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Lords of Honor #1
Seduzido pelo coração de uma Lady
O Tenente Lucien Jones, filho de um visconde, regressou da guerra para descobrir que a sua mulher e filho estavam mortos. Culpando seu pai pela missão dada de lutar contra as forças de Boney, ele se contentou em definhar no Hospital de Londres... até que conseguiu um emprego com o Marquês de Drake. Através de sua posição, Lucien encontrou um propósito na vida e se contentou em manter seu passado enterrado. Lady Eloise Yardley ama Lucien desde criança. Quando desistiu de sonhar com ele, a jovem se casou com outro. Anos depois, ela é uma viúva solitária que não se encaixa na sociedade. Quando a família de Lucien pede sua ajuda para reunir pai e filho, ela aproveita a oportunidade para não apenas ajudar seu antigo amigo, mas também escapar de Londres.Lucien não sabe o plano arquitetado por Eloise, mas conhecendo-a tal como é, quando a jovem faz uma visita à Marquesa, ele sabe que a amiga de infância está tramando algo. A última coisa que ele quer é a tentação que essa nova Eloise oferece; uma lembrança reconfortante de tempos mais felizes e de paz. No entanto, a jovem está determinada a conquistar o amor de Lucien de uma vez por todas... se ao menos ele pudesse deixar de lado a dor de seu passado e arriscar tudo pelo coração de uma lady.
201 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 3, 2015
918 people are currently reading
724 people want to read
About the author
Christi Caldwell
136 books2,557 followersUSA TODAY Bestselling author CHRISTI CALDWELL blames Judith McNaught's "Whitney, My Love!" for luring her into the world of historical romance. While sitting in her graduate school apartment at the University of Connecticut, Christi decided to set aside her notes and pick up her laptop to try her hand at romance. She believes the most perfect heroes and heroines have imperfections, and she rather enjoys torturing them before crafting them a well deserved happily ever after!
Christi makes her home in Charlotte, North Carolina where she spends her time writing her own enchanting historical romances, and baking surprisingly good cakes (almost 2 years in lockdown will do that) with her courageous son and twin daughters, each who with their daily antics provides limitless source material.
Christi makes her home in Charlotte, North Carolina where she spends her time writing her own enchanting historical romances, and baking surprisingly good cakes (almost 2 years in lockdown will do that) with her courageous son and twin daughters, each who with their daily antics provides limitless source material.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 93 reviews
March 23, 2021
Lucien and Eloise. This is the story of man who lost his arm and his will to live at Waterloo. We first meet Lucien in "Forever Betrothed and Never a Bride" in the military hospital after Napoleon's defeat. So I wanted to see what becomes of him.
Turns out there is a woman who he's known and who has loved him since they were kids. I often love those stories, but this wasn't as romantic as I'd hoped it would be. He had married another when he grew up and left Eloise behind. Then he left for the war. While he was gone, his wife died along with their infant son. So he comes back from the war with one arm and no family. There's still his father and brothers (and Eloise.. forever the after-thought). But he refuses to see them and works as a butler for Drake, the hero from "Forever Betrothed and Never a Bride". So it was nice to see Drake and Emma again, even if it's just peripherally.
Basically, he's got the mother of all chips on his shoulder and I honestly thought Eloise could do better. And Eloise did end up marrying another after Lucien left and he was a good man, but she never loved him nearly as much as she loved Lucien.
The ending was sweet but I still felt that Eloise was an after thought... perhaps a wonderful one? But the author doesn't give the reader time to believe in his affections for Eloise. I enjoy Ms. Caldwell's stories, but they sure do scream out for an epilogue. It's an awful lot of angst to overcome Big Spoiler. There's no passion between the MCs. Lucien lacks passion for anything, and only seems to have regained a glimmer of it by the end of the book. Disappointing.
Turns out there is a woman who he's known and who has loved him since they were kids. I often love those stories, but this wasn't as romantic as I'd hoped it would be. He had married another when he grew up and left Eloise behind. Then he left for the war. While he was gone, his wife died along with their infant son. So he comes back from the war with one arm and no family. There's still his father and brothers (and Eloise.. forever the after-thought). But he refuses to see them and works as a butler for Drake, the hero from "Forever Betrothed and Never a Bride". So it was nice to see Drake and Emma again, even if it's just peripherally.
Basically, he's got the mother of all chips on his shoulder and I honestly thought Eloise could do better. And Eloise did end up marrying another after Lucien left and he was a good man, but she never loved him nearly as much as she loved Lucien.
The ending was sweet but I still felt that Eloise was an after thought... perhaps a wonderful one? But the author doesn't give the reader time to believe in his affections for Eloise. I enjoy Ms. Caldwell's stories, but they sure do scream out for an epilogue. It's an awful lot of angst to overcome Big Spoiler. There's no passion between the MCs. Lucien lacks passion for anything, and only seems to have regained a glimmer of it by the end of the book. Disappointing.
March 2, 2016
Lucien is a war veteran who returned home to find his wife and son had died while he was away. In addition to being emotionally and mentally devastated, he also lost half his arm during the war. Eloise -a widow who suffered her share of loss during the war - has secretly loved Lucien her whole life. With the unrequited love and a damaged hero, this story had potential.
However...
1. The writing is disjointed. I found myself rereading sentences because the structure was so convoluted the words didn't flow into coherent storytelling.
2. Eloise made me want to barf. She was so desperate and needy, without a shred of pride. It's reiterated throughout the story that she knows he'll never love her the way he loved his wife, but she continues to throw herself at him anyway.
3. Despite being born the third son of a viscount, Lucien chooses to create a new life for himself by becoming a butler. Annoyingly, he continues to emphasize the gulf between their classes, when in fact there really isn't one.
4. There are a lot of inconsistencies in the story. Lucien admits to never once thinking of Eloise - not one single thought - after falling in love with Sara. But then he says he thought of her when recovering in the hospital, and also during the war. Also, he claims to have always loved her, despite the above. Another weird timeline/story question mark: he comes home from the war, a half arm missing but healthy otherwise. After learning of his family's deaths, he ends up in a London hospital for years. Just laying in bed, eyes closed. Years?
5. Lucien is so pissed off at Eloise when she finds him, that he can't even manage to be civil. Then, out of nowhere, they end up kissing in the hospital hallway, and various locations in the house where he's the butler. Add to that the aborted sex scene where he leaves her naked in bed with zero explaination, and you pretty much have the sum of their physical relationship.
However...
1. The writing is disjointed. I found myself rereading sentences because the structure was so convoluted the words didn't flow into coherent storytelling.
2. Eloise made me want to barf. She was so desperate and needy, without a shred of pride. It's reiterated throughout the story that she knows he'll never love her the way he loved his wife, but she continues to throw herself at him anyway.
3. Despite being born the third son of a viscount, Lucien chooses to create a new life for himself by becoming a butler. Annoyingly, he continues to emphasize the gulf between their classes, when in fact there really isn't one.
4. There are a lot of inconsistencies in the story. Lucien admits to never once thinking of Eloise - not one single thought - after falling in love with Sara. But then he says he thought of her when recovering in the hospital, and also during the war. Also, he claims to have always loved her, despite the above. Another weird timeline/story question mark: he comes home from the war, a half arm missing but healthy otherwise. After learning of his family's deaths, he ends up in a London hospital for years. Just laying in bed, eyes closed. Years?
5. Lucien is so pissed off at Eloise when she finds him, that he can't even manage to be civil. Then, out of nowhere, they end up kissing in the hospital hallway, and various locations in the house where he's the butler. Add to that the aborted sex scene where he leaves her naked in bed with zero explaination, and you pretty much have the sum of their physical relationship.
did-not-finish
June 29, 20192.5 stars · Did Not Finish
It's the weirdest thing—I don't know why Christi Caldwell's earlier work never does it for me, but it really rubs me the wrong way. Not in any offensive fashion; rather, it's overly corny and there are inconsistencies in timelines, characteristics, ages, etc. The women are too weepy, romantic, and sometimes weak-willed or wimpy IMHO, and the men overly dramatic and repetitively, boringly tragic and/or tortured.
There are a few exceptions (in terms of her earlier works), but this ended up NOT being one of them. I was having trouble getting through it almost from the beginning, and ended up essentially putting it down. I did skip to the end to see how things were wrapped up, and the wrap-up continued my impression from the beginning.
It's the weirdest thing—I don't know why Christi Caldwell's earlier work never does it for me, but it really rubs me the wrong way. Not in any offensive fashion; rather, it's overly corny and there are inconsistencies in timelines, characteristics, ages, etc. The women are too weepy, romantic, and sometimes weak-willed or wimpy IMHO, and the men overly dramatic and repetitively, boringly tragic and/or tortured.
There are a few exceptions (in terms of her earlier works), but this ended up NOT being one of them. I was having trouble getting through it almost from the beginning, and ended up essentially putting it down. I did skip to the end to see how things were wrapped up, and the wrap-up continued my impression from the beginning.
March 20, 2019
I already knew I wasn't going to enjoy reading/listening to this book. I only listened to it out of loyalty and because I needed a new book to listen to.
July 8, 2015
I had some problems with this book. The main problem is that the plot is too simple. I felt like there were many subplots that could have been a lot more developed but in the end it just end up being oversimplified. Also, I've never really felt like Lucien fell in love with Eloise and the whole "he had always loved her, but never realised it" didn't ring true.
I'd also have loved to know more about his first wife Sara and what made her so special that he basically forgot all about his friend Eloise. The fact that Lucien deserved to be called out for his behaviour and everything felt so easy for him made me a little mad, to be honest. Sometimes I just wanted to slap him in the face. Same thing with Eloise's brother-in-law, that apparently only appeared for making us angry but was such a plot device that simply disappeared?
I didn't like Lucien or Eloise, and that was another problem. After all, if you don't care enough about the main characters, chances are you won't care about the story, and that was exactly what happened in my case. In the end, it all just felt so boring.
I'd also have loved to know more about his first wife Sara and what made her so special that he basically forgot all about his friend Eloise. The fact that Lucien deserved to be called out for his behaviour and everything felt so easy for him made me a little mad, to be honest. Sometimes I just wanted to slap him in the face. Same thing with Eloise's brother-in-law, that apparently only appeared for making us angry but was such a plot device that simply disappeared?
I didn't like Lucien or Eloise, and that was another problem. After all, if you don't care enough about the main characters, chances are you won't care about the story, and that was exactly what happened in my case. In the end, it all just felt so boring.
November 7, 2015
4.5 Stars
~Karen's Review~
Caldwell may not be the most well know of historical romance authors, but her stories are ones that envelope the reader in the emotions that her characters are experiencing. Caldwell is a master at plucking at the readers heart, to have their own emotions following right along with the characters. From the very first words Eloise utters to her long lost friend Lucien my guts were tied into knots by Eloise care and concern for the war ravaged Lucien, the hero in Seduced by a Lady's Heart . The way Cadwell wrote of Eloise's unrequited young love for Lucien, stirred my heart and brought tears to my eyes. I felt a kinship in Eloise, the stalwart best friend, as Lucien, the holder of her heart found love; but alas not with her. In Eloise, Caldwell paints a vibrant every woman whom despite her heartbreak does everything in her power to secure her best friends happiness. Eloise is selfless without being a martyr, or seeming like a doormat. Caldwell romantic heroines are a breath of fresh air.
Lucien her childhood friend has been wounded not only by the Naploeonic War, but deeply by his family. He is a man who has isolated himself and suffered for years by shell shock; modern day PTSD. The Napoleonic war was the first reported cases of soldiers dealing with the after effects of war. Some Napoleonic soldiers languished in hospitals for the rest of their lives, after experiencing the horrors of that war. When the book opens Lucien is no longer languishing in a hospital ward, but he is an angry beast of a man, living below his station.
When Eloise re enters his life, the resulting reunion is not one of hearts and flowers; but one of icy demeanor, insolent words, that eventually leads to fire and passion. Lucien has isolated himself not only from his past, but in the present he lived an insular life. It isn't until Eloise rushed headlong into his life that he starts to feel again. It is that rebirth of this scarred and scared character that makes this story such a fascinating read.
I think if I had read this book as a younger woman who had not experienced the ups and downs of life my perspective would have been completely different than that of the woman that I now am. As Lucien has a very hard time seeing what was right in front of him, and Eloise was shunted away after Lucien fell in love. Young love can be selfish and Lucien fit in the mold of the selfish younger man in love.This review was originally posted on Literati Literature Lovers
~Karen's Review~
Caldwell may not be the most well know of historical romance authors, but her stories are ones that envelope the reader in the emotions that her characters are experiencing. Caldwell is a master at plucking at the readers heart, to have their own emotions following right along with the characters. From the very first words Eloise utters to her long lost friend Lucien my guts were tied into knots by Eloise care and concern for the war ravaged Lucien, the hero in Seduced by a Lady's Heart . The way Cadwell wrote of Eloise's unrequited young love for Lucien, stirred my heart and brought tears to my eyes. I felt a kinship in Eloise, the stalwart best friend, as Lucien, the holder of her heart found love; but alas not with her. In Eloise, Caldwell paints a vibrant every woman whom despite her heartbreak does everything in her power to secure her best friends happiness. Eloise is selfless without being a martyr, or seeming like a doormat. Caldwell romantic heroines are a breath of fresh air.
Lucien her childhood friend has been wounded not only by the Naploeonic War, but deeply by his family. He is a man who has isolated himself and suffered for years by shell shock; modern day PTSD. The Napoleonic war was the first reported cases of soldiers dealing with the after effects of war. Some Napoleonic soldiers languished in hospitals for the rest of their lives, after experiencing the horrors of that war. When the book opens Lucien is no longer languishing in a hospital ward, but he is an angry beast of a man, living below his station.
When Eloise re enters his life, the resulting reunion is not one of hearts and flowers; but one of icy demeanor, insolent words, that eventually leads to fire and passion. Lucien has isolated himself not only from his past, but in the present he lived an insular life. It isn't until Eloise rushed headlong into his life that he starts to feel again. It is that rebirth of this scarred and scared character that makes this story such a fascinating read.
I think if I had read this book as a younger woman who had not experienced the ups and downs of life my perspective would have been completely different than that of the woman that I now am. As Lucien has a very hard time seeing what was right in front of him, and Eloise was shunted away after Lucien fell in love. Young love can be selfish and Lucien fit in the mold of the selfish younger man in love.This review was originally posted on Literati Literature Lovers
June 9, 2015
Lady Eloise Yardley is on a mission. A mission to find Lord Lucien Jones, former Lieutenant in His Majesty's Army, & bring him home to heal the rife between him & his father before it's too late. Such a simple request by one of Lucien's brothers hoping that the request from Eloise will be enough to bring Lucien home. A mission that Eloise puts her whole heart into achieving; after all his family has been like her own. Although Eloise has loved Lucien since they were children she has long given up on her dream of a life with him; especially since he fell in love with & married the vicar's daughter before going off to war. Even though they were close as children how would he feel about her now if he found out that she was with his wife & son when they died & there was nothing she could do to help?
The Marchioness of Drake convinced him that life was worth living outside the walls of the London Hospital where he had been since returning from war minus an arm and finding out his beloved wife & son had died while he was away. Something more to add to his hatred of his father for forcing the army commission on him - he wasn't there when they needed him. Now Lieutenant Lucien Jones wants nothing more than to be left to his duties in the Marquess of Drake's employ; although he would prefer to go back to working in the stables than be the butler. A position he soon comes to hate even more when Lady Eloise Yardley shows up at the door. Eloise - a painful reminder of his past & what he's lost.
Lucien soon comes to realize that it wasn't just happenstance that brought Eloise to the door & she's not the little girl he remembers her to be. Eloise understands Lucien's surliness but hopes she can get through to him at least if not enough to love her then to forgive his father, the last by any means necessary. When Lucien refuses to return to see his father Eloise employees what she knows while shatter any hope with Lucien for he will hate her. When given no other choice but to return to see his father Lucien does as Eloise expects - he will go but then he wants nothing more to do with her.
As they travel back to the estate Lucien soon learns there is more to the little girl next door. Eloise catches glimpses of the boy she once knew but can she keep her heart from shattering once they part? When Lucien finds out she sat with his wife & son just days after her own wedding & almost lost her life from exhaustion because of it will he realize just what Eloise means to him?
Christi Caldwell has quickly become one of my favorite authors! Ms Caldwell always does an amazing job writing wounded (both physically & emotionally)heroes. Her heroines have amazing strength & perception in helping these wounded souls realize they are more than their, for lack of a better word, disability. Her characters travel down a what would be a dark & emotional time to seeing they are worthy of hope & love.
The Marchioness of Drake convinced him that life was worth living outside the walls of the London Hospital where he had been since returning from war minus an arm and finding out his beloved wife & son had died while he was away. Something more to add to his hatred of his father for forcing the army commission on him - he wasn't there when they needed him. Now Lieutenant Lucien Jones wants nothing more than to be left to his duties in the Marquess of Drake's employ; although he would prefer to go back to working in the stables than be the butler. A position he soon comes to hate even more when Lady Eloise Yardley shows up at the door. Eloise - a painful reminder of his past & what he's lost.
Lucien soon comes to realize that it wasn't just happenstance that brought Eloise to the door & she's not the little girl he remembers her to be. Eloise understands Lucien's surliness but hopes she can get through to him at least if not enough to love her then to forgive his father, the last by any means necessary. When Lucien refuses to return to see his father Eloise employees what she knows while shatter any hope with Lucien for he will hate her. When given no other choice but to return to see his father Lucien does as Eloise expects - he will go but then he wants nothing more to do with her.
As they travel back to the estate Lucien soon learns there is more to the little girl next door. Eloise catches glimpses of the boy she once knew but can she keep her heart from shattering once they part? When Lucien finds out she sat with his wife & son just days after her own wedding & almost lost her life from exhaustion because of it will he realize just what Eloise means to him?
Christi Caldwell has quickly become one of my favorite authors! Ms Caldwell always does an amazing job writing wounded (both physically & emotionally)heroes. Her heroines have amazing strength & perception in helping these wounded souls realize they are more than their, for lack of a better word, disability. Her characters travel down a what would be a dark & emotional time to seeing they are worthy of hope & love.
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July 27, 2019🎁 FREE on Amazon today (7/27/2019)! 🎁
September 20, 2016
#1 in the new series, "Lords of Honor", and what a beginning! I love Ms. Caldwell's characterization of her characters, her marvelous, compelling storylines and her beautifully written romances. She touches the heart and soul of, not only her characters but her readers as well.
Her H/H are realistic, believable and engaging. She writes with enthusiasm and touches on delicate issues with passion and intellect. When, you read one of Ms. Caldwell's stories you have read not only a story of Historical Fiction, but a story of love, passion and romance.
"Seduced by a Lady's Heart", touches so much more than passion, romance, and love it touched my heart and soul.
A tortured/bruised soul and a headstrong lady might just find their HEA, if they just learn to trust and let go of the guilt and grief, they may find healing and true love.
Fast paced tale of grief, guilt, healing, forgiveness, passion, and love. A beautifully written love story of epic proportions! Ms. Caldwell has once again, written a story fans are sure to fall in love with, fully and completely. An absolute delight. I look forward to the next installment.
*A Personal buy as well as received for an honest review*
**Cross-posted on My Book Addiction Reviews**
Rating: 4.5
Heat rating: Mild
Reviewed by: AprilR, courtesy of My Book Addiction and More
Her H/H are realistic, believable and engaging. She writes with enthusiasm and touches on delicate issues with passion and intellect. When, you read one of Ms. Caldwell's stories you have read not only a story of Historical Fiction, but a story of love, passion and romance.
"Seduced by a Lady's Heart", touches so much more than passion, romance, and love it touched my heart and soul.
A tortured/bruised soul and a headstrong lady might just find their HEA, if they just learn to trust and let go of the guilt and grief, they may find healing and true love.
Fast paced tale of grief, guilt, healing, forgiveness, passion, and love. A beautifully written love story of epic proportions! Ms. Caldwell has once again, written a story fans are sure to fall in love with, fully and completely. An absolute delight. I look forward to the next installment.
*A Personal buy as well as received for an honest review*
**Cross-posted on My Book Addiction Reviews**
Rating: 4.5
Heat rating: Mild
Reviewed by: AprilR, courtesy of My Book Addiction and More
October 29, 2018
1 star - Historical Romance
I disliked the H/h and cared nothing about their romance. Also, the audiobook narrator was really annoying to me.
I disliked the H/h and cared nothing about their romance. Also, the audiobook narrator was really annoying to me.
February 16, 2020
A wonderful love story
When I read the blurb I thought how can this be a romantic story with the broken character, but leave it the author, she made it a beautiful love story. I felt this pair would never work things out, but a happy ever after ending was in store. The hero turned out to be a romantic man, and the wonderful heroine made for true happily relationship, it was a truly Romantic love story. I highly recommend this book, and author’s very different work.
When I read the blurb I thought how can this be a romantic story with the broken character, but leave it the author, she made it a beautiful love story. I felt this pair would never work things out, but a happy ever after ending was in store. The hero turned out to be a romantic man, and the wonderful heroine made for true happily relationship, it was a truly Romantic love story. I highly recommend this book, and author’s very different work.
June 13, 2015
*An e-ARC was graciously provided by the author in exchange for an honest review*
I never said no to an opportunity to read Christi Caldwell’s books. She’s known for her delightful wallflower heroines, and titled Lords but in this new series, Miss Christi brought together two people who were strengthened by their own battles. One fought with her will, the other with his fists. One lost her heart, the other lost himself.
Even as she loved him, he’d never been hers. And she loved him enough that she’d sacrifice their friendship if it meant he could be happy once more.
Lady Eloise Gager-Yardley, the widowed Countess of Sherborne, was in a mission to reunite the family she considered hers. The mission began with searching for Lucien Jonas. Aka her childhood best friend. Aka the man she loved since forever. Aka the man who didn’t see her and loved another.
Ellie’s character was a delightful surprise for me! Although Miss Christi’s past heroines are all driven in some way, Ellie possessed a unique strength, courage, and tenacity that made her stand out from other heroines. She was a soft-hearted woman with rough edges.
Life has transformed him into a foul, sneering beast.
Lucien Jonas disappeared the moment he went to war. He was replaced by a beast with a heart full of anger and bad memories, a product of years of battle in the field. Amidst this undefinable part of his life, a streak of light named Eloise Gage reappeared and threatened to bring back who he was.
There were uncountable times when I wanted to club Lucien in the head while reading this book. He was stubborn and filled with anger, but that actually made his character more affective and real. What he felt weren't ideal and an exact cut out of a man who valued his pride than his feelings. He was a man reeking with honor and genuineness, a proof that he was the same man years ago, only enhanced by bad experiences.
Through her resolve, courage, and strength, Eloise, with an effortless ease, managed something Boney and all his men had failed to do. She’d marched over his heart and laid siege to the organ he’s thought dead.
I really enjoyed every page of this book! As expected, Christi Caldwell delivered it with a smooth voice that kept on entertaining, leaving no dull moments. The attraction between Lucien and Ellie was progressive, getting deeper and passionate as the story progresses. I loved being a part of that progress, being involved in the scene when they finally addressed that one feels more than friendship. They perfectly fitted each other! I loved their banters and each moment when the other knew what the other thought and knew exactly what to do about it. Minced by entertaining secondary characters and a dash of familial love, Seduced by a Lady was a romance packed with every sweet thing you need in a romance.
I never said no to an opportunity to read Christi Caldwell’s books. She’s known for her delightful wallflower heroines, and titled Lords but in this new series, Miss Christi brought together two people who were strengthened by their own battles. One fought with her will, the other with his fists. One lost her heart, the other lost himself.
Even as she loved him, he’d never been hers. And she loved him enough that she’d sacrifice their friendship if it meant he could be happy once more.
Lady Eloise Gager-Yardley, the widowed Countess of Sherborne, was in a mission to reunite the family she considered hers. The mission began with searching for Lucien Jonas. Aka her childhood best friend. Aka the man she loved since forever. Aka the man who didn’t see her and loved another.
Ellie’s character was a delightful surprise for me! Although Miss Christi’s past heroines are all driven in some way, Ellie possessed a unique strength, courage, and tenacity that made her stand out from other heroines. She was a soft-hearted woman with rough edges.
Life has transformed him into a foul, sneering beast.
Lucien Jonas disappeared the moment he went to war. He was replaced by a beast with a heart full of anger and bad memories, a product of years of battle in the field. Amidst this undefinable part of his life, a streak of light named Eloise Gage reappeared and threatened to bring back who he was.
There were uncountable times when I wanted to club Lucien in the head while reading this book. He was stubborn and filled with anger, but that actually made his character more affective and real. What he felt weren't ideal and an exact cut out of a man who valued his pride than his feelings. He was a man reeking with honor and genuineness, a proof that he was the same man years ago, only enhanced by bad experiences.
Through her resolve, courage, and strength, Eloise, with an effortless ease, managed something Boney and all his men had failed to do. She’d marched over his heart and laid siege to the organ he’s thought dead.
I really enjoyed every page of this book! As expected, Christi Caldwell delivered it with a smooth voice that kept on entertaining, leaving no dull moments. The attraction between Lucien and Ellie was progressive, getting deeper and passionate as the story progresses. I loved being a part of that progress, being involved in the scene when they finally addressed that one feels more than friendship. They perfectly fitted each other! I loved their banters and each moment when the other knew what the other thought and knew exactly what to do about it. Minced by entertaining secondary characters and a dash of familial love, Seduced by a Lady was a romance packed with every sweet thing you need in a romance.
September 14, 2020
Viúva correndo atrás de uma paixão infantil.
Seduzido pelo Coração de uma Lady é o primeiro livro da série Lords of Honor(OBS: Não considero Lucien um homem de honra)que conta a história do tenente Lucien Jones, filho de um visconde que retornou da guerra para descobrir a morte da esposa e filho.
Bem...vamos ser francos o livro tem um plot simplista, mas o problema maior está nos protagonistas. Eles carecem de um arco mais desenvolvido.
• Lady Eloisa não é uma mulher ingênua ou tola. Ela é espirituosa e determinada, no entanto isso não é suficiente para amá-la. Se ela tivesse mais caráter quem sabe.
• Eu tentei com todas as minhas forças gosta de Lucien. Oh Meu....ele é irritante. Você lutou na guerra enfrentou horrores, e não consegue lidar com a perda. Espere tem mais…o protagonista agi como um jovem amargurado culpando a todos. Sem falar que Lucien é ciumento, antissocial e rude. Não sei o que Eloisa vê nele? Ele vive se vitimando...até no fim do livro. Já estava sem paciência com Lucien.
• No final teve proposta de casamento, que não foi incrível, achei razoável. Do nada Lucien diz que a ama. Sério? Em uma semana você está apaixonado? Lucien confundi desejo carnal com amor. Enquanto Eloisa ama uma bela fantasia que nunca existiu. Não deu chance para o falecido conde (Esse sim é um homem honrado). Na minha opinião o romance em si não se justificar por esses motivos. O enredo apresenta algumas inconstâncias. Por exemplo sobre a época que Lucien regressou. Ele foi imediatamente para casa ou permaneceu no hospital esse tempo todo? Por que a família não o visitou? Achei um pouco confuso. As pessoas mais carismáticas eram o marquês e a sua esposa. Eles são personagens secundários, e eu prefiro mil vezes eles do que o casal protagonista.
Dou nota 1,5 . O enredo melhoraria se fosse mais desenvolvido. A respeito do casal não gostei deles juntos, não há um sentimento autêntico entre eles. Eu não lerei os outros livros da saga.
June 7, 2015
Such a wonderful love story. When I read Christi's books, I like to lock myself in a room and finish it in one reading. Unfortunately, I had so many interruptions, it took me 2 days to read it.
I loved that Eloise (what a lovely name) had loved Lucien just forever.
What an excellent way to start a new series. I wonder if his brother is next to find true love?
I loved that Eloise (what a lovely name) had loved Lucien just forever.
What an excellent way to start a new series. I wonder if his brother is next to find true love?
January 10, 2016
It was nice to get a sense of Lucien's own story. I enjoyed it especially since our heroine had loved our hero almost all her life. The one thing I had against it was that I didn't feel Lucien really did love her towards the end, at least not the way she wanted, he kinda just realized that because she had been there for him but either way it was an interesting read.
June 20, 2015
Five star review to follow
March 3, 2020
Not my favorite Caldwell. Lucien and Eloise grew up as close as friends and it was assumed by most that they would eventually marry. Instead, at 19, Lucien fell over heels in lust with the new vicar’s toothsome daughter and Eloise is ignominiously dropped and forgotten. As the third son, Lucien’s future is expected to be the military and his father purchases him a commission. After a few months of boinking bliss in a homey cottage provided by his pops, Lucien unhappily leaves his toothsome bride for the continent to battle Boney. While he is away his toothsome bride and infant son die of fever. Lucien returns home sans one arm but with one really pissy attitude. He spends the next five years pouting in a hospital, hating his family and, generally, taking up unnecessary space. He then spends the next two years working as a butler hiding his aristocratic background. All of this is the back story. The book covers the two weeks Lucien and Eloise spend together when she finds him at his brothers’ request because his father is dying. Lucien has always blamed his father for actually requiring him to fulfill his obligation to military service and forcing him to leave his toothsome bride.
Whew. What made me ambivalent about the story is Lucien. As a reader, I have absolutely no reason to believe in his commitment to Eloise. Over the 11 years since loving and losing his toothsome bride, Lucien showed no character growth. As a young man, he abandoned his best friend for a pretty girl. He literally stood poor Eloise up and then pretty much ghosted her by Regency standards. As an adult holding vigil by his father’s body, he muses to himself that just 10 days earlier, he would have rejoiced in learning his father died.
I think the story could have been improved if Lucien had at least given a passing thought to Eloise over the years or had any second thoughts about his estrangement from not only his father but his two totally blameless brothers. Instead, the hero comes off as spoiled and emotionally immature. I found him totally unappealing and not sympathetic at all. Since the author went to great pains to create a scene with another soldier, who was in much worse condition than Lucien, behave with grace, dignity, and generosity of spirit, I can’t help but think she didn’t like Lucien very much either.
Whew. What made me ambivalent about the story is Lucien. As a reader, I have absolutely no reason to believe in his commitment to Eloise. Over the 11 years since loving and losing his toothsome bride, Lucien showed no character growth. As a young man, he abandoned his best friend for a pretty girl. He literally stood poor Eloise up and then pretty much ghosted her by Regency standards. As an adult holding vigil by his father’s body, he muses to himself that just 10 days earlier, he would have rejoiced in learning his father died.
I think the story could have been improved if Lucien had at least given a passing thought to Eloise over the years or had any second thoughts about his estrangement from not only his father but his two totally blameless brothers. Instead, the hero comes off as spoiled and emotionally immature. I found him totally unappealing and not sympathetic at all. Since the author went to great pains to create a scene with another soldier, who was in much worse condition than Lucien, behave with grace, dignity, and generosity of spirit, I can’t help but think she didn’t like Lucien very much either.
April 3, 2020
I don't think the author knew how to develop this love story. Throughout the whole book I kept thinking "oh, but this other book showed really well how the protagonists grew up together and know each other" and "this other book really showed what it was like for someone to suddenly fall in love with an old friend" and "in this other book it was showed how awkward and beautiful a first kiss with someone you knew could be" and "all these other books had good secondary characters", etc.
Also I have a few questions, like why would a Marquess endanger himself with no visible heir to go to war and become a Captain? Why would the Marquess and Marchioness keep him as butler if he was so short-tempered and unprofessional? Why was he a d*ck? He could've been angry with himself, his family, and the world if he wanted, doesn't mean he had to be a jerk. Why would a Count marry a poor-in-comparison-not-that-beautiful knight's daughter? Why did the Viscount want his son to go to war? Why isn't the Countess living under more strict rules? Why did she not write to him telling him his family had died? Why did she say she hasn't traveled in almost 5 yrs, but said her relationship with his brothers had only strengthen? How did his father become more of a father figure for her when her own father died if she did not visit? Why did she say her husband was a companion, but rarely visited her chambers? When were they companions? The whole hospital scenes and carriage-illness did not make enough sense to me. Poor veterans. Why didn't they talk about their first kiss and what it meant for them and their relationship? Also, very repetitive with certain things like he'd lost everything, he lived thanks to the Marchioness, Sara, pity, he was now a stanger, father, etc. It was all a mess. Like this review.
As a conclusion, I couldn't help myself, I kept comparing this book to good/better books. It never caught my attention as it should have. I felt like it was all disconnected, like the story didn't flow. Like it was bits and pieces she wanted in a book and just put them there. I wanted it to be over for most of the book; I still don't know how I finished it.
One star because I still like the general plot (girl's in love with childhood friend, boy falls in love with her years later). Not anything else.
Also I have a few questions, like why would a Marquess endanger himself with no visible heir to go to war and become a Captain? Why would the Marquess and Marchioness keep him as butler if he was so short-tempered and unprofessional? Why was he a d*ck? He could've been angry with himself, his family, and the world if he wanted, doesn't mean he had to be a jerk. Why would a Count marry a poor-in-comparison-not-that-beautiful knight's daughter? Why did the Viscount want his son to go to war? Why isn't the Countess living under more strict rules? Why did she not write to him telling him his family had died? Why did she say she hasn't traveled in almost 5 yrs, but said her relationship with his brothers had only strengthen? How did his father become more of a father figure for her when her own father died if she did not visit? Why did she say her husband was a companion, but rarely visited her chambers? When were they companions? The whole hospital scenes and carriage-illness did not make enough sense to me. Poor veterans. Why didn't they talk about their first kiss and what it meant for them and their relationship? Also, very repetitive with certain things like he'd lost everything, he lived thanks to the Marchioness, Sara, pity, he was now a stanger, father, etc. It was all a mess. Like this review.
As a conclusion, I couldn't help myself, I kept comparing this book to good/better books. It never caught my attention as it should have. I felt like it was all disconnected, like the story didn't flow. Like it was bits and pieces she wanted in a book and just put them there. I wanted it to be over for most of the book; I still don't know how I finished it.
One star because I still like the general plot (girl's in love with childhood friend, boy falls in love with her years later). Not anything else.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 25, 2024
Esse é meu primeiro contato com a autora, e a história tinha alguns elementos que eu já gostei bastante em outros livros, mas a história de Lucien e Eloise deixou algumas pontas soltas que fizeram eu não me conectar totalmente com a história.
Em primeiro lugar, ela corre atrás dele e se esforça por ele beeeeem mais do que ele se esforça por ela, sem orgulho nenhum, tipo, 80% do livro é ela indo atrás dele e ele sendo frio, emburrado, turrão e ressentido.
Também tem a questão do primeiro casamento dele, que nunca foi superada completamente, eu me senti como se a Eloise estivesse se contentando com migalhas, e nunca apareceu que ele iria de fato amar ela mais do que ele amou a primeira esposa.
Lucian de fato não me conquistou, Eloise me deixou com um pouco de pena, mesmo o livro sendo curto, senti que alguns trechos foram um pouco entruncados e com a estrutura um pouco confusa, tornando a leitura mais lenta.
O livro se trata de uma série, mas se cinco anos depois ainda não se tem notícias da continuação acho que naufragou, se bem que o livro dá poucas pistas de quem poderia ser o protagonista dos próximos livros, já que a maior parte dos personagens secundários já são casados.
Em primeiro lugar, ela corre atrás dele e se esforça por ele beeeeem mais do que ele se esforça por ela, sem orgulho nenhum, tipo, 80% do livro é ela indo atrás dele e ele sendo frio, emburrado, turrão e ressentido.
Também tem a questão do primeiro casamento dele, que nunca foi superada completamente, eu me senti como se a Eloise estivesse se contentando com migalhas, e nunca apareceu que ele iria de fato amar ela mais do que ele amou a primeira esposa.
Lucian de fato não me conquistou, Eloise me deixou com um pouco de pena, mesmo o livro sendo curto, senti que alguns trechos foram um pouco entruncados e com a estrutura um pouco confusa, tornando a leitura mais lenta.
O livro se trata de uma série, mas se cinco anos depois ainda não se tem notícias da continuação acho que naufragou, se bem que o livro dá poucas pistas de quem poderia ser o protagonista dos próximos livros, já que a maior parte dos personagens secundários já são casados.
June 8, 2020
Tragic Grief
This is the first book in the Lords of London Series. Lady Eloise has been searching for her childhood friend, Lucien Jones, who hid himself away when he returned from the war. Purposely estranged from his family, especially his father, he took a job as a butler after recovering from his injuries. Sadly he had lost part of an arm. Eloise, now a widow, was tasked with finding Lucien because his father was dying and his brothers hoped to have them reconcile before he passed. Just as importantly, Eloise had loved Lucien since they were children so she had a personal reason as well.
Lucien had become a hard, bitter man. He was angry that she found him, and wanted to be left alone in the miserable life he’d made for himself.
This is an emotionally intense story. The deep pain and loss they had both suffered was terrible. Each had responded in a vastly different way.
I enjoyed the book. The characters are genuine in their emotions. It’s well-written with a good storyline. I also listened to the book on Audible, but wasn’t too impressed with the narrator. Overall I would recommend the written over the audio versions.
This is the first book in the Lords of London Series. Lady Eloise has been searching for her childhood friend, Lucien Jones, who hid himself away when he returned from the war. Purposely estranged from his family, especially his father, he took a job as a butler after recovering from his injuries. Sadly he had lost part of an arm. Eloise, now a widow, was tasked with finding Lucien because his father was dying and his brothers hoped to have them reconcile before he passed. Just as importantly, Eloise had loved Lucien since they were children so she had a personal reason as well.
Lucien had become a hard, bitter man. He was angry that she found him, and wanted to be left alone in the miserable life he’d made for himself.
This is an emotionally intense story. The deep pain and loss they had both suffered was terrible. Each had responded in a vastly different way.
I enjoyed the book. The characters are genuine in their emotions. It’s well-written with a good storyline. I also listened to the book on Audible, but wasn’t too impressed with the narrator. Overall I would recommend the written over the audio versions.
March 25, 2019
This really touched my soul. The way this story was written with such emotion, such feeling it was easy to identify with the characters. The main characters, Lady Eloise and Lord Lucien, are wonderful. They are realistic and down-to-earth. They have experienced a joyful childhood, an unending friendship, marriage and death. Eloise experienced death in her life by her father dying, then her husband, then her dear friend, Lucien's wife and his child. Lucien went to war. It tainted his life with the deaths of his fellow soldiers. When he returns from battle, he finds his wife and son gone. Broken and feeling alone he blames his father and retreats into himself. He lives a life of servitude, determined to put everything in his past behind him. And yet his demons haunt him until years later Eloise returns into his life and forces him to face everything he despised. This is an unusual romance filled with so much feeling it was hard to put the book down. I really enjoyed reading this and highly recommend it.
June 11, 2020
This was a good story of Lucien Jonas, third son of a viscount, and Eloise, Lady Sherborne. They grew up together. Eloise fell in love with Lucien, but he fell in love with Sara. He married Sara. His father bought him a commission in the army, and Lucien went to war on the Continent. When he returns, his wife and son he never knew are dead and Lucien wants to die. He falls out with his father and goes to a soldier’ s hospital. There he meets his commanding officer’s wife who brings him back from willing himself to die. He goes to work for them as their butler. He is sullen and very unhappy. Eloise comes back into his life a widow. She wants to get him to go back to see his dying father. She also hopes he realizes how much she has loved him. Can Lucien forgive his father? Can he finally find love again?
January 10, 2020
Good book if you like this kind of thing
The book was well written as usual with this author, I personally just did not like the heroine. Women that just blindly love someone that has treated the horribly and not shown an ounce of consideration for them just make me sad. If you like a book where the woman follows the man around constantly telling him she loves him and are not bothered by the fact that the man is constantly trampling over her feelings only to be met with more blind loyalty for her, then this is the book for you, it just isn't my cup of tea. I gave it 3 stars because it really is written well, I just like my heroines to have a backbone and know their own worth.
The book was well written as usual with this author, I personally just did not like the heroine. Women that just blindly love someone that has treated the horribly and not shown an ounce of consideration for them just make me sad. If you like a book where the woman follows the man around constantly telling him she loves him and are not bothered by the fact that the man is constantly trampling over her feelings only to be met with more blind loyalty for her, then this is the book for you, it just isn't my cup of tea. I gave it 3 stars because it really is written well, I just like my heroines to have a backbone and know their own worth.
February 12, 2018
I enjoyed this story immensely, but it does scream for an epilogue.
Sweet Eloise, has loved Lucien Jonas since she was a little girl. Hardened by war, his father forcing him into a commissuon, and the loss of his wife and child, Lucien is merely going through the motions of living day to day. He wants nothing to do with his old life before the war, especially his family.
Eloise is set on reuniting Lucien with his family before it is too late. His father is on death's door. Can her love for him restore Lucien and help him let go of his Resentment?
CONTENT
Violence - None
Languange - Mild
Romance - Mature (descriptive intimacy)
Sweet Eloise, has loved Lucien Jonas since she was a little girl. Hardened by war, his father forcing him into a commissuon, and the loss of his wife and child, Lucien is merely going through the motions of living day to day. He wants nothing to do with his old life before the war, especially his family.
Eloise is set on reuniting Lucien with his family before it is too late. His father is on death's door. Can her love for him restore Lucien and help him let go of his Resentment?
CONTENT
Violence - None
Languange - Mild
Romance - Mature (descriptive intimacy)
October 9, 2021
Free on Apple Books.
Good story. I was emotionally invested which I felt was impressive for such a short book. There were lots of typos—it needs editing big time.
I also felt it needed a prologue and epilogue. A prologue would have set us up for the relationship the two MCs have today. I think having the poppy scene that was referenced would have been good. Anything to give us an idea of our two characters. As for the epilogue...well, I just wanted more. A picture of their life post HE would have been great. I wanted the after part of the happily ever.
Overall, very good. I do recommend.
Good story. I was emotionally invested which I felt was impressive for such a short book. There were lots of typos—it needs editing big time.
I also felt it needed a prologue and epilogue. A prologue would have set us up for the relationship the two MCs have today. I think having the poppy scene that was referenced would have been good. Anything to give us an idea of our two characters. As for the epilogue...well, I just wanted more. A picture of their life post HE would have been great. I wanted the after part of the happily ever.
Overall, very good. I do recommend.
February 26, 2023
This is an intriguing second chance romance/friends to lovers story that I very much enjoyed. We also get to spend time with characters from a previous series (which I love). Lucien is a scared hero – both physically and emotionally. Eloise is a strong, stubborn and determined heroine. Together, their time on page is always popping/sparking. Their romance is not an easy one, but it’s what makes this story interesting. It’s fun watching Lucien fall, in more ways that one. I hope we get to see more of these characters in other stories.
February 7, 2018
3.5*
I enjoyed reading this story. The plot was basically a very simple idea - reuniting a damaged man with his family by a childhood friend. This obviously was not at all simple to carry out and the emotions and obstacles to this are what are at the heart of the story. Apparently part of the hero's story was told in a previous book, which might have gained him a little more sympathy from me at the start of the story!
I enjoyed reading this story. The plot was basically a very simple idea - reuniting a damaged man with his family by a childhood friend. This obviously was not at all simple to carry out and the emotions and obstacles to this are what are at the heart of the story. Apparently part of the hero's story was told in a previous book, which might have gained him a little more sympathy from me at the start of the story!
September 30, 2019
I loved that the hero was broken. A returned soldier from the Napoleonic war, he had lost an arm, his wife and child had died while he was at war and he was struggling with what we now know as PTSD. The heroine also had her struggles. She had lost her father and husband and had nursed Lucien’s wife and child as they died. However, she remained plucky and full of determination. She drags him back into life.
Read
November 18, 2019Lacked Depth
This I believe was an earlier book from the author’s series that I truly enjoyed. Because the characters don’t have as much depth and the plot seems very contrived. Especially the heroine, who in the other series feel more real, relatable, and the epitome of heroines you do not see often in the romantic genere. While this heroine seems to be more of a supporting character that fits oh so nicely in the usual characters of the historical romance.
This I believe was an earlier book from the author’s series that I truly enjoyed. Because the characters don’t have as much depth and the plot seems very contrived. Especially the heroine, who in the other series feel more real, relatable, and the epitome of heroines you do not see often in the romantic genere. While this heroine seems to be more of a supporting character that fits oh so nicely in the usual characters of the historical romance.
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