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Treasured Vows
As stubborn as she is beautiful, Phadra Abbott will not be deterred when she sets her mind on something. And now that the reckless heiress has decided to track down her spendthrift explorer father, nothing is going to stand in her way—not even her handsome, long-suffering guardian Grant Morgan.
Though strong and level-headed, Grant has watched his own life go disastrously awry since he first tried to arrange the irrepressible Miss Abbott's future. And he has no choice now but to accompany Phadra on her latest misadventure—for it's not only his sworn duty that compels him, but a raging, newly born desire to hold his maddening, enchanting adversary in his arms...and to love her for all time.
Though strong and level-headed, Grant has watched his own life go disastrously awry since he first tried to arrange the irrepressible Miss Abbott's future. And he has no choice now but to accompany Phadra on her latest misadventure—for it's not only his sworn duty that compels him, but a raging, newly born desire to hold his maddening, enchanting adversary in his arms...and to love her for all time.
400 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 1996
63 people are currently reading
403 people want to read
About the author
Cathy Maxwell
72 books2,205 followersCATHY MAXWELL spends hours in front of her computer pondering the question, "Why do people fall in love?" It remains for her the mystery of life and the secret to happiness.
She lives in the Austin, TX area where she is having the time of her life.
Visit her on Instagram, Twitter, FB, and TikTok at maxwellcathy (Yes, some other Cathy Maxwell nabbed the handle. However, she does own www.cathymaxwell.com and she'd love for you to swing by.)
She lives in the Austin, TX area where she is having the time of her life.
Visit her on Instagram, Twitter, FB, and TikTok at maxwellcathy (Yes, some other Cathy Maxwell nabbed the handle. However, she does own www.cathymaxwell.com and she'd love for you to swing by.)
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Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews
February 2, 2010
Generally, I liked the feminist premise. But holy crap, being a feminist and in favor of female empowerment does not mean one should run around impulsively and do whatever one wants. The heroine really would have screwed things up in reality. I wish the book had made the point that being an autonomous being is not the same as doing whatever half-baked thing waltzes across your mind.
July 20, 2016
I loved this book. Phadra is one of those female leads that I love to read, she is culturally inspired and interesting in both her thought and fashion. Grant, meanwhile, seems to be the complete opposite as a stiff necked proper banker. Together these two make for a fun and entertaining story. Both characters stand well on their own and even better as their relationship grows and develops. What makes them so interesting is the fact of how opposite they are, but they really round each other out. When her awal adventurous father leaves her debt ridden and in the care of the bank Grant's method of helping her is to marry her off. However, he beliefs and outspokenness tend to scare any suitors off, luckily her reluctant white knight Grant isn't scared off so easily. Much to Grant's shock he finds himself drawn to the frustrating Phadra.
February 23, 2013
I like this book and would have rated it a 4 stars if only the heroine has a sliver of common sense in her head.
There's a different between wanting equality with men with sheer stupidity and that was what she has. Stupidity. She does every stupid things possible and which the hero than has to sweep off her garbage.
The villain in the book is almost comical. It's like watching a bad soap opera.
The good thing about this book is that it actually allows the hero and the heroine to know each other better before they have sex unlike other romance books' today. And the hero of course. That is way i still give it a 3 stars rather than 2.
There's a different between wanting equality with men with sheer stupidity and that was what she has. Stupidity. She does every stupid things possible and which the hero than has to sweep off her garbage.
The villain in the book is almost comical. It's like watching a bad soap opera.
The good thing about this book is that it actually allows the hero and the heroine to know each other better before they have sex unlike other romance books' today. And the hero of course. That is way i still give it a 3 stars rather than 2.
May 20, 2015
I like the themes in this book . . . about women's rights, but I felt like Phadra Abbot, the heroine, went about promoting the rights in a foolish manner. Plus I'm not sure the depiction of society's reaction to her was quite accurate for that era.
Phadra seemed almost like a Holly Golightly with her unconventional dress and impromptu parties. But she didn't have all the charm of Holly and I found it hard to suspend my disbelief over the things she does and others' reactions to them.
Once again with Cathy Maxwell, I found the hero to be very likable.
Phadra seemed almost like a Holly Golightly with her unconventional dress and impromptu parties. But she didn't have all the charm of Holly and I found it hard to suspend my disbelief over the things she does and others' reactions to them.
Once again with Cathy Maxwell, I found the hero to be very likable.
September 23, 2019
2.5
I went looking for the new Tessa Dare book. Didn't find it. Since I didn't want to go home empty handed, I decided on this.
I really wanted to love this, but a couple of things just kept me from it.
I get the authors intent about the time period, but it was badly executed.
Also, a lot of what both characters did made no sense. Like none. In all honesty it didn't even make sense for the time period.
In terms of historical romances, Tessa Dare is my favorite.
I went looking for the new Tessa Dare book. Didn't find it. Since I didn't want to go home empty handed, I decided on this.
I really wanted to love this, but a couple of things just kept me from it.
I get the authors intent about the time period, but it was badly executed.
Also, a lot of what both characters did made no sense. Like none. In all honesty it didn't even make sense for the time period.
In terms of historical romances, Tessa Dare is my favorite.
February 27, 2012
Cute Regency romance. Duels, antiquities hunting, nascent women's rights and happy ever after.
November 27, 2022
0.5 stars for an interesting premise and a good beginning.
1.5 stars for Grant Morgan, our hero, who was perfect and deserved better. I want to Lost In Austen my way into this book and save him from his batshit wife.
I LIKE unlikable heroines. There’s no faster way for me to read a book than to see 1 star reviews of people complaining about a heroine that was too something or other. But Phedra???? Phedra can choke.
First we have the cultural appropriation. Idc if it was typical of the times and England’s nasty colonialism, I don’t want to see a white woman I’m supposed to root for wearing a sari for no other purpose than to just prove she’s rebellious and different. A sari is a deeply meaningful cultural garment, not a tool for bored white girls to show how quirky they are. A book written in our century, has no business using this kind of appropriation I don’t care if it’s historically accurate.
Then it’s the fact that Phedra and Grant are just badly matched. It’s not a case of opposites attracting, where the two protagonists complete each other and they find what they’re missing in one another. Grant is starchy and has a lot of daddy issues and in theory, I can see how a heroine who is fun and encourages him to let loose would be his perfect match. But Phedra isn’t fun. She’s irresponsible and stupid. She consistently does dumb shit that puts him in financial trouble and then when he RIGHTFULLY reprimands her she spews some half baked crap about feminism and “you can’t tell me what to do just because you’re my husband!”
He’s not yelling at you because you’re a woman, you idiot, he’s yelling at you because you are wasting his hard earned money to host parties with weird bohemians and think you’re not like other girls!
Grant gives up literally everything for her: his life’s savings, his dreams of getting a knighthood, his job, his respectability and at no point does Phedra earn this kind of love or devotion. The author just seems to think she’s entitled to it because…feminism? I guess? In fact it mostly just seems like Grant HAD to give up all his dreams because Phedra was on the war path to destroy everything.
Even at the very last minute of the book, she stupidly believes some mean things the antagonist tells her and she interrupts his meeting (where he’s quitting his job FOR HER) to embarrass him once last time and demand a divorce in front of everyone. And Grant just sucks it up and tells her he loves her. God bless him for being such a fcking saint. He should’ve shipped her off somewhere and found himself a wife with half a brain who actually deserved him.
1.5 stars for Grant Morgan, our hero, who was perfect and deserved better. I want to Lost In Austen my way into this book and save him from his batshit wife.
I LIKE unlikable heroines. There’s no faster way for me to read a book than to see 1 star reviews of people complaining about a heroine that was too something or other. But Phedra???? Phedra can choke.
First we have the cultural appropriation. Idc if it was typical of the times and England’s nasty colonialism, I don’t want to see a white woman I’m supposed to root for wearing a sari for no other purpose than to just prove she’s rebellious and different. A sari is a deeply meaningful cultural garment, not a tool for bored white girls to show how quirky they are. A book written in our century, has no business using this kind of appropriation I don’t care if it’s historically accurate.
Then it’s the fact that Phedra and Grant are just badly matched. It’s not a case of opposites attracting, where the two protagonists complete each other and they find what they’re missing in one another. Grant is starchy and has a lot of daddy issues and in theory, I can see how a heroine who is fun and encourages him to let loose would be his perfect match. But Phedra isn’t fun. She’s irresponsible and stupid. She consistently does dumb shit that puts him in financial trouble and then when he RIGHTFULLY reprimands her she spews some half baked crap about feminism and “you can’t tell me what to do just because you’re my husband!”
He’s not yelling at you because you’re a woman, you idiot, he’s yelling at you because you are wasting his hard earned money to host parties with weird bohemians and think you’re not like other girls!
Grant gives up literally everything for her: his life’s savings, his dreams of getting a knighthood, his job, his respectability and at no point does Phedra earn this kind of love or devotion. The author just seems to think she’s entitled to it because…feminism? I guess? In fact it mostly just seems like Grant HAD to give up all his dreams because Phedra was on the war path to destroy everything.
Even at the very last minute of the book, she stupidly believes some mean things the antagonist tells her and she interrupts his meeting (where he’s quitting his job FOR HER) to embarrass him once last time and demand a divorce in front of everyone. And Grant just sucks it up and tells her he loves her. God bless him for being such a fcking saint. He should’ve shipped her off somewhere and found himself a wife with half a brain who actually deserved him.
November 4, 2019
mixed reviews. Liked the general character of Phadra but she was a bit extreme in her views and didn't know when she went too far until it was too late. The animosity between her and Miranda was never really explained, only that Miranda was a very, very spoiled brat. Morgan's character was too narrow and straight.
Some side stories were introduced but then completely forgotten about until the author thought it would be great to mention - Morgan getting shot in the shoulder one night and then dancing and lifting Phadra the very next night or Phadra spraining her ankle and her limping while Morgan gave chase then when he catches her, her ankle is completely forgotten about.
II have read the author's other stories and was expecting something better. The premise of the story was good, but some of the writing could've been better.
Some side stories were introduced but then completely forgotten about until the author thought it would be great to mention - Morgan getting shot in the shoulder one night and then dancing and lifting Phadra the very next night or Phadra spraining her ankle and her limping while Morgan gave chase then when he catches her, her ankle is completely forgotten about.
II have read the author's other stories and was expecting something better. The premise of the story was good, but some of the writing could've been better.
November 9, 2020
Treasured Vows is fun, entertaining story with quirky characters, some you loved and some you loved to hate. Phadra has basically been on her own stuck in a school for young ladies ever since her mother passed away because her father is off searching for treasure. She finally decides that enough is enough and heads to London to start her life only to find that her father and one of the bankers has embezzled all of her money. Grant is called in to try and fix the financial problems before the authorities get involved. Grant is a stiff, stodgy, handsome gentleman who is trying to live down his father's philandering reputation but his interactions with Phadra lead him on a merry chase that leads to marriage. The story that follows is filled with adventure, misunderstandings, a little angst and a beautiful love story.
February 6, 2025
An absolute treasure!
A explorer's daughter finds out that a man from the bank of England has swindled her out of her inheritance and she is in debt. She must marry before the scheme comes out and she would end up in debt in prison. She doesn't plan on suddenly married to a stuffed shirt banker.
At first I thought I wouldn't like this book but the more I read, the more I began to like it.
By the end of the book, I realized I love this book. Cathy Maxwell has delivered another amazing book. I recommend this book.
A explorer's daughter finds out that a man from the bank of England has swindled her out of her inheritance and she is in debt. She must marry before the scheme comes out and she would end up in debt in prison. She doesn't plan on suddenly married to a stuffed shirt banker.
At first I thought I wouldn't like this book but the more I read, the more I began to like it.
By the end of the book, I realized I love this book. Cathy Maxwell has delivered another amazing book. I recommend this book.
January 19, 2025
I really liked this book especially Phadra and her assortment of friends. She was unique and whimsical who truly deserved her HEA. Then we have Grant Morgan , a banker who becomes her guardian who is trying so hard to achieve his goals in life. He becomes her champion and husband due to circumstances that makes a delightful story.
February 17, 2020
Okay read to soothe the mind in times of turbulence. Enjoyed Phadra as a free spirited woman. Don’t believe she could have existed in that time and place and been so accepted, but hey, it’s fantasy after all.
July 13, 2021
I did enjoy this, although at first I was put off by Phadra. She was a bit too outlandish. And Grant... Grant was stuffy and too handsome for his own good. Both, though, had to deal with strong emotions concerning their fathers.
Well done.
Well done.
August 29, 2021
Another good book by Cathy.
Phadra Abbott needs to find her father.
Grant Morgan is her guardian and wants to keep her save.
they fight and and they eventually work together.
They have sparks and eventually find love that is theirs alone.
Phadra Abbott needs to find her father.
Grant Morgan is her guardian and wants to keep her save.
they fight and and they eventually work together.
They have sparks and eventually find love that is theirs alone.
October 31, 2021
Cathy Maxwell wrote at the start of this book that this was her favorite of the books she's written. I can see why! Phadra is wildly unconventional, but both fun and kind. Grant is desperately in need of someone unconventional, whether he knows it or not. Loved this book. Fun!
September 9, 2019
DNF. Something about Phadra just bothers me and I don’t want to continue reading about her.
September 24, 2019
Another great Cathy Maxwell novel. Loved the interaction between H & h.
May 3, 2025
我喜欢这个男主，第一次见男主角长得帅却不愿承认的
October 25, 2011
At First Sight: At 25, Phadra Abbott is tired of living in a boarding school waiting for her famous explorer father to return. So she runs away and sets her own house in London, happily thinking one of her father's only worthy discoveries - a set of priceless emeralds, left in the care of the Bank of England - will back her up financially.
But once the bills start to pile up, one of the bank directors - Sir Cecil - calls her in and gives her some shocking news. The emeralds in the bank's vault are fakes left behind in place of the real gems, which Sir Cecil and her father pawned away to finance Abbott's latest expedition, the one from which he never returned.
Now, all Phadra wants is to find her missing father but Sir Cecil instead decides that Phadra must be married off to be kept out of trouble. Enter Grant Morgan. Grant works for Sir Cecil at the bank - more like he does all the work and Sir Cecil takes the credit - and he has been saving like crazy, trying to build a respectable fortune and hoping to eventually become one of the bank's directors - a post that comes with a knighthood -thinking his work is enough to get him them.
But Sir Cecil has other plans and unless Grant finds Phadra a suitable match, he'll block Grant's chances to move up in the bank. But if he succeeds, Sir Cecil will give him the hand of his daughter in marriage and help him get the post he wants.
Driven by ambition, Grant takes on the task, often clashing with the colorful, outgoing Phadra. Until one of her rash decisions results on their having to get married.
Second Glance: As I sad before, this is one of my favorite books ever. It's a story where polar opposites attract. Phadra is all outgoing, all her own person, and even if she's a bit reckless and headstrong at times, she means well and is smart. Also, she has a big heart and is always trying to help other people, even if she needs help herself.
Grant, on the other hand, is level headed. He's a banker and one of the most solid men I've ever read in a novel. He's remarkably handsome but ignores it the best he can. And he has an interesting past - his father was a renowned rake who nearly destroyed his family, and Grant was very much on the path to follow him, until his father died and he had to take her of his younger sisters.
One of the things I love the most about this story is that, while Grant learns to appreciate the unique, lovely spirit Phadra is, he's also in control. He's a guy who got your back and goes out of his way to make sure you're fine. That's how he loves Phadra. He's practical for the two of them, allowing her to be as whimsical as she wants.
Bottom Line: Treasured Vows is just a lovely, comforting story. I re-read it every couple of years and just let the warm fuzzies roll over me.
But once the bills start to pile up, one of the bank directors - Sir Cecil - calls her in and gives her some shocking news. The emeralds in the bank's vault are fakes left behind in place of the real gems, which Sir Cecil and her father pawned away to finance Abbott's latest expedition, the one from which he never returned.
Now, all Phadra wants is to find her missing father but Sir Cecil instead decides that Phadra must be married off to be kept out of trouble. Enter Grant Morgan. Grant works for Sir Cecil at the bank - more like he does all the work and Sir Cecil takes the credit - and he has been saving like crazy, trying to build a respectable fortune and hoping to eventually become one of the bank's directors - a post that comes with a knighthood -thinking his work is enough to get him them.
But Sir Cecil has other plans and unless Grant finds Phadra a suitable match, he'll block Grant's chances to move up in the bank. But if he succeeds, Sir Cecil will give him the hand of his daughter in marriage and help him get the post he wants.
Driven by ambition, Grant takes on the task, often clashing with the colorful, outgoing Phadra. Until one of her rash decisions results on their having to get married.
Second Glance: As I sad before, this is one of my favorite books ever. It's a story where polar opposites attract. Phadra is all outgoing, all her own person, and even if she's a bit reckless and headstrong at times, she means well and is smart. Also, she has a big heart and is always trying to help other people, even if she needs help herself.
Grant, on the other hand, is level headed. He's a banker and one of the most solid men I've ever read in a novel. He's remarkably handsome but ignores it the best he can. And he has an interesting past - his father was a renowned rake who nearly destroyed his family, and Grant was very much on the path to follow him, until his father died and he had to take her of his younger sisters.
One of the things I love the most about this story is that, while Grant learns to appreciate the unique, lovely spirit Phadra is, he's also in control. He's a guy who got your back and goes out of his way to make sure you're fine. That's how he loves Phadra. He's practical for the two of them, allowing her to be as whimsical as she wants.
Bottom Line: Treasured Vows is just a lovely, comforting story. I re-read it every couple of years and just let the warm fuzzies roll over me.
July 29, 2016
I really liked this story. Phadra (fay-dra) is unconventional and Grant is the opposite. Another thoroughly engaging heroine by Cathy Maxwell. Phadra reminded me a bit of Phaedra Blair in Madeline Hunter's Lessons of desire. Even their names are similar.
Grant is a great guy. He's also stunningly handsome which brings out the huntress in many women. He ignores it though. He's brilliant with money which brings him in contact with the aristocracy. He's honorable almost to a fault. Not at all like his rake hell father who died in a duel after seducing another man's wife. I won't say he's all that interesting, but he's such a good man. He does become more interesting after he's been influenced by his wife's unorthodox personality.
Very enjoyable. Not sure if I'll read it again, though.
Grant is a great guy. He's also stunningly handsome which brings out the huntress in many women. He ignores it though. He's brilliant with money which brings him in contact with the aristocracy. He's honorable almost to a fault. Not at all like his rake hell father who died in a duel after seducing another man's wife. I won't say he's all that interesting, but he's such a good man. He does become more interesting after he's been influenced by his wife's unorthodox personality.
Very enjoyable. Not sure if I'll read it again, though.
November 10, 2012
I loves this book! Cathy Maxwell is one of my favorite authors. The heroine is adorable, courageous and honest. The hero is a bit stiff but gorgeous( I imagine Cary Grant in "Bringing up Baby", young with glasses!) He is ambitious, honorable and totally unable to deal with his attraction to the educated, eccentric and flamboyantly lovely feminist! This book is witty,sweet and tender. It really is hard to find a Cathy Maxwell novel I didn't love!
August 11, 2010
Not everyday you found a romance mentions Mary Wollstonecraft (and any other Feminist). This is refreshing, and enlightening for woman readers who are not lucky enough to encounter feminism idea yet.
I especially love the quotation of 'A Vindication of the Rights of Woman' on page 0 ^_^
I especially love the quotation of 'A Vindication of the Rights of Woman' on page 0 ^_^
June 8, 2010
Don't get me wrong, I adore headstrong, fiery heroines but I found Phadra Abbott, the heroine in "Treasured Vows" to be incredibly obnoxious. That made it hard for me to like this book.
January 7, 2012
Rated 3.5
June 21, 2012
Another winner i love this author
December 17, 2015
A blend of romance, scheming and scandal of embezzlement of huge amount of funds in a bank. This regency romance is one of thebest from cathy maxwell
July 10, 2020
11/10/2017 - 3*
7/9/2020 - 4*
7/9/2020 - 4*
November 10, 2011
A nice romance ... not as steamy as I usually like them, but the characters were definitely fun.
Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews