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Darkest Longings
Claudine Rafferty is rich, reckless and beautiful. Determined to cope with Francois's cruelty and indifference, Claudine soon finds herself driven to find love in the arms of Armand St Jacques, one of her husband's vignerons. As Claudine learns more of Francois's sinister past, she also inherits some of his most dangerous enemies.
626 pages, Paperback
First published June 4, 1992
75 people are currently reading
397 people want to read
About the author
Susan Lewis
67 books1,203 followersLibrarian Note:
There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.
Susan Lewis is the bestselling author of over forty books across the genres of family drama, thriller, suspense and crime. She is also the author of Just One More Day and One Day at a Time, the moving memoirs of her childhood in Bristol during the 1960s. Following periods of living in Los Angeles and the South of France, she currently lives in Gloucestershire with her husband James, stepsons Michael and Luke, and mischievous dogs Coco and Lulu.
There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.
Susan Lewis is the bestselling author of over forty books across the genres of family drama, thriller, suspense and crime. She is also the author of Just One More Day and One Day at a Time, the moving memoirs of her childhood in Bristol during the 1960s. Following periods of living in Los Angeles and the South of France, she currently lives in Gloucestershire with her husband James, stepsons Michael and Luke, and mischievous dogs Coco and Lulu.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews
May 27, 2018
At first, i thought it was a romance book, telling the story how Claudine can make her husband, the cold hearted François de Lorvoire fall in love with her, after their arranged marriage. But, it was more than that. When Claudine got herself inside the Lorvoire château, she didn't know she was trapped into something more powerful and dangerous than she can ever understand.
François is hard to understand, something he learnt to do since he worked in Intelligence. At first, I hated him so much, for the pain and the humiliation he put Claudine through, but later, I find myaelf gripping my seat, praying for him to come out of this alive.
Claudine, on the other hand, is so weak, depending on people's love to understand her worth. I didn't like her, but I sympathise with her till the end.
I'm someone who's fascinated by WWII, and seeing the protagonists getting involved in it filled my hungry passion for more.
François is hard to understand, something he learnt to do since he worked in Intelligence. At first, I hated him so much, for the pain and the humiliation he put Claudine through, but later, I find myaelf gripping my seat, praying for him to come out of this alive.
Claudine, on the other hand, is so weak, depending on people's love to understand her worth. I didn't like her, but I sympathise with her till the end.
I'm someone who's fascinated by WWII, and seeing the protagonists getting involved in it filled my hungry passion for more.
March 8, 2021
This book is no where near what one expects it to be. Firstly, the cover, title and synopsis are SO misleading. Looking at them, one expects this to be a (spicy) romance, with a light plot. In reality, it is far from it. The plot is heavy, intricate, rife with betrayal and simply put, shocking. The romance comes second to it and though there are 'erotic' scenes they aren't at all what one expects from the title.
Admittedly, I almost DNF'd this after reading three chapters because I was so confused as to what was going on, the narrating confused me, the writing style was so not what I was accustomed to, but I pushed through and the book just got better and better. I quite enjoyed the storyline, and the characters filled me with so many emotions. The plot twists were spectacular and the premise was a first for me. I might even pick up more Susan Lewis books.
Admittedly, I almost DNF'd this after reading three chapters because I was so confused as to what was going on, the narrating confused me, the writing style was so not what I was accustomed to, but I pushed through and the book just got better and better. I quite enjoyed the storyline, and the characters filled me with so many emotions. The plot twists were spectacular and the premise was a first for me. I might even pick up more Susan Lewis books.
February 5, 2014
Easily Lewis' best novel.
July 13, 2021
This is very far from ordinary romantic book, but, it starts that way. Claudine is determined to marry Francois and make him fall in love with her. His pulp is harder than she would think, and after many attempts, Claudine gives up on him finding herself a lover. In reality nothing is as it seems in the beginning, especially in the WWII times.
WARNING: MAJOR SPOILERS BELOW!!
Francois is a Hero with the capital H! It's the late 1930s and he is a French spy, pretending to collaborate with Hitler and Nazis. He is in love with Claudine since their first meeting, but he can't reveal his real feelings for her, in order to keep her safe from enemies.
The first half of the book is tough, I hated Francois for being so cruel to Claudine. The second half is very bittersweet. He finally gives in, and shows how much he cares for Claudine and his family, but it's also very dramatic with historical events.
When reading the book the for the first time, I hated the beginning and almost gave up. Claudine chasing Francois, who basically didn't give a shit about her, drove me crazy! Good thing I didn't give up completely, it's a book full of surprises and way deeper than it seems.
October 9, 2018
Disappointing as it sounded promising and started off good. Skimmed most of it. Too bland.
And ridiculous in one scene especially.
And ridiculous in one scene especially.
April 5, 2010
Such a beautiful and gripping read! I never would have chosen a book like this to read but im glad that I did because its open my eyes towards other books similar to this.
It pulls you in with the gripping story of how Claudine was given a prophecy of her life from an old gypsy. Through the story the prophecy plays out in a way you least expect. With the most passionate love scenes, brutal crime and punishment all set in the beautiful France. Through the story you are revealed the period of World War 2, the rise of Hitler, the Gestapo and the Resistance. Not only this but the truth is never really what it seems. Full of deception and tension that will grip you to the very end. Its humourous, sweet, yet a mysterious crime that gives a real insight into the true meaning of love, and how much pain and sacrifice you would go through to ensure that the one you love stays alive.
Highly reccomended!
xx
It pulls you in with the gripping story of how Claudine was given a prophecy of her life from an old gypsy. Through the story the prophecy plays out in a way you least expect. With the most passionate love scenes, brutal crime and punishment all set in the beautiful France. Through the story you are revealed the period of World War 2, the rise of Hitler, the Gestapo and the Resistance. Not only this but the truth is never really what it seems. Full of deception and tension that will grip you to the very end. Its humourous, sweet, yet a mysterious crime that gives a real insight into the true meaning of love, and how much pain and sacrifice you would go through to ensure that the one you love stays alive.
Highly reccomended!
xx
August 15, 2020
More depth than the Pacific Ocean!
A story about passion, loyalty, danger and betrayal. I LOVED this book when I first read it 15years ago and it's still is a masterpiece the second time around. I agree there are parts you can skip (Claudine's walks through the village, what she's wearing etc) but overall it remains an intriguing novel with strong, well-thought out characters amongst a powerful background WW2 storyline.
Warning: A slow burn and perhaps more orientated towards romantics!
The second time around I finally
A story about passion, loyalty, danger and betrayal. I LOVED this book when I first read it 15years ago and it's still is a masterpiece the second time around. I agree there are parts you can skip (Claudine's walks through the village, what she's wearing etc) but overall it remains an intriguing novel with strong, well-thought out characters amongst a powerful background WW2 storyline.
Warning: A slow burn and perhaps more orientated towards romantics!
The second time around I finally
January 26, 2020
Definitely more than I expected. It started off slow and a bit monotonous. The interactions between Francois and Claudine were too high on the dramatic factor and the ‘fury’ which always resulted. The word ‘fury’ was abit overdone. But then it gripped me as the tale, no the saga unfolded.
I didn’t enjoy Claudine initially but loved at how she let her strength and determination shine through, and she got more powerful as the novel progressed.
Good characters with honest intrigue. The Whodunnit certainly kept me guessing and flip flopping.
The graphic intimate scenes didn’t have to be so over the top. Seemed somewhat out of place or out of kilter with the rhythm of the story in some parts.
The metamorphosis of Élise, one can’t help mourn her story.
Some truths which saddened me; effects of war on individuals and family; those who tried to help, the atrocities of wartime which was/is very real.
I didn’t enjoy Claudine initially but loved at how she let her strength and determination shine through, and she got more powerful as the novel progressed.
Good characters with honest intrigue. The Whodunnit certainly kept me guessing and flip flopping.
The graphic intimate scenes didn’t have to be so over the top. Seemed somewhat out of place or out of kilter with the rhythm of the story in some parts.
The metamorphosis of Élise, one can’t help mourn her story.
Some truths which saddened me; effects of war on individuals and family; those who tried to help, the atrocities of wartime which was/is very real.
April 27, 2022
Having recently read No Turning Back by Susan Lewis and giving it 4.5 stars I decided I would read another of her books and chose Darkest Longings. For a good part of the book I was sure this was going to get 4* but as the plot thickened and the twists and turns occurred I was gripped and desperate to know the outcome. Definitely 5* by the end.
January 1, 2024
This book has been one of my all time favourites and the book I have read most in my life but currently Audible is my gosh to. I took a pundt on it and the narrator destroyed it for me. I first read this as a 15 yr old and now at 40 I will probably not read or listen to it again.
PLEASE DO NOT AUDIBLE THIS BOOK
PLEASE DO NOT AUDIBLE THIS BOOK
March 25, 2022
Wow! I absolutely loved this book, I loved the characters and especially loved how two people who despised each other ended up loving each other with so much passion and great love as Francoise and Claudine
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 8, 2019
I cannot stop reading over and over again.
January 22, 2019
This was by far the best Susan Lewis book I have read to date. It had me totally enthralled and I had trouble putting it down.
March 27, 2024
A brilliant read!
I really enjoyed reading about the war in France, a different look at life, the characters were very interesting too.
I really enjoyed reading about the war in France, a different look at life, the characters were very interesting too.
January 10, 2025
I have read and reread this book every year for 10+ years
August 24, 2022
The book is long o....at some point I got tired but still good
August 31, 2022
A good read ? Though I felt the leading characters needed to be more pragmatic on the page. They didn't really stand out as much as I thought they would.
I had deep sympathy for Elise as a character and At her ending.
I had deep sympathy for Elise as a character and At her ending.
January 27, 2017
This book was my first "dark" read in paperback and I loved it so much I bought it for my iPad so I could re-read it whenever I wanted
What an excellent book that keeps you in suspense right up to the final pages
What an excellent book that keeps you in suspense right up to the final pages
September 2, 2011
loved reading this novel it gripped my attention from beginning to end, one of the books that I have been able to repeat over the years.
December 23, 2012
Read this book when I was really young,it was my first adult book and its a great book by one of my fav authors.
September 9, 2012
This book was amazing. I read it twice because I enjoyed it that much. A fabulous tale of love and betrayal.Very powerful and well written.
November 11, 2012
Lovely read too, very different from my usual .. but then it's always fun to lose myself into the world of Comte et Comtesse and the beautiful historical reference to Paris and England in the 1900's.
April 17, 2015
Boring and not one of her best... couldn't persevere
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May 29, 2013I totally loved this book. So much so I will defo b reading it again! It's on my all time fav books list. Another good book by Susan.
February 2, 2014
Really enjoyed this historical rommance. Engaged with the characters and delighted got the HEA I wanted. Very different style to what I've read from this author but felt it was well well written.
August 27, 2014
Very good book, especially if you like the ones happening during World War...it has everything, a touch of mystery, romance, etc.... Highly recommend it for those who love these types of books!
November 1, 2014
Susan Lewis at her best.I got so engrossed in this book and drawn into it, Susan does the mystery and twists and turns best in her books.Loved it and didnt want it to end.
April 24, 2015
great story about Francois and claudine
May 16, 2015
Loved this book, grips you from the start. Second time I've read it and still had me on the edge of my seat.
February 4, 2016
Best book ever #Number1
Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews