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Wicked Angel
Forbidden love is always a scandalous choice. . . .
She raced across the pasture, vaulted a fence, and landed, stunned and breathless, on top of the most handsome man she had ever seen. The bemused stranger stayed to capture the fancy of the brood of orphaned children in her charge, then stole Lauren Hill's heart with a searing kiss as he left. Lauren couldn't tell him she was a widowed countess fallen on hard times. She tried to forget him—until she saw him again at a London ball. The man who haunted her dreams was a duke, out of her class...and he was pledged to another woman.
The ton is ablaze with talk of the ravishing Bavarian countess. Stunned, Alexander Christian, Duke of Sutherland, recognizes Lauren as the country girl who's captured his heart. Duty has forced him to pledge himself to another, to take his proper place in society and in Parliament. He wants one night with his blue-eyed enchantress, but will he be able to walk away from her again, or will he risk it all to be with the woman who fires his blood and makes him think of a . . . Wicked Angel .
She raced across the pasture, vaulted a fence, and landed, stunned and breathless, on top of the most handsome man she had ever seen. The bemused stranger stayed to capture the fancy of the brood of orphaned children in her charge, then stole Lauren Hill's heart with a searing kiss as he left. Lauren couldn't tell him she was a widowed countess fallen on hard times. She tried to forget him—until she saw him again at a London ball. The man who haunted her dreams was a duke, out of her class...and he was pledged to another woman.
The ton is ablaze with talk of the ravishing Bavarian countess. Stunned, Alexander Christian, Duke of Sutherland, recognizes Lauren as the country girl who's captured his heart. Duty has forced him to pledge himself to another, to take his proper place in society and in Parliament. He wants one night with his blue-eyed enchantress, but will he be able to walk away from her again, or will he risk it all to be with the woman who fires his blood and makes him think of a . . . Wicked Angel .
384 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 1999
120 people are currently reading
1174 people want to read
About the author
Julia London
190 books3,141 followersJulia London is the New York Times and USA Today best selling author of more than two dozen romantic fiction novels. She is the author of the popular historical romance series, the Cabot Sisters, including The Trouble with Honor, The Devil Takes a Bride, and The Scoundrel and the Debutante. She is also the author of several contemporary romances, including Homecoming Ranch, Return to Homecoming Ranch, and The Perfect Homecoming.
Julia is the recipient of the RT Bookclub Award for Best Historical Romance and a six-time finalist for the prestigious RITA award for excellence in romantic fiction. To keep up with all the Julia London news, please visit http://www.julialondon.com. Follow her on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/julialondon
Julia is the recipient of the RT Bookclub Award for Best Historical Romance and a six-time finalist for the prestigious RITA award for excellence in romantic fiction. To keep up with all the Julia London news, please visit http://www.julialondon.com. Follow her on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/julialondon
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 156 reviews
September 11, 2009
I was disappointed in this one. It started out very cute and fun, and quickly became bogged down by trying to force emotional tension by rehashing the same information over and over. Oh, and making the characters betray themselves and everyone around them.
Lauren Hill aka Countess Bergen has finally returned home after the death of her very old and very senile Bavarian husband. Her uncle had bartered her off years before and swindled the Count into agreeing that should Lauren produce an heir, the entire estate of Bergenschloss would be hers. Since Lauren didn't produce an heir, and in fact never even consummated the marriage, she forfeited her claim to the property to the new Count Bergen, her nephew-in-law Magnus. However, she doesn't realize until she sees the destitute state of her home Rosewood just what she has done. She sets out to save the estate and her family (including 5 orphans she's taken responsibility for) by engaging in trade around the community. It's when she's harvesting her pumpkin crop and trying to fend off an irritable pig named Lucy that she meets Mr. Christian.
Only Mr. Christian isn't who he seems to be; he's actually Alex Christian, Duke of Sutherland, and about to be married at the end of the Season. But there's something about Lauren that keeps drawing him in. They spend a few days in and around Rosewood becoming friends and becoming infatuated, but too soon responsibility pulls Alex back to London.
Four months later, it's there that they meet again. Lauren's uncle has forced her to find a match and Alex is busing squiring his fiance, Marlaine, around. Lots of longing and angsting and sniping go on, until eventually they both must decide whether responsibility or love is more important.
The book doesn't start going downhill until Alex and Lauren meet again. All of a sudden, instead of a selfless, confident woman, Lauren turns into an insecure harpy who jumps to conclusions every time Alex turns her way. And Alex is so frustrating, never knowing from one moment to the other what he wants more, and stringing both Lauren and Marlaine around. The end was especially grating, when Alex made his grand sacrifice and Lauren wasn't willing to do the same.
But the biggest disappointment to me was the lack of emotional growth in the story. Alex and Lauren spend a handful of days - mostly around the children - at the beginning of the book getting to know each other. They never go beyond the superficial, though, and although they are infatuated, I really don't think they had enough interaction to be considered "in love". In London, they spent so much time admiring one another's appearance and longing, that again they didn't really get to know one another beyond the superficial details. The emotional tension is strictly about them wanting each other and not being able to have one another. If this were real life, I would say that once they got each other, they'd probably grow bored, because any "love" either one seems to feel is strictly from the desire that they can't consummate.
In the end, they do get their HEA, but I can't help but think how carelessly they've hurt the people around them (think how Wrath treated Marissa; it's very similar), and how much they betrayed the original characterizations that JL set forward for them. C
Lauren Hill aka Countess Bergen has finally returned home after the death of her very old and very senile Bavarian husband. Her uncle had bartered her off years before and swindled the Count into agreeing that should Lauren produce an heir, the entire estate of Bergenschloss would be hers. Since Lauren didn't produce an heir, and in fact never even consummated the marriage, she forfeited her claim to the property to the new Count Bergen, her nephew-in-law Magnus. However, she doesn't realize until she sees the destitute state of her home Rosewood just what she has done. She sets out to save the estate and her family (including 5 orphans she's taken responsibility for) by engaging in trade around the community. It's when she's harvesting her pumpkin crop and trying to fend off an irritable pig named Lucy that she meets Mr. Christian.
Only Mr. Christian isn't who he seems to be; he's actually Alex Christian, Duke of Sutherland, and about to be married at the end of the Season. But there's something about Lauren that keeps drawing him in. They spend a few days in and around Rosewood becoming friends and becoming infatuated, but too soon responsibility pulls Alex back to London.
Four months later, it's there that they meet again. Lauren's uncle has forced her to find a match and Alex is busing squiring his fiance, Marlaine, around. Lots of longing and angsting and sniping go on, until eventually they both must decide whether responsibility or love is more important.
The book doesn't start going downhill until Alex and Lauren meet again. All of a sudden, instead of a selfless, confident woman, Lauren turns into an insecure harpy who jumps to conclusions every time Alex turns her way. And Alex is so frustrating, never knowing from one moment to the other what he wants more, and stringing both Lauren and Marlaine around. The end was especially grating, when Alex made his grand sacrifice and Lauren wasn't willing to do the same.
But the biggest disappointment to me was the lack of emotional growth in the story. Alex and Lauren spend a handful of days - mostly around the children - at the beginning of the book getting to know each other. They never go beyond the superficial, though, and although they are infatuated, I really don't think they had enough interaction to be considered "in love". In London, they spent so much time admiring one another's appearance and longing, that again they didn't really get to know one another beyond the superficial details. The emotional tension is strictly about them wanting each other and not being able to have one another. If this were real life, I would say that once they got each other, they'd probably grow bored, because any "love" either one seems to feel is strictly from the desire that they can't consummate.
In the end, they do get their HEA, but I can't help but think how carelessly they've hurt the people around them (think how Wrath treated Marissa; it's very similar), and how much they betrayed the original characterizations that JL set forward for them. C
October 15, 2017
The hero Alex, the sexy Duke of Sutherland, was engaged to marry a frigid, boring woman called Lady Marlaine before he met and fell for the enchantingly sweet and beautiful heroine Lauren. I thoroughly enjoyed the way he tried to combat his desire and love for love for Lauren while being obstinate about his social and political marriage of convenience with that passive aggressive Marlaine. I must admit that the latent bitch in me LOVED the scene where Alex broke his engagement to Marlaine. Her crying and begging was enjoyable, especially after the way she and her witchy mother had snubbed Lauren. Poor Lauren is being forced by her wicked uncle Ethan to find a rich husband. There is so much working against our MC's that it seemed impossible for them to ever get their happy ending but they did and the beautiful epilogue was the crowning glory for a very enchanting regency romance.
May 14, 2019
"Wicked Angel" is the story of Lauren and Alex.
Alas.. this book went from being amazing to disappointing in like 100 pages. Let us begin..
Our heroine is a gorgeous, kind hearted, selfless woman who was forced into marriage by her unscrupulous uncle to an old man, and is now widowed at 24. She then returns with her disabled brother to Rosewood, a home which takes care of (her beloved) orphans, which is almost in shambles. She comes up with innovative plans to maintain their keep, but the debts keep piling up.
It is there she meets the enigmatic stranger Alex, and they both experience insane pangs of attraction for one another, but their courtship ends when the hero abruptly leaves.
Her shameless uncle then plans to marry her off again (after spending all her brother's inheritance) and the heroine reluctantly agrees to go and have a season in London.
Soon the couple discover each other's identity- the heroine is the widowed Bavarian countess and the hero is Duke of Sutherland (also the lord of her keep)! But despite their knowledge, they cannot keep their eyes, or hands of each other, much to the disdain of the ton.
Will their love conquer?
Things I liked:
-How insanely crazy the couple were about each other. The hero defied societal norms to ogle at the heroine, going as far to as to court her openly despite being engaged!
-The heroine and her love for the kids was so heartwarming; I also like the hero's interactions with them
My problems:
-I hated how the hero went TWICE from the heroine to his fiance, the second time also trying to coerce the latter into having sex in order to deal with his "dilemma"
-His fiance was not a bad woman. The author really made the hero sound like a dick every time the he was mean to her and ignored her
-The ending was messed up. What tf was up with all the refusals- the heroine, then the hero, then the heroine..Umm SO not fetch.
-I didn't feel it was necessary to redeem ALL the characters at the end; ie the uncle, the suitor, the fiance etc etc
-I felt they could have bought Rosewood family back home, instead of going and just visiting them
Quite disappointed at the end.
Safe with exceptions
2.75/5
Alas.. this book went from being amazing to disappointing in like 100 pages. Let us begin..
Our heroine is a gorgeous, kind hearted, selfless woman who was forced into marriage by her unscrupulous uncle to an old man, and is now widowed at 24. She then returns with her disabled brother to Rosewood, a home which takes care of (her beloved) orphans, which is almost in shambles. She comes up with innovative plans to maintain their keep, but the debts keep piling up.
It is there she meets the enigmatic stranger Alex, and they both experience insane pangs of attraction for one another, but their courtship ends when the hero abruptly leaves.
Her shameless uncle then plans to marry her off again (after spending all her brother's inheritance) and the heroine reluctantly agrees to go and have a season in London.
Soon the couple discover each other's identity- the heroine is the widowed Bavarian countess and the hero is Duke of Sutherland (also the lord of her keep)! But despite their knowledge, they cannot keep their eyes, or hands of each other, much to the disdain of the ton.
Will their love conquer?
Things I liked:
-How insanely crazy the couple were about each other. The hero defied societal norms to ogle at the heroine, going as far to as to court her openly despite being engaged!
-The heroine and her love for the kids was so heartwarming; I also like the hero's interactions with them
My problems:
-I hated how the hero went TWICE from the heroine to his fiance, the second time also trying to coerce the latter into having sex in order to deal with his "dilemma"
-His fiance was not a bad woman. The author really made the hero sound like a dick every time the he was mean to her and ignored her
-The ending was messed up. What tf was up with all the refusals- the heroine, then the hero, then the heroine..Umm SO not fetch.
-I didn't feel it was necessary to redeem ALL the characters at the end; ie the uncle, the suitor, the fiance etc etc
-I felt they could have bought Rosewood family back home, instead of going and just visiting them
Quite disappointed at the end.
Safe with exceptions
2.75/5
November 16, 2011
I tried to finish this, I honestly did. With such an interesting start---amusing orphans, a quirky house, a clever heroine, a hero who enjoys the simple things in life---I thought I was in for a treat. Instead, as the book went on, the characters and the plot became more and more pedestrian and, frankly, impossible to like.
The heroine whimpers and whines about her impossible love. The hero broods and whines about his impossible engagement to another woman. The other woman, who could've been a sympathetic character, turns shrewish and jealous even as she can't bear the hero's touch. And they circle around one another for chapter after chapter after chapter. Good grief!
Considering how much I liked Sutherland in the previous book, The Devil's Love, I'm immensely disappointed to see him come to such an ignominious end. But I have to admit, I'm also immensely relieved to be escaping the "for Chrissakes" and "Holy Mother of God" and "God!" I found tossed at me every other paragraph. Distracting? Holy Mother of God, yes!
The heroine whimpers and whines about her impossible love. The hero broods and whines about his impossible engagement to another woman. The other woman, who could've been a sympathetic character, turns shrewish and jealous even as she can't bear the hero's touch. And they circle around one another for chapter after chapter after chapter. Good grief!
Considering how much I liked Sutherland in the previous book, The Devil's Love, I'm immensely disappointed to see him come to such an ignominious end. But I have to admit, I'm also immensely relieved to be escaping the "for Chrissakes" and "Holy Mother of God" and "God!" I found tossed at me every other paragraph. Distracting? Holy Mother of God, yes!
August 19, 2022
The last dispute was annoying!
January 12, 2010
What can I say? It is my number 1, all-time favorite romance novel with one of the most touching scenes ever written (2nd only to THE most touching scene ever from Almost Heaven).
April 25, 2021
3.5 ⭐️’s Cute story that held promise, but fell a little short of expectations. Despite that, it was well-written and entertaining.
April 20, 2023
It was quite fun.
The heroine is a widow, a virgin widow since her husband was old and sick and she decides to leave her inheritance to her husband’s nephew that by the way is infatuated with her, and go back home.
She meets the hero, a duke, who pretends to be anything but, and they basically fall in love.
When they meet again in London she finds out he’s a duke and very much engaged.
There’s a lot of flirting and kissing and writing poems and I really felt the man was in love but he was committed to his fiancé ( don’t forget that engagements had contracts with rules and it wasn’t easy to break one)
Eventually they have sex and the hero is very remorseful because the heroine was a virgin.
He still doesn’t think he can break his engagement.
When the heroine finds out he tries to persuade his fiancé to elope with him the day after he had sex with her, accepts om’s proposal and leaves the hero.
The hero then realizes he wants her and breaks his engagement.
But it’s too late and the heroine doesn’t want to break her engagement with om.
They have sex again and the hero is angry because he thought she would leave her fiancé for him.
What made me angry was that she had to grovel to persuade the hero she loves him after she broke her engagement to om.
After all the hero did wait enough before leaving his fiancé and he did it only because the heroine left.
Too much ott in the end, unnecessary and useless.
I would have appreciated if the hero had stayed and didn’t get angry after using the heroine and thinking of how he could make her his mistress, and basically trying to seduce his fiancé to forget the heroine just a day after he stole her virginity.
But JL’s heroes are rotten to the core and this is not even the worst one.
Celibacy unclear for him, it seems he dated many women after he broke with the heroine but it’s never specified if they were only window dressing or if he had sex with them so I didn’t think about it too much.
The heroine is a widow, a virgin widow since her husband was old and sick and she decides to leave her inheritance to her husband’s nephew that by the way is infatuated with her, and go back home.
She meets the hero, a duke, who pretends to be anything but, and they basically fall in love.
When they meet again in London she finds out he’s a duke and very much engaged.
There’s a lot of flirting and kissing and writing poems and I really felt the man was in love but he was committed to his fiancé ( don’t forget that engagements had contracts with rules and it wasn’t easy to break one)
Eventually they have sex and the hero is very remorseful because the heroine was a virgin.
He still doesn’t think he can break his engagement.
When the heroine finds out he tries to persuade his fiancé to elope with him the day after he had sex with her, accepts om’s proposal and leaves the hero.
The hero then realizes he wants her and breaks his engagement.
But it’s too late and the heroine doesn’t want to break her engagement with om.
They have sex again and the hero is angry because he thought she would leave her fiancé for him.
What made me angry was that she had to grovel to persuade the hero she loves him after she broke her engagement to om.
After all the hero did wait enough before leaving his fiancé and he did it only because the heroine left.
Too much ott in the end, unnecessary and useless.
I would have appreciated if the hero had stayed and didn’t get angry after using the heroine and thinking of how he could make her his mistress, and basically trying to seduce his fiancé to forget the heroine just a day after he stole her virginity.
But JL’s heroes are rotten to the core and this is not even the worst one.
Celibacy unclear for him, it seems he dated many women after he broke with the heroine but it’s never specified if they were only window dressing or if he had sex with them so I didn’t think about it too much.
May 19, 2021
The book started out light hearted and fun. Alex I thought a bit stupid to give all her money away but figured she had more.....she didn't. Then came the next part light hearted and living on a farm trading her fruits and vegetables for supplies to run the home for orphans. She meets a wonderful man and has 2 weeks of getting to know this kind country gentleman. Then the book turns into a soap opera of angst, longing and hurting everyone around them for their love. She is a widow so I don't know why she is still doing her uncles bidding....plus she gave all her money away to the man who now wants to marry her. The conflict is her anger that the Duke thinks she is in London looking for a rich husband..... Ok Her uncle is making her find a rich husband (plus why are they keeping the uncle now). At the end there is a hea.
The audiobook is a on the free side of Audibles. I enjoyed the first book in the series.
The audiobook is a on the free side of Audibles. I enjoyed the first book in the series.
January 2, 2020
Just couldn’t get into it. Dnf.
2020-Tried again, finished!
2020-Tried again, finished!
August 1, 2017
love this story. HEROINE IS A VIRGIN WIDOW…HER DEAD HUSBAND WAS A VERY OLD GERMAN BARRON. THE MARRAGE CONTRACT WAS AGREED BY THE HEROINE'S UNCLE AND THE OLD BARRON. SHE WAS MARRIED BY PROXY AND SENT TO GERMANY TO LIVE WITH HER HUSBAND. AFTER THE OLD BARRONS DEATH SHE RETURNS TO ENGLAND TO HER HOME , A RUN DOWN FARM WHO IN ORDER TO MAKE ENDS MEET TAKES IN ORPHAN CHILDREN FROM THE CHURCH. ….HERO IS A POWERFUL WEALTHY DUKE WHO IS ENGAGED TO BE MARRIED TO A WOMAN FROM A VERY POWERFUL FAMILY. HE SEES OUR HEROINE AND FALLS IN LOVE AT FIRST SIGHT.
I LOVE THIS STORY. SENSUAL LEVEL, HOT PASSIONET KISSES AND TOUCHES WITH ONLY TWO SEX SCEANS, IS A VERY HOT PASSIONET 6.
I LOVE THIS STORY. SENSUAL LEVEL, HOT PASSIONET KISSES AND TOUCHES WITH ONLY TWO SEX SCEANS, IS A VERY HOT PASSIONET 6.
May 28, 2011
For me, this is a story where the H and h barrel through events while causing entirely too much damage to each other and to third parties in the name of their love. The HEA comes at too high a price to others, with no justification to soften the rather selfish blows, for my tastes.
June 21, 2013
Kitap 5 yıldız alabilirdi Lauren'in salaklıkları olmasaaa. Yorum yakında.
October 28, 2018
Big sighs! I have loved this whole series. The heroine is delightful. I’m really liking this author. Thanks. Shannon G. for the introduction!
October 6, 2010
Widowed countess Lauren meets Alex, a duke, at her humble country home where she takes care of orphaned children. They spend time together without knowing of each other's titles. They develop a strong connection with one another but Alex must return to London to take care of his responsibilities, one of them being his fiancée. He leaves Lauren with a memorable good bye kiss believing that they will never see each other again. Months later, they do meet up again at a London ball & both are surprised to see each other. They both feel the connection that they once had but realize that their true status and circumstances will not allow them to be together.
I enjoyed this book just as much as The Devil's Love. My heart tightened several times as Alex & Lauren ached and hoped for each other. When they finally give in to their feelings, I was so very, very touched by Alex’s declaration of love to Lauren. I also noticed a pattern similar to Devil’s Love, where there is groveling back and worth. It’s takes a while before everything settles where the h/h can reach their HEA. But when they do, this book leaves you with a warm smile on your face.
I enjoyed this book just as much as The Devil's Love. My heart tightened several times as Alex & Lauren ached and hoped for each other. When they finally give in to their feelings, I was so very, very touched by Alex’s declaration of love to Lauren. I also noticed a pattern similar to Devil’s Love, where there is groveling back and worth. It’s takes a while before everything settles where the h/h can reach their HEA. But when they do, this book leaves you with a warm smile on your face.
January 24, 2016
Bintang 4 saja
Aku selalu suka buku cerita yg karakter heronya bernama Alex atau Alexander. Tapi untuk buku yg satu ini sepertinya tidak. Malah aku suka si Magnus karakter yg awalnya membenci Lauren karena pernikahan Lauren dengan pamannya yg sudah uzur, namun berbalik menjadi menghargai dan mencintai Lauren karena karakternya yg tidak materialistis dan penuh perhatian dan kasih sayang terhadap anak anak asuhnya.
Dari awal sampai akhir cerita karakter Alex yg satu ini sangat menyebalkan. Hanya satu hal yg positif yg dilakukan Alex yg katanya mencintai Laurena, yaitu meminta maaf kepada Lauren.
Salut buat pengarang yg dapat membuat aku membenci karakter hero dalam sebuah cerita romantis.
(Tidak suka) Alex Christian Duke Sutherland seorang yg arogan dan sombongnya minta ampun. Menganggap dirinya yg paling segalanya dan meremehkan orang orang yg statusnya berbeda terutama yg jauh berada dibawahnya. Belum lagi Alex ini menurutku seorang yg oportunis karena memperjuangkan hak hak yg katanya atas nama rakyat Inggris padahal dibalik semua itu karena keuntungan finansial yg bakal diperolehnya jika berhasil memperjuangkan hak hak tersebut.
Pertemuan pertama Alex dengan Lauren Hill dipedesaan tanpa embel embel gelar masing masing, mencerahkan suasana hati Alex yg selama ini kaku dan sistemis. Dan diantara keduanya telah ada rasa ketertarikan. Alex tertarik dengan Lauren karena karakter Lauren yg manis bagai malaikat yg penuh perhatian dan tulus pada anak anak asuhnya yg tinggal di rumah Lauren. Lauren juga sangat cerdas dan cantik dimata Alex. Alex yg sudah bertunangan menganggap ketertarikannya ini hanyalah ketertarikan biasa bila seorang pria bertemu wanita yg cantik dan manis seperti Lauren. Berbeda dengan Alex, pertemuan pertama dan kebersamaan mereka selama dilingkungan rumah Lauren telah menyadarkan Lauren bahwa ia jatuh cinta pada Alex Yg tampan.
Lauren ini sebenarnya janda seorang Count dari Jerman yg kembali ke Inggris saat suaminya wafat. Lauren mengembalikan harta yg diwariskan oleh suaminya untuk dirinya kepada keponakan suaminya yg mewarisi gelas suami Lauren. Alasannya karena hati nuraninya. Bahwa Lauren tidak menjalankan kewajiban sebagai seorang istri dan tidak memberikan seorang pewaris bagi suaminya.
Terbentur masalah keuangan bagi kelangsungan hidup rumah tangganya di Rosewood, Lauren menyetujui niat pamannya yg mata duitan untuk menikahkannya kembali dengan berapa calon pria tua kaya yg sudah disiapkan pamannya di London.
Di London, Lauren terkenal sebagai Countes Bergen yg cantik mengikuti season. Tanpa sengaja Lauren bertemu Alex yg dikenalkan kepadanya sebagai Duke of Sutherlan. Lauren sangat terkejut mengetahui bahwa pria yg selama ini dicintai dan diimpikannya adalah seorang duke dan juga sudah bertunangan. Dilain pihak, betapa tidak simpatiknya Alex saat mengetahui posisi Lauren yg seorang janda yg sedang mencari calon suami dibursa perjodohan di London.
Sejak awal pertemuan mereka di Rosewood, alex tidak suka kalau ada pria yg dekat dengan Lauren. Nah... Di London ini calon calon suami potensial sudah menjadi saingan bagi Alex, terutama Magnus Count Bergen yg baru (keponakan suami Lauren).
Alex dibuat susah untuk bertemu Lauren dikediamannya. Ada saja alasan untuk menolak bertemu. Alasan paling utama adalah kesibukan Lauren dengan para calon peminangnya membuat Lauren sering tidak berada di rumah. Karena sebuah keberuntungan (Alex menang taruhan dari Paul kakaknya Lauren), Alex berhasil membawa lauren keluar untuk menyaksikan pertunjukan opera. Tentu saja Lauren tanpa sepengetahuan Alex Memarahi kakaknya karena mau maunya menjadikan Lauren sebagai taruhan. Dan dengan sangat terpaksa Lauren menerima hal itu (Lauren sebenarnaya tidak mau lagi berhubungan dengan Alex karena kedudukan Alex dan status Alex yg sudah bertunangan).
Dasar Alex, malam itu digedung opera, selama pertunjukan tanpa malu malu menunjukkan ketertarikannya kepada Lauren. Lauren tidak mengetahui hal tersebut dan menikmati pertunjukan opera.
Dasar Lauren, malam itu sehabis pertunjukan opera mau maunya terkena bujuk rayu Alex sehingga malam itu Lauren yg seorang Janda naif, polos dan masih perawan menyerahkan keperawanannya untuk Alex. Malam itu Lauren menyerahkan cinta dan keperawanannya untuk Alex. Dan Alex dibuat terkejut oleh Lauren yg ternyata sebelumnya masih perawan.
Apa yg terjadi pagi harinya merupakan skandal yg buruk yg pernah ada. Kalangan bangsawan membicarakan tatapan Alex untuk Lauren. Akibatnya orang orang mulai membicarakan hal hal buruk mengenai Lauren dan memandang rendah pada Lauren.
Apa yg dilakukan Alex?
Dasar, si bajingan cuci tangan dengan tidak menemui Lauren. Padahal malam sehabis mereka bercinta mereka berjanji bertemu lagi. Dan pahitnya lagi Alex dengan perasaan kalut meminta tunangannya untuk bercinta dengan dirinya dan mempercepat tanggal pernikahan yg tinggal beberapa hari lagi. OMG!!!
Hancur hati Lauren menghadapi pandangan buruk dan hujatan kaum bangsawan untuk dirinya. Dan ketika alex (yg dikiranya dapat membantunya menyelesaikan masalah) tidak menepati janji pertemuan mereka, Lauren akhirnya meninggalkan London dan kembali ke Rosewood.
Sekembali Lauren ke Rosewwod tanpa sengaja Lauren bertemu Lady Marlaine tunangan Alex. Sekali lagi hancur hati Lauren ketika Lady Marlaine tunangan Alex menceritakan betapa tidak sabarnya Alex untuk memiliki dan menikahi Marlaine. Dengan putus asa akhirnya Lauren menerima Lamaran Magnus, beniat meninggalkan London dan melupakan Alex.
Apa yg terjadi kemudian? Si Alex juga akhirnya mengacuhkan tunangannya setelah tahu Lauren telah meninggalkan London. (Dasar pria plin plan dan pengecut, tidak dapat mengambil keputusan dan memilih). (Baru) Setelah mendapat pencerahan dari sang ibunda dan bocoran dari Marlaine bahwa undangan pernikahan mereka belum dikirimkan, Alex akhirnya membatalkan rencana pernikahannya yg tinggal beberapa hari lagi. Dan Alex siap menghadapi akibat dan dampaknya terhadap kedudukannya di parlemen (terpecahnya suara antara Alex dan ayah Marlaine di parleman).
Secepatnya Alex menyusul Lauren ke Rosewood untuk merebut kembali hati Lauren. Tapi menurut Lauren sudah telambat. Lauren telah telanjur berjanji dengan count Bergen. Lauren juga tidak ingin menghancurkan kehidupan dan karier Alex di parlemen karena diri Lauren yg penuh skandal. Tapi dengan percaya dirinya alex meyakinkan Lauren bahwa Alex mencintai Lauren. Setiap hari Alex mengambil hati Lauren dan anak anak asuhnya. Tapi lauren tetap pada pendiriannya.
Sampai saat suatu pagi berhujan dimanaAlex dan Lauren terjebak di dalam sebuah pondok. Alex dengan percaya dirinya merayu Lauren untuk bercinta dengannya dan berusaha meyakinkan Lauren bahwa Alex benar benar mencintainya. Namun setelah percintaan mereka yg manis Lauren tetap kukuh dengan keputusannya menikahiMagnus dan meningglkan London. Mengalami sakit hati Alexpun meninggalkan Lauren yg sebelumnya melepaskan hasratnya pada Lauren sekali lagi (sialan si Alex Ini benar benar buat sakit hati dan menjengkelkan aku).
Sepeninggal Alex, Lauren banyak merenung dan mengalami pencerahan. Dan Magnus yg baik dan penuh pengertian akhirnya melepaskan Lauren dari ikatan perjanjian mereka (namun Magnus tetap menyalurkan bantuan untuk pendanaan Rosewood dan kehidupananak anak asuh Lauren). Dengan dorongan dari pamannya (yg lebih suka Lauren menikah dengan seorang duke yg kaya) Lauren kembali ke London untuk meminta maaf pada Alex dan menyelesaikan kesalahpahaman mereka.
Perjuangan Lauren tidak mudah.
Lagi lagi dasar alex, Lauren yg rela menahan malu dan dipergunjingkan dihadapan kaum bangsawan muncul disebuah acara kaum bangsawan untuk bertemu dan berbicara dengan Alex tidak diperdulikan Alex. Alex mengabaikan keberadaan Lauren. Berkali kali lauren melakukan hal yg sama dibeberapa kesempatan Alex tetap mengabaikannya. Lauren juga berusaha menemui Alex dikediamana Alex dan Alex tetap menolak bertemu. Dan Lauren sempat menyesali kedatangannya ke London.
Untunglah sekali lagi ibunda Alex ikut campur. Pertemuan sang Duchess yg tidak disengaja dengan Lauren disebuah rumah sakit (disini Lauren mengalami penolakan yg lain karena pihak rumah sakit tidak mau menerima sumbangan selainya karena reputasinya yg buruk) membuatnya berhasil memasuki kediaman Alex yg tidak dapat ditembusnya.
Berhasil menemui Alex diruang pribadinya, lauren menjelaskan semua keadaan kenapa Lauren menolak Alex saat Alex mengejarnya ke Rosewood. Dan mengungkapkan perasaan cintanya pada Alex. Tapi sekali lagi Alex menolaknya. Putus asa dan kesal, sebelum meninggalkan kediaman Alex, dengan cara yg cukup kasar Lauren mengingatkan Alex akan perbuatan Alex sendiri yg mengakibatkan Lauren terlanjur berjanji pada Magnus. Dan Lauren tidak mungkin memutuskan janjinya begitu saja dengan Magnus. Bahwa Lauren tidak bermaksud menolak dan menyakiti hati Alex karena Lauren tidak ingin menghancurkan karier Alex yg cemerlang. Bahwa Lauren tidak ingin menghancurkan kehidupan Alex yg sangat dicintanya. Menyadari kesalahannya dan tidak ingin kehilangan Lauren Alex akhirnya memaafkan dan meminta maaf pada Lauren.
Aku selalu suka buku cerita yg karakter heronya bernama Alex atau Alexander. Tapi untuk buku yg satu ini sepertinya tidak. Malah aku suka si Magnus karakter yg awalnya membenci Lauren karena pernikahan Lauren dengan pamannya yg sudah uzur, namun berbalik menjadi menghargai dan mencintai Lauren karena karakternya yg tidak materialistis dan penuh perhatian dan kasih sayang terhadap anak anak asuhnya.
Dari awal sampai akhir cerita karakter Alex yg satu ini sangat menyebalkan. Hanya satu hal yg positif yg dilakukan Alex yg katanya mencintai Laurena, yaitu meminta maaf kepada Lauren.
Salut buat pengarang yg dapat membuat aku membenci karakter hero dalam sebuah cerita romantis.
(Tidak suka) Alex Christian Duke Sutherland seorang yg arogan dan sombongnya minta ampun. Menganggap dirinya yg paling segalanya dan meremehkan orang orang yg statusnya berbeda terutama yg jauh berada dibawahnya. Belum lagi Alex ini menurutku seorang yg oportunis karena memperjuangkan hak hak yg katanya atas nama rakyat Inggris padahal dibalik semua itu karena keuntungan finansial yg bakal diperolehnya jika berhasil memperjuangkan hak hak tersebut.
Pertemuan pertama Alex dengan Lauren Hill dipedesaan tanpa embel embel gelar masing masing, mencerahkan suasana hati Alex yg selama ini kaku dan sistemis. Dan diantara keduanya telah ada rasa ketertarikan. Alex tertarik dengan Lauren karena karakter Lauren yg manis bagai malaikat yg penuh perhatian dan tulus pada anak anak asuhnya yg tinggal di rumah Lauren. Lauren juga sangat cerdas dan cantik dimata Alex. Alex yg sudah bertunangan menganggap ketertarikannya ini hanyalah ketertarikan biasa bila seorang pria bertemu wanita yg cantik dan manis seperti Lauren. Berbeda dengan Alex, pertemuan pertama dan kebersamaan mereka selama dilingkungan rumah Lauren telah menyadarkan Lauren bahwa ia jatuh cinta pada Alex Yg tampan.
Lauren ini sebenarnya janda seorang Count dari Jerman yg kembali ke Inggris saat suaminya wafat. Lauren mengembalikan harta yg diwariskan oleh suaminya untuk dirinya kepada keponakan suaminya yg mewarisi gelas suami Lauren. Alasannya karena hati nuraninya. Bahwa Lauren tidak menjalankan kewajiban sebagai seorang istri dan tidak memberikan seorang pewaris bagi suaminya.
Terbentur masalah keuangan bagi kelangsungan hidup rumah tangganya di Rosewood, Lauren menyetujui niat pamannya yg mata duitan untuk menikahkannya kembali dengan berapa calon pria tua kaya yg sudah disiapkan pamannya di London.
Di London, Lauren terkenal sebagai Countes Bergen yg cantik mengikuti season. Tanpa sengaja Lauren bertemu Alex yg dikenalkan kepadanya sebagai Duke of Sutherlan. Lauren sangat terkejut mengetahui bahwa pria yg selama ini dicintai dan diimpikannya adalah seorang duke dan juga sudah bertunangan. Dilain pihak, betapa tidak simpatiknya Alex saat mengetahui posisi Lauren yg seorang janda yg sedang mencari calon suami dibursa perjodohan di London.
Sejak awal pertemuan mereka di Rosewood, alex tidak suka kalau ada pria yg dekat dengan Lauren. Nah... Di London ini calon calon suami potensial sudah menjadi saingan bagi Alex, terutama Magnus Count Bergen yg baru (keponakan suami Lauren).
Alex dibuat susah untuk bertemu Lauren dikediamannya. Ada saja alasan untuk menolak bertemu. Alasan paling utama adalah kesibukan Lauren dengan para calon peminangnya membuat Lauren sering tidak berada di rumah. Karena sebuah keberuntungan (Alex menang taruhan dari Paul kakaknya Lauren), Alex berhasil membawa lauren keluar untuk menyaksikan pertunjukan opera. Tentu saja Lauren tanpa sepengetahuan Alex Memarahi kakaknya karena mau maunya menjadikan Lauren sebagai taruhan. Dan dengan sangat terpaksa Lauren menerima hal itu (Lauren sebenarnaya tidak mau lagi berhubungan dengan Alex karena kedudukan Alex dan status Alex yg sudah bertunangan).
Dasar Alex, malam itu digedung opera, selama pertunjukan tanpa malu malu menunjukkan ketertarikannya kepada Lauren. Lauren tidak mengetahui hal tersebut dan menikmati pertunjukan opera.
Dasar Lauren, malam itu sehabis pertunjukan opera mau maunya terkena bujuk rayu Alex sehingga malam itu Lauren yg seorang Janda naif, polos dan masih perawan menyerahkan keperawanannya untuk Alex. Malam itu Lauren menyerahkan cinta dan keperawanannya untuk Alex. Dan Alex dibuat terkejut oleh Lauren yg ternyata sebelumnya masih perawan.
Apa yg terjadi pagi harinya merupakan skandal yg buruk yg pernah ada. Kalangan bangsawan membicarakan tatapan Alex untuk Lauren. Akibatnya orang orang mulai membicarakan hal hal buruk mengenai Lauren dan memandang rendah pada Lauren.
Apa yg dilakukan Alex?
Dasar, si bajingan cuci tangan dengan tidak menemui Lauren. Padahal malam sehabis mereka bercinta mereka berjanji bertemu lagi. Dan pahitnya lagi Alex dengan perasaan kalut meminta tunangannya untuk bercinta dengan dirinya dan mempercepat tanggal pernikahan yg tinggal beberapa hari lagi. OMG!!!
Hancur hati Lauren menghadapi pandangan buruk dan hujatan kaum bangsawan untuk dirinya. Dan ketika alex (yg dikiranya dapat membantunya menyelesaikan masalah) tidak menepati janji pertemuan mereka, Lauren akhirnya meninggalkan London dan kembali ke Rosewood.
Sekembali Lauren ke Rosewwod tanpa sengaja Lauren bertemu Lady Marlaine tunangan Alex. Sekali lagi hancur hati Lauren ketika Lady Marlaine tunangan Alex menceritakan betapa tidak sabarnya Alex untuk memiliki dan menikahi Marlaine. Dengan putus asa akhirnya Lauren menerima Lamaran Magnus, beniat meninggalkan London dan melupakan Alex.
Apa yg terjadi kemudian? Si Alex juga akhirnya mengacuhkan tunangannya setelah tahu Lauren telah meninggalkan London. (Dasar pria plin plan dan pengecut, tidak dapat mengambil keputusan dan memilih). (Baru) Setelah mendapat pencerahan dari sang ibunda dan bocoran dari Marlaine bahwa undangan pernikahan mereka belum dikirimkan, Alex akhirnya membatalkan rencana pernikahannya yg tinggal beberapa hari lagi. Dan Alex siap menghadapi akibat dan dampaknya terhadap kedudukannya di parlemen (terpecahnya suara antara Alex dan ayah Marlaine di parleman).
Secepatnya Alex menyusul Lauren ke Rosewood untuk merebut kembali hati Lauren. Tapi menurut Lauren sudah telambat. Lauren telah telanjur berjanji dengan count Bergen. Lauren juga tidak ingin menghancurkan kehidupan dan karier Alex di parlemen karena diri Lauren yg penuh skandal. Tapi dengan percaya dirinya alex meyakinkan Lauren bahwa Alex mencintai Lauren. Setiap hari Alex mengambil hati Lauren dan anak anak asuhnya. Tapi lauren tetap pada pendiriannya.
Sampai saat suatu pagi berhujan dimanaAlex dan Lauren terjebak di dalam sebuah pondok. Alex dengan percaya dirinya merayu Lauren untuk bercinta dengannya dan berusaha meyakinkan Lauren bahwa Alex benar benar mencintainya. Namun setelah percintaan mereka yg manis Lauren tetap kukuh dengan keputusannya menikahiMagnus dan meningglkan London. Mengalami sakit hati Alexpun meninggalkan Lauren yg sebelumnya melepaskan hasratnya pada Lauren sekali lagi (sialan si Alex Ini benar benar buat sakit hati dan menjengkelkan aku).
Sepeninggal Alex, Lauren banyak merenung dan mengalami pencerahan. Dan Magnus yg baik dan penuh pengertian akhirnya melepaskan Lauren dari ikatan perjanjian mereka (namun Magnus tetap menyalurkan bantuan untuk pendanaan Rosewood dan kehidupananak anak asuh Lauren). Dengan dorongan dari pamannya (yg lebih suka Lauren menikah dengan seorang duke yg kaya) Lauren kembali ke London untuk meminta maaf pada Alex dan menyelesaikan kesalahpahaman mereka.
Perjuangan Lauren tidak mudah.
Lagi lagi dasar alex, Lauren yg rela menahan malu dan dipergunjingkan dihadapan kaum bangsawan muncul disebuah acara kaum bangsawan untuk bertemu dan berbicara dengan Alex tidak diperdulikan Alex. Alex mengabaikan keberadaan Lauren. Berkali kali lauren melakukan hal yg sama dibeberapa kesempatan Alex tetap mengabaikannya. Lauren juga berusaha menemui Alex dikediamana Alex dan Alex tetap menolak bertemu. Dan Lauren sempat menyesali kedatangannya ke London.
Untunglah sekali lagi ibunda Alex ikut campur. Pertemuan sang Duchess yg tidak disengaja dengan Lauren disebuah rumah sakit (disini Lauren mengalami penolakan yg lain karena pihak rumah sakit tidak mau menerima sumbangan selainya karena reputasinya yg buruk) membuatnya berhasil memasuki kediaman Alex yg tidak dapat ditembusnya.
Berhasil menemui Alex diruang pribadinya, lauren menjelaskan semua keadaan kenapa Lauren menolak Alex saat Alex mengejarnya ke Rosewood. Dan mengungkapkan perasaan cintanya pada Alex. Tapi sekali lagi Alex menolaknya. Putus asa dan kesal, sebelum meninggalkan kediaman Alex, dengan cara yg cukup kasar Lauren mengingatkan Alex akan perbuatan Alex sendiri yg mengakibatkan Lauren terlanjur berjanji pada Magnus. Dan Lauren tidak mungkin memutuskan janjinya begitu saja dengan Magnus. Bahwa Lauren tidak bermaksud menolak dan menyakiti hati Alex karena Lauren tidak ingin menghancurkan karier Alex yg cemerlang. Bahwa Lauren tidak ingin menghancurkan kehidupan Alex yg sangat dicintanya. Menyadari kesalahannya dan tidak ingin kehilangan Lauren Alex akhirnya memaafkan dan meminta maaf pada Lauren.
November 13, 2017
4.5 Stars I kind of felt that Christian had a personality change between The Devil's Love and this book (and not for the better), but JL turned him around for me. He was a butt-head through pretty much of the book. Even the redemption scene wasn't quite enough. He really made Lauren work hard for it and she really didn't deserve it. The epi was sweet to make up for it.
June 7, 2016
So this was a great, pretty angsty book right up until the end. The angst was almost overdone (especially at the end!) but I still found myself pleased with the read.
The heroine and hero develop a very nice relationship, but admittedly there are some things that get in the way of a relationship (half-truths, betrothals, etc.) The hero almost got on my nerves because he wouldn't leave the heroine alone, even though they both knew a relationship was impossible...but the author played up the attraction/obsession with one another enough that it was almost understandable.
My big complaint with the book was the ending.
The heroine and hero develop a very nice relationship, but admittedly there are some things that get in the way of a relationship (half-truths, betrothals, etc.) The hero almost got on my nerves because he wouldn't leave the heroine alone, even though they both knew a relationship was impossible...but the author played up the attraction/obsession with one another enough that it was almost understandable.
My big complaint with the book was the ending.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 15, 2025
Just like the blurb says: Duke S met Lauren, Countess B and they sort of fall in love.
They part and meet again 4 months after and of course, now that his true identity as a duke is revealed, he has to act like an arrogant ass since it seems to be a major requirements for dukes in HR stories...
Anyways the story was going okay: reasonable amount of angst, Duke S confused about his true feelings VS his duty to marry his proper bethroted.
But the author ruined at the end with the last dispute!
They could have ended together right there, could have said their ILO, give us an extra chapter of bliss before we jump to the epilogue since the whole book was them being kept apart.
But no, Julia decided to keep them for 2 more chapters and bring them together on the last page.
And seriously, Lauren looked like a slut in that last dispute.
If you are so hellbent on marrying the other dude whose proposal you accepted, why did you spread your legs for Duke S then?
Down to 3 stars for that ending only
They part and meet again 4 months after and of course, now that his true identity as a duke is revealed, he has to act like an arrogant ass since it seems to be a major requirements for dukes in HR stories...
Anyways the story was going okay: reasonable amount of angst, Duke S confused about his true feelings VS his duty to marry his proper bethroted.
But the author ruined at the end with the last dispute!
They could have ended together right there, could have said their ILO, give us an extra chapter of bliss before we jump to the epilogue since the whole book was them being kept apart.
But no, Julia decided to keep them for 2 more chapters and bring them together on the last page.
And seriously, Lauren looked like a slut in that last dispute.
If you are so hellbent on marrying the other dude whose proposal you accepted, why did you spread your legs for Duke S then?
Down to 3 stars for that ending only
April 20, 2011
Wicked Angel
By Julia London
(04/08/11)
What price for love?
A devastatingly handsome man who has everything - title, position, wealth, finds out exactly what that love will cost him.
An extraordinarily beautiful woman finds out how it feels to completely lose her heart.
Lauren Hill is the widowed Countess of Bergen. Alex Christian is the Duke of Sutherland.
Lauren has just returned to her home - Rosewood, to resume care of her beloved orphaned charges. She chances upon an encounter with Mr. Christian, whom she mistakenly takes as a country gentleman. What follows is a very angsty romance indeed.
Lauren is eventually forced by her Uncle Ethan to go to London in order to find another suitable husband. There she again encounters Mr. Christian, who she now learns is the Duke of Sutherland, and is engaged to be married to Lady Marlaine Reese.
Alex soon discovers that his "wicked angel" is in fact the celebrated Countess of Bergen, and has come to London to find a husband.
Though Alex and Lauren are strongly attracted to each other from the beginning, they are faced with what seems to be overwhelming odds. He is betrothed to another, it is his duty to marry Lady Marlaine to whom he has been engaged to for two years, and he is a well respected leader in the House of Lords. Alex is torn between his love for Lauren and his duty to family and country. Lauren is beneath his social station. Though she loves him desperately, she sees only that she will ruin his life. Added to all of this is the guilt they both feel about this heartbreaking attraction. Indeed, it seems they take one step forward...two steps back. Just when you think they have it all worked out, they are once again at odds.
To me this has all things necessary for a truly wonderful romantic story: a great storyline, outstanding characters, just enough angst to make it interesting (but not enough to bury the storyline), fantastic dialogue between H/h, and of course a wonderful HEA.
My favorite quote from the book is as follows:
Lauren speaking to Alex:
"If you can't forgive me that which you yourself are guilty of, then give me back my heart! Give it back, Alex! I want it back!"
Alex speaking to Lauren (in response to the above):
"No. You gave it to me. God knows maybe I don't deserve it, but I won't relinquish it, not now, not ever. It belongs to me."
In reading this wonderful romance, I was quite reminded of the song "Memorized" by Rebecca Lynn Howard.
4.5 Stars...only because the story tends to drag in the beginning.
By Julia London
(04/08/11)
What price for love?
A devastatingly handsome man who has everything - title, position, wealth, finds out exactly what that love will cost him.
An extraordinarily beautiful woman finds out how it feels to completely lose her heart.
Lauren Hill is the widowed Countess of Bergen. Alex Christian is the Duke of Sutherland.
Lauren has just returned to her home - Rosewood, to resume care of her beloved orphaned charges. She chances upon an encounter with Mr. Christian, whom she mistakenly takes as a country gentleman. What follows is a very angsty romance indeed.
Lauren is eventually forced by her Uncle Ethan to go to London in order to find another suitable husband. There she again encounters Mr. Christian, who she now learns is the Duke of Sutherland, and is engaged to be married to Lady Marlaine Reese.
Alex soon discovers that his "wicked angel" is in fact the celebrated Countess of Bergen, and has come to London to find a husband.
Though Alex and Lauren are strongly attracted to each other from the beginning, they are faced with what seems to be overwhelming odds. He is betrothed to another, it is his duty to marry Lady Marlaine to whom he has been engaged to for two years, and he is a well respected leader in the House of Lords. Alex is torn between his love for Lauren and his duty to family and country. Lauren is beneath his social station. Though she loves him desperately, she sees only that she will ruin his life. Added to all of this is the guilt they both feel about this heartbreaking attraction. Indeed, it seems they take one step forward...two steps back. Just when you think they have it all worked out, they are once again at odds.
To me this has all things necessary for a truly wonderful romantic story: a great storyline, outstanding characters, just enough angst to make it interesting (but not enough to bury the storyline), fantastic dialogue between H/h, and of course a wonderful HEA.
My favorite quote from the book is as follows:
Lauren speaking to Alex:
"If you can't forgive me that which you yourself are guilty of, then give me back my heart! Give it back, Alex! I want it back!"
Alex speaking to Lauren (in response to the above):
"No. You gave it to me. God knows maybe I don't deserve it, but I won't relinquish it, not now, not ever. It belongs to me."
In reading this wonderful romance, I was quite reminded of the song "Memorized" by Rebecca Lynn Howard.
4.5 Stars...only because the story tends to drag in the beginning.
September 3, 2018
THERE IS NOTHING MORE DELICIOUSLY ANGSTY THAN FORBIDDEN LOVE. I DO LOVE A GOOD DUKE STORY AND THIS ONE HAD IT ALL - CHARMING CONVERSATION, REAL ATTRACTION AND CHEMISTRY, A WHOLE LOT OF EMOTION AND PASSION.
OUR HERO assumed the title of Duke 5 years after the death of his older brother Anthony. He's playing it like the good son, the good Duke and a very responsible one. He's the golden boy of society and also a charismatic man who is striving for change in Parliament. He's in a nutshell - the perfect man. EXCEPT his life is tousled when he encounters the most beautiful and kind hearted woman who quotes poetry and sings to angry pigs. I did enjoy their first unconventional meeting of our heroine being chased by a country pig. Their attraction was instant in a good way, like invisible threads that make them yearn to see each other again until it becomes a drug in their veins. Because that is how the Duke acted even though he was bethrothed! Both never divulged their true status and both were shocked when they meet again in a gilded ballroom. Like a madman, Alex constantly seeks out his Angel and of course you can anticipate a tyrst in the dark! Their relationship was just so risque! Alex's world is upended when he finally falls in love and he must choose between duty or love that his mother is ecstatic that he has finally found a woman worth loving.
OUR HEROINE is certainly a breath of fresh air. She is also a virgin widow who married an aging Count in Bavaria but alas her husband died in an accident and she's back in England, none the richer. Her uncle has pitted her into the marriage mart in hopes that she marries into money because their family is in dire need of funds. Unlike other women, she's not afraid to get her hands dirty, she doesn't judge people by class and she loves whole heartedly. While it was wrong to trifle with another woman's man...she couldn't help the attraction between herself and Alex for it was like a force of nature. It was so palpable, everyone could see it.
OVERALL I thoroughly enjoyed this one from the first meeting to the HEA where the characters while attracted still got time to know the other, and also the sweet moments including the ones where both were hurt but also reconciled in the end.
OUR HERO assumed the title of Duke 5 years after the death of his older brother Anthony. He's playing it like the good son, the good Duke and a very responsible one. He's the golden boy of society and also a charismatic man who is striving for change in Parliament. He's in a nutshell - the perfect man. EXCEPT his life is tousled when he encounters the most beautiful and kind hearted woman who quotes poetry and sings to angry pigs. I did enjoy their first unconventional meeting of our heroine being chased by a country pig. Their attraction was instant in a good way, like invisible threads that make them yearn to see each other again until it becomes a drug in their veins. Because that is how the Duke acted even though he was bethrothed! Both never divulged their true status and both were shocked when they meet again in a gilded ballroom. Like a madman, Alex constantly seeks out his Angel and of course you can anticipate a tyrst in the dark! Their relationship was just so risque! Alex's world is upended when he finally falls in love and he must choose between duty or love that his mother is ecstatic that he has finally found a woman worth loving.
OUR HEROINE is certainly a breath of fresh air. She is also a virgin widow who married an aging Count in Bavaria but alas her husband died in an accident and she's back in England, none the richer. Her uncle has pitted her into the marriage mart in hopes that she marries into money because their family is in dire need of funds. Unlike other women, she's not afraid to get her hands dirty, she doesn't judge people by class and she loves whole heartedly. While it was wrong to trifle with another woman's man...she couldn't help the attraction between herself and Alex for it was like a force of nature. It was so palpable, everyone could see it.
OVERALL I thoroughly enjoyed this one from the first meeting to the HEA where the characters while attracted still got time to know the other, and also the sweet moments including the ones where both were hurt but also reconciled in the end.
February 16, 2021
this was amazing!!! My first Julia London book! the tension in this book was so good! I love a good star-crossed lovers romance. Lovers who want to be together but can’t because of external pressure is a favorite trope of mine.
This book reminds me of Sarah MacLean’s “Eleven Scandals to Start to Win a Duke’s Heart” (which is one of my all time favorite books) where the duke is engaged to another but can’t resist the beautiful newcomer, and he can’t easily break the engagement due to societal pressures. However, this book was written way before Miss MacLean’s book.
Alex, the H, is obsessed with Lauren! He literally loses his mind being infatuated with her and defies convention to be with her.
I also liked that we got third party perspectives. It heightened the angst and made you feel bad for side characters who would be harmed if Alex and Lauren got together. His fiancé Marlaine was so sweet and she tried her best to be kind to Lauren while pleading with her to not steal her man. Reading about both Lauren and Marlaine’s grief added another dimension to the story which was very interesting.
One thing that bothered me in this book was Lauren’s weird loyalty to her other suitor, Magnus. If Alex could break his engagement, so could she, but she kept on saying she made a commitment she can’t break. I understood her perspective more later on when she rejoined society and how awfully they treated her. I realized it was more about feeling like she could never fit in as Alex’s wife and she used her “commitment” to Magnus as an excuse to protect herself and Alex’s future. Although the author could have done a better job of explaining this.
The epilogue showed them married and with a baby, and suggested the fiancé’s of both characters also would be okay with others.
This book reminds me of Sarah MacLean’s “Eleven Scandals to Start to Win a Duke’s Heart” (which is one of my all time favorite books) where the duke is engaged to another but can’t resist the beautiful newcomer, and he can’t easily break the engagement due to societal pressures. However, this book was written way before Miss MacLean’s book.
Alex, the H, is obsessed with Lauren! He literally loses his mind being infatuated with her and defies convention to be with her.
I also liked that we got third party perspectives. It heightened the angst and made you feel bad for side characters who would be harmed if Alex and Lauren got together. His fiancé Marlaine was so sweet and she tried her best to be kind to Lauren while pleading with her to not steal her man. Reading about both Lauren and Marlaine’s grief added another dimension to the story which was very interesting.
One thing that bothered me in this book was Lauren’s weird loyalty to her other suitor, Magnus. If Alex could break his engagement, so could she, but she kept on saying she made a commitment she can’t break. I understood her perspective more later on when she rejoined society and how awfully they treated her. I realized it was more about feeling like she could never fit in as Alex’s wife and she used her “commitment” to Magnus as an excuse to protect herself and Alex’s future. Although the author could have done a better job of explaining this.
The epilogue showed them married and with a baby, and suggested the fiancé’s of both characters also would be okay with others.
March 10, 2014
This story started out very strong but it half way thru it just started to become annoying! Lauren and Alex had very good chemistry and an intense attraction to one another. Lauren Hill is the widowed Countess of Bergen. Alex Christian is the Duke of Sutherland. Once they both arrive in London however things just go downhill from there. Alex's dilemma is somewhat understanding given his duties in the House of Lords and his future father in law trying to force his hand so to speak. But Alex is still a Duke and he needs to act like one instead of some old matron worrying about what the fickle "ton" thinks!! And Lauren just made me want to choke the crap out of her when Alex literally spills his heart out to her and she turns her back on him(oh but only after she lets him "do" her pretty good in a shack on the floor!) Then she finds she must be "loyal and true" to her betrothed. I would hate to see how her loyalty stands to those she dislikes!
Anyway just an OK book for me, but it could have been really GREAT. Would not read this again even if I were paid to
Anyway just an OK book for me, but it could have been really GREAT. Would not read this again even if I were paid to
May 6, 2022
What a disappointment.
Be warned, this contains a lot of cheating. If you're not okay with that, you won't like this. This starts off fantastic. It goes down hill quickly at about 40%. The two leads, who both had nice refreshing personalities, quickly turn into selfish cowards. Awful people really. The h spends the last third of the book crying. This book dragged on forever. It should have been at least 150 pages shorter. The epilogue was insulting. The author tired to tie up all the loose ends and broken hearts.
My heart breaks for poor Magnus. He was wealthy, relatively handsome, offered to take care of Lauren's estate, offered to support her orphans, offered to support her hobby of taking in orphans. He supported her in every way. He came to respect and adore her. I just cannot believe Lauren walked away from that! To make the plot work the author had him turn slightly controlling and condescending. Honestly, Lauren wasn't good enough for that man. Fuck her. #justiceformagnus.
Be warned, this contains a lot of cheating. If you're not okay with that, you won't like this. This starts off fantastic. It goes down hill quickly at about 40%. The two leads, who both had nice refreshing personalities, quickly turn into selfish cowards. Awful people really. The h spends the last third of the book crying. This book dragged on forever. It should have been at least 150 pages shorter. The epilogue was insulting. The author tired to tie up all the loose ends and broken hearts.
My heart breaks for poor Magnus. He was wealthy, relatively handsome, offered to take care of Lauren's estate, offered to support her orphans, offered to support her hobby of taking in orphans. He supported her in every way. He came to respect and adore her. I just cannot believe Lauren walked away from that! To make the plot work the author had him turn slightly controlling and condescending. Honestly, Lauren wasn't good enough for that man. Fuck her. #justiceformagnus.
April 26, 2009
It was sort of satisfying but somehow I found it lacking compared to The Devil's Love. At the beginning of the story, I found it quite slow and sometimes the lines weren't very clear, but I'm not too sure if I was reading it too fast, anticipating their meeting and stuff. *shrugs* Although Miss London did a wonderful job in making a breath-awaiting plot, I couldn't help feeling annoyed with Lauren (how I dislike the name!). Although Alex had his faults and so so...Lauren was just irritating in the book. I didn't like her much unlike Abbey, a totally lovable character whom never fails to dissapoint me in any way. But however! I do love Alex most heartedly...I'm not sure if you can consider him as an alpha hero or a beta one...but he is an agreeable man despite the despair I felt of him still sticking to Marlaine till the end. I do understand that he has those responsiblities, I couldn't help wondering if he could just abandon something without feeling responsible...lol.
August 2, 2012
A rollercoaster ride, full of ups and downs! Our heroes have instense chemistry and their relationship turns from heavenly to hellish and back again.
The characters are well developed, the plot interesting and their interractions dripping with tension. Alex has his safe and boring world turned on its ear and Lauren whose life is anything but safe keeps getting more complicated.
Lauren's relationship with the children is warm and enviable and so is her enthousiastic way of approaching life. Alex is tenacious and takes his duty very seriously, a fact that makes his life difficult when he meets Lauren and has strong emotions interfere with it.
I really enjoyed the book and I'm looking forward to reading more of the author's work.
The characters are well developed, the plot interesting and their interractions dripping with tension. Alex has his safe and boring world turned on its ear and Lauren whose life is anything but safe keeps getting more complicated.
Lauren's relationship with the children is warm and enviable and so is her enthousiastic way of approaching life. Alex is tenacious and takes his duty very seriously, a fact that makes his life difficult when he meets Lauren and has strong emotions interfere with it.
I really enjoyed the book and I'm looking forward to reading more of the author's work.
November 26, 2012
Lauren was a refreshing heroine. She was fun, loving, witty, and a breath of fresh air. She seemed less repressed than many heroines. Alex, her eventual hero, was an honorable man who had his head on straight, until he met Lauren. He was hopelessly besotted!
This is the second book I have read in the last couple of days where the man is engaged and his heart is torn between duty and love. This one was much better.
Oh my goodness, when Alex declares his love for Lauren, my heart melted! Of course, there is the usual groveling---
"We can't be together"
"I have a duty"
"I gave my word"
"I can't stay away from you"
This goes on for a while. There is some heartbreak in there too, but yes, they finally get to their HEA.
SWOON.
This is the second book I have read in the last couple of days where the man is engaged and his heart is torn between duty and love. This one was much better.
Oh my goodness, when Alex declares his love for Lauren, my heart melted! Of course, there is the usual groveling---
"We can't be together"
"I have a duty"
"I gave my word"
"I can't stay away from you"
This goes on for a while. There is some heartbreak in there too, but yes, they finally get to their HEA.
SWOON.
August 21, 2018
How do I start, just don't do it, I like it very much at the beginning, but it gets frustrating soon enough, Oh God Lauren! I don't like her at all, AT ALL!! This is not a love story, it's a lust story, if you care for characters that break other people's hearts and play with them with no consequences whatsoever because PLOT AND HAPPY ENDING go ahead and read it, but believe me, you are better without it, I finish it for the sake of rolling my eyes until they went blank, the only thing bearable were Michael and Abby (From Devil's love) making cute appearances and being a more believable couple. Do yourself a favor and just read Devil's love and stop there.
September 14, 2013
Ne diyebilirim ki son okuduğum iki J.L kitabı beni mest etti , aşk , imkansızlık ve yanlış anlamaların olduğu bir kitaptı. Tek olumsuzluk kitabın ismi olsa gerek ..Allah aşkına Aşkın Baharına Uyanmak ismini çokmu düşünmüşler acaba akılda bile kalmıyor :( orijinaline yakın bir isim bulunabilirdi diye düşündüm açıkçası .. Eğer yazarı seviyorsanız bu kitabını es geçmeyin derim :)) keyifli okumalar diliyorum şimdiden
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