is she willing to sacrifice her own happiness for her sister’s reputation?
To Ellie’s surprise, it becomes clear that Cam doesn’t need her money, nor is he interested in her status. Soon, what begins as a sham engagement transforms into something deeper, and more passionate, than Ellie could have imagined. Is it possible that all Cam truly wanted was her? And is that reason enough to say yes—or is handsome Cam hiding something else? Even for a lady in love, only the truth will do . . .
270 pages, Paperback
First published September 5, 2017
146 people are currently reading
1152 people want to read
About the author
Anna Bradley
51 books844 followersAnna Bradley writes Regency and Georgian historical romance with heat, heart, and happily-ever-afters. Her books have received starred reviews from Publisher’s Weekly, and Library Journal, and her debut novel won the Romantic Times’ award for Best First Historical.
Anna is originally from New England, but now makes her home in Oregon, where she lives with her family, an overgrown English garden and a menagerie of wayward pets. If she isn’t writing, she’s probably hiding in a corner reading, chasing the dog, or herding the cats. Find Anna on the web at www.annabradley.net
Find Anna on the web at www.annabradley.net
Anna is originally from New England, but now makes her home in Oregon, where she lives with her family, an overgrown English garden and a menagerie of wayward pets. If she isn’t writing, she’s probably hiding in a corner reading, chasing the dog, or herding the cats. Find Anna on the web at www.annabradley.net
Find Anna on the web at www.annabradley.net
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 160 reviews
September 17, 2017
Reviewed for herding cats & burning soup.
Amazon: http://amzn.to/2wDj4M0
Sometimes a hero just needs to be stabbed.
Quick of it? Cam is a wanker.
He's decided he's going to marry Lady Eleanor and he's not above blackmail. He's got his reasons. I mean, they're wankerish reasons but still he's got his reasons. Eleanor, though, wants to marry for love and some upstart businessman trying to force her hand? Oh hells to the no. She's going to fight back and make him sorry he ever set his eyes on her gorgeous yet thoroughly pissed off hand.
Okay. So. Yes. I was fully on board with a Cam stabbing. I mean. Pretty much starting on page one. And at 28%. 56%. At 70% I started to waffle on my Cam stabbing desires. Just a little. Lordy, yall. But somehow even with his stab-able state Cam won me over. He does have a good heart. He just makes stupid decisions in trying to right some wrongs. Stupid, yall. STUPID. And he hides that good heart real fucking well.
Eleanor, I loved. She knew herself. Knew what she wanted and was willing to fight for herself and her future. She's a good woman who's not been lucky in love. Has a rep of being ice cold but really has a warm heart and kind spirit. I enjoyed her and rooted for her the entire time. I was all 'stab that historical fucker! Stab him! I will bail you out!' #Really
The romance. Whewboy. Yeah, this was not an easy romance. #UnderstatementOfTheYear These two butt heads, they fight, they blackmail and scheme and have a good hate-on for each other. Buuuuuut as they carried on over the weeks and he "courted" her (her stipulation for tolerating his blackmail marriage proposal) you could see tiny bits of caring start up and little hints peek out and it worked. Somehow by the end it worked. There's some nice chemistry and a little heat and in the end it was a pretty sweet coming together and I DID want them to figure things out and get their happily ever after. Hell if I know how Bradley managed that but she did. Impressive, right? lol
All in all, Lady Eleanor's Seventh Suitor was a unique and interesting ride. I don't think many authors could have pulled off this romance and converted me from stabbing encourager to reader-in-a-swoon. Nicely done and all that. Now I'm ready for book 2!
January 22, 2018
I don't remember when I read such a wonderful ememies to love(ers) story!
Here both Ellie and Cam are truly each other's enemy. Cam is looking for revenge, while Ellie is trying to avoid her mother's fate.
Each one will do everything to thwart the other. Cam with blackmail, Ellie with sharp wit and pretending to be whatever she thinks Cam will hate most: a dimwit, an empty-head, a haught lady...
But, each of them don't know anything about what the other's wants and why. Why Cam is forcing Ellie to marry him? Why Elli doesn't want to marry at all?
And, slowly, as a strategy to thwart the other, both of them start discovering things and start questioning their own aims.
The stories that emerge are very bad, each in its own way. Ellie's is not a sad story about the "poor rich girl" and Cam's is not a a "poor boy"... It's much worse...
With each discovery, their misconceptions change their view of the other and thier feeling change too.
From bitter enemies to pure love...
This is such a wonderful love story very worth reading!
Here both Ellie and Cam are truly each other's enemy. Cam is looking for revenge, while Ellie is trying to avoid her mother's fate.
Each one will do everything to thwart the other. Cam with blackmail, Ellie with sharp wit and pretending to be whatever she thinks Cam will hate most: a dimwit, an empty-head, a haught lady...
But, each of them don't know anything about what the other's wants and why. Why Cam is forcing Ellie to marry him? Why Elli doesn't want to marry at all?
And, slowly, as a strategy to thwart the other, both of them start discovering things and start questioning their own aims.
The stories that emerge are very bad, each in its own way. Ellie's is not a sad story about the "poor rich girl" and Cam's is not a a "poor boy"... It's much worse...
With each discovery, their misconceptions change their view of the other and thier feeling change too.
From bitter enemies to pure love...
This is such a wonderful love story very worth reading!
February 5, 2018
I skimmed the sex and it took a LONG time to read, but I liked it overall! Excited about charlotte’s book. Full review soon!
April 27, 2019
This is my second Anna Bradley book, and there is no question about it- she really can write. But she also seems to have a thing about revenge as the main driver of her plots, and that does not always sit easily with me.
The beautiful Lady Eleanor Sutherland is seen as frigid and cold by society because she has rejected a number of suitors, although her reason has simply been that she wished to marry for love, and had not loved any of these men. Camden, our hero, is carrying a massive chip on his shoulder and hates everything to do with the Sutherland name because of something that happened with his mother when he was a small boy. Yep, he is hanging on to his bitter hatred! Been planning revenge for years and years. That is SO gonna make him a Good Man/Hero- not.
The result of this storyline is that I found myself disliking the hero intensely for more than half the book, so much so that I struggled to keep going. I only did because I wanted him to get his comeuppance. But I was very glad I did keep going. Why? Well, we get to see inside his head a lot, and watch his thought process as he grapples with a guilty conscience (there is still a decent person trapped inside the calculating nastiness) versus desire for revenge. I always have a problem with the hero wreaking his revenge upon innocents. I think it is a weak plot-line, borders on improbable, and I lose my respect for the hero. So kudos to Ms Bradley for managing to turn him into someone else and getting my sympathy for him, when initially I was all for stabbing him with a pointy implement.
Eleanor was a very sympathetic character for me. She was intensely devoted to her sister, over-protective, in fact, but then her sister was a ninny (God knows what she will get up to in the next book in the series, which is her story). Eleanor resisted the hero's pressure with intelligence and grace. There was a great deal of angst and emotion, sexual tension and passion.
I am in two minds about the two books I have not read, A Season of Ruin and Lady Charlotte's First Love, the second in each series, because the MCs were not at all appealing in the first books. But if anyone can turn shallow, vengeful people into worthwhile heroes/heroines, Ms Bradley can :)
If you like a bit of angst and drama, hidden motives, family secrets and sensual scenes (who would have thought kissing the inside of a wrist could make one's heart beat faster??) with a brave heroine and an ultimately noble and caring hero, this is a book for you.
The beautiful Lady Eleanor Sutherland is seen as frigid and cold by society because she has rejected a number of suitors, although her reason has simply been that she wished to marry for love, and had not loved any of these men. Camden, our hero, is carrying a massive chip on his shoulder and hates everything to do with the Sutherland name because of something that happened with his mother when he was a small boy. Yep, he is hanging on to his bitter hatred! Been planning revenge for years and years. That is SO gonna make him a Good Man/Hero- not.
The result of this storyline is that I found myself disliking the hero intensely for more than half the book, so much so that I struggled to keep going. I only did because I wanted him to get his comeuppance. But I was very glad I did keep going. Why? Well, we get to see inside his head a lot, and watch his thought process as he grapples with a guilty conscience (there is still a decent person trapped inside the calculating nastiness) versus desire for revenge. I always have a problem with the hero wreaking his revenge upon innocents. I think it is a weak plot-line, borders on improbable, and I lose my respect for the hero. So kudos to Ms Bradley for managing to turn him into someone else and getting my sympathy for him, when initially I was all for stabbing him with a pointy implement.
Eleanor was a very sympathetic character for me. She was intensely devoted to her sister, over-protective, in fact, but then her sister was a ninny (God knows what she will get up to in the next book in the series, which is her story). Eleanor resisted the hero's pressure with intelligence and grace. There was a great deal of angst and emotion, sexual tension and passion.
I am in two minds about the two books I have not read, A Season of Ruin and Lady Charlotte's First Love, the second in each series, because the MCs were not at all appealing in the first books. But if anyone can turn shallow, vengeful people into worthwhile heroes/heroines, Ms Bradley can :)
If you like a bit of angst and drama, hidden motives, family secrets and sensual scenes (who would have thought kissing the inside of a wrist could make one's heart beat faster??) with a brave heroine and an ultimately noble and caring hero, this is a book for you.
September 14, 2017
The only good thing was little Amelia. I didn't believe the love between otp. Lust yes, but falling in love with you blackmailer is just too weird for me. Plus the bed scene was PAGES long but it really wasn't that great in the end.
I would give the second book a chance but I'm not a great fan of second chance romance especially when there were lies and missunderstandings between the couple.
I would give the second book a chance but I'm not a great fan of second chance romance especially when there were lies and missunderstandings between the couple.
September 11, 2017
4.5/5 (elevated after rereading my highlighted quotes, too many to include below). Another terrific book by this author! This one is a bit darker and more angsty than the other two, which featured the Sutherland brothers, the eldest the Earl of Carlisle. Still humour aplenty to not sink the reader into depression. This is about the older of the two sisters, Eleanor, aka Lady Frost, named so after turning down 6 marital proposals. Camden West recruits his rakish cousin to compromise Ellie's younger sister and use this to blackmail Ellie into marriage. Outraged at his audacity, she was nevertheless able to convince him of a 2 weeks public courtship first before announcing their betrothal, during which she plans to discourage him from going through with his intended action. Ellie and Camden are stellar together. She is clever, headstrong and determined to beat him at his own game "leaving him to hang by his own rope" so to speak. No one threatens her sister or her own happiness, because despite her icy in control exterior, she hides a romantic and soft heart behind her hard facade and is determined to marry for love or not at all. Camden is not what he seems either. Unlike many of her suitors, he is not after her hand to gain her dowry or to win a wager. In fact, she is not at all sure why he is determined to marry her, coerced or not. They match wits as she tries to deter him from his plans while unlocking his secrets. Throw in a sweet little girl (Camden's sister), an amorous couple in her sister and his cousin, dirty family laundry on both sides and we've got ourselves a highly entertaining book.
Ellie had her own page in the betting book at White’s. A smile from her would earn her swain a sovereign, a walk on the terrace was worth five guineas, and as for the higher denominations . . . well, perhaps the less said about that the better, though she did wonder what value they’d placed on her virtue. As for her love . . . It must be worthless indeed, for not one of the gentlemen seemed at all interested in securing it.
Eleanor bit her lip. He appeared remarkably . . . sturdy. His shoulders were half the length of the mantle, for pity’s sake, and he wasn’t thin or gangly like so many men of such imposing height. Perhaps he padded his coats? Yes, that must be it. The chest and the arms, anyway. Eleanor’s gaze dropped to his tight, buff-colored breeches. He must pad those, as well. Her face heated. My. That is a great deal of padding.
“One point of agreement?” She peeked out from under her hat brim to gauge his reaction. “Not enough to build a marriage upon, is it?” He shrugged. “It shouldn’t be, but more than one marriage has been built on far less.” Oh, this was splendid. Not only did the infuriating man appear to agree with her, but now he’d made her agree with him. That was far too much agreement for two people who’d never marry.
Ellie had her own page in the betting book at White’s. A smile from her would earn her swain a sovereign, a walk on the terrace was worth five guineas, and as for the higher denominations . . . well, perhaps the less said about that the better, though she did wonder what value they’d placed on her virtue. As for her love . . . It must be worthless indeed, for not one of the gentlemen seemed at all interested in securing it.
Eleanor bit her lip. He appeared remarkably . . . sturdy. His shoulders were half the length of the mantle, for pity’s sake, and he wasn’t thin or gangly like so many men of such imposing height. Perhaps he padded his coats? Yes, that must be it. The chest and the arms, anyway. Eleanor’s gaze dropped to his tight, buff-colored breeches. He must pad those, as well. Her face heated. My. That is a great deal of padding.
“One point of agreement?” She peeked out from under her hat brim to gauge his reaction. “Not enough to build a marriage upon, is it?” He shrugged. “It shouldn’t be, but more than one marriage has been built on far less.” Oh, this was splendid. Not only did the infuriating man appear to agree with her, but now he’d made her agree with him. That was far too much agreement for two people who’d never marry.
July 31, 2017
I got this ARC from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
Oh, I think this is my favorite summer novel so far. I absolutely loved it. There are so many small things (and big ones of course) that are magnificent.
In the beginning we meet Eleanor, a young woman the ton likes a lot but she already has a nickname “Lady Frost” because she refused 6 suitors so far and in the beginning the refuses the sixths. The very second this happens her sister Charlotte is on the terrace with her own suitor. Because of the young Lord Eleanor couldn’t chaperone her sister and comes too late – she finds her intimately engaged with the young Julian West.
Camden is only a step behind Eleanor, Julian’s older cousin – what Eleanor doesn’t know that this is all part of a huge ruse, no an act of blackmailing. And Cam’s idea is rather easy: If Eleanor doesn’t want her sister to be publicly ruined, she has to marry him within a couple of weeks.
But Lady Eleanor is a witty young lady who isn’t simply pressed into a marriage she doesn’t want. She refused already a lot of suitors because she wants to marry for love and nothing else.
.
Further on we learn about the reasons why both – Cam and Ellie – act the way they do. That’s what I love about this novel. Ellie doesn’t want to end like her mother – invisible to her father. She died every year a little more in his presence.
On the other hand is Cam, he is into trade and not an aristocrat. He has a younger sister, aged 11, and he cares for her a lot. He is all she has because his parents are dead for many years now and she was raised by his aunt. What the reader doesn’t know is that there is a connection between Camdon’s sister Amelia and Eleanor’s family I realized that at around 20 percent.
But there is a lot of passion, seduction and lots of things you can read between the lines. Eleanor is strong-willed and beautiful, she has strong and influential brothers, a sister who loves her dearly and who is her best friend. Eleanor is about to do everything to save her sister’s virtue and tries to uncover all of Cam’s secrets but she likes Amelia a lot without knowing about her past – and she doesn’t care about it.
When I read the novel – within a day of course – I fell in love with the leads. Bradley has a hand to describe their inner turmoil. You really feel with them.
While reading I had my iPod on and there was this song “Kiss of Fire” sang by Hugh Laurie and Gaby Moreno and it so reminded me of those two – Cam and Ellie – and the passion between those two (specially the kitchen scene). This song fits them so perfectly.
My only wish: Anna Bradley please write a passionate epilogue the next time! I would have needed one. A really, really passionate one. Oh yes!
Oh, I think this is my favorite summer novel so far. I absolutely loved it. There are so many small things (and big ones of course) that are magnificent.
In the beginning we meet Eleanor, a young woman the ton likes a lot but she already has a nickname “Lady Frost” because she refused 6 suitors so far and in the beginning the refuses the sixths. The very second this happens her sister Charlotte is on the terrace with her own suitor. Because of the young Lord Eleanor couldn’t chaperone her sister and comes too late – she finds her intimately engaged with the young Julian West.
Camden is only a step behind Eleanor, Julian’s older cousin – what Eleanor doesn’t know that this is all part of a huge ruse, no an act of blackmailing. And Cam’s idea is rather easy: If Eleanor doesn’t want her sister to be publicly ruined, she has to marry him within a couple of weeks.
But Lady Eleanor is a witty young lady who isn’t simply pressed into a marriage she doesn’t want. She refused already a lot of suitors because she wants to marry for love and nothing else.
.
Further on we learn about the reasons why both – Cam and Ellie – act the way they do. That’s what I love about this novel. Ellie doesn’t want to end like her mother – invisible to her father. She died every year a little more in his presence.
On the other hand is Cam, he is into trade and not an aristocrat. He has a younger sister, aged 11, and he cares for her a lot. He is all she has because his parents are dead for many years now and she was raised by his aunt. What the reader doesn’t know is that there is a connection between Camdon’s sister Amelia and Eleanor’s family I realized that at around 20 percent.
But there is a lot of passion, seduction and lots of things you can read between the lines. Eleanor is strong-willed and beautiful, she has strong and influential brothers, a sister who loves her dearly and who is her best friend. Eleanor is about to do everything to save her sister’s virtue and tries to uncover all of Cam’s secrets but she likes Amelia a lot without knowing about her past – and she doesn’t care about it.
When I read the novel – within a day of course – I fell in love with the leads. Bradley has a hand to describe their inner turmoil. You really feel with them.
While reading I had my iPod on and there was this song “Kiss of Fire” sang by Hugh Laurie and Gaby Moreno and it so reminded me of those two – Cam and Ellie – and the passion between those two (specially the kitchen scene). This song fits them so perfectly.
My only wish: Anna Bradley please write a passionate epilogue the next time! I would have needed one. A really, really passionate one. Oh yes!
September 9, 2017
Lady Eleanor’s Seventh Suitor harkens back to a time in romance where heroes had a dark side and were willing to be cruel or manipulative in order to get what they wanted. Camden West has plans to marry Lady Eleanor Sutherland and has plotted meticulously to reach that endgame. That his bride-to-be has no idea that she’s bound for the altar is completely inconsequential.
After three seasons and five declined proposals Lady Eleanor has earned the nickname Lady Frost among the ton. She even has her own page in White’s betting book giving the odds on her marriage prospects. Eleanor has heard all of the whispers but it’s not enough for her to change her mind about any of the men she’s dismissed. Instead of settling for a typical ton marriage, Eleanor embraces her nickname while searching for the right man, one who loves her for herself rather than any property or status she would bring him. She’s unimpressed with her latest suitor Lord Tidmarsh, a man probably drawn to her more for the thrill of the chase than by the lure of actually catching her, and when he approaches her at a ball, she refuses to dance with him. Eleanor calmly explains that she’s not interested in a relationship and she refocuses her attention on the dance floor to locate her younger sister Charlotte.
Lady Charlotte Sutherland has gained a reputation as a flirt but she sees her actions as harmless fun. Eleanor has trouble relating to her sister’s spirited nature but she loves her sibling enough to play chaperone while Charlotte enjoys her freedom. Dealing with Tidmarsh takes Eleanor’s eyes off of Charlotte just long enough for her sister to leave the ballroom and Eleanor knows she has to get Charlotte back inside before others note her absence. A walk in the gardens reveals Eleanor’s worst nightmare – Charlotte practically undressed and in the arms of known rake Mr. Julian West. Things only get worse when Julian’s cousin Mr. Camden West arrives to witness Charlotte’s ruin. Eleanor pulls her sister away from the scene and both gentlemen seem contrite and willing to help the sisters avoid exposure. They leave the scene with Eleanor hopeful that both Mr. Wests will be honorable and keep quiet about the incident.
Please read the full review at All About Romance
After three seasons and five declined proposals Lady Eleanor has earned the nickname Lady Frost among the ton. She even has her own page in White’s betting book giving the odds on her marriage prospects. Eleanor has heard all of the whispers but it’s not enough for her to change her mind about any of the men she’s dismissed. Instead of settling for a typical ton marriage, Eleanor embraces her nickname while searching for the right man, one who loves her for herself rather than any property or status she would bring him. She’s unimpressed with her latest suitor Lord Tidmarsh, a man probably drawn to her more for the thrill of the chase than by the lure of actually catching her, and when he approaches her at a ball, she refuses to dance with him. Eleanor calmly explains that she’s not interested in a relationship and she refocuses her attention on the dance floor to locate her younger sister Charlotte.
Lady Charlotte Sutherland has gained a reputation as a flirt but she sees her actions as harmless fun. Eleanor has trouble relating to her sister’s spirited nature but she loves her sibling enough to play chaperone while Charlotte enjoys her freedom. Dealing with Tidmarsh takes Eleanor’s eyes off of Charlotte just long enough for her sister to leave the ballroom and Eleanor knows she has to get Charlotte back inside before others note her absence. A walk in the gardens reveals Eleanor’s worst nightmare – Charlotte practically undressed and in the arms of known rake Mr. Julian West. Things only get worse when Julian’s cousin Mr. Camden West arrives to witness Charlotte’s ruin. Eleanor pulls her sister away from the scene and both gentlemen seem contrite and willing to help the sisters avoid exposure. They leave the scene with Eleanor hopeful that both Mr. Wests will be honorable and keep quiet about the incident.
Please read the full review at All About Romance
November 23, 2019
Buddy read with Lacey, who is stronger than me and decided to power through! :D
DNF @around 70%. I just don't have the energy to pretend to care for these two anymore. They don't talk, he goes hot and cold between "I HATE HER AND MUST HAVE MY REVENGE!" and "OMG, so hot, SHE'S MINE!!!!" and thinks blackmailing is the way to a woman's heart (of course at some point he suddenly realizes he loves her, so all is good), and she thinks it's ok to blackmail him right back since he's doing it to her. I wish them joy and happiness.
THIS IS NOT ME SAYING THIS BOOK IS BAD. The woman can write, and I love her newer books, I just don't like this particular trope, that's all.
And to think I only have myself to blame. I love Anna Bradley's newer titles, but the glowing reviews of my two GR friends Mei and Ursula should've been enough of a warning for me. We basically have very opposite tastes, and I loathe everything they love about this book.
I disliked the reasons for his stupid vengeance (I always do, it has nothing to do with this book in particular), but his behavior in chapter 13 really was the last straw. I skimmed on for a while, but just no. I'm just not the right target audience for this special kind of "romance", because I just don't find it very romantic. Oh well. To each their own.
DNF @around 70%. I just don't have the energy to pretend to care for these two anymore. They don't talk, he goes hot and cold between "I HATE HER AND MUST HAVE MY REVENGE!" and "OMG, so hot, SHE'S MINE!!!!" and thinks blackmailing is the way to a woman's heart (of course at some point he suddenly realizes he loves her, so all is good), and she thinks it's ok to blackmail him right back since he's doing it to her. I wish them joy and happiness.
THIS IS NOT ME SAYING THIS BOOK IS BAD. The woman can write, and I love her newer books, I just don't like this particular trope, that's all.
And to think I only have myself to blame. I love Anna Bradley's newer titles, but the glowing reviews of my two GR friends Mei and Ursula should've been enough of a warning for me. We basically have very opposite tastes, and I loathe everything they love about this book.
I disliked the reasons for his stupid vengeance (I always do, it has nothing to do with this book in particular), but his behavior in chapter 13 really was the last straw. I skimmed on for a while, but just no. I'm just not the right target audience for this special kind of "romance", because I just don't find it very romantic. Oh well. To each their own.
April 11, 2019
Lady Eleanor is known as frosty, cold and unfeeling after refusing the proposals of 5 known gentleman. She’s in her third season and will only marry for love.
Camden chooses Eleanor to marry, whether she plans to accept or not. Unfortunately for her, he has no qualms about using something she will do anything to save: her family.
Camden...is horrible. Like I was so ready to chuck this book and rate this guy as unforgivable and cold. But...but...oh Miss Bradley did him justice, in my opinion. Camden has been through hell, and he lashes out, but he hurts too. And my heart broke for him over and over until I loved him so much.
This book, I started this morning. I read two chapters and was so wrapped up in their world already I thought about it all day. I couldn’t wait to pick it back up tonight. I enjoyed the writing immensely, slightly funny, mostly angsty, lovely and quick dialogue. The side characters were amazing, my favorite being Camden’s 11 year old sister Amelia. Every scene with her was pure delight.
It was slow moving in the steam department, but I am totally sold on what I got. The beginning Eleanor and Cam circle around each other, verbally sparring, plotting, until they start unraveling each other, the secrets, the small parts of who you are. You don’t get a kiss until 62%, another soon after and one full scene that was glorious. This book totally gripped my heart in a way that few do and that’s why I loved it. These characters wiggled into my heart and kept pushing until they were quite at home there.
My only complaint is the ending felt extremely abrupt. There is at least a second in the series so perhaps you see more there, but an epilogue would have been wonderful.
🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
Camden chooses Eleanor to marry, whether she plans to accept or not. Unfortunately for her, he has no qualms about using something she will do anything to save: her family.
Camden...is horrible. Like I was so ready to chuck this book and rate this guy as unforgivable and cold. But...but...oh Miss Bradley did him justice, in my opinion. Camden has been through hell, and he lashes out, but he hurts too. And my heart broke for him over and over until I loved him so much.
This book, I started this morning. I read two chapters and was so wrapped up in their world already I thought about it all day. I couldn’t wait to pick it back up tonight. I enjoyed the writing immensely, slightly funny, mostly angsty, lovely and quick dialogue. The side characters were amazing, my favorite being Camden’s 11 year old sister Amelia. Every scene with her was pure delight.
It was slow moving in the steam department, but I am totally sold on what I got. The beginning Eleanor and Cam circle around each other, verbally sparring, plotting, until they start unraveling each other, the secrets, the small parts of who you are. You don’t get a kiss until 62%, another soon after and one full scene that was glorious. This book totally gripped my heart in a way that few do and that’s why I loved it. These characters wiggled into my heart and kept pushing until they were quite at home there.
My only complaint is the ending felt extremely abrupt. There is at least a second in the series so perhaps you see more there, but an epilogue would have been wonderful.
🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
September 2, 2020
This book came highly recommended by a member of the historical romance group I belong to. Like her, I've been in a reading slump and like her, this pulled me out of it and reminded me of why I love historical romance so much. Thank you, Holly P!
This book had it all. It had a great story line, great characters, meaningful situations, a lot of tension, and the one love scene was so sensuous and not at all crass. I'll get to that in a moment.
Eleanor Sutherland is the daughter of an earl and has had a few seasons, six suitors, and none of them have passed muster. She got the reputation being cold, even being called Lady Frost. There were bets being placed on her as to who would finally claim her hand. But all she really wanted was to be in love with the man she married. She's intelligent, beautiful, and many men had tried to court her only to be set aside. She didn't love them and knew she never would. She was holding out.
Her sister, Charlotte, was caught in a compromising position with Cam's cousin, Julian, in a garden at a ball. She was caught by Eleanor and Cam and that's what started this whole thing. Cam was going to ruin Charlotte if Eleanor didn't marry him. That's not even the biggest thing. It was dirt on the family, to be sure, but there's a bigger motivator for Cam to demand Eleanor's hand.
It made sense what he wanted to do and who was going to benefit from the exposure, but it was a cruel, calculating way that he went about it. It was outright blackmail and he was into it up to his neck. It bears mentioning that Cam was a commoner and she was the daughter of an Earl, in case you're looking for a trope of that nature.
Cam could be a total jerk. He said some really mean things to Eleanor that made me flinch and cut her to her soul. Ugh! I felt bad for her, but she was resilient. There was no way she was going to marry him under those pretenses, but there is much more to the story here. She was trying everything she could think of to turn him off, but he had so much at stake but so did she. She didn't want to give in and would do anything to protect her sister, including getting stomped on and bending to the will of Camden West. She was so determined. The problem was, so was he. They both had so much to lose.
Ultimately, this is a story about love, loyalty, and forgiveness. As this book wound down, so did my heart. I was sad for Eleanor. I was sad for Cam. I was sad for Julian. I was sad for Charlotte. I got choked up a couple of times as the story closed. The emotions from these characters seared the pages, was so tangible--Oh man, it was agonizing. I didn't want it to end like that.
Now for the love scene. There was just one in the whole book, but it was enough. The tension leading up to it, the heated kisses, the sweet kisses to the forehead, the touches, the conversations, all lead up to one incredible love scene. It was long, descriptive in a decent way, he was in it for her. She was in it for him, innocent as she was. It was hot. But it wasn't just sex for either of them. No matter what the status of their relationship was, it was true love. It screamed off the pages. I felt it. I lived it with them. It was that good.
This book is filled with so much emotion. I loved the characters, even Cam when he was being a jerk, and the story was superb, earning this a solid five stars. I'd give it more if I could.
This book had it all. It had a great story line, great characters, meaningful situations, a lot of tension, and the one love scene was so sensuous and not at all crass. I'll get to that in a moment.
Eleanor Sutherland is the daughter of an earl and has had a few seasons, six suitors, and none of them have passed muster. She got the reputation being cold, even being called Lady Frost. There were bets being placed on her as to who would finally claim her hand. But all she really wanted was to be in love with the man she married. She's intelligent, beautiful, and many men had tried to court her only to be set aside. She didn't love them and knew she never would. She was holding out.
Her sister, Charlotte, was caught in a compromising position with Cam's cousin, Julian, in a garden at a ball. She was caught by Eleanor and Cam and that's what started this whole thing. Cam was going to ruin Charlotte if Eleanor didn't marry him. That's not even the biggest thing. It was dirt on the family, to be sure, but there's a bigger motivator for Cam to demand Eleanor's hand.
It made sense what he wanted to do and who was going to benefit from the exposure, but it was a cruel, calculating way that he went about it. It was outright blackmail and he was into it up to his neck. It bears mentioning that Cam was a commoner and she was the daughter of an Earl, in case you're looking for a trope of that nature.
Cam could be a total jerk. He said some really mean things to Eleanor that made me flinch and cut her to her soul. Ugh! I felt bad for her, but she was resilient. There was no way she was going to marry him under those pretenses, but there is much more to the story here. She was trying everything she could think of to turn him off, but he had so much at stake but so did she. She didn't want to give in and would do anything to protect her sister, including getting stomped on and bending to the will of Camden West. She was so determined. The problem was, so was he. They both had so much to lose.
Ultimately, this is a story about love, loyalty, and forgiveness. As this book wound down, so did my heart. I was sad for Eleanor. I was sad for Cam. I was sad for Julian. I was sad for Charlotte. I got choked up a couple of times as the story closed. The emotions from these characters seared the pages, was so tangible--Oh man, it was agonizing. I didn't want it to end like that.
Now for the love scene. There was just one in the whole book, but it was enough. The tension leading up to it, the heated kisses, the sweet kisses to the forehead, the touches, the conversations, all lead up to one incredible love scene. It was long, descriptive in a decent way, he was in it for her. She was in it for him, innocent as she was. It was hot. But it wasn't just sex for either of them. No matter what the status of their relationship was, it was true love. It screamed off the pages. I felt it. I lived it with them. It was that good.
This book is filled with so much emotion. I loved the characters, even Cam when he was being a jerk, and the story was superb, earning this a solid five stars. I'd give it more if I could.
November 18, 2022
Every damn character in this book is exasperating! I like the drama and angst in most HR but this? This was just too damn much. Knew the conflict very early on, couldn't see why this nonsense had to drag on so long.
August 31, 2020
Overall: 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
Plot/Storyline: 📖📖📖📖📖
Feels: 🦋🦋🦋🦋🦋
Romance: 💞💞💞💞💞
Emotional Depth: 💔💔💔💔💔
Sexual Tension: ⚡️ ⚡️⚡️⚡️⚡️
Sensuality: 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥
Sex Scene Length: 🍑🍑🍑🍑🍑
Number of Sex Scenes: 🍆🍆
My god, I just loved this book! It touched me deeply. It made me cry. It made me want. It made me catch my breath. It made my heart beat fast and slow and ache and swell. And ah, it was just divine. I want to sigh thinking about it. I want to throw my head back and drown in memories of this book.
I couldn’t put it down. I read it deep into the night and I can’t tell you how long it’s been that a romance made me feel this way. I woke up this morning thinking about it. Still feeling it. And I want more. More, more, more, and the fact that I don’t have it just feels tragic.
It was my favorite kind of romance. Angsty, sensual, heartbreakingly tender, and overflowing with tension and feels. My heart exploded. Can you tell I loved it yet? Because I could go on…
I was tugged under its spell in the very first chapter where we learn about Eleanor and all her previous suitors. She’s rejected so many of them that she’s developed a reputation as being cold and heartless. But she is anything but. Inside she is wounded, scared, lonely. She seemingly has everything, but in the deepest recesses of her heart she feels she is missing something crucial. Something so imperative that she’s unsure she would ever find happiness without it. And it’s that elusive something that keeps her closed to outsiders. It’s the why of her reasons for rejecting her suitors.
It’s a why that we learn about as the story progresses. And it’s this why that Cam doesn’t understand. That he doesn’t even think matters. And it’s that lack of foresight that sets him on a wrongful path of vengeance that would lead nowhere good.
Cam, for all intents and purposes, seems the complete opposite of Eleanor to everyone around him. He’s a man who cares deeply about his family. Who is capable of loving at a capacity that might swallow the universe. Except where Eleanor is concerned. Or at least that’s how she sees it. And rightfully so, because Cam has orchestrated a heartless scheme to wrangle her into marriage that is so cruel and ugly it’s next to impossible to see past that.
For Cam too, there is the question of why. Why would he do this? To Eleanor, in particular? It’s this why that circles their relationship. That drags Cam down. That makes him hurt inside. That burdens him with so much weight he can hardly breath at times.
What he’s doing to her is not game to Cam. It’s serious and severe. But as they get to know each other, it almost becomes a game. One of them will win and the other will lose. They face off. There is verbal sparring… and sexual sparring which is swoon worthy. And as time goes by their endgames shift. What they wanted changes because they begin to see each other for who they really are. People with shadows and light. People who are lost, unseen, forgotten. People who they never expected. And these realizations tear at them, destroy their entire belief systems.
And Cam, he makes so, so many mistakes. God, he really fucks it up. Even he can see himself going wrong but he just can’t stop himself. Despite his own disgust with himself. Despite how he sees that he’s going to hurt her. Despite that his reasons altered. Because what he wants remains the same. Eleanor. He wants her so badly.
I loved both these main characters so much. I felt for Eleanor. I sensed her sadness inside, and her goodness too. I adored her willingness to do anything for her sister. And more…her willingness to do anything for herself. To obtain that elusive thing, or to accept a world without it, so long as she didn’t have to lose herself. She was strong and hard and cold, but also melty inside.
I fell in love with Cam. He is ruthless in a way. Cruel even. Not even remotely worthy of Eleanor. But I drowned in his hidden tenderness. His unseen gentle side. How he shows it to Eleanor when she needs it most. And best of all, how he actually sees her. He sees what no one else did. He finds her. Saves her even as he is destroying her. Ah, it just tore me apart.
The way Anna Bradley slings the emotions around here is masterful. Eleanor and Cam are two people who feel they have no choice but to manipulate each other -Cam to force Eleanore to marry him and Eleanor to free herself from his grasp- all the while fully disgusted with themselves for their actions and what they’re willing to do, all while falling madly in love.
When Cam realized he was in love with Eleanor I died a little inside. It was so lovely and bittersweet. He realized it when he was hurting. When she was hurting him and he was still clinging to his threats. It came with the understanding of how much damage he had done. That he’d destroyed Eleanor’s ability to trust him. It’s ultimately his deceit that is his own undoing, because as soon as he begins to win her over it suddenly unravels before his very eyes. I could feel his pain. His regret.
Everything I’ve said already is why the tension in this book was such perfection. It lit me on fire in a way that even scorching hot love scenes don’t do. It reminded me of what I mean when I say I want steamy. I want THIS. Always this! Where the wanting is palpable. Where a look between them could fog windows. Where a gentle caress while fully clothed in a room full of people has the same weight as a private, naked thrashing of bodies. Where a quiet breath signifies as much ecstasy as a moaning climax. It was to die for.
The first kiss! Holy God… Absolute fire! It was so passionate and emotional. Simultaneously a battle of wills and a joint effort as they worked at both wrecking and pleasuring each other. It was more than worth the 200 page build up. In fact, it was that build up that made it so spectacular. Because there were scenes that burned up the page with wanting.
The one and only sex scene was... oh, I just want to sigh thinking about it. By the time they’re together the love is real. It’s tangible. It’s more than desire. It’s the joining of two souls. They come together with an understanding of who the other is and what they need, and yet still so much at stake. It was scorching hot, well developed and everything I needed. In a book with really only one kiss and one sex scene, I didn’t miss more at all.
By the end they’ve broken each other’s hearts so badly that they have no idea where to start putting them back together again. They’re so lost they can’t even seem to start with themselves. Or to let the other go. This book killed me right to the end.
I know I have said a lot about this book. But I tried to stick to themes as opposed to what actually happens so I don’t give away the plot. I just adored it to the point that I couldn’t help but spill every word of how I felt about it onto the page.
The one criticism I have is that it ended rather abruptly. There were some scenes that were skipped over that I think would have been wonderful to witness instead of just being told about them in the aftermath. I also feel there were some tiny bits that were left unresolved. Mostly having to do with the storyline that leads into book two. Maybe that is covered there. We did get some secondary perspective in this book and while I usually hate that, I loved it here. Even those were utterly romantic and heart-rending. An epilogue would have made this book perfection. But those are small gripes under the magnitude of how this book made me feel.
I want more like this. I want them all the be like this.
Plot/Storyline: 📖📖📖📖📖
Feels: 🦋🦋🦋🦋🦋
Romance: 💞💞💞💞💞
Emotional Depth: 💔💔💔💔💔
Sexual Tension: ⚡️ ⚡️⚡️⚡️⚡️
Sensuality: 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥
Sex Scene Length: 🍑🍑🍑🍑🍑
Number of Sex Scenes: 🍆🍆
My god, I just loved this book! It touched me deeply. It made me cry. It made me want. It made me catch my breath. It made my heart beat fast and slow and ache and swell. And ah, it was just divine. I want to sigh thinking about it. I want to throw my head back and drown in memories of this book.
I couldn’t put it down. I read it deep into the night and I can’t tell you how long it’s been that a romance made me feel this way. I woke up this morning thinking about it. Still feeling it. And I want more. More, more, more, and the fact that I don’t have it just feels tragic.
It was my favorite kind of romance. Angsty, sensual, heartbreakingly tender, and overflowing with tension and feels. My heart exploded. Can you tell I loved it yet? Because I could go on…
I was tugged under its spell in the very first chapter where we learn about Eleanor and all her previous suitors. She’s rejected so many of them that she’s developed a reputation as being cold and heartless. But she is anything but. Inside she is wounded, scared, lonely. She seemingly has everything, but in the deepest recesses of her heart she feels she is missing something crucial. Something so imperative that she’s unsure she would ever find happiness without it. And it’s that elusive something that keeps her closed to outsiders. It’s the why of her reasons for rejecting her suitors.
It’s a why that we learn about as the story progresses. And it’s this why that Cam doesn’t understand. That he doesn’t even think matters. And it’s that lack of foresight that sets him on a wrongful path of vengeance that would lead nowhere good.
Cam, for all intents and purposes, seems the complete opposite of Eleanor to everyone around him. He’s a man who cares deeply about his family. Who is capable of loving at a capacity that might swallow the universe. Except where Eleanor is concerned. Or at least that’s how she sees it. And rightfully so, because Cam has orchestrated a heartless scheme to wrangle her into marriage that is so cruel and ugly it’s next to impossible to see past that.
For Cam too, there is the question of why. Why would he do this? To Eleanor, in particular? It’s this why that circles their relationship. That drags Cam down. That makes him hurt inside. That burdens him with so much weight he can hardly breath at times.
What he’s doing to her is not game to Cam. It’s serious and severe. But as they get to know each other, it almost becomes a game. One of them will win and the other will lose. They face off. There is verbal sparring… and sexual sparring which is swoon worthy. And as time goes by their endgames shift. What they wanted changes because they begin to see each other for who they really are. People with shadows and light. People who are lost, unseen, forgotten. People who they never expected. And these realizations tear at them, destroy their entire belief systems.
And Cam, he makes so, so many mistakes. God, he really fucks it up. Even he can see himself going wrong but he just can’t stop himself. Despite his own disgust with himself. Despite how he sees that he’s going to hurt her. Despite that his reasons altered. Because what he wants remains the same. Eleanor. He wants her so badly.
I loved both these main characters so much. I felt for Eleanor. I sensed her sadness inside, and her goodness too. I adored her willingness to do anything for her sister. And more…her willingness to do anything for herself. To obtain that elusive thing, or to accept a world without it, so long as she didn’t have to lose herself. She was strong and hard and cold, but also melty inside.
I fell in love with Cam. He is ruthless in a way. Cruel even. Not even remotely worthy of Eleanor. But I drowned in his hidden tenderness. His unseen gentle side. How he shows it to Eleanor when she needs it most. And best of all, how he actually sees her. He sees what no one else did. He finds her. Saves her even as he is destroying her. Ah, it just tore me apart.
The way Anna Bradley slings the emotions around here is masterful. Eleanor and Cam are two people who feel they have no choice but to manipulate each other -Cam to force Eleanore to marry him and Eleanor to free herself from his grasp- all the while fully disgusted with themselves for their actions and what they’re willing to do, all while falling madly in love.
When Cam realized he was in love with Eleanor I died a little inside. It was so lovely and bittersweet. He realized it when he was hurting. When she was hurting him and he was still clinging to his threats. It came with the understanding of how much damage he had done. That he’d destroyed Eleanor’s ability to trust him. It’s ultimately his deceit that is his own undoing, because as soon as he begins to win her over it suddenly unravels before his very eyes. I could feel his pain. His regret.
Everything I’ve said already is why the tension in this book was such perfection. It lit me on fire in a way that even scorching hot love scenes don’t do. It reminded me of what I mean when I say I want steamy. I want THIS. Always this! Where the wanting is palpable. Where a look between them could fog windows. Where a gentle caress while fully clothed in a room full of people has the same weight as a private, naked thrashing of bodies. Where a quiet breath signifies as much ecstasy as a moaning climax. It was to die for.
The first kiss! Holy God… Absolute fire! It was so passionate and emotional. Simultaneously a battle of wills and a joint effort as they worked at both wrecking and pleasuring each other. It was more than worth the 200 page build up. In fact, it was that build up that made it so spectacular. Because there were scenes that burned up the page with wanting.
The one and only sex scene was... oh, I just want to sigh thinking about it. By the time they’re together the love is real. It’s tangible. It’s more than desire. It’s the joining of two souls. They come together with an understanding of who the other is and what they need, and yet still so much at stake. It was scorching hot, well developed and everything I needed. In a book with really only one kiss and one sex scene, I didn’t miss more at all.
By the end they’ve broken each other’s hearts so badly that they have no idea where to start putting them back together again. They’re so lost they can’t even seem to start with themselves. Or to let the other go. This book killed me right to the end.
I know I have said a lot about this book. But I tried to stick to themes as opposed to what actually happens so I don’t give away the plot. I just adored it to the point that I couldn’t help but spill every word of how I felt about it onto the page.
The one criticism I have is that it ended rather abruptly. There were some scenes that were skipped over that I think would have been wonderful to witness instead of just being told about them in the aftermath. I also feel there were some tiny bits that were left unresolved. Mostly having to do with the storyline that leads into book two. Maybe that is covered there. We did get some secondary perspective in this book and while I usually hate that, I loved it here. Even those were utterly romantic and heart-rending. An epilogue would have made this book perfection. But those are small gripes under the magnitude of how this book made me feel.
I want more like this. I want them all the be like this.
September 5, 2017
A wonderful cat and mouse game!
If ever a woman was caught in the cross hairs of a deadly game, even as the reason for its very being is a deep mystery, that is Eleanor Sutherland. If ever a man stalked his prey so efficiently then that hunter is Camden West.
From the very beginning I was caught up in the manoeuvre that Cam had instigated against Eleanor using her sister Charlotte. The lengths he is prepared to go to punish her are puzzling. What he punishing her for is even more so. Is it just because she appears cold and unfeeling? Lady Frost is the name Eleanor has been given. Bets are placed on her at White's. She has her own page!
As the story develops we and Cam discover that he has badly underestimated and misjudged Ellie. As she turns the tables on him things look hopeful but always Ellie is taken by surprise by yet another layer that is added to the equation.
It isn't until the end that we start to see the truth. By that time it appears too late for Cam and Ellie.
Each has taken a stand and that stand may unravel them.
How can we fault Ellie for her support of her sister Charlotte?
Cam's cousin Julian has the right of it when he said, 'I don’t like it. This is badly done, Cam.'
It was badly done, and as the story progresses those words will haunt Cam, and the suffering brought about by his actions will be borne by more than just Cam.
I surged through the reading of this unwilling to take a time out. I just needed to see things through to the end.
A fantastic read!
A NetGalley ARC
If ever a woman was caught in the cross hairs of a deadly game, even as the reason for its very being is a deep mystery, that is Eleanor Sutherland. If ever a man stalked his prey so efficiently then that hunter is Camden West.
From the very beginning I was caught up in the manoeuvre that Cam had instigated against Eleanor using her sister Charlotte. The lengths he is prepared to go to punish her are puzzling. What he punishing her for is even more so. Is it just because she appears cold and unfeeling? Lady Frost is the name Eleanor has been given. Bets are placed on her at White's. She has her own page!
As the story develops we and Cam discover that he has badly underestimated and misjudged Ellie. As she turns the tables on him things look hopeful but always Ellie is taken by surprise by yet another layer that is added to the equation.
It isn't until the end that we start to see the truth. By that time it appears too late for Cam and Ellie.
Each has taken a stand and that stand may unravel them.
How can we fault Ellie for her support of her sister Charlotte?
Cam's cousin Julian has the right of it when he said, 'I don’t like it. This is badly done, Cam.'
It was badly done, and as the story progresses those words will haunt Cam, and the suffering brought about by his actions will be borne by more than just Cam.
I surged through the reading of this unwilling to take a time out. I just needed to see things through to the end.
A fantastic read!
A NetGalley ARC
August 10, 2017
After I read a novel, I either archive it or save it to read again. This is definitely in the ‘read again’ folder! The premise for the novel is that Camden West will extract his revenge from Lady Eleanor (Ellie) Sutherland by forcing her into marrying him. However, the threat of exposing the secret that his cousin, Julian has compromised Ellie’s sister, Charlotte, is not as simple as it seems. Ellie has rejected six suitors and has gained herself the title of “Lady of Ice” but she does this as she wants to marry for love. In his attempt to force Ellie’s hand, Cam finds himself falling in love. Ellie slowly begins to realise that Cam is a man of character which is at odds with his actions. The events that transpire had me transfixed. Ms Bradley writes with such intensity, drawing out the angst and feelings of the characters. Not only are the central characters well-developed but characters from past books are cleverly woven into the plot. Thankfully, there won’t be a long wait for the story of Charlotte and Julian to be revealed.
This novel won’t disappoint – I am very pleased that I received a review copy to read from Netgalley.
This novel won’t disappoint – I am very pleased that I received a review copy to read from Netgalley.
January 1, 2018
I don't remember this book all that well, which perhaps doesn't bode that well. But, I remember being intrigued by the set up for the second book in the series, and I have it teed up on my Kindle ready to read when the mood takes me.
This book, however, I don't remember too much about. Camden is pursuing marriage with Eleanor as revenge for *something*. And she won't marry him, as with her other suitors for *reasons*.
The writing was passable, even nice, at certain points and I read this all the way through and was entertained. But, as you can see, it didn't leave much of a lasting impression. I feel much the same way about this as I did about the last Bradley I read A Wicked Way to Win an Earl.
This book, however, I don't remember too much about. Camden is pursuing marriage with Eleanor as revenge for *something*. And she won't marry him, as with her other suitors for *reasons*.
The writing was passable, even nice, at certain points and I read this all the way through and was entertained. But, as you can see, it didn't leave much of a lasting impression. I feel much the same way about this as I did about the last Bradley I read A Wicked Way to Win an Earl.
September 7, 2017
The first I’ve read from Anna Bradley, with an enemies to lovers plotline, a slew of drama and deception and a difficult to engage with hero are the most notable features. Eleanor has turned away multiple suitors for her hand, determined to hold out for true love and someone who wants her, not just her fortune. While I could completely understand her wishes, her constrained manner has led to her being thought cold and removed: a ploy that didn’t make her accessible or even particularly engaging at first. At home with her sisters, she is an entirely different animal: smart, funny and warm – and you can see her affection for her sisters and family is strong. But, when she devises a plan to appear as if nothing more than candyfloss exists between her ears when faced with a choice, she completely lost me.
Then we have Cam – offering for Eleanor’s hand in a bid to exact revenge on her father – by blackmailing Eleanor with a scandal that involved her sister. He was angry, vengeful, duplicitous and unfeeling from the start. So much so that his fate with me was solidified in the early pages and all I wanted was to have someone (preferably another of the sisters) throat-punch him. But, I digress – sometimes there are authors who introduce specifically distasteful characters to give them a moment of redemption – so I hoped. Of course, Eleanor knows there is more to the story that she hasn’t been told, and she does find him attractive and intriguing – but she decides she must have honesty between them. Funny how she missed the plot entirely and corrected her own behavior to show him exactly who she was until it was so late the entire story seemed to be who’s secrets would bring this engagement to a halt and would it happen before or after Cam gained his revenge.
So, overall – the story didn’t work for me: redemption and a sense that a real accord was developing between Cam and Eleanor came far too late for me to forgive either their missteps and deceptions. Although Bradley did write a story that kept me reading and hoping to see and find some true connection to these two as a couple, I never did find it and found the ending a bit too pat and formulaic, leaving me unsatisfied and uninterested in this couple.
I received an eArc copy of the title from the publisher via NetGalley for purpose of honest review. I was not compensated for this review: all conclusions are my own responsibility.
Review first appeared at I am, Indeed
Then we have Cam – offering for Eleanor’s hand in a bid to exact revenge on her father – by blackmailing Eleanor with a scandal that involved her sister. He was angry, vengeful, duplicitous and unfeeling from the start. So much so that his fate with me was solidified in the early pages and all I wanted was to have someone (preferably another of the sisters) throat-punch him. But, I digress – sometimes there are authors who introduce specifically distasteful characters to give them a moment of redemption – so I hoped. Of course, Eleanor knows there is more to the story that she hasn’t been told, and she does find him attractive and intriguing – but she decides she must have honesty between them. Funny how she missed the plot entirely and corrected her own behavior to show him exactly who she was until it was so late the entire story seemed to be who’s secrets would bring this engagement to a halt and would it happen before or after Cam gained his revenge.
So, overall – the story didn’t work for me: redemption and a sense that a real accord was developing between Cam and Eleanor came far too late for me to forgive either their missteps and deceptions. Although Bradley did write a story that kept me reading and hoping to see and find some true connection to these two as a couple, I never did find it and found the ending a bit too pat and formulaic, leaving me unsatisfied and uninterested in this couple.
I received an eArc copy of the title from the publisher via NetGalley for purpose of honest review. I was not compensated for this review: all conclusions are my own responsibility.
Review first appeared at I am, Indeed
September 4, 2020
3.5 ⭐
I think I would give it even a 4 if I weren't bored with the way they wanted revenge on one another all throughout the book. But overall it was nice. I intend to read the next book of the series!
I think I would give it even a 4 if I weren't bored with the way they wanted revenge on one another all throughout the book. But overall it was nice. I intend to read the next book of the series!
September 2, 2017
Lady Eleanor's Seventh Suitor (The Sutherland Sisters) by Anna Bradley
Two sisters joined in blood, united by scandal. Anna Bradley knows how to tantalize, that's for sure. Lady Eleanor's Seventh Suitor is a romance born of scandal, but forged out of love. Eleanor is thrust into a situation that forces her to chose between self - preservation and family loyalty. Her choices are limited but her heart is pure. Camden is more a mystery. The motives that drive his devious plan are more far reaching than just him marrying. They involve secrets that encompass the Sutherland and West families and could ruin not only reputations, but lead to heartbreak for all involved. Lady Eleanor's Seventh Suitor is regency at it's finest. Full of surprises and breathtakingly wonderful.
Two sisters joined in blood, united by scandal. Anna Bradley knows how to tantalize, that's for sure. Lady Eleanor's Seventh Suitor is a romance born of scandal, but forged out of love. Eleanor is thrust into a situation that forces her to chose between self - preservation and family loyalty. Her choices are limited but her heart is pure. Camden is more a mystery. The motives that drive his devious plan are more far reaching than just him marrying. They involve secrets that encompass the Sutherland and West families and could ruin not only reputations, but lead to heartbreak for all involved. Lady Eleanor's Seventh Suitor is regency at it's finest. Full of surprises and breathtakingly wonderful.
August 20, 2017
Series: The Sutherland Sisters #1
Publication Date: 9/5/17
What an unexpectedly delightful read with very complex and interesting characters. I say unexpectedly delightful because before I started reading I had wondered how the characters could go from blackmail to an HEA. Then, after the things that were said during the initial blackmail contact, I was sure it couldn’t happen. This was my first book by Anna Bradley, but it most definitely will not be the last.
Both the hero and heroine as well as several of the supporting characters are fractured and flawed by terrible childhoods. Once you finally understand the depth of emotional disturbances in their childhoods, you can better understand their actions in adulthood.
Lady Eleanor Sutherland is referred to as Lady Frost by the ton. It isn’t a name she has sought, nor is it a name that describes her in any way. So far, she has soundly rejected six suitors – five the ton knows of and one they don’t. She has her own page in White’s betting book where young bucks bet on everything from getting a smile from her to getting her to accept a marriage proposal. One of the first scenes in the book shows one of these young bucks trying to propose to her at a ball. Eleanor wants to marry for love, but she is afraid of marriage because of the way her father treated the family and her mother just seemed to disappear as a person. Eleanor has learned to feel that she isn't important and she doesn't matter.
Camden West’s childhood was shattered when he was nine years old and his father died of a fever. His uncle moved in and took over Cam’s inheritance. The uncle is a vile and hateful man and when Cam becomes really close (like brothers) with Julian (the uncle’s son), the uncle becomes wildly jealous of the relationship. Cam’s mother is shattered emotionally and never recovers. I can’t really tell you much more here without spoiling the story for you – but just know that the pivotal events in Cam’s life happened at the country estate.
Cam left home when he was thirteen and left for India when he was seventeen. Once he left, he never returned. While in India he made a huge fortune and came back to England bent on justice for his sister. However, he has confused justice with revenge and doesn’t take into account all of the collateral damage his revenge will do.
You’ll love Cam’s little sister. She is the sweetest eleven-year-old you’ll ever meet. Everybody loves her and she is the sunrise in Cam’s day. He loves her beyond all measure and will do anything for her, her future and her happiness.
The first part of Cam’s revenge includes marrying Eleanor. He tries gaining her interest in the normal way, but when that doesn’t work he develops a scheme to have her sister, Charlotte, compromised and he would be the only witness. That way, he can blackmail her into marriage. You’d think that wouldn’t work, but the Sutherland’s are a very, very close family and will do anything for each other.
The morning after Charlotte has been compromised, Cam pays a visit to Eleanor and delivers his blackmail demand. She finally agrees, but with no intention of actually going through with a betrothal. Thus begins a game of cat and mouse with each of them scheming to outwit the other. That part is a fun read when you see how Eleanor pulls his chain – until he finally figures out what she is up to.
You’ll ride along on a rollercoaster of emotions right up to the end. Cam finally realizes what true love is and that if he loves Eleanor, he might just have to let her go – yep – when that scene gets there you better have the tissues ready. You’ll also sigh and cry for Julian and Charlotte as well.
"I requested and received this e-book at no cost to me and volunteered to read it; my review is my honest opinion and given without any influence by the author or publisher."
Publication Date: 9/5/17
What an unexpectedly delightful read with very complex and interesting characters. I say unexpectedly delightful because before I started reading I had wondered how the characters could go from blackmail to an HEA. Then, after the things that were said during the initial blackmail contact, I was sure it couldn’t happen. This was my first book by Anna Bradley, but it most definitely will not be the last.
Both the hero and heroine as well as several of the supporting characters are fractured and flawed by terrible childhoods. Once you finally understand the depth of emotional disturbances in their childhoods, you can better understand their actions in adulthood.
Lady Eleanor Sutherland is referred to as Lady Frost by the ton. It isn’t a name she has sought, nor is it a name that describes her in any way. So far, she has soundly rejected six suitors – five the ton knows of and one they don’t. She has her own page in White’s betting book where young bucks bet on everything from getting a smile from her to getting her to accept a marriage proposal. One of the first scenes in the book shows one of these young bucks trying to propose to her at a ball. Eleanor wants to marry for love, but she is afraid of marriage because of the way her father treated the family and her mother just seemed to disappear as a person. Eleanor has learned to feel that she isn't important and she doesn't matter.
Camden West’s childhood was shattered when he was nine years old and his father died of a fever. His uncle moved in and took over Cam’s inheritance. The uncle is a vile and hateful man and when Cam becomes really close (like brothers) with Julian (the uncle’s son), the uncle becomes wildly jealous of the relationship. Cam’s mother is shattered emotionally and never recovers. I can’t really tell you much more here without spoiling the story for you – but just know that the pivotal events in Cam’s life happened at the country estate.
Cam left home when he was thirteen and left for India when he was seventeen. Once he left, he never returned. While in India he made a huge fortune and came back to England bent on justice for his sister. However, he has confused justice with revenge and doesn’t take into account all of the collateral damage his revenge will do.
You’ll love Cam’s little sister. She is the sweetest eleven-year-old you’ll ever meet. Everybody loves her and she is the sunrise in Cam’s day. He loves her beyond all measure and will do anything for her, her future and her happiness.
The first part of Cam’s revenge includes marrying Eleanor. He tries gaining her interest in the normal way, but when that doesn’t work he develops a scheme to have her sister, Charlotte, compromised and he would be the only witness. That way, he can blackmail her into marriage. You’d think that wouldn’t work, but the Sutherland’s are a very, very close family and will do anything for each other.
The morning after Charlotte has been compromised, Cam pays a visit to Eleanor and delivers his blackmail demand. She finally agrees, but with no intention of actually going through with a betrothal. Thus begins a game of cat and mouse with each of them scheming to outwit the other. That part is a fun read when you see how Eleanor pulls his chain – until he finally figures out what she is up to.
You’ll ride along on a rollercoaster of emotions right up to the end. Cam finally realizes what true love is and that if he loves Eleanor, he might just have to let her go – yep – when that scene gets there you better have the tissues ready. You’ll also sigh and cry for Julian and Charlotte as well.
"I requested and received this e-book at no cost to me and volunteered to read it; my review is my honest opinion and given without any influence by the author or publisher."
August 14, 2017
I read an ARC of this book in exchange for a fair review. Growing up with a very nasty father Lady Eleanor Sutherland promised herself that she would always look after her sister and that she would only marry for love. When we meet her she has just turned down her sixth suitor a young man who is only pursuing her in order to win a bet. Having observed her for most of the season Camden West decides that he will claim his revenge on her father by blackmailing her into marriage. He convinces his cousin Julian to compromise her sister Charlotte knowing that Eleanor will do anything to protect her. Unfortunately or perhaps fortunately for him he severely underestimates Eleanor, fooled by her nickname of Lady Frost into thinking her to be shallow and superficial he is in for a rude awakening and may find his revenge not all he thought it would be. I very much enjoyed this book and look forward to reading Charlotte’s story too.
August 12, 2017
I received this from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. This was the first book that I had read by Anna Bradley and I honestly couldn't put it down. The story was very well done. You kind of hated Cam for most of the book but I did so love the story. Lady Eleanor was a strong independent woman that knew what she wanted. I loved that! I laughed and cried and really just enjoyed this book.
August 3, 2017
Eleanor Sutherland, known as “Lady Frost”, is in the betting book at White’s as to who will finally convince her to marry after 6 suitors have been rejected. Considering her father, it is not a surprise she doesn’t trust men.
Camden West is determined to marry her and has convinced his cousin, Julian, to help him. During a ball, Julian is to take her sister, Charlotte, into the garden where Cam and Eleanor will discover them. However, when Cam and Ellie find them they have gotten a little carried away. Cam tells Ellie she will marry him or he’ll tell the world about Charlotte. Agreeing to the engagement, Ellie plans to discover why he wants to marry her. Cam has a much younger sister, Amelia, and she may be a part of his plans.
There is so much more going on in this book that I will not spoil. We see her brothers and their wives, along with Cam’s aunt and uncle. I love this book as much as I did Anna Bradley’s earlier books which feature Ellie’s brothers and I highly recommend it.
Favorite lines: “because one was either the villain or the hero. Never both at once. Except it wasn’t that simple” and “No one cares about the start of the play, Cam. They only care about the wedding at the end.”
Camden West is determined to marry her and has convinced his cousin, Julian, to help him. During a ball, Julian is to take her sister, Charlotte, into the garden where Cam and Eleanor will discover them. However, when Cam and Ellie find them they have gotten a little carried away. Cam tells Ellie she will marry him or he’ll tell the world about Charlotte. Agreeing to the engagement, Ellie plans to discover why he wants to marry her. Cam has a much younger sister, Amelia, and she may be a part of his plans.
There is so much more going on in this book that I will not spoil. We see her brothers and their wives, along with Cam’s aunt and uncle. I love this book as much as I did Anna Bradley’s earlier books which feature Ellie’s brothers and I highly recommend it.
Favorite lines: “because one was either the villain or the hero. Never both at once. Except it wasn’t that simple” and “No one cares about the start of the play, Cam. They only care about the wedding at the end.”
August 2, 2017
Charming love story
3.5 stars I received a free copy of this ebook from GoodReads in exchange for an honest review. Very nice love story that starts with a little blackmail, turns to one up man ship, and eventually to love. I am looking forward to the next book in the series.
3.5 stars I received a free copy of this ebook from GoodReads in exchange for an honest review. Very nice love story that starts with a little blackmail, turns to one up man ship, and eventually to love. I am looking forward to the next book in the series.
August 5, 2017
I genuinely enjoyed the book. I won this book on Goodreads. I had a hard time putting the book down and am looking forward to the next book in the series. I highly recommend this book and will re-read this book again.
January 12, 2018
Anna Bradley is such a great author. I LOVE her novels, this one included.
So, I'm updating this review some months after I read it the first time. In fact, I just finished re-reading it. And I confirm my opinion - I love this novel.
There are several reasons for this; some are very personal and taste-related, such as my love for the heroine, she's definitely wonderful; or the presence of a kid in the story, that always makes the plot merrier and sweeter; or that the hero falls in love pretty deeply with the heroine and is pretty tormented by his plan. So good!
Then there is the fact that Anna Bradley is such an amazing writer, so balanced in what she composes and a master in presenting great, catching, sweet stories. All her novels have been beautiful readings with characters possessing interesting and 'realistic' personalities and with love stories that are an explosion of emotions.
I received an ARC of this novel. Thank you!
So, I'm updating this review some months after I read it the first time. In fact, I just finished re-reading it. And I confirm my opinion - I love this novel.
There are several reasons for this; some are very personal and taste-related, such as my love for the heroine, she's definitely wonderful; or the presence of a kid in the story, that always makes the plot merrier and sweeter; or that the hero falls in love pretty deeply with the heroine and is pretty tormented by his plan. So good!
Then there is the fact that Anna Bradley is such an amazing writer, so balanced in what she composes and a master in presenting great, catching, sweet stories. All her novels have been beautiful readings with characters possessing interesting and 'realistic' personalities and with love stories that are an explosion of emotions.
I received an ARC of this novel. Thank you!
September 6, 2017
'Lady Eleanor's Seventh Suitor' by Anna Bradley is the First Book in the New Series called "The Sutherland Sisters". This is the story of Eleanor 'Ellie' Sutherland and Camden 'Cam' West.
Ellie and her sister didn't have a great home life with a mean father who has since past. Her parents marriage showed her that the only marriage for her is a 'Love Match' that marring for anything else would end like her parents. Since Ellie is holding out for Love which has made her very selective of men. The previous suitors and the town has called her allot of Frosty and Ice nicknames.
Cam has set his sites on marrying Ellie and has been monitoring her and seeing the fail attempts at her hand. When Ellie's younger sister Charlotte and Cam's cousin Julian are caught by them in a compromising position. Cam helps them leave but later comes to Ellie with a blackmail offer she has a few days to decide what she is going to do. This time they both start learning more about each other and finding that what they thought they knew about the other...isn't the case.
"My honest review is for a special copy I voluntarily read."
https://www.amazon.com/gp/profile/A2H...
https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/1...
https://twitter.com/soapsrus68
https://www.facebook.com/RomanceBookR...
Ellie and her sister didn't have a great home life with a mean father who has since past. Her parents marriage showed her that the only marriage for her is a 'Love Match' that marring for anything else would end like her parents. Since Ellie is holding out for Love which has made her very selective of men. The previous suitors and the town has called her allot of Frosty and Ice nicknames.
Cam has set his sites on marrying Ellie and has been monitoring her and seeing the fail attempts at her hand. When Ellie's younger sister Charlotte and Cam's cousin Julian are caught by them in a compromising position. Cam helps them leave but later comes to Ellie with a blackmail offer she has a few days to decide what she is going to do. This time they both start learning more about each other and finding that what they thought they knew about the other...isn't the case.
"My honest review is for a special copy I voluntarily read."
https://www.amazon.com/gp/profile/A2H...
https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/1...
https://twitter.com/soapsrus68
https://www.facebook.com/RomanceBookR...
September 5, 2017
Seventh time's the charm?
This was a captivating tale featuring a cast of characters that are all flawed and broken, each in their own way. Each merely wants to feel a sense of love, security and acceptance. For Ellie and Cam, scars runs deep and trust is hard to surrender up. Their complex and layered personalities made them seem like so much more than characters in a book. They tug at your heart strings and sweep you along in the tide of their tumultuous and ever-burgeoning emotions. I found that, once I started this book, I was quite unable to put it down. The plot was captivating and the vivid descriptions had me envisioning the scenes as if I was an actual onlooker. This book was very well-written, and the colorful cover was absolutely stunning!
*I received a complimentary ARC of this story from NetGalley & Kensington Books in order to read and provide a voluntary, unbiased and honest review, should I choose to do so.
This was a captivating tale featuring a cast of characters that are all flawed and broken, each in their own way. Each merely wants to feel a sense of love, security and acceptance. For Ellie and Cam, scars runs deep and trust is hard to surrender up. Their complex and layered personalities made them seem like so much more than characters in a book. They tug at your heart strings and sweep you along in the tide of their tumultuous and ever-burgeoning emotions. I found that, once I started this book, I was quite unable to put it down. The plot was captivating and the vivid descriptions had me envisioning the scenes as if I was an actual onlooker. This book was very well-written, and the colorful cover was absolutely stunning!
*I received a complimentary ARC of this story from NetGalley & Kensington Books in order to read and provide a voluntary, unbiased and honest review, should I choose to do so.
August 26, 2017
Maybe 3.5 stars
Camden West is out for justice - but his justice seems a lot like revenge.
Lady Eleanor has been dubbed Lady Frost, but in actuality she is anything but cold. She wants to marry for love and will accept nothing less.
Marriage to Lady Eleanor is vital to Cam's plan, but when she doesn't immediately subcumb to his manly wiles, he has to move to plan B - blackmail.
The book was well written, but I just didn't "feel" it. Eleanor annoyed me and Cam was too single minded in his quest to realize he was punishing the wrong person until it was almost too late.
While I didn't really love this book, I would be willing to read more by this author - she does spin a good tale.
* I am voluntarily leaving a review for an eARC that was provided to me by Netgalley and the publisher*
Camden West is out for justice - but his justice seems a lot like revenge.
Lady Eleanor has been dubbed Lady Frost, but in actuality she is anything but cold. She wants to marry for love and will accept nothing less.
Marriage to Lady Eleanor is vital to Cam's plan, but when she doesn't immediately subcumb to his manly wiles, he has to move to plan B - blackmail.
The book was well written, but I just didn't "feel" it. Eleanor annoyed me and Cam was too single minded in his quest to realize he was punishing the wrong person until it was almost too late.
While I didn't really love this book, I would be willing to read more by this author - she does spin a good tale.
* I am voluntarily leaving a review for an eARC that was provided to me by Netgalley and the publisher*
November 29, 2019
Buddy read with Andrea who gave it up and was right! :D
I usually love an enemies to lovers story but this one wasn't for me. I was very much disappointed.
I didn't feel like his revenge had any meaning and the person he hated and wanted to have revenge on was already dead. So, yeah, it didn't make any sense to me.
Also, couldn't believe in their love at all! All their converstations are threats after threats so I keep wondring when did they actually fall in love? Plus, how can you fall in love with the man blackmailing you? It can be done, and I've read some books where it was written well and believable but not in this one.
I couldn't care for both MC and didn't care what happened to them.
Too bad, I really wanted to like it.
I usually love an enemies to lovers story but this one wasn't for me. I was very much disappointed.
I didn't feel like his revenge had any meaning and the person he hated and wanted to have revenge on was already dead. So, yeah, it didn't make any sense to me.
Also, couldn't believe in their love at all! All their converstations are threats after threats so I keep wondring when did they actually fall in love? Plus, how can you fall in love with the man blackmailing you? It can be done, and I've read some books where it was written well and believable but not in this one.
I couldn't care for both MC and didn't care what happened to them.
Too bad, I really wanted to like it.
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