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Sutherland Brothers #2
The Price of Pleasure
Kresley Cole returns with a breathtaking romantic saga of love, honor, and passion unbound—as a man of duty faces his greatest trial, and a young castaway discovers her greatest desire...
A man noted for his courage and integrity, Captain Grant Sutherland journeys to Oceania to find Victoria Dearbourne, an English girl lost at sea a decade before. He's given her ailing grandfather his word—as a gentleman—to find and protect her. But one look at a grown Victoria, and Grant has never felt less like one.
Tori relishes freedom, untamed passion, and spontaneity above stifling order. Even more so when a proud, cold British captain arrives to rescue her, though she has no wish to be. As Grant tries to convince her to leave her island home, she begins to see in him a man hungering for more. A man who once laughed. A man who desires her but won't take what she offers.
A man noted for his courage and integrity, Captain Grant Sutherland journeys to Oceania to find Victoria Dearbourne, an English girl lost at sea a decade before. He's given her ailing grandfather his word—as a gentleman—to find and protect her. But one look at a grown Victoria, and Grant has never felt less like one.
Tori relishes freedom, untamed passion, and spontaneity above stifling order. Even more so when a proud, cold British captain arrives to rescue her, though she has no wish to be. As Grant tries to convince her to leave her island home, she begins to see in him a man hungering for more. A man who once laughed. A man who desires her but won't take what she offers.
353 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published June 29, 2004
102 people are currently reading
2678 people want to read
About the author
Kresley Cole
67 books27.5k followersKresley Cole is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of the electrifying Immortals After Dark paranormal series, the young adult Arcana Chronicles series, the erotic Gamemakers series, and five award-winning historical romances.
A master’s grad and former athlete, she has traveled over much of the world and draws from those experiences to create her memorable characters and settings.
Her IAD books have been translated into 23 foreign languages, garnered three RITA awards, a RWA Hall of Fame induction, and consistently appear on the bestseller lists, in the U.S. and abroad.
Cole lives in Florida with her family. Learn more about Kresley at: www.kresleycole.com & www.thearcanachronicles.com
A master’s grad and former athlete, she has traveled over much of the world and draws from those experiences to create her memorable characters and settings.
Her IAD books have been translated into 23 foreign languages, garnered three RITA awards, a RWA Hall of Fame induction, and consistently appear on the bestseller lists, in the U.S. and abroad.
Cole lives in Florida with her family. Learn more about Kresley at: www.kresleycole.com & www.thearcanachronicles.com
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 179 reviews
October 27, 2023
THIS WAS CINEMA HEARTBREAK FEELS GOOD IN A PLACE LIKE THIS
July 18, 2010
I'm one of those readers who wants her Historical Romances to sound, well, historical. Kresley Cole does an amazing job of writing an Historical Romance that sounds like modern times, and IT DOESN'T BOTHER ME. How on earth is this even possible? I'm not really sure, but by God this woman can write.
This one is set during Victorian England, it's the Sutherland brother Grant, who we saw setting off on a fool's errand of locating any survivors of a shipwreck from 8 years ago. Well, he found her. And I loved how Tori led him on a wild goose chase to catch her. I loved how they had to spend a few nights to together before leaving England, and I loved Ian. I am so sad that this isn't a trilogy. We're left with the hint that Ian is off pirating (quite successfully at that), and that he always lands on his feet. hmph. I'd like to see him end up with this Ericka we'd all heard about. ::me pouting::
But, I just adored how Grant finally won back Tori, and oh I LOVED Cammy and the baron next door-such a sweet little romance.
I know usually I say something more, but I just love Kresley Cole, and this is such a fantastic book. She made me love her historicals! On to the MacCarrick brothers next!
This one is set during Victorian England, it's the Sutherland brother Grant, who we saw setting off on a fool's errand of locating any survivors of a shipwreck from 8 years ago. Well, he found her. And I loved how Tori led him on a wild goose chase to catch her. I loved how they had to spend a few nights to together before leaving England, and I loved Ian. I am so sad that this isn't a trilogy. We're left with the hint that Ian is off pirating (quite successfully at that), and that he always lands on his feet. hmph. I'd like to see him end up with this Ericka we'd all heard about. ::me pouting::
But, I just adored how Grant finally won back Tori, and oh I LOVED Cammy and the baron next door-such a sweet little romance.
I know usually I say something more, but I just love Kresley Cole, and this is such a fantastic book. She made me love her historicals! On to the MacCarrick brothers next!
August 15, 2020
This one was kind of a weird book. Instant love. The girl was stuck on a island for almost a decade and was remarkably pale even though there's no shade. She's extremely educated and curious about the male body so much so that she has a lot of confidence in herself. They get together pretty quickly and it's him struggling with figuring out his emotions for majority of the book with him proving himself to her that he loves her for the remainder. It's good and bad in some parts. Odd too in terms of pacing. For fans of pirate/captain/force proximity/grump and Ms sunshine /stoic heroes romances.
February 20, 2011
I felt the need to read more KC after the release of Dreams of a Dark Warrior and although I prefer her PNRs, KC writes damn good historical as well.
Grant Sunderland is the logical brother. A leader by nature, he finds himself accepting a journey that leads him and his crew to the Oceanic in search for a missing girl named Victoria Dearbourne.
After eight years of being stranded on an island, Tori and her friend Cammy Scott have established a routine and find that living on a deserted island isn’t so bad. Sure, Cammy’s got a continuing illness and deadly snakes wish to bite their heads off, but in the end, it’s all in a day’s work!
I found that I really enjoyed Tori’s strength and resiliency. She’s a tough as nails kind of girl and I liked the fact that, even being casted away for such a long time, she doesn’t shy away from London Society.
Grant is a hottie, but sometime he gets on my nerves. Could you take any longer in figuring out your own feelings? It’s obvious he has developed feelings for Tori, but his damn pride stands in the way of them being together.
I’m hoping that Ian will get his book, even after all the time that has passed since this one was published. He’s such a thrill to read and I wonder if KC is planning on writing any more historical???
Grant Sunderland is the logical brother. A leader by nature, he finds himself accepting a journey that leads him and his crew to the Oceanic in search for a missing girl named Victoria Dearbourne.
After eight years of being stranded on an island, Tori and her friend Cammy Scott have established a routine and find that living on a deserted island isn’t so bad. Sure, Cammy’s got a continuing illness and deadly snakes wish to bite their heads off, but in the end, it’s all in a day’s work!
I found that I really enjoyed Tori’s strength and resiliency. She’s a tough as nails kind of girl and I liked the fact that, even being casted away for such a long time, she doesn’t shy away from London Society.
Grant is a hottie, but sometime he gets on my nerves. Could you take any longer in figuring out your own feelings? It’s obvious he has developed feelings for Tori, but his damn pride stands in the way of them being together.
I’m hoping that Ian will get his book, even after all the time that has passed since this one was published. He’s such a thrill to read and I wonder if KC is planning on writing any more historical???
August 25, 2018
This one was a snooze-fest! I went in looking for a romance & not h/H's solo adventures. The hero is stuffy as hell & the characters were barely together on page. h was badass for surviving for 8 years & gave hero a merry chase. I don't think the stuffy H deserved her. I got really bored around the 60% mark I think but finished it (yay!).
December 21, 2010
The first half if this book is a five and the second half is a three.
This is Kresley Cole's second book. The doesn't have that rat-a-tat-tat pacing or hilarity of her IAD series (which I adore, every fan of paranormal romance needs to check those out.) But it does have some of the elements that Kresley seems to like. Namely the strait laced stoic hero and the spitfire heroine.
Victoria was ship wrecked when she was thirteen. She is now 21, completely reliant, resourceful, and tough as nails after having to survive on her own with only one other woman friend for company. She's still very naive in other ways as a result of her isolation.
Grant is the captain sent on a rescue mission and to everyone's surprise he actually finds Victoria. They fall in mutual attraction quickly. Grant is extremely strait-laced and responsible and finds it hard to reconcile that he's fallen in love with a half feral girl. The rest of the book is dedicated to this conflict, which is a little drawn out. The book is very enjoyable, none the less.
This is Kresley Cole's second book. The doesn't have that rat-a-tat-tat pacing or hilarity of her IAD series (which I adore, every fan of paranormal romance needs to check those out.) But it does have some of the elements that Kresley seems to like. Namely the strait laced stoic hero and the spitfire heroine.
Victoria was ship wrecked when she was thirteen. She is now 21, completely reliant, resourceful, and tough as nails after having to survive on her own with only one other woman friend for company. She's still very naive in other ways as a result of her isolation.
Grant is the captain sent on a rescue mission and to everyone's surprise he actually finds Victoria. They fall in mutual attraction quickly. Grant is extremely strait-laced and responsible and finds it hard to reconcile that he's fallen in love with a half feral girl. The rest of the book is dedicated to this conflict, which is a little drawn out. The book is very enjoyable, none the less.
July 6, 2025
3.75 Stars
A good romance story. But quite a few editing problems.
Grant and Victoria where a fun read.
However, it seemed like Kresley Cole was trying to put to many character wrap ups in one book. It becomes apparent that she wanted to finish off this series.
Considering the series she is writing now, I understand it completely.
If you haven't read her Immortal's After Dark or Game Maker series, You are SERIOUSLY missing out on some of the most amazing stories I have ever read.
She has become a true Master in the Art of Writing.
A good romance story. But quite a few editing problems.
Grant and Victoria where a fun read.
However, it seemed like Kresley Cole was trying to put to many character wrap ups in one book. It becomes apparent that she wanted to finish off this series.
Considering the series she is writing now, I understand it completely.
If you haven't read her Immortal's After Dark or Game Maker series, You are SERIOUSLY missing out on some of the most amazing stories I have ever read.
She has become a true Master in the Art of Writing.
July 19, 2020
It was fun when they were on the island then it turned boring. I thought Grant was too uptight. I really liked Ian. Sadly, we will never going to know his story!
April 8, 2018
Ik heb de Nederlandstalige uitgave gelezen : Tussen lust en liefde - Candlelight Historische roman 783 .
Dit is deel 2 over de Sutherland broers , ook dit deel is lekker vlot geschreven en op het sensuele vlak is er ook weer genoeg te beleven .Helaas waren er toch ook weer wat behoorlijk storende elementen in dit verhaal , wanneer je iemands lang verdwenen kleindochter thuis brengt dan vind je toch een manier om haar zo snel mogelijk bij haar familie te brengen - maakt niet uit wat voor weer het is - zeker wanneer je weet dat het om een zeer oude opa gaat . Er had duidelijk nog een 3e deel in deze serie moeten zijn over neef Ian maar dat verhaal is er nooit gekomen .
Dit is deel 2 over de Sutherland broers , ook dit deel is lekker vlot geschreven en op het sensuele vlak is er ook weer genoeg te beleven .Helaas waren er toch ook weer wat behoorlijk storende elementen in dit verhaal , wanneer je iemands lang verdwenen kleindochter thuis brengt dan vind je toch een manier om haar zo snel mogelijk bij haar familie te brengen - maakt niet uit wat voor weer het is - zeker wanneer je weet dat het om een zeer oude opa gaat . Er had duidelijk nog een 3e deel in deze serie moeten zijn over neef Ian maar dat verhaal is er nooit gekomen .
August 13, 2024
It’s actually a crime that Kresley Cole never wrote a book for Ian
October 18, 2018
Can someone enlighten me, what happen with Ian ? I'm searching for other Kresley Cole book and couldn't find one about Ian
February 12, 2022
I'm going to be real with you guys - Kresley Cole could write anything at this point and I would probably love it.
Historical romance full of high seas travels and bit of island misadventure? Yes, please.
As with the previous Sutherland brother, we've got another insta-lust on our hands, and since I'm trash for that trope, you best believe I ate that up. But Grant is quite different from his elder brother, Derek.
If anything, Grant is so much of what I love in my romantic heroes - outwardly controlled, disciplined, seemingly cold, and a bit broody. But on the inside? A simmering volcano of passion ready to snap and implode at any moment - in fact, that snapping becomes an innate need for the development of his character - and OH! How I enjoyed watching Grant grow. Especially when we got to the latter end of the book as he starts to redeem himself for his stupidity and really loosen up. God bless Victoria and her wonderful influence on that man.
Speaking of Tori - that woman is just pure strength. So much admiration for our heroine. She's adaptable, assertive, intelligent, and insufferable tease (aka: the best kind) when it comes to Grant, and just full of fire - exactly what our Captain needs. She was such a delightful heroine; I really enjoyed her character. Also greatly appreciated the way she holds her ground but also how forgiving she is without sacrificing herself (or her spine).
The communication between these two was usually best when they were having sex - I really loved that Tori had no qualms saying what she wanted/needed, and I loved that Grant was receptive/did the same. BUT it definitely took a bit (aka: most of the book) for those two to learn to how communicate properly outside of the bedroom... mostly because Grant and his "conceal, don't feel" Elsa bullshit ways has rendered him a bit emotionally immature, so he had no clue he was in love with Victoria until he pretty much lost her for a minute.
But, because Kresley is amazing, he does get there (again, I refer back to how much I enjoyed his character development/growth), and all that really did make for a satisfying ending. Tori and Grant are excellent partners and I was very pleased with their HEA.
It was also very nice to see Derek and Nicole again, and the addition of Ian and Camellia was lovely as well (although I'm sad we'll never get to find out what happened with Ian).
Historical romance full of high seas travels and bit of island misadventure? Yes, please.
As with the previous Sutherland brother, we've got another insta-lust on our hands, and since I'm trash for that trope, you best believe I ate that up. But Grant is quite different from his elder brother, Derek.
If anything, Grant is so much of what I love in my romantic heroes - outwardly controlled, disciplined, seemingly cold, and a bit broody. But on the inside? A simmering volcano of passion ready to snap and implode at any moment - in fact, that snapping becomes an innate need for the development of his character - and OH! How I enjoyed watching Grant grow. Especially when we got to the latter end of the book as he starts to redeem himself for his stupidity and really loosen up. God bless Victoria and her wonderful influence on that man.
Speaking of Tori - that woman is just pure strength. So much admiration for our heroine. She's adaptable, assertive, intelligent, and insufferable tease (aka: the best kind) when it comes to Grant, and just full of fire - exactly what our Captain needs. She was such a delightful heroine; I really enjoyed her character. Also greatly appreciated the way she holds her ground but also how forgiving she is without sacrificing herself (or her spine).
The communication between these two was usually best when they were having sex - I really loved that Tori had no qualms saying what she wanted/needed, and I loved that Grant was receptive/did the same. BUT it definitely took a bit (aka: most of the book) for those two to learn to how communicate properly outside of the bedroom... mostly because Grant and his "conceal, don't feel" Elsa bullshit ways has rendered him a bit emotionally immature, so he had no clue he was in love with Victoria until he pretty much lost her for a minute.
But, because Kresley is amazing, he does get there (again, I refer back to how much I enjoyed his character development/growth), and all that really did make for a satisfying ending. Tori and Grant are excellent partners and I was very pleased with their HEA.
It was also very nice to see Derek and Nicole again, and the addition of Ian and Camellia was lovely as well (although I'm sad we'll never get to find out what happened with Ian).
April 16, 2011
I enjoyed the beginning when the characters are on the island. Tori & Grant had great chemistry... I loved their contrasting personalities.
Once they leave the island, it just got boring.
This book just seemed to be missing the x factor that made the first book in the series, The Captain of All Pleasures, such a fantastic read.
Also, this story sets the stage for a 3rd book in the series with Ian, cousin to the Southerland Brothers:
"In fact, they had recently received word that not only had Ian escaped his captors, he'd started a mutiny and taken their ship, bound for somewhere unknown. There were rumors of a scarred, black-haired, and black-hearted devil pirating the South Seas, but Tori adamantly refused to believe that the dates of his marauding and Ian's escape were more than coincidental." (page 352)
Now that's a story I want to read! According to Kresley Cole's website, Ian's story is on hold... and it's been 7 years since book 2 in the series was published, so I'm not holding my breath for Ian's story.
Once they leave the island, it just got boring.
This book just seemed to be missing the x factor that made the first book in the series, The Captain of All Pleasures, such a fantastic read.
Also, this story sets the stage for a 3rd book in the series with Ian, cousin to the Southerland Brothers:
"In fact, they had recently received word that not only had Ian escaped his captors, he'd started a mutiny and taken their ship, bound for somewhere unknown. There were rumors of a scarred, black-haired, and black-hearted devil pirating the South Seas, but Tori adamantly refused to believe that the dates of his marauding and Ian's escape were more than coincidental." (page 352)
Now that's a story I want to read! According to Kresley Cole's website, Ian's story is on hold... and it's been 7 years since book 2 in the series was published, so I'm not holding my breath for Ian's story.
January 13, 2017
Sudah dapat spoiler dari buku sebelumnya, dan yeahhh... sesuai ekspektasi Grant ini memang gentleman yang nggak bajingan seperti Derek. Saya suka sih, lebih suka Grant dari pada Derek, walau di beberapa bagian sikap sopan dan menjaga kehormatan itu bikin gregetan juga. Di sini lebih kental aroma romannya. Biarpun sama-sama berkisah tentang pelayaran nggak ada plot yang bikin tegang dan bikin saya nggak bisa berhenti dan menghabiskan buku dalam sekali baca. Twist di buku ini lumayan bisa diprediksi. Tapi, perjuangan Grant buat mendapatkan Tori jauh lebih layak diapresiasi dari pada kelakuan Derek yang maksa Nicole kawin lari. Dan, baik Nicole ataupun Tori, saya suka mereka. Karakternya asik, tangguh, sedikit keras kepala, tapi punya harga diri dan nggak benyek
Secara umum, buku pertama jauh lebih seru sih
Secara umum, buku pertama jauh lebih seru sih
July 30, 2009
Good sequel to Cole's (The Captain of All Pleasures. Grant, younger brother to Derek, is more of a stubborn jerk , but still sexy and brooding. Tori is an a brave and intelligent woman, who wants her man, but can do fine without him. I wouldn't have minded if Cammy had ended up with Ian, but Stephen was an excellent substitute. I really feel that their must be another book in this series letting us know the fate of Ian and Erica. It was much too up in the air at the conclusion of this book.
Once again, Kresley Cole has not let me down.
Once again, Kresley Cole has not let me down.
April 23, 2015
Really good
Finally a historical romance where the heroine is independent, intelligent and headstrong without being a shrew! The chemistry between the characters is there, the heroines personality doesn't change upon meeting the hero, and no silly misunderstandings create the plot. The dialogue is definitely modern, but in the setting, the alternative wouldn't be easy to understand, and I appreciate how it is done, rather than a half hearted attempt at contextual vernacular. I loved this book. Tori is my favorite heroine, easily. My only complaint is that the conflict with the broker seems an afterthought and doesn't seem to fit with the rest of the story.
Finally a historical romance where the heroine is independent, intelligent and headstrong without being a shrew! The chemistry between the characters is there, the heroines personality doesn't change upon meeting the hero, and no silly misunderstandings create the plot. The dialogue is definitely modern, but in the setting, the alternative wouldn't be easy to understand, and I appreciate how it is done, rather than a half hearted attempt at contextual vernacular. I loved this book. Tori is my favorite heroine, easily. My only complaint is that the conflict with the broker seems an afterthought and doesn't seem to fit with the rest of the story.
April 25, 2009
Oh No! Every Kresley Cole book has gotten 5 stars from me. I'm thinking a fair rating would be 3.5..and then I saw the high ratings! Eek what's wrong with me?
I just had a hard time with the main characters stubbornness. Annoying....
I just had a hard time with the main characters stubbornness. Annoying....
August 19, 2015
Absolutely loved these two book but I'm not sure that I would have picked them up if I realized that the series is left unfinished.
We need Ian's book! come on don't leave us hanging like that ..
We need Ian's book! come on don't leave us hanging like that ..
June 29, 2009
This book started out strong and just kind of fizzled towards the middle.
February 24, 2016
This was a fun, light read. Wish the ending would have been longer.
January 18, 2013
Better than the first of this series but not as good as Ms Cole has showed us with her numerous other series.
May 24, 2024
Plan to reread!
December 14, 2021
I really enjoyed this book for what it was. I typically don't read a lot of historical romance, but I read Ms. Cole's MacCarrick Brothers Series and enjoyed that, along with everything else she has written, so when I saw the Sutherland Brothers I just had to add them to my collection.
I believe these were her first books and she made some choices in them that are a bit odd writing style-wise but not off putting. I enjoyed them both.
This one, however, has me a bit frustrated. If you are a fan of reading books that are in a series you'll likely notice it as well. She seems to set up at least three other books for this series and then just kinda change her mind or maybe not realize she did it. We all know that a side character who gets pretty deeply fleshed out in a book series will likely pop up in the next book in the series. That's the beauty of the series book, you just know what character's story you will get next. It's fun to speculate on who their love interest will be, where their journey will take them, until you finally get your hands on the next book and realize the author did nothing you expected them to...ugh.
Here's the thing, and this isn't a spoiler because there is nothing to spoil, Ian Traywick does not have a book in this series. I know it's the Sutherland Brothers Series, should have guessed, as there are only two brothers there'd be only two books but...really?! His story was better developed and character more compelling in this book than Grant's was in the first book in this series and yet she just leaves it out there with zero resolution (and I assume, as we are nearly 20 years out from when the last Sutherland Book was published, there isn't likely to be another book).
She does bring some conclusion to Camellia Scott's story. I honestly feel like she knew she needed to tie this up somehow so she did the odd thing of momentarily adding a third perspective and kind of just wedged the story into this book instead of adding to the series, like she could have. I kind of liked that she didn't do the simple thing and have Ms. Scott and Ian hook up...I also assumed that was because they would each have their own books in some sort of spin off series...
The last book I thought she was setting up was for Miranda McClure. I kinda thought, why go to the trouble of developing this person in this way if you aren't setting her up for an appearance in another book or her own? Seems odd to do that much back story and personality for one scene that ultimately goes nowhere. That one might be a stretch but, again, if you read a lot of series books I think you'll agree with me.
Again, overall I enjoyed these books. Maybe I just enjoy Kresley Cole because I typically don't enjoy historical romance. I would recommend these books just, heads up, there are only two...😒
I believe these were her first books and she made some choices in them that are a bit odd writing style-wise but not off putting. I enjoyed them both.
This one, however, has me a bit frustrated. If you are a fan of reading books that are in a series you'll likely notice it as well. She seems to set up at least three other books for this series and then just kinda change her mind or maybe not realize she did it. We all know that a side character who gets pretty deeply fleshed out in a book series will likely pop up in the next book in the series. That's the beauty of the series book, you just know what character's story you will get next. It's fun to speculate on who their love interest will be, where their journey will take them, until you finally get your hands on the next book and realize the author did nothing you expected them to...ugh.
Here's the thing, and this isn't a spoiler because there is nothing to spoil, Ian Traywick does not have a book in this series. I know it's the Sutherland Brothers Series, should have guessed, as there are only two brothers there'd be only two books but...really?! His story was better developed and character more compelling in this book than Grant's was in the first book in this series and yet she just leaves it out there with zero resolution (and I assume, as we are nearly 20 years out from when the last Sutherland Book was published, there isn't likely to be another book).
She does bring some conclusion to Camellia Scott's story. I honestly feel like she knew she needed to tie this up somehow so she did the odd thing of momentarily adding a third perspective and kind of just wedged the story into this book instead of adding to the series, like she could have. I kind of liked that she didn't do the simple thing and have Ms. Scott and Ian hook up...I also assumed that was because they would each have their own books in some sort of spin off series...
The last book I thought she was setting up was for Miranda McClure. I kinda thought, why go to the trouble of developing this person in this way if you aren't setting her up for an appearance in another book or her own? Seems odd to do that much back story and personality for one scene that ultimately goes nowhere. That one might be a stretch but, again, if you read a lot of series books I think you'll agree with me.
Again, overall I enjoyed these books. Maybe I just enjoy Kresley Cole because I typically don't enjoy historical romance. I would recommend these books just, heads up, there are only two...😒
October 20, 2025
This book had such an interesting premise. Victoria Dearbourne (and her governess) had been shipwrecked on a deserted island 8 years earlier when Victoria was 13 years old. Neither her parents or any other crew survived. Captain Grant Sutherland had been hired by Victoria's grandfather to find them. Grant does locate the castaways but since Victoria and Cammy had been assaulted by another ship's crew, they were wary of the newcomers. So Victoria devised ways to antagonize Grant in order to make him leave. While I understand that the women had reservations, it did not seem that they even gave Grant a chance. The other strange thing was that Cammy had some sort of wasting sickness which made Victoria the de facto leader of the two.
So Victoria spies Grant bathing and she is instantly smitten. He too has some overwhelming attraction to Victoria which was unusual for his normally reserved self. He convinces her to travel back with him to England and he vows not to touch her. But Victoria is curious and wants him no matter what the consequences are. I did enjoy the sexual tension between the two and how Grant really tried to hold onto his "honor". However, he fails and they are intimate with each other. After this Grant offers marriage but she refuses because he basically thinks she is a savage.
This is where my enjoyment of the book started to fade. Both held to their ideals with Victoria wanting love in a marriage and Grant being totally against it. It got really annoying after a bit with this constant back and forth. And then when back in England and her grandfather dies, Victoria has to sell everything and work her fingers to the bone to keep the estate afloat. My pet peeve is when a character clearly needs help, but refuses to accept it out of pride. Like she is making these two older servants work themselves to death because she does not want to accept help. When it starts involving other people, give up your pride!
I do wish that they had spent more time on the island or the ship. That was where all the fun happened.
So Victoria spies Grant bathing and she is instantly smitten. He too has some overwhelming attraction to Victoria which was unusual for his normally reserved self. He convinces her to travel back with him to England and he vows not to touch her. But Victoria is curious and wants him no matter what the consequences are. I did enjoy the sexual tension between the two and how Grant really tried to hold onto his "honor". However, he fails and they are intimate with each other. After this Grant offers marriage but she refuses because he basically thinks she is a savage.
This is where my enjoyment of the book started to fade. Both held to their ideals with Victoria wanting love in a marriage and Grant being totally against it. It got really annoying after a bit with this constant back and forth. And then when back in England and her grandfather dies, Victoria has to sell everything and work her fingers to the bone to keep the estate afloat. My pet peeve is when a character clearly needs help, but refuses to accept it out of pride. Like she is making these two older servants work themselves to death because she does not want to accept help. When it starts involving other people, give up your pride!
I do wish that they had spent more time on the island or the ship. That was where all the fun happened.
December 17, 2024
After two long years of reading Kresley Cole books, I'm finally finished. Yes, I'm one of those people that reads books even if I don't like them. And let me say, I disliked most of Kresley Cole's work. But more on that at the end.
This book started out sooo interesting at first. Grant and Victoria were both really interesting to read about. Grant is a stoic type of character who doesn't like to share his feelings or emotions, while Victoria is wild and goes after what she wants. The story was so interesting at the beginning, when they were on the island, and until they landed in London. After that, the plot was a mess, and the pacing was crazy. The middle of this book drags on for wayyyyy too long, and the ending was extremely rushed. Don't even get me started on Grant's brooding for endless chapters where he tellls himself that he doesn't love her. A couple of chapters would have been fine, but it just went on for way too long. Get to the point already. And that's why this story was lacking. It dragged on for way too long. Ian even became irrelevant to the plot. He was just a plot point, and nothing more. He got captured, Grant goes after him, doesn't find him, and then returns to Victoria to live happily ever after.
My brain hurts. And I was even liking this story to begin with. The structure and pacing were terrible, the characters were annoying and dramatic, and I wanted more pirates - just like the first book.
Overall, I'm really, REALLY happy that I'm finally finished with all of Kresley Cole's books. That's the only happiness I gained from her books. Unfortunately, I won't be recommending her books to anyone.
This book started out sooo interesting at first. Grant and Victoria were both really interesting to read about. Grant is a stoic type of character who doesn't like to share his feelings or emotions, while Victoria is wild and goes after what she wants. The story was so interesting at the beginning, when they were on the island, and until they landed in London. After that, the plot was a mess, and the pacing was crazy. The middle of this book drags on for wayyyyy too long, and the ending was extremely rushed. Don't even get me started on Grant's brooding for endless chapters where he tellls himself that he doesn't love her. A couple of chapters would have been fine, but it just went on for way too long. Get to the point already. And that's why this story was lacking. It dragged on for way too long. Ian even became irrelevant to the plot. He was just a plot point, and nothing more. He got captured, Grant goes after him, doesn't find him, and then returns to Victoria to live happily ever after.
My brain hurts. And I was even liking this story to begin with. The structure and pacing were terrible, the characters were annoying and dramatic, and I wanted more pirates - just like the first book.
Overall, I'm really, REALLY happy that I'm finally finished with all of Kresley Cole's books. That's the only happiness I gained from her books. Unfortunately, I won't be recommending her books to anyone.
September 16, 2020
Ini kisah grant si pelaut dengan Victoria aka tory. Aku paling suka kisah bajak laut, koboi, highlander juga
Grant di suruh kakek tori buat nyari cucunya yang hilang bertahun-tahun. Tibalah di grant di pulau terisolasi. Waktu datang si grant diserang tori karena tori ngira grant itu bakal laut jahat. Keseruannya di sini. Tori bak tarsanwati penguasa pulau, dia bikin grant kewalahan karena beberapa kali grant dikerjain supaya gak betah dan pergi. Grant sama kerasnya gak putus asa, masuk hutan lalu cari rumahnya di tori (rumah pohon) tapi tori pun cerdik, markasnya banyak.
Pada akhirnya tori manut dan percaya kalau grant emang disuruh kakeknya buat jemput. Masalahnya adalah dua bujang, satu udah lama gak ketemu cewek karena mengarungi lautan. Satunya gak ketemu cowok karena terisolasi dunia. Tori terang-terangan bilang naksir grant, tapi ditolak. Grant gak percaya, gimana kalau waktu tiba di Inggris tori berubah pikiran karena ketemu banyak cowok yang lebih cakep (aku setuju). Tapi torinya bandel malah ngrayu dan ngejar grant minta di bobokin. Terjadilah hal itu. Tapi grant nyesel terus ngejauhin tori. Grant gak begitu saja menawarkan pernikahan karena insecur ama ikatan sakral itu.
Menariknya waktu balik ke Inggris, gantian tori yang jual mahal. Biar tahu rasa si grant. Ngejar itu capek, di tawarin nikah si tori juga kagak mau. Hatiku puas ketika gantian grant yang berjuang.
Grant di suruh kakek tori buat nyari cucunya yang hilang bertahun-tahun. Tibalah di grant di pulau terisolasi. Waktu datang si grant diserang tori karena tori ngira grant itu bakal laut jahat. Keseruannya di sini. Tori bak tarsanwati penguasa pulau, dia bikin grant kewalahan karena beberapa kali grant dikerjain supaya gak betah dan pergi. Grant sama kerasnya gak putus asa, masuk hutan lalu cari rumahnya di tori (rumah pohon) tapi tori pun cerdik, markasnya banyak.
Pada akhirnya tori manut dan percaya kalau grant emang disuruh kakeknya buat jemput. Masalahnya adalah dua bujang, satu udah lama gak ketemu cewek karena mengarungi lautan. Satunya gak ketemu cowok karena terisolasi dunia. Tori terang-terangan bilang naksir grant, tapi ditolak. Grant gak percaya, gimana kalau waktu tiba di Inggris tori berubah pikiran karena ketemu banyak cowok yang lebih cakep (aku setuju). Tapi torinya bandel malah ngrayu dan ngejar grant minta di bobokin. Terjadilah hal itu. Tapi grant nyesel terus ngejauhin tori. Grant gak begitu saja menawarkan pernikahan karena insecur ama ikatan sakral itu.
Menariknya waktu balik ke Inggris, gantian tori yang jual mahal. Biar tahu rasa si grant. Ngejar itu capek, di tawarin nikah si tori juga kagak mau. Hatiku puas ketika gantian grant yang berjuang.
May 11, 2024
I adored the first half of this book. The plot gripped me from page 1 with Grant Sutherland arriving at the last island on his months-long quest to find the long lost granddaughter of an earl. He’s shocked when he spots her before even stepping foot on shore and tears through the jungle after her. He expected to be met with praise, maybe even a bit of wariness from the woman who was marooned on the island eight years ago. What he didn’t expect was for her to toy with and outmaneuver him from one end of the island to the other.
Grant and Tori’s dynamic was initially one of my favorites: control vs. chaos. Grant was as straight-laced and stoic as they come until he met Tori who turned his world upside down. Suddenly he’s feeling things he’s never felt before and obsessing over their every interaction. Tori is wild and bold and the exact opposite of what he’d choose for himself, but nothing can stifle the pull he feels toward her.
I really liked Tori and her drive to do whatever it took to survive both on the island and after Grant’s rejection. She was resilient and unburdened by the confines of society that Grant so stubbornly wanted to cling to. There were moments where I liked Grant’s character, especially on the island, but his hesitancy over whether or not to pursue Tori once they returned grated on my nerves. It took him nearly the entire book to realize what a fool he was and go after her. He did have a pretty great grand gesture at the end, but I do think he could have groveled a bit more.
The last half of the story really dragged for me. I found myself wishing they’d spent more time on the island because the tone of the book drastically changed once they returned to London. Our main couple is hardly on page together throughout the middle of the book and it almost felt like a totally separate story considering where we started.
In the hands of a lesser author this would have been a flop for me but Kresley Cole is such a skilled writer that I was still invested in the resolution of the story and rooting for Grant and Tori to resolve their issues.
Sort of mixed feelings about this one but still happy to read anything that Kresley Cole writes!
3.5/5 ⭐️
Grant and Tori’s dynamic was initially one of my favorites: control vs. chaos. Grant was as straight-laced and stoic as they come until he met Tori who turned his world upside down. Suddenly he’s feeling things he’s never felt before and obsessing over their every interaction. Tori is wild and bold and the exact opposite of what he’d choose for himself, but nothing can stifle the pull he feels toward her.
I really liked Tori and her drive to do whatever it took to survive both on the island and after Grant’s rejection. She was resilient and unburdened by the confines of society that Grant so stubbornly wanted to cling to. There were moments where I liked Grant’s character, especially on the island, but his hesitancy over whether or not to pursue Tori once they returned grated on my nerves. It took him nearly the entire book to realize what a fool he was and go after her. He did have a pretty great grand gesture at the end, but I do think he could have groveled a bit more.
The last half of the story really dragged for me. I found myself wishing they’d spent more time on the island because the tone of the book drastically changed once they returned to London. Our main couple is hardly on page together throughout the middle of the book and it almost felt like a totally separate story considering where we started.
In the hands of a lesser author this would have been a flop for me but Kresley Cole is such a skilled writer that I was still invested in the resolution of the story and rooting for Grant and Tori to resolve their issues.
Sort of mixed feelings about this one but still happy to read anything that Kresley Cole writes!
3.5/5 ⭐️
July 1, 2021
(Explícito). Para no tener mucho misterio en la historia me gustó mucho. Fue emocionante ver cómo pudieron sobrevivir Victoria y Cammy en la isla. Además de que fue divertido ver a Victoria tratar de deshacerse de Grant para que se fuera de su isla. Muy triste lo que pasó con los marineros que llegaron antes que la tripulación de Grant, lamentablemente tiene sentido debido a la época en la que se encuentran.
Disfruté de la fortaleza de Victoria, toda una luchadora.
Grant, lamentablemente fue duro con Victoria, y con todos los demás, brusco. Que bueno que logró ser más abierto respecto a sus emociones y sentimientos, incluso tenía momentos de ternura extrema mientras pensaba en lo que Victoria tuvo que pasar en la isla. Algo prepotente, no pensaba en las consecuencias de sus actos, no siempre pero sí hubo algunas situaciones, por ejemplo que él sabía que el abuelo de ella esta en la ruina y aún así la dejó en el castillo sin asegurarse de que tenía las necesidades básicas cubiertas, por lo menos, en Ciudad del Cabo, le compró algo de ropa.
Narrado en tercera persona y ofrece los puntos de vista de los protagonistas, y un poco de otros personajes como Cammy.
Disfruté de la fortaleza de Victoria, toda una luchadora.
Grant, lamentablemente fue duro con Victoria, y con todos los demás, brusco. Que bueno que logró ser más abierto respecto a sus emociones y sentimientos, incluso tenía momentos de ternura extrema mientras pensaba en lo que Victoria tuvo que pasar en la isla. Algo prepotente, no pensaba en las consecuencias de sus actos, no siempre pero sí hubo algunas situaciones, por ejemplo que él sabía que el abuelo de ella esta en la ruina y aún así la dejó en el castillo sin asegurarse de que tenía las necesidades básicas cubiertas, por lo menos, en Ciudad del Cabo, le compró algo de ropa.
Narrado en tercera persona y ofrece los puntos de vista de los protagonistas, y un poco de otros personajes como Cammy.
August 23, 2021
Interesting overall plot with Victoria having been shipwrecked, but after they leave the island it gets rather boring. The back and forth goes stale. They’re in love but Grant has his head up his ass about manners….. which of all the silly things to be a source of conflict in a book … 🤦🏻♀️ it just doesn’t read as true to his character. He’s not really stuck up or anything and it just doesn’t fit.
This quote sums it up:
“Nicole and I had something, or rather someone, between us. Loving each other was out of the question. But you have it so damn easy. A lovely, intelligent woman loves you, and all you have to do is accept it.”
But like he just can’t. And it makes him annoying and un likable. Really enjoyed the island part though. 🤷🏻♀️
This quote sums it up:
“Nicole and I had something, or rather someone, between us. Loving each other was out of the question. But you have it so damn easy. A lovely, intelligent woman loves you, and all you have to do is accept it.”
But like he just can’t. And it makes him annoying and un likable. Really enjoyed the island part though. 🤷🏻♀️
March 1, 2023
🏝️ Book Review 🏝️
Another classic Kresley Cole reread done!
✔️ Insta-lust
✔️ Age Gap
✔️ Forced Proximity
✔️ "I'm Not Good for You"
Book 2 of the Sutherland Brothers series was also Kresley's second book. While I didn't enjoy it as much ad her Immortals After Dark series, I still find this fun.
Partly it's due to Kresley's gift of matching couples and then throwing forced proximity in the mix so they have to come to terms with their feelings for each other. Here, it's a stoic second son (Grant) and a lost-at-sea FMC (Tori).
I also love when the main obstacle to HEA is each person's own headspace and what they think they deserve. Seeing Grant and Tori figure it all out and come together was delightful. 4⭐️
Steam 🔥🔥
Banter 🗣️🗣️🗣️🗣️
Swoon 💕💕💕💕
Another classic Kresley Cole reread done!
✔️ Insta-lust
✔️ Age Gap
✔️ Forced Proximity
✔️ "I'm Not Good for You"
Book 2 of the Sutherland Brothers series was also Kresley's second book. While I didn't enjoy it as much ad her Immortals After Dark series, I still find this fun.
Partly it's due to Kresley's gift of matching couples and then throwing forced proximity in the mix so they have to come to terms with their feelings for each other. Here, it's a stoic second son (Grant) and a lost-at-sea FMC (Tori).
I also love when the main obstacle to HEA is each person's own headspace and what they think they deserve. Seeing Grant and Tori figure it all out and come together was delightful. 4⭐️
Steam 🔥🔥
Banter 🗣️🗣️🗣️🗣️
Swoon 💕💕💕💕
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