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Clayton #1
Wicked Promise
A Lady's Desperate Choice
When the loathsome Lord Bascomb tries to force her into marriage, Elizabeth Woolcot must appeal to her influential guardian. Nicholas Warring, known as the Wicked Earl, is a darkly handsome charismatic figure—with the power to save Elizabeth but a past that could put her reputation dangerously at risk. A ruthless womanizer, he has also been convicted of murder—and barely escaped hanging.
A Rogue's Tainted Honor
Elizabeth can't help her attraction to the man who haunts her dreams—nor he his hunger for her. But she knows it can never be. For Nicholas is a married man—or at least appears to be. Then a heinous crime shatters their lives—and Nick is the natural suspect. Elizabeth wants to believe in his innocence more than life and love itself—but can she trust a man who has killed before?
When the loathsome Lord Bascomb tries to force her into marriage, Elizabeth Woolcot must appeal to her influential guardian. Nicholas Warring, known as the Wicked Earl, is a darkly handsome charismatic figure—with the power to save Elizabeth but a past that could put her reputation dangerously at risk. A ruthless womanizer, he has also been convicted of murder—and barely escaped hanging.
A Rogue's Tainted Honor
Elizabeth can't help her attraction to the man who haunts her dreams—nor he his hunger for her. But she knows it can never be. For Nicholas is a married man—or at least appears to be. Then a heinous crime shatters their lives—and Nick is the natural suspect. Elizabeth wants to believe in his innocence more than life and love itself—but can she trust a man who has killed before?
344 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 1998
33 people are currently reading
763 people want to read
About the author
Kat Martin
188 books3,172 followersKathleen Kelly Martin (aka Kathy Lawrence, Kasey Mars)
Kathleen Kelly was born on 14 July 1947 in the Central Valley of California, USA. She obtained a degree in Anthropology and also studied History at the University of California in Santa Barbara. She was a real estate broker, when she met her future husband, Larry Jay Martin. A short time after the two became acquainted, Larry asked her to read an unpublished manuscript of an historical western he'd written. Kat fell in love with both the book and the author! Then, after doing some editing for him, she thought she'd try her own hand at writing. She moved on to become a full time writer.
Published since 1988, she signed her books with her married name, Kat Martin, but she also used two pseudonyms: Kathy Lawrence for a book in collaboration with her husband Larry Jay Martin, and Kasey Mars for her first contemporary romances. The New York Times bestselling writer, among her many awards, has won the prestigious RT Book Review Magazine Career Achievement Award. To date, Kat has over eleven million copies of her books in print. She has been published in seventeen foreign countries, including England, South Africa, Spain, Argentina, Germany, Italy, Greece, Norway, Sweden, Russia, Bulgaria, China, and Korea.
Currently residing with her husband, a Western-writer and photographer, in Missoula, Montana, USA. But when they are not writing, they also enjoy skiing and traveling, particularly to Europe.
"I've always loved books. I was an avid reader, with any number of my own stories rolling around in my head. Writing them down seemed a logical step."
"I love anything old," Kat says. "I love to travel and especially like to visit the places where my books are set. My husband and I often stay in out-of-the-way inns and houses built in times past. It's fun and it gives a wonderful sense of a by-gone era."
Kathleen Kelly was born on 14 July 1947 in the Central Valley of California, USA. She obtained a degree in Anthropology and also studied History at the University of California in Santa Barbara. She was a real estate broker, when she met her future husband, Larry Jay Martin. A short time after the two became acquainted, Larry asked her to read an unpublished manuscript of an historical western he'd written. Kat fell in love with both the book and the author! Then, after doing some editing for him, she thought she'd try her own hand at writing. She moved on to become a full time writer.
Published since 1988, she signed her books with her married name, Kat Martin, but she also used two pseudonyms: Kathy Lawrence for a book in collaboration with her husband Larry Jay Martin, and Kasey Mars for her first contemporary romances. The New York Times bestselling writer, among her many awards, has won the prestigious RT Book Review Magazine Career Achievement Award. To date, Kat has over eleven million copies of her books in print. She has been published in seventeen foreign countries, including England, South Africa, Spain, Argentina, Germany, Italy, Greece, Norway, Sweden, Russia, Bulgaria, China, and Korea.
Currently residing with her husband, a Western-writer and photographer, in Missoula, Montana, USA. But when they are not writing, they also enjoy skiing and traveling, particularly to Europe.
"I've always loved books. I was an avid reader, with any number of my own stories rolling around in my head. Writing them down seemed a logical step."
"I love anything old," Kat says. "I love to travel and especially like to visit the places where my books are set. My husband and I often stay in out-of-the-way inns and houses built in times past. It's fun and it gives a wonderful sense of a by-gone era."
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 55 reviews
March 15, 2020
After a promising start to this guardian ward romance, author inexplicably meandered the story towards a murder mystery and MCs wallowing in self-pity for pages. The hero was a big disappointment. He couldn't protect h from getting kidnapped from his own house, couldn't secure a divorce from his wife and got outfoxed by everyone of his adversaries.
The only good part were the love scenes and the heroine's strong character. She fell in love with H, took steps to change their relationship, stood by his side, crafted a plan to help themselves out of their dilemma. She fought to bring her love back from the life of despair he was living.
There's an unnecessary side story of hero's sister getting married which would've been better handled as a different book.
The only good part were the love scenes and the heroine's strong character. She fell in love with H, took steps to change their relationship, stood by his side, crafted a plan to help themselves out of their dilemma. She fought to bring her love back from the life of despair he was living.
There's an unnecessary side story of hero's sister getting married which would've been better handled as a different book.
March 29, 2011
Easy to read story involving the much used Guardian seduces his Ward theme. (I don't read the type often but I always enjoy it when written well).
Elizabeth Woolcot, (h/ward), is a very likeable leading lady. She isn't too happy about ending up as the ward of the notorious, convicted murderer, Nicholas Warring aka the Wicked Earl.
Likewise, when Nicholas' solicitor brings Elizabeth to his estate and presents Nicholas (H/guardian) with the news of his new responsibility, nobody is really happy about this turn affecting everyone's lives.
Nicholas accepts, eventually, after learning of circumstances in Elizabeth's life which has led to to this pass. He is determined being her guardian is not going to alter his decadent lifestyle and informs her of that fact. Since Elizabeth has no other alternative, she agrees and so the story begins.
It's a fun romp with the Wicked Earl continuing on with his drunken debauched partying and Elizabeth sneeking down the stairs to see what is going on. She and her aged Aunt are consigned to their part of the estate during these events by Nicholas, but Elizabeth isn't the type to reign in her curiosity so of course she gets caught time and again.
The attraction between the two builds, and Nicholas is quite the virile kinda guy. He is hiding his nature, but Elizabeth gets glimpses behind his facade which naturally intrigues her.
It's a light story that is written well. The only things that bothered me were the fatalistic attitude Nicholas holds as well as his irritating overblown sense of guilt. That guilt trip became so damn tedious and weakened his virile dominate alpha appeal spoiling how much more he could have been.
Time: 1803
Regency England
Elizabeth Woolcot, (h/ward), is a very likeable leading lady. She isn't too happy about ending up as the ward of the notorious, convicted murderer, Nicholas Warring aka the Wicked Earl.
Likewise, when Nicholas' solicitor brings Elizabeth to his estate and presents Nicholas (H/guardian) with the news of his new responsibility, nobody is really happy about this turn affecting everyone's lives.
Nicholas accepts, eventually, after learning of circumstances in Elizabeth's life which has led to to this pass. He is determined being her guardian is not going to alter his decadent lifestyle and informs her of that fact. Since Elizabeth has no other alternative, she agrees and so the story begins.
It's a fun romp with the Wicked Earl continuing on with his drunken debauched partying and Elizabeth sneeking down the stairs to see what is going on. She and her aged Aunt are consigned to their part of the estate during these events by Nicholas, but Elizabeth isn't the type to reign in her curiosity so of course she gets caught time and again.
The attraction between the two builds, and Nicholas is quite the virile kinda guy. He is hiding his nature, but Elizabeth gets glimpses behind his facade which naturally intrigues her.
It's a light story that is written well. The only things that bothered me were the fatalistic attitude Nicholas holds as well as his irritating overblown sense of guilt. That guilt trip became so damn tedious and weakened his virile dominate alpha appeal spoiling how much more he could have been.
Time: 1803
Regency England
September 30, 2021
DNF at 42%.
The writing is fine. It's the plot and the characters that drove me nuts.
The writing is fine. It's the plot and the characters that drove me nuts.
November 21, 2019
3.5 / 4 stars. This is my second book by Kat Martin, I liked the first, Savannah Heat, a little more, it had more action, which I’m liking lately in my HR reads. I enjoyed it so much I went out and bought 17 of her other books. Wicked Promise was among them. WP is a romance about a guardian and his ward it was an enjoyable read and I can recommend it. IMO if you want an excellent book about the same trope try Forbidden Love by Karen Robards!
July 18, 2022
Sin duda le sobran páginas.
Pero ha sido un viaje emocionante. El Conde, incluso con sus grandes carencias emocionales relacionadas al amor, es un personaje que me ha gustado bastante. Y Elizabeth no se queda atrás, ha tomado decisiones que en la época serían estúpidas, pero que a mí me han conmovido.
Mi problema fue que sentí que tenía paja, capítulos largos que no llevaban a nada y se revolcaban (literal y metafóricamente) en el mismo punto. La terquedad del conde me pareció, cuando menos, desesperante.
El villano se da a odiar, eso también.
Pero ha sido un viaje emocionante. El Conde, incluso con sus grandes carencias emocionales relacionadas al amor, es un personaje que me ha gustado bastante. Y Elizabeth no se queda atrás, ha tomado decisiones que en la época serían estúpidas, pero que a mí me han conmovido.
Mi problema fue que sentí que tenía paja, capítulos largos que no llevaban a nada y se revolcaban (literal y metafóricamente) en el mismo punto. La terquedad del conde me pareció, cuando menos, desesperante.
El villano se da a odiar, eso también.
September 30, 2021
The premise seemed promising but the story began to drag and diverge quite a bit in the middle of the book.
Elizabeth was kinda annoying and there didn’t seem to be much appeal to her other than her attractiveness and she liked birds. Other than that Elizabeth wasn’t written to be charming, witty or intelligent. We are just supposed to believe she is some ravishing beauty that has an earl desperate to have her by any means necessary. I didn’t buy it. I realize heroines were written differently in the 90s but she kept putting herself in danger but she would get angry when Nicholas would try to protect her only to put herself in danger again. This pattern was exhausting. I’m so over TSTL heroines described as “spitfires” or “headstrong”. Elizabeth was extremely judgmental and naive even though she was trespassing on Nick’s kindness. There was a reason why he acted the way he did and she had no right to judge him or flout the rules in HIS home. Also, Nick was a married man. Elizabeth had no problem judging him for sleeping around but she begged him to make love to her and even claimed he wasn’t married because his wife abandoned him. Ummm…what? The inconsistency had my head spinning.
With that said, I liked Nick quite a bit and I sympathized with his need to live his life to the fullest even if he was trying to figure out what that meant for him. He spent many years without his freedom so I think he had the right to enjoy life’s pleasures without being judged for it. He proved himself to be an honorable man and a loyal friend.
This was really a 2.5 star read but I’m more forgiving because it was written in 1998.
Elizabeth was kinda annoying and there didn’t seem to be much appeal to her other than her attractiveness and she liked birds. Other than that Elizabeth wasn’t written to be charming, witty or intelligent. We are just supposed to believe she is some ravishing beauty that has an earl desperate to have her by any means necessary. I didn’t buy it. I realize heroines were written differently in the 90s but she kept putting herself in danger but she would get angry when Nicholas would try to protect her only to put herself in danger again. This pattern was exhausting. I’m so over TSTL heroines described as “spitfires” or “headstrong”. Elizabeth was extremely judgmental and naive even though she was trespassing on Nick’s kindness. There was a reason why he acted the way he did and she had no right to judge him or flout the rules in HIS home. Also, Nick was a married man. Elizabeth had no problem judging him for sleeping around but she begged him to make love to her and even claimed he wasn’t married because his wife abandoned him. Ummm…what? The inconsistency had my head spinning.
With that said, I liked Nick quite a bit and I sympathized with his need to live his life to the fullest even if he was trying to figure out what that meant for him. He spent many years without his freedom so I think he had the right to enjoy life’s pleasures without being judged for it. He proved himself to be an honorable man and a loyal friend.
This was really a 2.5 star read but I’m more forgiving because it was written in 1998.
September 10, 2014
Really, really enjoyed this book - just could not put it down! A wonderful love story packed full of: jealously; deceit; betrayal; obsession; greed; sin; redemption; murder; and true love. Nicholas and his sister Maggie are tainted by a past scandal & murder; believing he deserves no forgiveness Nicholas descends into a life of excess until a light enters his life in the form of Elizabeth, his ward. Elizabeth sees the good in him and he starts to see the errors of his ways and realizes he needs her. But his marriage and an obessed suitor for Elizabeth's hand stand in their way. In the meantime Maggie realizes the convenant life is not for her and paying 9 years for her sins is enough; it is time to live. They all decide to enter the London season hoping for happiness but whispers of the past scandal and Nicholas' wickedness follow them until a powerful friend steps in to help. Unable to get divorce Nicholas decides to find a husband for Elizabeth so she will be safe from him and the obessed suitor. So much in love with Nicholas; Elizabeth realizes that he deserves to be happy too and agrees to be his mistress. This enrages the obessed suitor into committing some evil crimes all in the name of having Elizabeth......mayham & murder follow.
October 15, 2024
One of my top 3 favorites. Have read it more than once and enjoyed it every time.
Note: As per the blurb the hero is married specifically: He also has a mistress before he gets involved with the heroine. Its a "love conquers all" not a "duty first" story. If that bothers you, you're better off reading something else. Just trying to save a book I love some undeserved low ratings :P
So to the stuff I liked.
-Both the main characters and the supporting cast are extremely likeable.
-Elizabeth is quite smart and mature.
-Nick is a sweetheart. Loved him.
-The guardian ward relationship isnt creepy at all. Shes 20, hes 29 they havent met before. Good dynamics between them.
-The villain(s) and the wife are just bad people. No shades of gray there. I didnt mind.
-Enjoyable plot and sweet romance.
I got this one while searching for "married hero" books. I was in the mood to read about an evil ass of a hero. This book couldnt be further from what I was looking for and I couldnt be happier.
Note: As per the blurb the hero is married specifically: He also has a mistress before he gets involved with the heroine. Its a "love conquers all" not a "duty first" story. If that bothers you, you're better off reading something else. Just trying to save a book I love some undeserved low ratings :P
So to the stuff I liked.
-Both the main characters and the supporting cast are extremely likeable.
-Elizabeth is quite smart and mature.
-Nick is a sweetheart. Loved him.
-The guardian ward relationship isnt creepy at all. Shes 20, hes 29 they havent met before. Good dynamics between them.
-The villain(s) and the wife are just bad people. No shades of gray there. I didnt mind.
-Enjoyable plot and sweet romance.
I got this one while searching for "married hero" books. I was in the mood to read about an evil ass of a hero. This book couldnt be further from what I was looking for and I couldnt be happier.
January 4, 2018
Two star's because I was only able to finish it by skipping lots of chapters. The hero was married , which turned me off from the beginning. Oddly enough, I don't mind forced seduction, violence etc, but for some reason a married hero lusting after the heroine, totally turns me off from a book. The hero and heroine basically hook up throughout the book while he is still married (though the wife and him have been apart for years).
So in all fairness, my 2 star really has nothing to do with the writing style or the plot, it is mainly due to my own preferences. Some may categorize this as a bodice ripper, but I wouldn't place this story in the same category.
Heat level- pretty steamy
Violence- Rape- and abuse of a courtesan
So in all fairness, my 2 star really has nothing to do with the writing style or the plot, it is mainly due to my own preferences. Some may categorize this as a bodice ripper, but I wouldn't place this story in the same category.
Heat level- pretty steamy
Violence- Rape- and abuse of a courtesan
August 12, 2016
Sin duda alguna gana conforme va desarrollandose. En un principio me recordaba muchísimo al patrón seguido en otras novelas de Kat pero conforme vas acercandote al último cuarto del libro, la historia da un giro y logra sorprender. Me gusta mucho la forma en que van desarrollandose los acontecimientos, sus toques de humor y que tiene la cantidad justa, para mi gusto, de contenido erótico. Por otro lado, no me gusta que la autora no nos cuente las consecuencias del acto final de forma amplia, le hace perder credibilidad.
August 20, 2011
3 1/2 - 4 stars. Good read that kept my interest, lots of things going on in this story, a lot of minor conflicts throughout that kept it moving. Guardian/ward story with some good sexual scenes, also there were other women and men for the H&h in the picture which did create some jealousy- which I loved. The hero was very tortured soul and a little bit of a downer- he said "I am sorry" too much, but it was a good love story.
September 23, 2015
Awesome read. Lots of drama and love scienes. Wanted to wrap Nicholas in my arms and hold him. Being punished for a crime of self defense as well as defending his sister. You had to feel sorry for him. And then you have poor Elizabeth and trying to protect herself agains Oliver. Loved every minuet of this book. Thank you.
July 28, 2018
Lo he disfrutado mucho, aunque las primeras 100 páginas fueron demasiado rápidas y la historia parecía desestructurada. Pero a partir de ahí lo compensa con creces. Preciosa historia de amor con un protagonista fuerte y valiente que no se calla nada
February 7, 2017
El libro me ha gustado mucho... aunque se me ha hecho largo
Me han parecido unos personajes geniales, que me han conquistado enseguida.. todos todos
9/10
Me han parecido unos personajes geniales, que me han conquistado enseguida.. todos todos
9/10
July 5, 2017
2.5 to 3 stars
Wicked Promise ended up getting better towards the end, however, I felt "meh" every time I read it. I love the characters, but the storyline was paced oddly as well as not being as good as her other works I've read. I'm hoping the next book featuring Rand Clayton will be a bit better.
1. Oliver Hampton (the creep who wants to basically kidnap and rape Elizabeth, as well as any girl he lays eyes on and deems "his") is not as well developed as the villian as he probably could be. I would have liked to hear more about the "Wicked Earl" Nicholas and Hampton's son Stephen background a bit more in depth. Not that it was presented too early or too late, but it just wasn't very climatic. It dropped obvious as to what happened, but nevertheless, this was one of the development issues I had.
2. There could've been more problems that involved Nicholas' wife Rachel. Not that anybody likes lots of problems in a story, however the lacking in this one particular made it all a bit...bland. It's as if the overall writing style was affected by the lack of roller coaster rides up and down. It was more like a really fast straight way ride that had like one loop in it and after it's over you're thinking, "that's it??"
3. Elizabeth and Nicholas were far more of a cliche romance novel couple than any of her other works I've read. Yes, yes the others are quite a cliche at times, but for some reason, their story was particularly annoying.
Wicked Promise ended up getting better towards the end, however, I felt "meh" every time I read it. I love the characters, but the storyline was paced oddly as well as not being as good as her other works I've read. I'm hoping the next book featuring Rand Clayton will be a bit better.
1. Oliver Hampton (the creep who wants to basically kidnap and rape Elizabeth, as well as any girl he lays eyes on and deems "his") is not as well developed as the villian as he probably could be. I would have liked to hear more about the "Wicked Earl" Nicholas and Hampton's son Stephen background a bit more in depth. Not that it was presented too early or too late, but it just wasn't very climatic. It dropped obvious as to what happened, but nevertheless, this was one of the development issues I had.
2. There could've been more problems that involved Nicholas' wife Rachel. Not that anybody likes lots of problems in a story, however the lacking in this one particular made it all a bit...bland. It's as if the overall writing style was affected by the lack of roller coaster rides up and down. It was more like a really fast straight way ride that had like one loop in it and after it's over you're thinking, "that's it??"
3. Elizabeth and Nicholas were far more of a cliche romance novel couple than any of her other works I've read. Yes, yes the others are quite a cliche at times, but for some reason, their story was particularly annoying.
August 7, 2021
Sono convinta che questo sia davvero un bel romanzo sotto molti punti di vista e credo che se lo leggeste anche voi non ve ne pentirete.
L'autrice riesce in maniera superba a descrivere le emozioni e i pensieri dei due protagonisti (dominano per gran parte del romanzo) ed inoltre c'è anche spazio per un'ulteriore storia d'amore (quella tra la sorella di Nicholas e il suo bel marchese) trattata con altrettanta cura e introspezione.
Non mancano ulteriori personaggi a far da cornice, come la zia eccentrica di Elizabeth o gli amici ex galeotti di Nicholas che cercheranno in tutti i modi di aiutarli.
Scritto in maniera scorrevole, questo romanzo è davvero coinvolgente. Un livello di sensualità che traspare per tutto il romanzo senza risultare volgare o un peso.
Oltre alla storia d'amore non manca il risvolto giallo della vicenda rendendo tutto ancora più intrigante. E, infine, come non apprezzare la cura nei dettagli per la ricostruzione storica del periodo.
Anche se il "cattivo" è palese sin dall'inizio, il lettore dovrà scoprire man mano che procede nella lettura come cercherà di mettere i bastoni tra le ruote i due protagonisti.
Appassionante e state sicuri che non resterete delusi.
L'autrice riesce in maniera superba a descrivere le emozioni e i pensieri dei due protagonisti (dominano per gran parte del romanzo) ed inoltre c'è anche spazio per un'ulteriore storia d'amore (quella tra la sorella di Nicholas e il suo bel marchese) trattata con altrettanta cura e introspezione.
Non mancano ulteriori personaggi a far da cornice, come la zia eccentrica di Elizabeth o gli amici ex galeotti di Nicholas che cercheranno in tutti i modi di aiutarli.
Scritto in maniera scorrevole, questo romanzo è davvero coinvolgente. Un livello di sensualità che traspare per tutto il romanzo senza risultare volgare o un peso.
Oltre alla storia d'amore non manca il risvolto giallo della vicenda rendendo tutto ancora più intrigante. E, infine, come non apprezzare la cura nei dettagli per la ricostruzione storica del periodo.
Anche se il "cattivo" è palese sin dall'inizio, il lettore dovrà scoprire man mano che procede nella lettura come cercherà di mettere i bastoni tra le ruote i due protagonisti.
Appassionante e state sicuri che non resterete delusi.
October 12, 2022
Reseña
Todo comienza con la lamentablemente historia de Elizabeth que luego de la muerte de su padre necesita ir a buscar refugio en la casa del hijo de su tutor que por acciones del destinó o su abogado, termina el siendo el tutor legal de ella, a pesar de que Nicholas ha mantenido una vida entre el trago y el juego desde qué llegó Elizabeth ha querido protegerla de todo lo que pueda, hasta de sus mismos amigos, por lo que cuando el comience a sentir deseos hacia llevará a tener pensamientos no precisamente de contrucción puesto que lo qué le sucede es que no puede ver a su pupila nueve años menor que el como una de sus amantes y a pesar de que tiene arranques junto a ella, siempre buscará una manera de que se alejen para que ella encuentre un hombre que pueda amarla sin límites como él. Pero algo cambia sus constantes juegos de amor y alejamiento que son ataques repentinos hacia Elizabeth y también todo lo qué Nicholas cree haber enterrado de manera que antes de poder ser feliz deberá eliminarlos de raíz y no solo taparlos con más tierra.
Todo comienza con la lamentablemente historia de Elizabeth que luego de la muerte de su padre necesita ir a buscar refugio en la casa del hijo de su tutor que por acciones del destinó o su abogado, termina el siendo el tutor legal de ella, a pesar de que Nicholas ha mantenido una vida entre el trago y el juego desde qué llegó Elizabeth ha querido protegerla de todo lo que pueda, hasta de sus mismos amigos, por lo que cuando el comience a sentir deseos hacia llevará a tener pensamientos no precisamente de contrucción puesto que lo qué le sucede es que no puede ver a su pupila nueve años menor que el como una de sus amantes y a pesar de que tiene arranques junto a ella, siempre buscará una manera de que se alejen para que ella encuentre un hombre que pueda amarla sin límites como él. Pero algo cambia sus constantes juegos de amor y alejamiento que son ataques repentinos hacia Elizabeth y también todo lo qué Nicholas cree haber enterrado de manera que antes de poder ser feliz deberá eliminarlos de raíz y no solo taparlos con más tierra.
June 27, 2025
Great book.
I really loved this book. Elizabeth becomes a ward of Nicholas. He fought his feelings for her. He’s trying to save her from Oliver who is obsessed with her. Loved getting multiple points of view including a secondary romance. Elizabeth really loves Nick and shows support when he’s accused of murder. But he won’t admit to loving her. I cried so hard when something happens to her towards the end. But thankfully they finally get a very happy ever after. I highly recommend this book.
I really loved this book. Elizabeth becomes a ward of Nicholas. He fought his feelings for her. He’s trying to save her from Oliver who is obsessed with her. Loved getting multiple points of view including a secondary romance. Elizabeth really loves Nick and shows support when he’s accused of murder. But he won’t admit to loving her. I cried so hard when something happens to her towards the end. But thankfully they finally get a very happy ever after. I highly recommend this book.
July 16, 2025
I usually finish a book in a couple days. this book took literal weeks- it was so terrible I practically needed to flog myself to push through it.
Both MC are TSTL. He is whiney and petulant and moves around doing idiot things because he feels sorry for himself. She is pathetic. their "romance" is awkward codependent and obsessive.
the plot.... a hot mess of half realized ideas strung together, interrupted by side characters that serve no purpose, had no tension, focus, or logical progression.
seriously, I haven't hated a book this much in ages. Spare yourself!!
Both MC are TSTL. He is whiney and petulant and moves around doing idiot things because he feels sorry for himself. She is pathetic. their "romance" is awkward codependent and obsessive.
the plot.... a hot mess of half realized ideas strung together, interrupted by side characters that serve no purpose, had no tension, focus, or logical progression.
seriously, I haven't hated a book this much in ages. Spare yourself!!
July 21, 2017
Loved the hero and heroine in this book. They would do anything for each other and I loved that they didn't fall into the conventional mold most heros and heroines fall into. We have a tortured hero that loves the heroine and expresses this to her from start, even though it is hard for him to admit love. The heroine loves the hero with her whole heart and would do anything or face anything to be with him.
September 29, 2022
I skimmed some in this one simply because it draaags. The blurbs hints a murder and it takes so long to get there. I don’t love a ward romance to begin with. I did not like the hero. The heroine gets kidnapped a couple times is it and every time he has to go get her and yada yada. He was pathetic to me and the heroine was the one who took action most times. Just a bit dated for me.
June 8, 2020
En realidad es un 3.5 ⭐️
Me gustó mucho cómo está narrado el libro y que los personajes no demoraron una vida en estar juntos, como suele pasar en los libros de este estilo. De todas formas, a veces se hacía un poquito lento. Creo que le sobran unas 100 páginas.
Me gustó mucho cómo está narrado el libro y que los personajes no demoraron una vida en estar juntos, como suele pasar en los libros de este estilo. De todas formas, a veces se hacía un poquito lento. Creo que le sobran unas 100 páginas.
March 18, 2018
Oh so good
Delicously wicked and oh so good! New author for me and really loved her writing. Im definitley buying next book
Delicously wicked and oh so good! New author for me and really loved her writing. Im definitley buying next book
April 23, 2018
Great historical read
Kat Martin's historical novels are always a good read and this one was no exception. Great characters and plot i highly recommend
Kat Martin's historical novels are always a good read and this one was no exception. Great characters and plot i highly recommend
October 2, 2018
This sucked so hard it's going in the bin - without reading the second Kat Martin book in the maxi paperback. Never again!
November 9, 2018
I feel dissatisfied because the extreme villain ends up like that. He should have suffered more.
March 24, 2019
Great
January 24, 2020
Una historia de amor con muchos obstáculos por salvar.
June 23, 2021
It feels so real. The passion. The fear. The love. I love every single word in this book. Amazing
March 14, 2017
LOVE,LOVE, LOVE this book. I read it for a second time as soon as I finished it the first time. Beautiful love story.
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