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My Only Love
Comforting herself after her mother's death in the arms of a mysterious stranger, Maggie Brown is distraught when the man whose name she never learned disappears, unaware that he is a disguised marquis who fears they could never marry. Reissue.
400 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 2000
5 people are currently reading
485 people want to read
About the author
Cheryl Holt
92 books396 followersCHERYL HOLT is a New York Times, USA Today, and Amazon “Top 100” bestselling author who has published seventy novels.
She’s also a lawyer and mom, and at age forty, with two babies at home, she started a new career as a commercial fiction writer. She’d hoped to be a suspense novelist, but couldn’t sell any of her manuscripts, so she ended up taking a detour into romance where she was stunned to discover that she has a knack for writing some of the world’s greatest love stories.
Her books have been released to wide acclaim, and she has won or been nominated for many national awards. She is considered to be one of the masters of the romance genre. For many years, she was hailed as “The Queen of Erotic Romance”, and she’s also revered as “The International Queen of Villains.” She is particularly proud to have been named “Best Storyteller of the Year” by the trade magazine Romantic Times BOOK Reviews.
She lives and writes in Hollywood, California, and she loves to hear from fans. Visit her website at www.cherylholt.com.
She’s also a lawyer and mom, and at age forty, with two babies at home, she started a new career as a commercial fiction writer. She’d hoped to be a suspense novelist, but couldn’t sell any of her manuscripts, so she ended up taking a detour into romance where she was stunned to discover that she has a knack for writing some of the world’s greatest love stories.
Her books have been released to wide acclaim, and she has won or been nominated for many national awards. She is considered to be one of the masters of the romance genre. For many years, she was hailed as “The Queen of Erotic Romance”, and she’s also revered as “The International Queen of Villains.” She is particularly proud to have been named “Best Storyteller of the Year” by the trade magazine Romantic Times BOOK Reviews.
She lives and writes in Hollywood, California, and she loves to hear from fans. Visit her website at www.cherylholt.com.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 48 reviews
December 5, 2021
The GOOD: ***SPOILERS***
Good romance mostly from mistress h's enduring love/honesty with herself & H/& limit-setting on H's conditional romance with her. Angsty from h's secret pain at knowing that H is currently looking for a wife among the many willing royal debs during their affair & how their affair will end when he marries in a few months before he turns 30. Average S chemistry. Good-enough detailed sex scenes. Liked 19yo courtesan's-daughter virgin h's character for the most part but she was sometimes clueless to not prepare for her life without her sick courtesan-mom. So not surprising she became financially desperate enough to sell herself as a virgin mistress to some nobleman.
MEH or the BAD:
Ok character growth for h but lacking for H. Not impressed with 29yo Duke H since he didn't sacrifice much to be with h & tended to do what was expected of him as a Duke. I found him self-absorbed & selfish to string impoverished h along for his own selfish pleasure & ego without much regard for her feelings & uncertain future as his ex-mistress. He put his own feelings 1st over h & became vengeful when she'd set limits on their relationship & didn't try to see things from her POV at all (i.e., H proposed marriage to h's half-sister (who didn't know h was her older illegitimate sister from their Duke father's previous affair with h's courtesan mother) despite his promise to h not to coz he was vengeful over her marrying his sterile 1st-cousin in an MOC because H was about to propose to his chosen royal-wife & h was secretly preggo with his child). H acted spiteful & uncaring when mad. He didn't even bother visiting h @ any time during her pregnancy with his baby or even inquire about her/their unborn's health. His duty-over-love stance was understandable given how he was brought up by his parents & the British society of that period & he was honest with h re: how long their affair will last & what he expected of her. Basically, he acted like a typical nobleman with his mistress and not very Hero-like for most of the book. H was also clueless re: women's feelings & romance in general given his cold over-involved mother & neglectful Duke father (who spent more time with his mistress & his children with her) so he hurt h with his insensitivity to her state/feelings & changed only by 95% of the book, when he found out h's MOC-husband was killed protecting preggo-h from a gunman. Ending was too contrived & unbelievable with how everything fell into place & all the villain-ish people were now understanding of H's choice of h & H finally chose h over duty without much anxiety about the consequences.
Sexual History:
19yo virgin h sheltered in 1 way by her courtesan mom & courtesan-mom's friend who'd been living in them but also learned about the mistress-nobleman life from them. H was her 1st kiss & only lover. She married H's cousin OM later but in an MOC since OM's war injury included his inability to have sex. H consorted with brothel prostitutes before h & after h married OM.
Good romance mostly from mistress h's enduring love/honesty with herself & H/& limit-setting on H's conditional romance with her. Angsty from h's secret pain at knowing that H is currently looking for a wife among the many willing royal debs during their affair & how their affair will end when he marries in a few months before he turns 30. Average S chemistry. Good-enough detailed sex scenes. Liked 19yo courtesan's-daughter virgin h's character for the most part but she was sometimes clueless to not prepare for her life without her sick courtesan-mom. So not surprising she became financially desperate enough to sell herself as a virgin mistress to some nobleman.
MEH or the BAD:
Ok character growth for h but lacking for H. Not impressed with 29yo Duke H since he didn't sacrifice much to be with h & tended to do what was expected of him as a Duke. I found him self-absorbed & selfish to string impoverished h along for his own selfish pleasure & ego without much regard for her feelings & uncertain future as his ex-mistress. He put his own feelings 1st over h & became vengeful when she'd set limits on their relationship & didn't try to see things from her POV at all (i.e., H proposed marriage to h's half-sister (who didn't know h was her older illegitimate sister from their Duke father's previous affair with h's courtesan mother) despite his promise to h not to coz he was vengeful over her marrying his sterile 1st-cousin in an MOC because H was about to propose to his chosen royal-wife & h was secretly preggo with his child). H acted spiteful & uncaring when mad. He didn't even bother visiting h @ any time during her pregnancy with his baby or even inquire about her/their unborn's health. His duty-over-love stance was understandable given how he was brought up by his parents & the British society of that period & he was honest with h re: how long their affair will last & what he expected of her. Basically, he acted like a typical nobleman with his mistress and not very Hero-like for most of the book. H was also clueless re: women's feelings & romance in general given his cold over-involved mother & neglectful Duke father (who spent more time with his mistress & his children with her) so he hurt h with his insensitivity to her state/feelings & changed only by 95% of the book, when he found out h's MOC-husband was killed protecting preggo-h from a gunman. Ending was too contrived & unbelievable with how everything fell into place & all the villain-ish people were now understanding of H's choice of h & H finally chose h over duty without much anxiety about the consequences.
Sexual History:
19yo virgin h sheltered in 1 way by her courtesan mom & courtesan-mom's friend who'd been living in them but also learned about the mistress-nobleman life from them. H was her 1st kiss & only lover. She married H's cousin OM later but in an MOC since OM's war injury included his inability to have sex. H consorted with brothel prostitutes before h & after h married OM.
September 7, 2016
RATING: 2.5 stars.
A minha primeira experiência com Cheryl Holt não correu muito bem. O seu livro "Total Surrender" tornou-se dos poucos que não consegui acabar, devido tanto à história, que para mim era bastante banal e tema de imensos livros (muito melhores) do género, como à escrita que achei sinceramente estranha e demasiado dramática.
O dramatismo excessivo foi também uma das coisas que me desapontou neste livro. Retirou realismo à história e fez com que as personagens parecessem pouco ajuizadas.
A protagonista é Maggie Brown, filha ilegítima de um duque e de uma prostituta de luxo chamada Rose (daquelas que são sustentadas por homens nobres e tudo o mais). Depois da morte da mãe, Maggie e a sua amiga (e igualmente antiga amante de vários homens da alta sociedade) decidem ir passar uns dias à beira-mar, uma vez que sem a proteção do... protetor de Rose, serão expulsas do local onde viveram e ficarão na miséria.
Durante as férias conhecem dois irmãos que parecem (e se apresentam) como sendo de classe média e Maggie apaixona-se imediatamente por um deles, sem suspeitar que é de facto o Marquês de Belmont.
Quando Maggie volta para Londres, descobre que a única solução é prostituir-se pois não encontra quem lhe dê emprego. E fatidicamente acaba por se tornar amante do marquês.
A partir daí é só drama. Já não chegava o insta-love, o irrealista amor à primeira vista, que sinceramente não me parece assim muito romântico para ninguém, especialmente o público-alvo deste tipo de livros (mulheres adultas), Adam (o marquês) é um idiota horroroso durante quase todo o livro e Maggie demasiado permissiva das suas parvoíces, excetuando uma ou duas ocasiões. A perda da virgindade é um drama, woe, que dor e depois o Adam ainda decide que a culpa é toda da Maggie (não é um doce meninas?); o tornarem-se amantes é um drama, woe, o Adam não se quer tornar no pai que manteve uma amante (coisa normalíssima na época, é de relembrar); e depois, woe, pobre Adam tem de casar com outra pessoa e pronto não pode continuar a ter sexo desenfreado com a Maggie e ainda lhe diz "minha menina se engravidas meto-te na rua, bastardos é que não" (então não tenhas sexo com ela, totó).
Basicamente, o livro todo foi uma "pity party" constante, geralmente a de Adam que tinha a Maggie mesmo onde queria (como prostituta privada), mas depois culpava-a interiormente por toda a angústia emocional por que estava a passar, porque não se podia casar com ela! E a culpa disso era toda dela, a mazona, porque raio é que não podia ter nascido noutras circunstâncias? Huh? Estava a estragar tudo, buaaaah!
A Maggie também teve os seus momentos, foi ridículo o quanto se humilhou por amor. Só não dou uma classificação mais baixa ao livro porque ela teve os seus momentos, momentos em que decidia que estava era farta e respondia à letra. Pena não serem mais frequentes.
Tudo o que possivelmente se possa imaginar de dramático aconteceu neste livro: discussões, angústia, mortes, separações, desentendimentos, gravidezes, etc e tal.
Compreendo a ideia da autora: queria retratar a posição difícil das mulheres na época e também dos nobres e das suas obrigações pessoais. E queria retratar a luta interior de Adam contra tudo o que lhe fora ensinado. Infelizmente nesta última parte não foi bem sucedida porque o Adam é, supostamente, um homem adulto e se ainda não sabe pensar por si aos 29 anos, nunca aprenderá certamente. Tudo o que a autora conseguiu fazer foi transformar o herói numa criança mimada e birrenta.
No geral, demasiado dramático e não gostei por aí além do herói. A classificação parece destoar porque no fundo estava a gostar do início, achei que ia ser um daqueles livros em que os protagonistas fazem tudo para ficarem juntos e não um livro em que o herói desvirtua e humilha a heroína de todas as formas possíveis e ela deixa, na maioria das vezes. É este "na maioria das vezes" que salva o livro. Isso e a escrita. Felizmente, a tradução salvou-me da escrita demasiado vitoriana da autora que me tinha desagradado no outro livro. Tenho mais livros de Cheryl Holt na prateleira (eu e as minhas compras por impulso), mas não sei se lhes irei pegar tão cedo.
A minha primeira experiência com Cheryl Holt não correu muito bem. O seu livro "Total Surrender" tornou-se dos poucos que não consegui acabar, devido tanto à história, que para mim era bastante banal e tema de imensos livros (muito melhores) do género, como à escrita que achei sinceramente estranha e demasiado dramática.
O dramatismo excessivo foi também uma das coisas que me desapontou neste livro. Retirou realismo à história e fez com que as personagens parecessem pouco ajuizadas.
A protagonista é Maggie Brown, filha ilegítima de um duque e de uma prostituta de luxo chamada Rose (daquelas que são sustentadas por homens nobres e tudo o mais). Depois da morte da mãe, Maggie e a sua amiga (e igualmente antiga amante de vários homens da alta sociedade) decidem ir passar uns dias à beira-mar, uma vez que sem a proteção do... protetor de Rose, serão expulsas do local onde viveram e ficarão na miséria.
Durante as férias conhecem dois irmãos que parecem (e se apresentam) como sendo de classe média e Maggie apaixona-se imediatamente por um deles, sem suspeitar que é de facto o Marquês de Belmont.
Quando Maggie volta para Londres, descobre que a única solução é prostituir-se pois não encontra quem lhe dê emprego. E fatidicamente acaba por se tornar amante do marquês.
A partir daí é só drama. Já não chegava o insta-love, o irrealista amor à primeira vista, que sinceramente não me parece assim muito romântico para ninguém, especialmente o público-alvo deste tipo de livros (mulheres adultas), Adam (o marquês) é um idiota horroroso durante quase todo o livro e Maggie demasiado permissiva das suas parvoíces, excetuando uma ou duas ocasiões. A perda da virgindade é um drama, woe, que dor e depois o Adam ainda decide que a culpa é toda da Maggie (não é um doce meninas?); o tornarem-se amantes é um drama, woe, o Adam não se quer tornar no pai que manteve uma amante (coisa normalíssima na época, é de relembrar); e depois, woe, pobre Adam tem de casar com outra pessoa e pronto não pode continuar a ter sexo desenfreado com a Maggie e ainda lhe diz "minha menina se engravidas meto-te na rua, bastardos é que não" (então não tenhas sexo com ela, totó).
Basicamente, o livro todo foi uma "pity party" constante, geralmente a de Adam que tinha a Maggie mesmo onde queria (como prostituta privada), mas depois culpava-a interiormente por toda a angústia emocional por que estava a passar, porque não se podia casar com ela! E a culpa disso era toda dela, a mazona, porque raio é que não podia ter nascido noutras circunstâncias? Huh? Estava a estragar tudo, buaaaah!
A Maggie também teve os seus momentos, foi ridículo o quanto se humilhou por amor. Só não dou uma classificação mais baixa ao livro porque ela teve os seus momentos, momentos em que decidia que estava era farta e respondia à letra. Pena não serem mais frequentes.
Tudo o que possivelmente se possa imaginar de dramático aconteceu neste livro: discussões, angústia, mortes, separações, desentendimentos, gravidezes, etc e tal.
Compreendo a ideia da autora: queria retratar a posição difícil das mulheres na época e também dos nobres e das suas obrigações pessoais. E queria retratar a luta interior de Adam contra tudo o que lhe fora ensinado. Infelizmente nesta última parte não foi bem sucedida porque o Adam é, supostamente, um homem adulto e se ainda não sabe pensar por si aos 29 anos, nunca aprenderá certamente. Tudo o que a autora conseguiu fazer foi transformar o herói numa criança mimada e birrenta.
No geral, demasiado dramático e não gostei por aí além do herói. A classificação parece destoar porque no fundo estava a gostar do início, achei que ia ser um daqueles livros em que os protagonistas fazem tudo para ficarem juntos e não um livro em que o herói desvirtua e humilha a heroína de todas as formas possíveis e ela deixa, na maioria das vezes. É este "na maioria das vezes" que salva o livro. Isso e a escrita. Felizmente, a tradução salvou-me da escrita demasiado vitoriana da autora que me tinha desagradado no outro livro. Tenho mais livros de Cheryl Holt na prateleira (eu e as minhas compras por impulso), mas não sei se lhes irei pegar tão cedo.
October 12, 2011
Loved it. It wasn't perfect and sometimes the heroine and hero did stupid things but in the end it was pretty good. It held my interest and was hard to put down.
I am going to say good-grovel in my shelves but, to me good grovel means the hero paid the price for his terrible treatment to the heroine. I would of liked to have seen the hero suffer more (I guess I'm mean like that) but that rarely occurs in a book. (maybe my idea of men suffering for their terrible treatment to the heroine is more than most. *shrugs shoulders*) I think this would be a good topic for discussion.
I am going to say good-grovel in my shelves but, to me good grovel means the hero paid the price for his terrible treatment to the heroine. I would of liked to have seen the hero suffer more (I guess I'm mean like that) but that rarely occurs in a book. (maybe my idea of men suffering for their terrible treatment to the heroine is more than most. *shrugs shoulders*) I think this would be a good topic for discussion.
July 16, 2013
Only My Love by Cheryl Holt is a wonderful book. It is a stand-a-alone novel, but is connected to other books by Cheryl. If you enjoy 1800s historical romances that are well written and include graphic love scenes and drama between two people who love each other, this book is for you! I enjoy reading historical romances. I must say this one will be one of my favorites. It is a dramatic story about 19 year-old Maggie Brown, who is left to support herself in London after her mother dies. In order to provide for herself when she is forced out of her home, she is left no option but to "sell herself" so that she will have a male protector. While on "holiday" she meets Adam St. Clair, Marquis of Belmont and they fall in love. However, they can't be together because Adam can't marry a commoner because of his duty to family and country. However, Adam refuses to allow any other man to have Maggie as a mistress, so he "buys" her and takes her as his mistress. Adam struggles with his feelings for Maggie as he does his duty and goes about finding a suitable "high-born" woman to take as a wife. The story is full of drama, humor, romance, and action--the stuff good books are made of. :) This book does have adult content. I recommend this book for those who enjoy reading a historical romance in which the main characters overcome challenges and struggles as they strive for their HOA.
November 6, 2017
This was ok but the hero's snobbish attitude and fixation with his social status annoyed me. I liked the heroine but hated her half sister, to whom the hero became engaged. The heroine's friend Anne was kind and loyal but also an ex courtesan so I was genuinely disappointed when the hero's younger brother decided to marry her. The hero was also my least favourite among the regency Dukes I've come across in my recent binge reading session of 'Dukes Romances'. His mother was an ugly old bitch. He's lucky he got his physical looks from dear old dad. The heroine was the best in the story and I must say I did enjoy the epic grovel when the H begs her to marry him.
September 21, 2014
Adorei este livro. Habitualmente em romances de época vemos a dificuldade da mulher em encontrar um marido adequado em que o amor esteja presente. Neste livro adorei ver a posição dificil do homem naquele tempo,em que também ele era obrigado a seguir as normas e pôr de lado o amor. Recomendo.
June 5, 2016
A 5ª estrela não "nasceu", porque "conheci" o homem mais idiota dos livros de já li de época... 3:)
August 17, 2014
http://viv-omundoencantadodoslivros.b...
Cheryl Holt é uma das minhas autoras favoritas e tem sempre um lugar especial na minha estante. Não há um único livro, publicado em português, que não conste da minha lista de aquisições. É uma autora fantástica, com um humor fantástico e que sempre nos surpreende com as suas histórias.
Este livro não fugiu ao que acabei de dizer, na verdade com esta história tudo o que eu pensava antes da autora foi superado. Foi, sem dúvida, um dos melhores livros de Cheryl Hoyt que já tive o prazer de ler. Há um toque especial nas suas palavras e não temos de imediato um “Felizes para sempre”. O que encontrei neste livro foi uma história bastante realista, onde foram debatidos diversos assuntos como por exemplo a violência doméstica, algo que sempre existiu, mas que na época era abafado completamente.
Maggie foi uma protagonista fantástica! Sendo filha bastarda de um nobre e de uma cortesã, sempre foi mantida á parte da sociedade e sabia bem o seu lugar, talvez por isso quando se viu em dificuldades aceitou tão facilmente a proposta do primo de Adam. Ela era uma mulher forte e determinada, mas era também consciente dos tempos em que vivia! Em relação a Adam…posso garantir-vos que muitas foram as vezes que tive vontade de lhe bater! Compreendo certas atitudes, até porque devido ao seu título ele tinha certas regras a cumprir (não me batam, era assim que funciona na altura e temos de ser realistas em relação a isso), mas a verdade é que ele abusava da sua sorte e foram várias as vezes que me apercebi que ele não sabia bem o que queria da vida. Foi preciso acontecer uma tragédia para ele acordar, agir como o homem que era e sair debaixo das saias da mãe. Enfim, não quero contar muito mais, até porque só lendo o livro conseguem compreender aquilo que falo. A única coisa que vos posso dizer é que adorei o livro e foi com muita pena que cheguei à ultima página.
Cheryl Holt mantém-se no meu TOP de leitoras do género e não parece querer sair de lá. Espero sinceramente que continue a ser publicada no nosso país e já agora, deviam ser publicadas mais romances de época, mas de outras autoras. No último ano tenho verificado que este é um género literário muito diversificado e que são várias as pessoas a escrever acerca do mesmo. Acredito que haverá muito boas autoras por aí, que esperam uma oportunidade de entrar no nosso mercado. Editoras, apostem nisso! Tragam-nos livros de qualidade, historias que nos farão esquecer do tempo e que nos façam sonhar. Já agora, obrigada à Quinta Essência, por se manter sempre fiel ao seu género e pela qualidade de serviço que tem mantido até à data.
Cheryl Holt é uma das minhas autoras favoritas e tem sempre um lugar especial na minha estante. Não há um único livro, publicado em português, que não conste da minha lista de aquisições. É uma autora fantástica, com um humor fantástico e que sempre nos surpreende com as suas histórias.
Este livro não fugiu ao que acabei de dizer, na verdade com esta história tudo o que eu pensava antes da autora foi superado. Foi, sem dúvida, um dos melhores livros de Cheryl Hoyt que já tive o prazer de ler. Há um toque especial nas suas palavras e não temos de imediato um “Felizes para sempre”. O que encontrei neste livro foi uma história bastante realista, onde foram debatidos diversos assuntos como por exemplo a violência doméstica, algo que sempre existiu, mas que na época era abafado completamente.
Maggie foi uma protagonista fantástica! Sendo filha bastarda de um nobre e de uma cortesã, sempre foi mantida á parte da sociedade e sabia bem o seu lugar, talvez por isso quando se viu em dificuldades aceitou tão facilmente a proposta do primo de Adam. Ela era uma mulher forte e determinada, mas era também consciente dos tempos em que vivia! Em relação a Adam…posso garantir-vos que muitas foram as vezes que tive vontade de lhe bater! Compreendo certas atitudes, até porque devido ao seu título ele tinha certas regras a cumprir (não me batam, era assim que funciona na altura e temos de ser realistas em relação a isso), mas a verdade é que ele abusava da sua sorte e foram várias as vezes que me apercebi que ele não sabia bem o que queria da vida. Foi preciso acontecer uma tragédia para ele acordar, agir como o homem que era e sair debaixo das saias da mãe. Enfim, não quero contar muito mais, até porque só lendo o livro conseguem compreender aquilo que falo. A única coisa que vos posso dizer é que adorei o livro e foi com muita pena que cheguei à ultima página.
Cheryl Holt mantém-se no meu TOP de leitoras do género e não parece querer sair de lá. Espero sinceramente que continue a ser publicada no nosso país e já agora, deviam ser publicadas mais romances de época, mas de outras autoras. No último ano tenho verificado que este é um género literário muito diversificado e que são várias as pessoas a escrever acerca do mesmo. Acredito que haverá muito boas autoras por aí, que esperam uma oportunidade de entrar no nosso mercado. Editoras, apostem nisso! Tragam-nos livros de qualidade, historias que nos farão esquecer do tempo e que nos façam sonhar. Já agora, obrigada à Quinta Essência, por se manter sempre fiel ao seu género e pela qualidade de serviço que tem mantido até à data.
February 22, 2011
4 1/2 star.
I was hesitant about reading Cheryl Holt for some reason. I'm not sure why!
I thoroughly enjoyed this book.
I was so engaged that I stayed up WAY too late reading. I just had to find out
what was going to happen next and how the author was going to pull it all off.
I knocked off a half star for the repetitive cliches phrases. My own pet peeve.
I was hesitant about reading Cheryl Holt for some reason. I'm not sure why!
I thoroughly enjoyed this book.
I was so engaged that I stayed up WAY too late reading. I just had to find out
what was going to happen next and how the author was going to pull it all off.
I knocked off a half star for the repetitive cliches phrases. My own pet peeve.
October 8, 2014
Opinião em vídeo: http://youtu.be/y5rExsW5cvk?list=PLVk...
May 6, 2022
Linda história de amor repleta de paixão, estigmas e sofrimento.
Retrata a forma como a aristocracia com títulos importantes está formatada a obedecer a certos critérios, nem que para isso tenham que ser infelizes nas suas escolhas.
É uma história de superação e aprendizagem.
A autora, como é habitual, faz a sua critica à aristocracia, neste livro muito focada nos filhos bastardos.
Retrata a forma como a aristocracia com títulos importantes está formatada a obedecer a certos critérios, nem que para isso tenham que ser infelizes nas suas escolhas.
É uma história de superação e aprendizagem.
A autora, como é habitual, faz a sua critica à aristocracia, neste livro muito focada nos filhos bastardos.
January 25, 2012
I did not care for this book. It played out like a soap opera, in a BAD way. It was also not historically accurate in the least.
Romantic or not, Adam and Maggie (let alone James and Anne) would never have been accepted as a married couple. I've read romances where a similar situation was worked out, and the issues pro and con (mainly con) were always addressed. In this story, these issues weren't mentioned by anyone but the mother, and were quickly swept under the table as irrelevant. And okay, the mom was a viper, but it's naive to think that things will work out just 'cuz you want them to.
Character-wise, the book was a disappointment. Maggie came off as a naive, overly sentimental TSTL twit. Adam came off as a manipulative, selfish jerk. Anne seemed mercenary - I never saw love , just financial safety. Charles came off as a con man, and Lavinia as a stone cold witch. James was the best of the bunch and even he was forgettable.
Another quibble: my copy of this book was filled with grammatical and spelling errors. I can see one or two slipping by the proofreading department, but this was definitely more than one or two.
So, since I didn't care for the writing, the characters, the plot line, I'm going to call this a one-star book. I had high hopes, as the other reviewers seemed to like it, but to each their own... this was NOT the one for me. I will be passing on Ms. Holt's other work.
Romantic or not, Adam and Maggie (let alone James and Anne) would never have been accepted as a married couple. I've read romances where a similar situation was worked out, and the issues pro and con (mainly con) were always addressed. In this story, these issues weren't mentioned by anyone but the mother, and were quickly swept under the table as irrelevant. And okay, the mom was a viper, but it's naive to think that things will work out just 'cuz you want them to.
Character-wise, the book was a disappointment. Maggie came off as a naive, overly sentimental TSTL twit. Adam came off as a manipulative, selfish jerk. Anne seemed mercenary - I never saw love , just financial safety. Charles came off as a con man, and Lavinia as a stone cold witch. James was the best of the bunch and even he was forgettable.
Another quibble: my copy of this book was filled with grammatical and spelling errors. I can see one or two slipping by the proofreading department, but this was definitely more than one or two.
So, since I didn't care for the writing, the characters, the plot line, I'm going to call this a one-star book. I had high hopes, as the other reviewers seemed to like it, but to each their own... this was NOT the one for me. I will be passing on Ms. Holt's other work.
April 18, 2022
Que magnífica supresa que foi este romance de época.
Esperava um livro leve e erótico com algum romance mas o que obtive deste livro foi muito mais. Fiquei completamente apaixonada por estas magníficas personagens: Maggie e Adam, Anne e James.
Descobrir os livros desta autora está a ser um esplendoroso achado. A forma como a autora transpôs as dificuldades que as mulheres passavam, os preconceitos,as injustiças estão muito fielmente retratadas nesta obra.
Felizmente também está presente a força que as mulheres sempre tiveram que ter para lutar contra as adversidades da vida e como o amor é o sentimento mais forte de cada ser humano.
Esperava um livro leve e erótico com algum romance mas o que obtive deste livro foi muito mais. Fiquei completamente apaixonada por estas magníficas personagens: Maggie e Adam, Anne e James.
Descobrir os livros desta autora está a ser um esplendoroso achado. A forma como a autora transpôs as dificuldades que as mulheres passavam, os preconceitos,as injustiças estão muito fielmente retratadas nesta obra.
Felizmente também está presente a força que as mulheres sempre tiveram que ter para lutar contra as adversidades da vida e como o amor é o sentimento mais forte de cada ser humano.
July 30, 2014
O melhor livro de sempre da autora ! Muito muito bom.
Crítica detalhada em breve no Blog Os Livros Nossos
Crítica detalhada em breve no Blog Os Livros Nossos
February 7, 2016
Que desilusão! :(
January 1, 2022
Тази леко (мело)драматична приказка за любов в Англия от времето на Наполеоновите войни е доста приятно начало на новата година.
В една малка страноприемница се срещат двама случайно отседнали “туристи” под прикритие. Той е позволил на брат му да го отвлече от поредния скучен бал, където неизбежно този сезон трябва да бъде избрана подходяща съпруга. Като типичен аристократ с промит на тема “класа” мозък, той си позволява единствено леки отклонения, като да отседне под чуждо име някъде за седмица. Тя пък обмисля перспективите си в живота заедно с единствената си приятелка, и те клонят към изхвърляне на улицата след смъртта на майка и - професионална метреса - последвана от липса на пари и възможности за честно препитание.
Втората им среща в Лондон вече е в истинските им роли на аристократ и метреса, зависеща изцяло от финансовото благородположение на спонсора си.
Хареса ми, че героите са добре дефинирани и крайно несъвършени, както и класовите различия, които могат да накарат човек да се откаже доброволно под нелепи предлози от малцината, които са му близки просто защото или не са със същия статус, или са направили избор, нетипичен за средата им. А борбата с предрасъдъци, набивани в главата цял живот, е безкрайно тежка и дълга битка, в която загубите са повече от победите.
Изборите, които героите правят, не са типичните са жанра спуснати от въздуха постъпки с цел апломб и глупава мелодрама, а са доста логични и обмислени, макар и често напълно погрешни. Всъщност са погрешни от днешна гледна точка - от тогавашна са напълно оправдани за съответната социална среда.
В една малка страноприемница се срещат двама случайно отседнали “туристи” под прикритие. Той е позволил на брат му да го отвлече от поредния скучен бал, където неизбежно този сезон трябва да бъде избрана подходяща съпруга. Като типичен аристократ с промит на тема “класа” мозък, той си позволява единствено леки отклонения, като да отседне под чуждо име някъде за седмица. Тя пък обмисля перспективите си в живота заедно с единствената си приятелка, и те клонят към изхвърляне на улицата след смъртта на майка и - професионална метреса - последвана от липса на пари и възможности за честно препитание.
Втората им среща в Лондон вече е в истинските им роли на аристократ и метреса, зависеща изцяло от финансовото благородположение на спонсора си.
Хареса ми, че героите са добре дефинирани и крайно несъвършени, както и класовите различия, които могат да накарат човек да се откаже доброволно под нелепи предлози от малцината, които са му близки просто защото или не са със същия статус, или са направили избор, нетипичен за средата им. А борбата с предрасъдъци, набивани в главата цял живот, е безкрайно тежка и дълга битка, в която загубите са повече от победите.
Изборите, които героите правят, не са типичните са жанра спуснати от въздуха постъпки с цел апломб и глупава мелодрама, а са доста логични и обмислени, макар и често напълно погрешни. Всъщност са погрешни от днешна гледна точка - от тогавашна са напълно оправдани за съответната социална среда.
May 23, 2012
This was my first Cheryl Holt read and I thoroughly enjoyed this one and recommend this fabulous read to all historical romance fans.
Adam St. Clair, Marquis of Belmont is tired of being the number one catch. He longs to get away from empty headed debutants and their match making mammas. He is miserable in his life because of the duty he puts on himself for his family, title, and peerage. Determined not to be like his father, his lot in life is a sad one, although self inflicted. One evening his younger, light hearted brother, James convinces him to get away for a few days and leave his life and all of the decisions that come with it in London. They end up at the coast and he meets Maggie Brown, a young, beautiful lady. The beginning scenes of this story reminded me of Austen and being somewhere like Bath.
While on vacation with her best friend Ann, Maggie hopes to escape from life for a while after the recent death of her mother. Adam and Maggie meet and form an attachment, but are not completely honest with each other about their lives. Adam doesn't reveal who he is and Maggie lies and says she is a shopkeeper's daughter even though she is a natural daughter of a duke, her mother was a beautiful mistress. Ann, her friend was also a professional mistress. Both fell on harder times and soon things will get worse.
Maggie agrees to the unthinkable, a virgin who becomes a kept woman just like her mother. Adam discovers this and does the unthinkable, agrees to keep Maggie as his mistress before he dutifully finds a wife that will appease his mother and lineage. Having a mistress goes against his desires for life since his father and mother had such an unhappy marriage and his father only ever loved his mistress and the children they had together. But he just can't help his attraction to Maggie and doesn't want to give her up. The two eventually do fall in love, but refuse to acknowledge their feelings. Both let pride get in the way. Just when you think there will be heartache and no happily ever after, things change for the better. They have a long and bumpy road ahead of them. Despite all this they become even closer. I don't want to give too many spoilers away, but Adam has to realize what he almost looses to appreciate and go after what he truly wants in life rather than what is expected.
I loved all the secondary characters, Adam's brother, his eccentric cousin Charles, the heartless Duke of Roswell who happens to be Maggie's father is easy to dislike but redeems himself in the end. His legitimate daughter Penelope (Penny) was not easy to like. She was selfish, vain, and petty. And wants what she wants when she wants. Mainly Adam. But what she thinks she wants isn't always the best for her. She gets her own book, My True Love. I just hope she changes and becomes a better person for her to be a likeable heroine.
It's refreshing to read a historical romance that doesn't use mystery, convoluted plots, and other devices to entertain a reader. This was a simpler story with a quick pace and simple plots. The love scenes were steamy, but didn't over power the rest of the story. I will definitely read more by Holt.
Adam St. Clair, Marquis of Belmont is tired of being the number one catch. He longs to get away from empty headed debutants and their match making mammas. He is miserable in his life because of the duty he puts on himself for his family, title, and peerage. Determined not to be like his father, his lot in life is a sad one, although self inflicted. One evening his younger, light hearted brother, James convinces him to get away for a few days and leave his life and all of the decisions that come with it in London. They end up at the coast and he meets Maggie Brown, a young, beautiful lady. The beginning scenes of this story reminded me of Austen and being somewhere like Bath.
While on vacation with her best friend Ann, Maggie hopes to escape from life for a while after the recent death of her mother. Adam and Maggie meet and form an attachment, but are not completely honest with each other about their lives. Adam doesn't reveal who he is and Maggie lies and says she is a shopkeeper's daughter even though she is a natural daughter of a duke, her mother was a beautiful mistress. Ann, her friend was also a professional mistress. Both fell on harder times and soon things will get worse.
Maggie agrees to the unthinkable, a virgin who becomes a kept woman just like her mother. Adam discovers this and does the unthinkable, agrees to keep Maggie as his mistress before he dutifully finds a wife that will appease his mother and lineage. Having a mistress goes against his desires for life since his father and mother had such an unhappy marriage and his father only ever loved his mistress and the children they had together. But he just can't help his attraction to Maggie and doesn't want to give her up. The two eventually do fall in love, but refuse to acknowledge their feelings. Both let pride get in the way. Just when you think there will be heartache and no happily ever after, things change for the better. They have a long and bumpy road ahead of them. Despite all this they become even closer. I don't want to give too many spoilers away, but Adam has to realize what he almost looses to appreciate and go after what he truly wants in life rather than what is expected.
I loved all the secondary characters, Adam's brother, his eccentric cousin Charles, the heartless Duke of Roswell who happens to be Maggie's father is easy to dislike but redeems himself in the end. His legitimate daughter Penelope (Penny) was not easy to like. She was selfish, vain, and petty. And wants what she wants when she wants. Mainly Adam. But what she thinks she wants isn't always the best for her. She gets her own book, My True Love. I just hope she changes and becomes a better person for her to be a likeable heroine.
It's refreshing to read a historical romance that doesn't use mystery, convoluted plots, and other devices to entertain a reader. This was a simpler story with a quick pace and simple plots. The love scenes were steamy, but didn't over power the rest of the story. I will definitely read more by Holt.
August 2, 2019
After stumbling upon My only Love on GoodReads, I had to read it, and it's almost a crime it is currently not available on Kindle. A stuffy Duke named Adam decides to go incognito at a sea resort where he falls in love with Maggie Brown, the unacknowledged by-blow of the Duke of Roswell. Coincidences of coincidences, this also makes Maggie the half-sister of the Duke's daughter, Penelope, a woman he will most likely have to marry because that's what's expected.
Despite being stuffy, Adam actually has a bit of a temper. He is very spicy, especially when he crosses paths with Maggie again at a society ball - oh my god, that scene. I need a fan. If Adam does has an annoying character flaw, it's how many times he consciously feels tenderness towards Maggie because she makes him feel like he was her whole world. Almost like a dog waiting at home for its owner.
Maggie, on the other hand, is a naive heroine with a very open nature and forgiving heart. She's not exactly meek but she does have a tendency to get trampled upon. It's heartbreaking when she tells Adam she deserves better than him, and he agrees with her. Courtesan stories are an absolute torment for the heroine, so it's great that Adam gets his due. He realizes his mistake too late in not going after Maggie when he had the chance. I honestly did not see that coming when
A little out of left field was the character development of Maggie's father, the Duke of Roswell. He is pretty much the villain of the story but by the epilogue, he is nonchalantly vacationing with Adam and Maggie in the countryside. This felt a bit premature and unearned and could have been further developed. Overall, no major red flags in this very fun read.
Despite being stuffy, Adam actually has a bit of a temper. He is very spicy, especially when he crosses paths with Maggie again at a society ball - oh my god, that scene. I need a fan. If Adam does has an annoying character flaw, it's how many times he consciously feels tenderness towards Maggie because she makes him feel like he was her whole world. Almost like a dog waiting at home for its owner.
Maggie, on the other hand, is a naive heroine with a very open nature and forgiving heart. She's not exactly meek but she does have a tendency to get trampled upon. It's heartbreaking when she tells Adam she deserves better than him, and he agrees with her. Courtesan stories are an absolute torment for the heroine, so it's great that Adam gets his due. He realizes his mistake too late in not going after Maggie when he had the chance. I honestly did not see that coming when
A little out of left field was the character development of Maggie's father, the Duke of Roswell. He is pretty much the villain of the story but by the epilogue, he is nonchalantly vacationing with Adam and Maggie in the countryside. This felt a bit premature and unearned and could have been further developed. Overall, no major red flags in this very fun read.
May 16, 2016
Adorei este livro,posso dizer que foi para mim mais um maravilhoso livro de Cheryl Holt.
Um romance intenso , sofrido e que vai quebrar muitas convenções da época .
Maggie Brown depois da morte da sua mãe ,um cortesã muito conhecida, resolve passar um tempo de férias com uma amiga da sua mãe também ela uma antiga cortesã numa estância balnear.Também o marquês de Belmonte e o seu irmão Adam vão passar uns dias a mesma estância, e com nomes falsos pois querem fugir a pressão da sociedade e dos titulos que detém.
Maggie e o marques vão encontrar-se e apaixonar-se sem conhecerem os dramas de cada um, Maggie tem que descobrir o que fazer, pois a sua mãe deixou-a sem apoio financeiro, e possivelmente terá que ela mesmo seguir a vida que a sua mãe leva-va.O marques tem a sua espera um casamento de conveniência que ele terá que aceitar visto que ele sabe que foi criado para seguir o protocolo que foi estabelecido aquando do seu nascimento.Também o irmão do marquês Adam vai apaixonar-se por Anne sendo o seu relacionamento também complicado.
E é entre o o dever e o amor e o quebrar de regras da sociedade da época que passa-s este romance muito bem escrito e empolgante.
Um romance intenso , sofrido e que vai quebrar muitas convenções da época .
Maggie Brown depois da morte da sua mãe ,um cortesã muito conhecida, resolve passar um tempo de férias com uma amiga da sua mãe também ela uma antiga cortesã numa estância balnear.Também o marquês de Belmonte e o seu irmão Adam vão passar uns dias a mesma estância, e com nomes falsos pois querem fugir a pressão da sociedade e dos titulos que detém.
Maggie e o marques vão encontrar-se e apaixonar-se sem conhecerem os dramas de cada um, Maggie tem que descobrir o que fazer, pois a sua mãe deixou-a sem apoio financeiro, e possivelmente terá que ela mesmo seguir a vida que a sua mãe leva-va.O marques tem a sua espera um casamento de conveniência que ele terá que aceitar visto que ele sabe que foi criado para seguir o protocolo que foi estabelecido aquando do seu nascimento.Também o irmão do marquês Adam vai apaixonar-se por Anne sendo o seu relacionamento também complicado.
E é entre o o dever e o amor e o quebrar de regras da sociedade da época que passa-s este romance muito bem escrito e empolgante.
December 27, 2015
This is the second book I read of Cheryl Holt and I believe that both stories have common aspects. Furthermore, I think the narrative is somehow predictable and the descriptions are somehow vulgar.
When Maggie and Anne decide to go on vacation for two weeks, they expected only days off. However, after learning about Adam and James St. Clair, their remaining vacation days take another tone. Days of romance, passion and promise...
But Maggie's life takes another turn when Adam St. Clair takes her as his mistress. Here, Maggie believed in a happy life together. However, that's not what Adam had in mind. Between arguments and misunderstandings, there is an event that causes Maggie to follow a different path.
Despite a history well thought out, I consider that there was no marked evolution of the characters (except one) and that the plot has become quite predictable from one point. In addition, some of the descriptions of the sexual relations between Maggie and Adam become somewhat vulgar from a certain point.
It is a quick-read book and is quite simple to understand the narrative. However, as I mentioned, it becomes fairly predictable after a certain point.
When Maggie and Anne decide to go on vacation for two weeks, they expected only days off. However, after learning about Adam and James St. Clair, their remaining vacation days take another tone. Days of romance, passion and promise...
But Maggie's life takes another turn when Adam St. Clair takes her as his mistress. Here, Maggie believed in a happy life together. However, that's not what Adam had in mind. Between arguments and misunderstandings, there is an event that causes Maggie to follow a different path.
Despite a history well thought out, I consider that there was no marked evolution of the characters (except one) and that the plot has become quite predictable from one point. In addition, some of the descriptions of the sexual relations between Maggie and Adam become somewhat vulgar from a certain point.
It is a quick-read book and is quite simple to understand the narrative. However, as I mentioned, it becomes fairly predictable after a certain point.
February 19, 2010
My favorite of all Cheryl Holt's books!! I absolutely LOVED this!! It is a must read!
5+++
5+++
May 30, 2012
I loved this book when I was a young teenager. I don't know if it would hold up if I read it again after almost 10 years but I would easily list it as my favorite romance novel to date.
January 23, 2015
Gostei do início, mas 2/3 do livro foi o descalabro total.
Opinião: http://epifania-de-letras.blogspot.pt...
Opinião: http://epifania-de-letras.blogspot.pt...
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July 28, 2025DNF: Cada vez que me spoilam odeio mais o livro de morte. Holt never again! Vou ler autoras fixes que sabm escrever personagens e plots coerentes.
August 27, 2016
Apesar de não ser o meu género de leitura, gostei bastante. Foi uma agradável surpresa.
May 11, 2008
Fab 5***
April 30, 2011
Very entertaining!
January 11, 2021
Romantic and dramatic love story
5 stars
Maggie Brown, daughter of a courtesan, has struggled much during her life, especially since her mother's recent death. When she and her friend Anne, herself a former courtesan, visit the seaside to decide what they are going to do to survive, Maggie is delighted to meet a handsome stranger and embark on her first, but brief, love affair.
When she returns to London, she is forced to try to become a rich man's mistress and is more than stunned when her mysterious stranger returns and is the highest bidder for her services. Adam St Clair, Marquis of Belmont never wanted a mistress but he can't help but want Maggie. Leaving her once was bad enough and he never wants to do so again. But duty, family and life are all conspiring to keep the pair apart and with every day their love will be truly tested.
Unlike many other of Cheryl Holt's novels, this one really isn't very erotic but that isn't a complaint as this book is filled with love, passion, betrayal, murder, romance - it has it all.
The story, while not being complex, manages to keep you gripped as there is constantly something happening that makes you want to keep turning the pages. It also manages to continually surprise with a multitude of twists and turns.
All the characters, from Maggie and Adam to the more minor characters are well drawn and very interesting. The way that Adam seamlessly changes and grows throughout the book is a delight to watch as we realise he has become the perfect tortured hero!
There are so many facets to this book that it really is a joy to read. And despite all the drama, it still manages to be wonderfully romantic with an ending that will leave you smiling. Definitely recommended and worth 5 stars.
July 2, 2019
X. Well, C. Holt certainly has a way with creating a disgusting male protagonist vs a magnificent female heroine in her stories! Adam was all the male chauvinist pig that you can imagine...although I bet he thought himself SO much the opposite compared to all the other disgusting males in the story.
C. Holt books (the ones I have read so far) are absolute train wrecks of life and love for the characters. However, as a reader; it keeps you coming back for more! It’s the WTF just happened factor I couldn’t turn away from tbh.
Ultimately, this book is a reminder of what a horrible time in history this was to be alive as a female.
With that said, I also struggled with Maggie. She was SO passive....I get it, she was a doxy and has to stay pliant to live her life and “please” Adam so she has some security, for however long that might be. BUT OMFG, can’t y’all save up & jump ship to America (might still be the colonies at this time-not sure)??? I feel like ANYTHING is better than the hoity-toity aristocracy/caste system England had in place during this time period.
But I digress, this was a well done plot with LOTS of twists & turns and WTF moments! Adam was gross but in the end the reader uncovers some merits as he evolves. Maggie, ultimately was a sad casualty of the life she was forced into (or rather chose? it’s debatable) IMO she neither lived or loved without harsh consequences.
C. Holt books (the ones I have read so far) are absolute train wrecks of life and love for the characters. However, as a reader; it keeps you coming back for more! It’s the WTF just happened factor I couldn’t turn away from tbh.
Ultimately, this book is a reminder of what a horrible time in history this was to be alive as a female.
With that said, I also struggled with Maggie. She was SO passive....I get it, she was a doxy and has to stay pliant to live her life and “please” Adam so she has some security, for however long that might be. BUT OMFG, can’t y’all save up & jump ship to America (might still be the colonies at this time-not sure)??? I feel like ANYTHING is better than the hoity-toity aristocracy/caste system England had in place during this time period.
But I digress, this was a well done plot with LOTS of twists & turns and WTF moments! Adam was gross but in the end the reader uncovers some merits as he evolves. Maggie, ultimately was a sad casualty of the life she was forced into (or rather chose? it’s debatable) IMO she neither lived or loved without harsh consequences.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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