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The Copeland Bride
All London knew her as "Her Highness,” the fiery temptress who robbed men of their gold.
But it was proud, untouched Noelle Dorian who was cruelly abducted by Quinn Copeland, the rugged American shipping heir, and, in one brutal act of passion, forced to take his family name.
Transformed by Copeland wealth, abandoned by Quinn, Noelle's rare beauty blossomed in London society. But beneath her soft grace burned a vow of vengeance and a passion for the man whose jet-black eyes and powerful touch she would never forget...
For Quinn would return-to carry her off to the bold shores of the New World. Together they were destined to carve a new life in the harsh wilderness, bound by a love as glorious, as savage, as their pride.
From Soho pickpocket to society belle, from London to the shores of the New World, hers was a game of passion and chance.
But it was proud, untouched Noelle Dorian who was cruelly abducted by Quinn Copeland, the rugged American shipping heir, and, in one brutal act of passion, forced to take his family name.
Transformed by Copeland wealth, abandoned by Quinn, Noelle's rare beauty blossomed in London society. But beneath her soft grace burned a vow of vengeance and a passion for the man whose jet-black eyes and powerful touch she would never forget...
For Quinn would return-to carry her off to the bold shores of the New World. Together they were destined to carve a new life in the harsh wilderness, bound by a love as glorious, as savage, as their pride.
From Soho pickpocket to society belle, from London to the shores of the New World, hers was a game of passion and chance.
399 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1983
About the author
Justine Cole
1 book11 followersJustine Cole is the pseudonym used by Susan Elizabeth Phillips and Claire Kiehl.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 74 reviews
May 5, 2021
***First read: 5-stars***
***Re-read: 30th April, 2021***
Rating: 4-stars
When I first read The Copeland Bride it was compelling. I remember liking the heroine very much, she was rebellious and adventurous for my bare out of teen self. The tranformation of the heroine from an uneducated, illmannered girl to a suitable, beautiful society lady was wonderous. Now re-reading I wish there was more about Noelle's transformation.
Noelle Dorian was possibly the best pickpocket. At nine she lost her mother. Barely able to feed themselves her mother used to prostitute herself until she died. Noelle swore she would never give herself to a man when she saw how her mother was used by men. She grew up on streets, no matter how dirty and ragged she looked, her ego was bigger than her tiny self, earning "Highness" as a street name. At almost eighteen she managed to put fear among the men who dared to cross her. She dresses up as doxy and steals money from her 'customers'. One day she picks the pocket of the wrong duo, one of them being Quinn Copeland. Quinn grew up much better than Noelle. He had loving parents until his mother died. He turned rebellious and a hard man, attempting to ruin his father every step. He is rude and callous. At almost twenty-eight his father wants him to marry. Quinn has no interest to obey his father and to throw his father off his back he found the perfect tool.
Quinn threatens Noelle that he would hand her over to authorities for pickpocketing if she doesn't marry him. He marries her, rapes her to consumate the marriage and dumps her on his father's house in a dress that he tore which he orders to stitch up and wear it.
Quinn's grudge against his father puts Noelle in between. His father takes pity on Noelle for Quinn's harsh treatment on her and decides to right the wrong on Noelle. Noelle then with the help of Quinn's father and his lady friend learns the decorum of society and becomes a suitable wife.
When Quinn returns he was unable to recognise Noelle and thus starts their battle of wits and will. Quinn is an arrogant, overbearing, and insolent hero. Not all characters are perfect, loving and a nice man like Quinn's father has a flaw which makes Quinn behave the rudest way possible to humiliate his father. Concluding, the story has the violence and emotionally unstable characters of bodice rippers.
***Re-read: 30th April, 2021***
Rating: 4-stars
When I first read The Copeland Bride it was compelling. I remember liking the heroine very much, she was rebellious and adventurous for my bare out of teen self. The tranformation of the heroine from an uneducated, illmannered girl to a suitable, beautiful society lady was wonderous. Now re-reading I wish there was more about Noelle's transformation.
Noelle Dorian was possibly the best pickpocket. At nine she lost her mother. Barely able to feed themselves her mother used to prostitute herself until she died. Noelle swore she would never give herself to a man when she saw how her mother was used by men. She grew up on streets, no matter how dirty and ragged she looked, her ego was bigger than her tiny self, earning "Highness" as a street name. At almost eighteen she managed to put fear among the men who dared to cross her. She dresses up as doxy and steals money from her 'customers'. One day she picks the pocket of the wrong duo, one of them being Quinn Copeland. Quinn grew up much better than Noelle. He had loving parents until his mother died. He turned rebellious and a hard man, attempting to ruin his father every step. He is rude and callous. At almost twenty-eight his father wants him to marry. Quinn has no interest to obey his father and to throw his father off his back he found the perfect tool.
Quinn threatens Noelle that he would hand her over to authorities for pickpocketing if she doesn't marry him. He marries her, rapes her to consumate the marriage and dumps her on his father's house in a dress that he tore which he orders to stitch up and wear it.
Quinn's grudge against his father puts Noelle in between. His father takes pity on Noelle for Quinn's harsh treatment on her and decides to right the wrong on Noelle. Noelle then with the help of Quinn's father and his lady friend learns the decorum of society and becomes a suitable wife.
When Quinn returns he was unable to recognise Noelle and thus starts their battle of wits and will. Quinn is an arrogant, overbearing, and insolent hero. Not all characters are perfect, loving and a nice man like Quinn's father has a flaw which makes Quinn behave the rudest way possible to humiliate his father. Concluding, the story has the violence and emotionally unstable characters of bodice rippers.
January 30, 2022
This book had a all the ingredients for a good bodice-ripper. I loved the book! I think it's because I was expecting a very disturbing BR. Though it had some disturbing scenes in the end, most of the book was great.
Noella was an awesome h.!! She took care of herself at 8 years old when her mother dies. She later teaches herself to be a pickpocket. She pretends to be a whore so she can get close enough to steal. Unfortunately, she picks the wrong mark.
Quinn Copeland is smart with a touch of arrogance. Quinn has an immature hatred toward his father. He decides to marry Noella, who he thinks is a whore, to get back at his father. Quinn leaves the shipping business and leaves his new wife with his father before going back to sea.
The father decides to turn Noella into a Lady. After a year, she educates herself and teaches herself to be the perfect lady. Also after regular food Noelle is now an exquisitely beautiful woman. I admire how Noelle rises herself above her meager beginnings.
Everything goes well, till Quinn comes back to town. At first he doesn't remember his wife than he makes mistakes in his bit to own her. It's pretty oblivious these two love each other but of course are too stubborn to admit it. Eventually, the MC move to Savanna. This is were the book takes a disturbing turn. They fought over nothing and rape is involved. If the last 100pgs were cut the book would have been beter.
All in all, a very good book till the end.
Noella was an awesome h.!! She took care of herself at 8 years old when her mother dies. She later teaches herself to be a pickpocket. She pretends to be a whore so she can get close enough to steal. Unfortunately, she picks the wrong mark.
Quinn Copeland is smart with a touch of arrogance. Quinn has an immature hatred toward his father. He decides to marry Noella, who he thinks is a whore, to get back at his father. Quinn leaves the shipping business and leaves his new wife with his father before going back to sea.
The father decides to turn Noella into a Lady. After a year, she educates herself and teaches herself to be the perfect lady. Also after regular food Noelle is now an exquisitely beautiful woman. I admire how Noelle rises herself above her meager beginnings.
Everything goes well, till Quinn comes back to town. At first he doesn't remember his wife than he makes mistakes in his bit to own her. It's pretty oblivious these two love each other but of course are too stubborn to admit it. Eventually, the MC move to Savanna. This is were the book takes a disturbing turn. They fought over nothing and rape is involved. If the last 100pgs were cut the book would have been beter.
All in all, a very good book till the end.
April 30, 2013
So. Many. Tropes. Where do I begin? Oh, I won't reveal any of the general unpleasantries that would create a femi-bitch brawl right here on GRs, because I'd much rather a handful of my familiars to indulge for themselves, but I will say this; a few tango's and this hero would rival Sean Culhane in his violent, world-must-pay tendencies. As did the heroine. This is Tommy Lee and Pamela Anderson without restraining order enforcement.
March 14, 2012
What the fuck. Is all I can really say. Just... what the fuck did I just read? The first half of the book was good. It was great, actually. The author dealt with rape and poverty and pride in a conscientious manner and gave us two great, relatable, strong and flawed female characters, one of whom got me so invested in her story that I actually didn't even miss the absence of the main male lead. Because for the two really awesome female characters, there were two fucking moronic male characters to go along with them.
And then once he was reintroduced, it all went to hell in a handbasket. I don't even know what the fuck possessed me to continue reading, just that I think I was clinging onto a hope that the perfect buildup in the first half of the book would yield a satisfying conclusion. It didn't. I've never before seen such rampant rape apologism and glorification of toxic relationships as extolled and praised in the final few chapters of this book. Is abuse and manipulation and a complete and utter breakdown of communication supposed to be romantic? The answer is no. A resounding no.
Please, do yourself a favour and don't even bother reading this book. It's just not worth your time. It's really difficult for me to believe that Susan Elizabeth Phillips, one of my favourite authors, has ever actually put out trash like this. Read one of her other books -- any of her other books -- just don't read this.
And then once he was reintroduced, it all went to hell in a handbasket. I don't even know what the fuck possessed me to continue reading, just that I think I was clinging onto a hope that the perfect buildup in the first half of the book would yield a satisfying conclusion. It didn't. I've never before seen such rampant rape apologism and glorification of toxic relationships as extolled and praised in the final few chapters of this book. Is abuse and manipulation and a complete and utter breakdown of communication supposed to be romantic? The answer is no. A resounding no.
Please, do yourself a favour and don't even bother reading this book. It's just not worth your time. It's really difficult for me to believe that Susan Elizabeth Phillips, one of my favourite authors, has ever actually put out trash like this. Read one of her other books -- any of her other books -- just don't read this.
July 18, 2018
Re-read..and for the last time
2 Stars (being generous ) Mostly for the cover art :)
Bodice-Ripper..at it's best..or worst, whatever your "cuppa"
Since her mother's death Noelle Dorian has managed to survive in London's underworld by becoming the finest pick-pocket around.
Everyone knows her as the aloof and tempting "highness."
Enter now one cruel dude Quinn Copeland who is about to totally change Noelle's life.
Quinn not having a great relationship with his father, hopes to anger him when he abducts Noelle, forcing her to marry him (after threatening her with imprisonment)
A gentleman? No indeed, he savagely uses her..I correct that..rapes her then leaves her on his father's doorstep.
Revenge complete?
Sorry Quinn not so, as the tables are turned and Noelle turns into the enchantress "Dorian Pope." So when Quinn returns he finds the "Highness" and the Miss Pope at different times (leading him on a merry chase.)
And just when it appears that Noelle has the upper hand, Quinn turns it around and it will take the cruelty of this man to really change her.
Oh boy, oh boy, did these two go at it in more ways then one!
And again and again these two spirited people flee from their love ( at least it was considered love back then ) until they both learn an important lesson.
And I'm still not sure on what that quite is, even re-reading it. ("scratches head")
The Copeland Bride is a true Bodice-Ripping romance, with all that you would expect or could want.
Lets see..
1) Bodice gets ripped-check
2) Rape-check
3 ) Violence-check
4) Threats & power struggles-check
5) Pride and misunderstandings-double check!
You know it's a shame, this could have been a really good book plot wise, as I really liked the beginning, then all this other stuff came into play and I'm sorry I just could not like this hero..and he wasn't that for sure.
And the heroine? All she did was complain & complain.
These two had big issues that didn't quite work for me, even the second time around reading.
I just didn't care for either of them and they really turned me off.
Not what I would call a "prince in shining armour-happy ever after kinda story" if your looking for that.
This may work for others and not bother them so don't get me wrong, but I do warn you for some readers the brutal way Quinn attacks Noelle may upset and offend reading it today.
My hope is that some day the author would re-do this story, keep it as a Bodice-ripper type but gosh..tone down the brutal violence with a woman...this aspect had me almost not finishing it this time.
Alas not for my keeper shelf.
2 Stars (being generous ) Mostly for the cover art :)
Bodice-Ripper..at it's best..or worst, whatever your "cuppa"
Since her mother's death Noelle Dorian has managed to survive in London's underworld by becoming the finest pick-pocket around.
Everyone knows her as the aloof and tempting "highness."
Enter now one cruel dude Quinn Copeland who is about to totally change Noelle's life.
Quinn not having a great relationship with his father, hopes to anger him when he abducts Noelle, forcing her to marry him (after threatening her with imprisonment)
A gentleman? No indeed, he savagely uses her..I correct that..rapes her then leaves her on his father's doorstep.
Revenge complete?
Sorry Quinn not so, as the tables are turned and Noelle turns into the enchantress "Dorian Pope." So when Quinn returns he finds the "Highness" and the Miss Pope at different times (leading him on a merry chase.)
And just when it appears that Noelle has the upper hand, Quinn turns it around and it will take the cruelty of this man to really change her.
Oh boy, oh boy, did these two go at it in more ways then one!
And again and again these two spirited people flee from their love ( at least it was considered love back then ) until they both learn an important lesson.
And I'm still not sure on what that quite is, even re-reading it. ("scratches head")
The Copeland Bride is a true Bodice-Ripping romance, with all that you would expect or could want.
Lets see..
1) Bodice gets ripped-check
2) Rape-check
3 ) Violence-check
4) Threats & power struggles-check
5) Pride and misunderstandings-double check!
You know it's a shame, this could have been a really good book plot wise, as I really liked the beginning, then all this other stuff came into play and I'm sorry I just could not like this hero..and he wasn't that for sure.
And the heroine? All she did was complain & complain.
These two had big issues that didn't quite work for me, even the second time around reading.
I just didn't care for either of them and they really turned me off.
Not what I would call a "prince in shining armour-happy ever after kinda story" if your looking for that.
This may work for others and not bother them so don't get me wrong, but I do warn you for some readers the brutal way Quinn attacks Noelle may upset and offend reading it today.
My hope is that some day the author would re-do this story, keep it as a Bodice-ripper type but gosh..tone down the brutal violence with a woman...this aspect had me almost not finishing it this time.
Alas not for my keeper shelf.
June 9, 2014
If you're in the mood for a light romance, this isn't the book for you. In fact, there's not a whole lot of romance. Unfortunately, the most common 'r' word in this book is 'rape'. This is not a 'how to' manual for a successful relationship, it's actually more of a 'how to recognize you're in a dangerous relationship' pamphlet. However, I couldn't put this one down (it's 3am and I just finished). I had danced around this one for a while, putting it my 'may be too disturbing to read' shelf. It is disturbing, but if you're looking for an old school bodice ripper with lots of angst, you've come to the right place. Sometimes you just want a good rip-roaring, OTT, crazy mess.
I've seen some reviews that fuss about the heroine being ungrateful to the H's father and love interest for keeping her off the streets and for her being violent and suspicious of everyone/everything. Well, IMHO she was only 17 when this started AND she'd been living in the violent slums of London - of course she was mistrustful and prone to strike out to protect herself. She had to! I think there was a great deal to admire about her.
The H, on the other hand, really had no excuse. Here's his "damage". The big secret of the book...
Anyway, that's a lot of bitching for something I gave 4 stars. But it's addictive and you can see SEP's talent blooming in this early work. I do wish that we'd seen more tenderness between the two of them. The HEA felt very rushed.
I've seen some reviews that fuss about the heroine being ungrateful to the H's father and love interest for keeping her off the streets and for her being violent and suspicious of everyone/everything. Well, IMHO she was only 17 when this started AND she'd been living in the violent slums of London - of course she was mistrustful and prone to strike out to protect herself. She had to! I think there was a great deal to admire about her.
The H, on the other hand, really had no excuse. Here's his "damage". The big secret of the book...
Anyway, that's a lot of bitching for something I gave 4 stars. But it's addictive and you can see SEP's talent blooming in this early work. I do wish that we'd seen more tenderness between the two of them. The HEA felt very rushed.
June 8, 2024
WOW.
That was A LOT of crazy to fit into a single book.
The Copeland Bride, by Susan Elizabeth Phillips writing under the pseudonym of Justine Cole, is an uneven, overlong bodice-ripper that nevertheless has compelling, can't-put-it-down qualities.
It starts out very, very strong. I mean, you have destitution, prostitution, abuse, and a child hanging before you even begin the first chapter!
The first part of the book is what I like to call the Pygmalion Part, where plot contrivances drop the pickpocketing, grimy, uneducated, heroine into the hands of a Lord and Lady who strive to nurture this diamond in the rough. I really loved this part of the story because it was the least over-the-top and it developed the character of the heroine and the secondary character of the mother-figure organically. She is like a frightened rabbit surrounded by foxes, but the patience, love, and nurturing that her mother figure bestows on her, transform her. Later, the heroine looks back wistfully at her benefactors as having given birth to her, and she is right.
The second part of the book is a sexed up version of a Regency romance. The hero and heroine spend the bulk of this part of the story entering a whirlwind of social obligations in the many drawing rooms and ballrooms of the ton. Gossip, evil other women, family, and marital dysfunction keep popping up between them.
The final part of the book, and the weakest in my opinion, is the great voyage to the New World. Hero and heroine go back to the hero's native country, America, where they are going to pursue their ownership of a shipyard that the hero plans to rival any other in the industry of the time. This could have been riveting had the author focused on that story angle. Instead, the reader is bombarded with interfering OWs and constantly fighting protagonists, to the point that I didn't even want them to end up together at the end.
This story had good potential but ended up being too toxic for me. I would recommend this for fans of Rosemary Rogers style bodice-rippers.
That was A LOT of crazy to fit into a single book.
The Copeland Bride, by Susan Elizabeth Phillips writing under the pseudonym of Justine Cole, is an uneven, overlong bodice-ripper that nevertheless has compelling, can't-put-it-down qualities.
It starts out very, very strong. I mean, you have destitution, prostitution, abuse, and a child hanging before you even begin the first chapter!
The first part of the book is what I like to call the Pygmalion Part, where plot contrivances drop the pickpocketing, grimy, uneducated, heroine into the hands of a Lord and Lady who strive to nurture this diamond in the rough. I really loved this part of the story because it was the least over-the-top and it developed the character of the heroine and the secondary character of the mother-figure organically. She is like a frightened rabbit surrounded by foxes, but the patience, love, and nurturing that her mother figure bestows on her, transform her. Later, the heroine looks back wistfully at her benefactors as having given birth to her, and she is right.
The second part of the book is a sexed up version of a Regency romance. The hero and heroine spend the bulk of this part of the story entering a whirlwind of social obligations in the many drawing rooms and ballrooms of the ton. Gossip, evil other women, family, and marital dysfunction keep popping up between them.
The final part of the book, and the weakest in my opinion, is the great voyage to the New World. Hero and heroine go back to the hero's native country, America, where they are going to pursue their ownership of a shipyard that the hero plans to rival any other in the industry of the time. This could have been riveting had the author focused on that story angle. Instead, the reader is bombarded with interfering OWs and constantly fighting protagonists, to the point that I didn't even want them to end up together at the end.
This story had good potential but ended up being too toxic for me. I would recommend this for fans of Rosemary Rogers style bodice-rippers.
January 9, 2023
This new year is certainly proving to be an anomaly so far, because this is the first time I didn’t fall head over heels for the rapist hero. This doesn’t portend well for the rest of my reading year because I fear I’m turning into one of those dreaded feminists *shudders*
A hero that claims he doesn’t want to spend his life shackled to one woman almost inevitably ends up in my top 10 fictional husbands list, but Quinn unfortunately missed the mark. He could have made a perfectly good husband but he was too unfeeling and too…emotionally absent for arapist.
No one is feeling the loss of this book being a disappointment more acutely than me. It had all of my favorite tropes:
🌧️Enemies to lovers
🌧️ forced marriage
🌧️hero believes heroine to be a whore when she is actually a virgin (🫦🫦♥️♥️)
🌧️ marrying the heroine as a revenge
🌧️ hero rapes the virgin heroine on their wedding night (😍— oops wrong emoji, damn autocorrect— 😡)
Quinn had a enticingly foul mouth, which almost made up for his lack of rapist-guilt (rapist-guilt is a thing if I say it is a thing) He didn’t show the telltale signs like a ticking jaw or clenched fists which would have been indicative of his troubled conscience. No, after he raped Noelle (AKA Highness on the streets, purrrr 💅🏼) he left her to his father to do with her as he pleased with a scorching remark of “By the way, it took a great deal of persuasion to convince this lovely lady to marry me. She's accustomed to being paid for her services.” for two years! Two bloody yearsssss!!! Where he could have come to love this bloodyugly duckling pickpocket. No, instead the author decided to utilize these years to groom Noelle and transform her into a beautiful socially acceptable young woman, so when Quinn inevitably sees her he would be immediately smitten with her while being in the dark about her true identity, ofc. Superficial behavior at its best, if you ask me!
I didn’t appreciate how Quinn raped Noelle when she was unsightly without any misgivings because he HAD to consummate his marriage for it to be considered legal and her emaciated features didn’t as much as stir his loins , but when that same ugly whore turned into a beautiful woman he had qualms about forcing himself on her! I’m a strong believer of ‘if he can’t love her at her worst, he doesn’t deserve her at her best’. Also, there was absolutely zero chemistry between them. Quinn was so impervious that he only came across as uninterested. He couldn’t balance between that deliciously agonizing mixture of condescending aloofness and mindless possessiveness/jealousy.
He went from raping her to subtly raping her, meaning all he had to do was stroke her jaw or brush his mouth/hands over her coral nipples to have her orgasming. It soo lacked in passion that it had me reconsidering my misplaced love for rapist heroes #yesitgottothatpoint #canyouimagine?
I’m still mourning the great love story that could have transpired between Quinn and Noelle especially after he saved the new Noelle disguised as old Noelle from being raped (my boy wanted to be the only one worthy of being ‘Noelle’s-rapist’🫦) and she made up a story about carrying someone’s child soo he’d grant her a divorce and he said:
If only he wasn’t so superficial. 😩😩
Almost 90% into the book and there was absolutely no HEA insight what with Quinn calling her a presumptuous little bitch and sayings things like;
And on the SAME day after he called her a presumptuous little bitch and threatened to beat her within an inch of her life, when they finished making love that night Quinn told her in a gentle voice to go to sleep when she asked him a question then suddenly…
Umm… it would be hard to believe that anyone other than the author bought their love. AND the irony is that later in the same chapter just when she’s discovered her love for him, and the hero is trying to untangle his unfamiliar feelings for the heroine, the long overdue love confessions are almost dangling on the horizon, AND THEN THE HEROINE CATCHES THE HERO EXPLORING THE MOIST CAVERN OF THE OW’s MOUTH. I—
But the real irony is that he was furious when, after witnessing this spectacle, she disappeared into the ow’s brother’s arms. A bit nauseating even for someone as shameless as me 😔😔
I swear this was the most eventful chapter in the entire book. It was like the author woke up and realized that she was writing a romance book and that she needed to make them act accordingly. But they failed. Miserably. Too little, too late.
And the literal cherry on top is that Quinn never redeemed himself because when he caught the OM kissing her, in his rage he raped her violently at almost the end of the book, AND after she’d confessed her love for him! But this time he did give her the aftercare she deserved—he wrapped her in his coat, carried her to her bedroom, bathed the inside of her thighs—exactly like the man of my dreams
Nothing pains me more than giving this book— a book written by the author of my all time favorite book Kiss an Angel—3 stars, but 🤷🏻♀️ the last chapters made it go from a 2 to 3 star 💅🏼👩🏻🦯
“Damn, man, it won't serve. You could have any of a dozen beauties. Why in the name of all that's holy do you want to stick yourself with a whore for a wife?"
"Use your head, Tom. If I married one of those blue bloods, I'd be gratifying Simon's fondest wish, and I have no intention of doing that or of spending the rest of my life shackled to one woman.”
A hero that claims he doesn’t want to spend his life shackled to one woman almost inevitably ends up in my top 10 fictional husbands list, but Quinn unfortunately missed the mark. He could have made a perfectly good husband but he was too unfeeling and too…emotionally absent for a
No one is feeling the loss of this book being a disappointment more acutely than me. It had all of my favorite tropes:
🌧️Enemies to lovers
🌧️ forced marriage
🌧️hero believes heroine to be a whore when she is actually a virgin (🫦🫦♥️♥️)
🌧️ marrying the heroine as a revenge
🌧️ hero rapes the virgin heroine on their wedding night (😍— oops wrong emoji, damn autocorrect— 😡)
Quinn had a enticingly foul mouth, which almost made up for his lack of rapist-guilt (rapist-guilt is a thing if I say it is a thing) He didn’t show the telltale signs like a ticking jaw or clenched fists which would have been indicative of his troubled conscience. No, after he raped Noelle (AKA Highness on the streets, purrrr 💅🏼) he left her to his father to do with her as he pleased with a scorching remark of “By the way, it took a great deal of persuasion to convince this lovely lady to marry me. She's accustomed to being paid for her services.” for two years! Two bloody yearsssss!!! Where he could have come to love this bloody
I didn’t appreciate how Quinn raped Noelle when she was unsightly without any misgivings because he HAD to consummate his marriage for it to be considered legal and her emaciated features didn’t as much as stir his loins , but when that same ugly whore turned into a beautiful woman he had qualms about forcing himself on her! I’m a strong believer of ‘if he can’t love her at her worst, he doesn’t deserve her at her best’. Also, there was absolutely zero chemistry between them. Quinn was so impervious that he only came across as uninterested. He couldn’t balance between that deliciously agonizing mixture of condescending aloofness and mindless possessiveness/jealousy.
He went from raping her to subtly raping her, meaning all he had to do was stroke her jaw or brush his mouth/hands over her coral nipples to have her orgasming. It soo lacked in passion that it had me reconsidering my misplaced love for rapist heroes #yesitgottothatpoint #canyouimagine?
I’m still mourning the great love story that could have transpired between Quinn and Noelle especially after he saved the new Noelle disguised as old Noelle from being raped (my boy wanted to be the only one worthy of being ‘Noelle’s-rapist’🫦) and she made up a story about carrying someone’s child soo he’d grant her a divorce and he said:
“You'll make no claims on me, and you'll give me your word that you'll stay away from the gin shops.”
"The gin shops!" Noelle exclaimed, so startled by his strange demand that she could barely absorb the fact that her plan was working.
"The stuff they sell around here is deadly. It has sulphuric acid in it. That's a poison. Highness; it'll hurt your baby.”
If only he wasn’t so superficial. 😩😩
Almost 90% into the book and there was absolutely no HEA insight what with Quinn calling her a presumptuous little bitch and sayings things like;
“By God, if you hit me again, I'll beat you within an inch of your life! I mean it, Noelle. Don't push me any further!”
And on the SAME day after he called her a presumptuous little bitch and threatened to beat her within an inch of her life, when they finished making love that night Quinn told her in a gentle voice to go to sleep when she asked him a question then suddenly…
“His voice was so gentle that her heart constricted and, in that instant, Noelle knew that she loved him.”
Umm… it would be hard to believe that anyone other than the author bought their love. AND the irony is that later in the same chapter just when she’s discovered her love for him, and the hero is trying to untangle his unfamiliar feelings for the heroine, the long overdue love confessions are almost dangling on the horizon, AND THEN THE HEROINE CATCHES THE HERO EXPLORING THE MOIST CAVERN OF THE OW’s MOUTH. I—
But the real irony is that he was furious when, after witnessing this spectacle, she disappeared into the ow’s brother’s arms. A bit nauseating even for someone as shameless as me 😔😔
I swear this was the most eventful chapter in the entire book. It was like the author woke up and realized that she was writing a romance book and that she needed to make them act accordingly. But they failed. Miserably. Too little, too late.
And the literal cherry on top is that Quinn never redeemed himself because when he caught the OM kissing her, in his rage he raped her violently at almost the end of the book, AND after she’d confessed her love for him! But this time he did give her the aftercare she deserved—he wrapped her in his coat, carried her to her bedroom, bathed the inside of her thighs—
Nothing pains me more than giving this book— a book written by the author of my all time favorite book Kiss an Angel—3 stars, but 🤷🏻♀️ the last chapters made it go from a 2 to 3 star 💅🏼👩🏻🦯
October 21, 2010
This is a bodice ripper with a raping, abusive hero who acts like a little boy or a spoiled bully. The heroine on the other hand, clearly had a serious case of the Stockholm syndrome. It was truly unfortunate that the author took a very courage young girl out of the slums and turned her into a doormat.
This is a out of print, a hard to find book by the author also known as Susan E. Phillips, so if you were expecting humor, you won't find it here. I thought the book dragged on after a amazing start. I'm giving this book a low 2 star rating mainly because I just didn't buy the love story.
I never got the impression that he genuinely loved this courageous girl whom he raped, kidnapped, degraded, belittled, whipped and cheated on with his mistress and other whores. Without a doubt in my mind, the heroine suffered from a Stockholm syndrome, for he never showed his love for her in any meaningful way whatsoever in this book and yet, the poor fool was enslaved by him.
Needless to say, their HEA was hard to swallow.
Thankfully, I borrowed this from a very generous friend, so my money wasn't wasted.
This is a out of print, a hard to find book by the author also known as Susan E. Phillips, so if you were expecting humor, you won't find it here. I thought the book dragged on after a amazing start. I'm giving this book a low 2 star rating mainly because I just didn't buy the love story.
I never got the impression that he genuinely loved this courageous girl whom he raped, kidnapped, degraded, belittled, whipped and cheated on with his mistress and other whores. Without a doubt in my mind, the heroine suffered from a Stockholm syndrome, for he never showed his love for her in any meaningful way whatsoever in this book and yet, the poor fool was enslaved by him.
Needless to say, their HEA was hard to swallow.
Thankfully, I borrowed this from a very generous friend, so my money wasn't wasted.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 16, 2011
2.5 stars.This was an okay read. The,storyline didn’t thrill me, it could have been better. The beginning was interesting but the story quickly turned predictable. I hated the heroine in this book because nothing ever made her happy! She came from the gutters of London and was thrusts into a marriage that enabled her to have a much better life and all she wanted to do was escape back to the gutters. That annoyed me to no end. I just couldn’t relate. I mean, who wouldn’t be happy from escaping bitter poverty. She would have rather been a pickpocket with the threat of going to the gallows hanging over her head than being able to eat and live in a nice environment. You would think she would have been smart enough to see her good fortune after being raised in the streets.
Okay, I get why she was pissed off. The jerk off hero abducted her, forced her to marry him for revenge against his father, and with no better word to use because it wasn’t a forced seduction since she hated it- raped her, but then he drops her off to his father and leaves her alone married and in the lap of luxury for more than a year. I know that in the real world the bastard would have deservedly been in jail dropping soap by now but this is a fictional romance and I wanted to see a little happiness. She started out an ugly duckling because living in the streets will do that to a girl, but with the help of the hero’s family she turned into the beautiful swan and shocked the hero to his core. The hero was also missing in action after a while and even though I get why that had to happen ( all the better to make him see the wonderful transformation of our heroine) It made the story drag a little. All in all, this book started out okay but couldn’t hold my interest all the way through.
Okay, I get why she was pissed off. The jerk off hero abducted her, forced her to marry him for revenge against his father, and with no better word to use because it wasn’t a forced seduction since she hated it- raped her, but then he drops her off to his father and leaves her alone married and in the lap of luxury for more than a year. I know that in the real world the bastard would have deservedly been in jail dropping soap by now but this is a fictional romance and I wanted to see a little happiness. She started out an ugly duckling because living in the streets will do that to a girl, but with the help of the hero’s family she turned into the beautiful swan and shocked the hero to his core. The hero was also missing in action after a while and even though I get why that had to happen ( all the better to make him see the wonderful transformation of our heroine) It made the story drag a little. All in all, this book started out okay but couldn’t hold my interest all the way through.
March 23, 2014
Having read all Susan Elizabeth Phillips books and enjoyed them, I thought I would give this one a go and I enjoyed it too. Ok, yes it's a bodice ripper. There is rape and both the MC's get violent with each other on a fairly regular basis but that's fairly standard for the sub genre. It kinda annoys me when good books, which also happen to be bodice rippers, are given poor reviews simply for being bodice rippers and that's how feel about this book. To me, it's kind of like criticizing erotic fiction simply for its explicit content.
There was a lot I liked about this particular bodice ripper. First of all, I liked Noelle and I liked that she never really came across as a victim. A tormented, abused heroine is a fairly standard inclusion in these old school historicals. What I liked about Noelle, is she never came across as the suffering victim. Noelle was so strong and proud and fiery that, while she was treated appallingly, I felt like she endured her hardships rather than suffered them. I also loved that Noelle gave as good as she got, that she was more likely to punch Quinn in the face than give in to his arrogance.
The book was very S.E.P. Maybe it's just because I'm familiar with her other writing but her style and 'voice' (for lack of a better word) were all over this book. Maybe it was the snarky dialogues between the MC's or maybe it was the inclusion of a secondary romance, I don't know. If you have enjoyed S.E.Ps other books and if you enjoy a good authentic bodice ripper than you will probably enjoy this book too.
There was a lot I liked about this particular bodice ripper. First of all, I liked Noelle and I liked that she never really came across as a victim. A tormented, abused heroine is a fairly standard inclusion in these old school historicals. What I liked about Noelle, is she never came across as the suffering victim. Noelle was so strong and proud and fiery that, while she was treated appallingly, I felt like she endured her hardships rather than suffered them. I also loved that Noelle gave as good as she got, that she was more likely to punch Quinn in the face than give in to his arrogance.
The book was very S.E.P. Maybe it's just because I'm familiar with her other writing but her style and 'voice' (for lack of a better word) were all over this book. Maybe it was the snarky dialogues between the MC's or maybe it was the inclusion of a secondary romance, I don't know. If you have enjoyed S.E.Ps other books and if you enjoy a good authentic bodice ripper than you will probably enjoy this book too.
February 27, 2011
Surprisingly enjoyable .
The book starts off giving us the backstory of the heroine, Noelle Dorian.
Noelle's mother Daisy was an actress and one of the demi monde. As Daisy gets older, she starts to slip down the ladder, and eventually is threatened with imprisonment in Newgate. She and Noelle end up living in a hovel in the back streets of London and she effectively becomes a street walker. Noelle watches her mother being abused by men and sees that this is destroying her mother, until she can not function. Noelle disguises herself as a boy and works as a mudlark. Her mother dies when she is only 10yrs. When she becomes too old to pass as a boy, Noelle becomes a pickpocket, and dresses as a prostitute in order to lure in unwary men.
On a drunken night out, the 'hero' (probably a loose term) Quinn, and one of his friends, come across Noelle, and she picks the friend's pocket. Quinn spots this, and in a drunken moment, decides that he will have revenge on his father, who wants him to marry well, by instead marrying this whore. He threatens Noelle that either she marries him or he will take her to the Magistrates to be hanged for theft or transported. Noelle tries unsuccessfully to escape and is eventually taken back to Quinn's rooms, where he brutally rapes her, not knowing that she was a virgin until after the event.
Despite her distress, he then makes her put on her ripped gown, he smears rouge on her cheeks to make her look like a whore and drags her to his father's home, where he announces that he has married her and that she is a whore. He leaves her for his father to dispose of, having given his father money to pay her off .
Instead his father talks to her and discovers her story. He decides to ask Connie, the widow of his former partner to care for Noelle and see if she can be trained as a lady.
The next 100 pages or so, revolve around Noelle's relationship with Connie and how they come to be friends, Noelle's struggle to educate herself and then her introduction into London Society under the name of Dorian Pope.
Quinn returns to London and finds 'Dorian' staying with his father under the guise of being Quinn's cousin. he does not recognise his wife, who has become a beautiful woman in the intervening year and a half. He thinks that Dorian is his father's mistress.
Noelle has continued to make occasional visits back to the slums to give some money to lost children, and in the end, these visits are responsible for Quinn catching her out and realising that Dorian is really his wife. He kidnaps her and keeps her in a cottage in the Moors for a period. he wrongly believes that she is now experienced and intends to bed her when ever he wants. He initially forces her to strip at gun point and to put her clothes on the fire. However, when he realises that she is genuinely frightened, he is unable to go through with it and spends the night in the stables. The next day he goes fishing and when he comes back he tells Noelle to gut the trout and instead she throws it at him. He then puts her over his knew and spanks her, before starting to strip her, again with the intention of bedding her. Noelle is terrified and begs him not to rape her and he stops. Thereafter Quinn decides that he will seduce her into consenting. He teaches her how to ride and for a period of time is fairly charming. The last night there he succeeds in seducing her, but spoils it by letting her know, that all he wanted was her surrender and that he triumphed in it.
They return to London at logger heads with each other and have to cope with the scandal caused by their 'elopement'. They are the sensation of the season but behind closed doors, remain estranged.
Quinn gets jealous watching another man flirt with his wife and drags her home. They have a fight in the bedroom, which starts off with Quinn being sexually aggressive with Noelle, but turns into a consensual encounter. However, again, Quinn can't help spoiling things and the next day taunts Noelle about the fact that she enjoyed it and that this demonstrated her true nature. Quinn's father and Connie marry and there is a deal done in respect of the ship building partnership. Quinn decides to take Noelle back to America with him and forces her out of the house.
Whilst they are on board ship he exercises his 'marital rights' but at Noelle's request does not seek to make her enjoy it - as she does not want this cast up at her again. In some ways their relationship appears to improve as they spend time together talking and getting to know each other. Noelle feels her hatred slipping away.
When they get to Georgia, Noelle spends a lot of time renovating the house. Quinn spends his time at the ship yard or the local bordello. They have another argument when Noelle rides out into forbidden swamp land. She taunts Quinn about his half indian heritage and there is another sexual encounter, which starts off violently and then becomes consensual.
After another number of months whereby they live together in cold animosity, Noelle decides that she wants Quinn in her bed and she eventually goes to him. The author describes them as being passionate with each other at night but that somehow this failed to translate into how they behave during the day, which is on a downward spiral.
Quinn's former mistress Anna turns up with her brother,Wolf, who is attracted to Noelle. Noelle observes Quinn kiss Anna and leaves in distress. Quinn feels that he owes his wife no explanations for his actions, even through he has no interest in resuming the relationship with Anna - and REALLY, why could he not have explained this!!! By this stage Noelle realises that she loves the SOB and is distraught.
Wolf is sensitive to what is going on with the couple and warns Quinn that he should change his ways and treat Noelle better, or else Wolf will seek to win her away.
One night at a ball, after Quinn has ignored her the whole night, Wolf kisses Noelle and she lets him. Quinn interrupts and drags her into the stables at their home. He is furious and approaches her holding a whip, which he uses to rip her gown. He rapes her violently.
The next day she wakes to find he has left her a letter saying that they are poisoning each other and that he will give her the divorce she wants. Noelle does not know what to do and decides that she would like to speak to Quinn one more time before leaving so as to ascertain his feelings.
Noelle is then kidnapped by Quinn's enemies and the 3 men ride off with her. Quinn interrupts their attempt to rape her. The two protagonists finally talk to each other and confess their feelings.
They have a son, probably born of rape. There is a reconciliation between Quinn and his father.
The all live happily ever after....
There was a lot of angst and hatred between the parties. I was not really certain as to the reasons why Quinn felt betrayed by Noelle. Given his actions towards her, it was hard to see what else he could expect.
Quinn was certainly a fairly unsympathetic and atypical hero.
This above synopsis makes the book sounds pretty dire and yet I found it strangely compelling.
It was certainly very readable and overall enjoyable.
a guilty pleasure!
The book starts off giving us the backstory of the heroine, Noelle Dorian.
Noelle's mother Daisy was an actress and one of the demi monde. As Daisy gets older, she starts to slip down the ladder, and eventually is threatened with imprisonment in Newgate. She and Noelle end up living in a hovel in the back streets of London and she effectively becomes a street walker. Noelle watches her mother being abused by men and sees that this is destroying her mother, until she can not function. Noelle disguises herself as a boy and works as a mudlark. Her mother dies when she is only 10yrs. When she becomes too old to pass as a boy, Noelle becomes a pickpocket, and dresses as a prostitute in order to lure in unwary men.
On a drunken night out, the 'hero' (probably a loose term) Quinn, and one of his friends, come across Noelle, and she picks the friend's pocket. Quinn spots this, and in a drunken moment, decides that he will have revenge on his father, who wants him to marry well, by instead marrying this whore. He threatens Noelle that either she marries him or he will take her to the Magistrates to be hanged for theft or transported. Noelle tries unsuccessfully to escape and is eventually taken back to Quinn's rooms, where he brutally rapes her, not knowing that she was a virgin until after the event.
Despite her distress, he then makes her put on her ripped gown, he smears rouge on her cheeks to make her look like a whore and drags her to his father's home, where he announces that he has married her and that she is a whore. He leaves her for his father to dispose of, having given his father money to pay her off .
Instead his father talks to her and discovers her story. He decides to ask Connie, the widow of his former partner to care for Noelle and see if she can be trained as a lady.
The next 100 pages or so, revolve around Noelle's relationship with Connie and how they come to be friends, Noelle's struggle to educate herself and then her introduction into London Society under the name of Dorian Pope.
Quinn returns to London and finds 'Dorian' staying with his father under the guise of being Quinn's cousin. he does not recognise his wife, who has become a beautiful woman in the intervening year and a half. He thinks that Dorian is his father's mistress.
Noelle has continued to make occasional visits back to the slums to give some money to lost children, and in the end, these visits are responsible for Quinn catching her out and realising that Dorian is really his wife. He kidnaps her and keeps her in a cottage in the Moors for a period. he wrongly believes that she is now experienced and intends to bed her when ever he wants. He initially forces her to strip at gun point and to put her clothes on the fire. However, when he realises that she is genuinely frightened, he is unable to go through with it and spends the night in the stables. The next day he goes fishing and when he comes back he tells Noelle to gut the trout and instead she throws it at him. He then puts her over his knew and spanks her, before starting to strip her, again with the intention of bedding her. Noelle is terrified and begs him not to rape her and he stops. Thereafter Quinn decides that he will seduce her into consenting. He teaches her how to ride and for a period of time is fairly charming. The last night there he succeeds in seducing her, but spoils it by letting her know, that all he wanted was her surrender and that he triumphed in it.
They return to London at logger heads with each other and have to cope with the scandal caused by their 'elopement'. They are the sensation of the season but behind closed doors, remain estranged.
Quinn gets jealous watching another man flirt with his wife and drags her home. They have a fight in the bedroom, which starts off with Quinn being sexually aggressive with Noelle, but turns into a consensual encounter. However, again, Quinn can't help spoiling things and the next day taunts Noelle about the fact that she enjoyed it and that this demonstrated her true nature. Quinn's father and Connie marry and there is a deal done in respect of the ship building partnership. Quinn decides to take Noelle back to America with him and forces her out of the house.
Whilst they are on board ship he exercises his 'marital rights' but at Noelle's request does not seek to make her enjoy it - as she does not want this cast up at her again. In some ways their relationship appears to improve as they spend time together talking and getting to know each other. Noelle feels her hatred slipping away.
When they get to Georgia, Noelle spends a lot of time renovating the house. Quinn spends his time at the ship yard or the local bordello. They have another argument when Noelle rides out into forbidden swamp land. She taunts Quinn about his half indian heritage and there is another sexual encounter, which starts off violently and then becomes consensual.
After another number of months whereby they live together in cold animosity, Noelle decides that she wants Quinn in her bed and she eventually goes to him. The author describes them as being passionate with each other at night but that somehow this failed to translate into how they behave during the day, which is on a downward spiral.
Quinn's former mistress Anna turns up with her brother,Wolf, who is attracted to Noelle. Noelle observes Quinn kiss Anna and leaves in distress. Quinn feels that he owes his wife no explanations for his actions, even through he has no interest in resuming the relationship with Anna - and REALLY, why could he not have explained this!!! By this stage Noelle realises that she loves the SOB and is distraught.
Wolf is sensitive to what is going on with the couple and warns Quinn that he should change his ways and treat Noelle better, or else Wolf will seek to win her away.
One night at a ball, after Quinn has ignored her the whole night, Wolf kisses Noelle and she lets him. Quinn interrupts and drags her into the stables at their home. He is furious and approaches her holding a whip, which he uses to rip her gown. He rapes her violently.
The next day she wakes to find he has left her a letter saying that they are poisoning each other and that he will give her the divorce she wants. Noelle does not know what to do and decides that she would like to speak to Quinn one more time before leaving so as to ascertain his feelings.
Noelle is then kidnapped by Quinn's enemies and the 3 men ride off with her. Quinn interrupts their attempt to rape her. The two protagonists finally talk to each other and confess their feelings.
They have a son, probably born of rape. There is a reconciliation between Quinn and his father.
The all live happily ever after....
There was a lot of angst and hatred between the parties. I was not really certain as to the reasons why Quinn felt betrayed by Noelle. Given his actions towards her, it was hard to see what else he could expect.
Quinn was certainly a fairly unsympathetic and atypical hero.
This above synopsis makes the book sounds pretty dire and yet I found it strangely compelling.
It was certainly very readable and overall enjoyable.
a guilty pleasure!
June 27, 2011
don't know why I even bother to read this book. The hero raped the heroine twice, three times, ... lost my count. It's beyond my understanding, how could a woman loves a man who kidnapped and raped her. Domestic violence is illegal, you should not justified it in the name of love.s
February 15, 2025
I liked this, but it felt like 3 different books, which made it hard to rate my enjoyment level, I appreciated all the little satisfying tropes along the way, and yes this is a bodice ripper
August 15, 2024
If you leave all logic and sensiblities outside, it’s quite entertaining read. Lol
September 11, 2011
This has turned out to be one of my all-time favorites. I loved the fiery temperaments of both Quinn and Noelle, aka 'Highness'. I, at times, sympathized with both and hated both. More than once, my heart broke for both of them, as well as Quinn's father, Simon. Of course, in the end, all was resolved. But it was a wild ride!
December 12, 2022
Safe as can it be for a bodice ripper: no other men, just the H who r* the h. There are attempted assaults by kidnappers, etc but the h gets saved by the H in time.
It was filled with angst and I wasn’t able to put it down but I think the H needed to grovel more.
H only married her to get revenge on his father. He then leaves the h with his father. His father takes in the h and sends her to his friend’s widow to get educated and to learn to become a proper lady. There is a two year separation.
H had a mistress after meeting and marrying the h and he also kept that mistress when the h and H lived in London together, albeit the H and h barely had any relationship apart from hating each other and going to social events as a married couple. I still didn’t like the fact that he kept a mistress and the h also felt sad but didn’t exactly know what their relationship was, to her it was a forced marriage and she expected him to leave her in London while he went back to America. Their real relationship begins when they leave for America together.
But this is hard to read, not exactly safe per se in the sense that the H is lethal and ruthless when it comes to the h. He r* her the first time after marrying her when she was a virgin as he thought she was an experienced prostitute. But later on when he returns after two years he seduces her and insults her and then again he r* her when he gets angry and thinks she loves another. It’s just a roller coaster ride. But it’s still ok, better than a lot of other bodice rippers.
Triggers: mentions hardships that come with poverty, Newgate, death row for simple thefts involving children, etc.
Safety: H is h’s only lover.
It was filled with angst and I wasn’t able to put it down but I think the H needed to grovel more.
H only married her to get revenge on his father. He then leaves the h with his father. His father takes in the h and sends her to his friend’s widow to get educated and to learn to become a proper lady. There is a two year separation.
H had a mistress after meeting and marrying the h and he also kept that mistress when the h and H lived in London together, albeit the H and h barely had any relationship apart from hating each other and going to social events as a married couple. I still didn’t like the fact that he kept a mistress and the h also felt sad but didn’t exactly know what their relationship was, to her it was a forced marriage and she expected him to leave her in London while he went back to America. Their real relationship begins when they leave for America together.
But this is hard to read, not exactly safe per se in the sense that the H is lethal and ruthless when it comes to the h. He r* her the first time after marrying her when she was a virgin as he thought she was an experienced prostitute. But later on when he returns after two years he seduces her and insults her and then again he r* her when he gets angry and thinks she loves another. It’s just a roller coaster ride. But it’s still ok, better than a lot of other bodice rippers.
Triggers: mentions hardships that come with poverty, Newgate, death row for simple thefts involving children, etc.
Safety: H is h’s only lover.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 15, 2011
Love Susan Elizabeth Phillips so I was extremely surprised to learn that she had written historicals. I quickly got it on my Kindle and spent most of the night reading it. I almost threw my Kindle against the wall and wasn't quick enough to delete it. Started off well, could see past the first rape even but for Noelle to give in so easily after Quinn found out his 'cousin' was actually the wife he'd left behind two years before, I became frustrated. She made it so easy for him and I'm sorry but being raped many times doesn't constitute romance in my book. Hell, he raped her then in the next scene said he loved her...he never said he was sorry for his abusive behavior either. Horrible, horrible book - the only redeeming thing was Simon's and Constance's romance.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 17, 2016
I tried to like it and in the end simply couldn’t. The heroine had potential but in my opinion was deliberately dumbed down so that the leading man could look strong and smart. The problem is that he is neither, only a capricious sulky child, whose tantrums usually leave his wife bruised.
Intriguing premise and decent writing, but overall disappointing.
Intriguing premise and decent writing, but overall disappointing.
December 1, 2024
I despise this hero. Him dying would have been more of a happy ending than them ending up together.
April 25, 2013
And if he is there, who do you have to blame but yourself? she thought tortuously. You've made it clear that the only way he can have you is to rape you. But Quinn is as proud as you are, and unless you torment him to it, he's not going to touch you.
She knew there was another way. She could go to him, give herself freely, but her pride would not let her. At least now she had his respect even if she had nothing else. If only, she wished, there was a way she could go to him and still keep her pride
Yep, a novel about rape... well rape, and fear, and threats. Sex as a weapon, women with no rights... thats all fine, if it was about empowerment and the main male lead, Quinn, was going to end up dead in a duel, but its not. Its a romance novel. A questionable, queasy, men rule, sigh, faint.
I actually didn't mind the characters, the story centering around Noelle Dorian, a street pickpocket who uses her assets to lure men, while stripping them of their valuables. She is a tough strong character, not willing to take crap from anyone, and off limits in the romance/sex department due to seeing street life, and mean drunk johns.
There is the Quinn Copeland, the husband, who is walking around with a giant chip on his shoulder, that sees sex as a weapon, who carries voliance and anger simmering just under the surface.
His father, Simon Copeland, who sees Noelle as a pawn in his power struggles with his son.
Constance, well I really liked Constance... Tiny, feisty, manipulative, cunning and lovely. she's fun...
Now everyone in this book, except Noelle, excuses rape, again and again and again. Actually Noelle does too, in the end.
Unfortunately she pickpockets the wrong man, well the right man at the wrong time, as his companion Quinn is quick, smart and picks up on the ruse straight away. Taking her for a whore, he embroils her in his scheme to get back at his father...
Its a meeting of an English street girl, and a American business man. It explores (ever so slightly) injustices in the 'new land' with the Indians and the white colonists. It tries to show the differences in classes. but it never really does any of that.
My main issue with this book is how closely sex and violence and love is intertwined. I don't mind a strong leading man, but I do mind one that entices fear and uses it to his advantage.
She knew there was another way. She could go to him, give herself freely, but her pride would not let her. At least now she had his respect even if she had nothing else. If only, she wished, there was a way she could go to him and still keep her pride
Yep, a novel about rape... well rape, and fear, and threats. Sex as a weapon, women with no rights... thats all fine, if it was about empowerment and the main male lead, Quinn, was going to end up dead in a duel, but its not. Its a romance novel. A questionable, queasy, men rule, sigh, faint.
I actually didn't mind the characters, the story centering around Noelle Dorian, a street pickpocket who uses her assets to lure men, while stripping them of their valuables. She is a tough strong character, not willing to take crap from anyone, and off limits in the romance/sex department due to seeing street life, and mean drunk johns.
There is the Quinn Copeland, the husband, who is walking around with a giant chip on his shoulder, that sees sex as a weapon, who carries voliance and anger simmering just under the surface.
His father, Simon Copeland, who sees Noelle as a pawn in his power struggles with his son.
Constance, well I really liked Constance... Tiny, feisty, manipulative, cunning and lovely. she's fun...
Now everyone in this book, except Noelle, excuses rape, again and again and again. Actually Noelle does too, in the end.
Unfortunately she pickpockets the wrong man, well the right man at the wrong time, as his companion Quinn is quick, smart and picks up on the ruse straight away. Taking her for a whore, he embroils her in his scheme to get back at his father...
Its a meeting of an English street girl, and a American business man. It explores (ever so slightly) injustices in the 'new land' with the Indians and the white colonists. It tries to show the differences in classes. but it never really does any of that.
My main issue with this book is how closely sex and violence and love is intertwined. I don't mind a strong leading man, but I do mind one that entices fear and uses it to his advantage.
July 16, 2022
So the russian mafia circus lady writes 1 historical and calls it a day. Probably for the best :)
Her prose is good. But that's what I expect from old school histo romance authors. They just did it better than after the 2000s, the vernacular was vaster.
I love the old school stuff as much as anyone but this was a bit too whoopdedoo for me. The MMC is absent for like an entire part. He's abusive, abusive, abusive. And oh, did I forget, abusive? He's not romantic at all, in any sense of the word. There was nary a moment where my heart beat for anything he said. Therefore I must pose the all-important question: WHERE DID THE FMC FALL IN LOVE WITH HIM? I can't pinpoint the moment. He crushes her spirit in a way where there is nothing fucking left. NOTHING. I'd be halfway to Antarctica at this point, if I was her. I'd try my luck in the Indian ocean. But I wouldn't try again with him. What an absolute piece of shit.
Everyone who has shit to say about Clay Westmoreland should go ahead and read this one. Hell-almighty, suddenly Clay looks like an absolute angel.
I've seen this compared to Gabriel's Wife. That's actually why I read it - I liked the Samantha James book. But this shit was something else entirely. Also it went into the Colonies and I don't often read about non-peers of the realm, nor do I cross the ocean. And this book has really turned me off expanding my horizons after James' just turned me on it with One One Kiss. Now that's a book you should read!
Her prose is good. But that's what I expect from old school histo romance authors. They just did it better than after the 2000s, the vernacular was vaster.
I love the old school stuff as much as anyone but this was a bit too whoopdedoo for me. The MMC is absent for like an entire part. He's abusive, abusive, abusive. And oh, did I forget, abusive? He's not romantic at all, in any sense of the word. There was nary a moment where my heart beat for anything he said. Therefore I must pose the all-important question: WHERE DID THE FMC FALL IN LOVE WITH HIM? I can't pinpoint the moment. He crushes her spirit in a way where there is nothing fucking left. NOTHING. I'd be halfway to Antarctica at this point, if I was her. I'd try my luck in the Indian ocean. But I wouldn't try again with him. What an absolute piece of shit.
Everyone who has shit to say about Clay Westmoreland should go ahead and read this one. Hell-almighty, suddenly Clay looks like an absolute angel.
I've seen this compared to Gabriel's Wife. That's actually why I read it - I liked the Samantha James book. But this shit was something else entirely. Also it went into the Colonies and I don't often read about non-peers of the realm, nor do I cross the ocean. And this book has really turned me off expanding my horizons after James' just turned me on it with One One Kiss. Now that's a book you should read!
June 17, 2013
the beginning was a bit too drawn out with parts that was a bit of a snore..... then the action started it was really fun imagining the emotional and physical fight between heroine and hero..... BUT the RAPE at the end turned me off. couldn't she turn it around that he had brutal sex with her and she loved it in the end? but why rape every womans night mare and to add insult to injury the heroine treated it as if it was ok cuz she loved him wtfudge. rape is rape if u wanna say brutal no problem but choice of words describing that scene was horrible. Begining for me was a 4/5 the rape part was 2/5 the overall story was 3/5 without the rape 5/5...all in all it was a goodread...
October 29, 2019
The first time I read this I thought it was just another common "from rags to riches" story...But I decided to give it a second try. However I decided to give it 5 stars because it truly became a page-turner and I couldn't put this book down. I found myself reading it very late into the night. And this is surely a sign of a 5 star read!
I loved the cat-and-mouse game between Noelle and Quinn. There were a few moments in the story where I just had to laugh out loud. Even though I've read several "from rags to riches" historical romances, this one is pretty unique and offers a different twist from the usual, common narrative. Definitely two thumbs up!
I loved the cat-and-mouse game between Noelle and Quinn. There were a few moments in the story where I just had to laugh out loud. Even though I've read several "from rags to riches" historical romances, this one is pretty unique and offers a different twist from the usual, common narrative. Definitely two thumbs up!
August 5, 2011
Its a wonder how the hero and heroine ended up together in this book.
The way they hurt each other again and again boggles me. And they're "suppose" to love each other?!!!
Tsk! tsk!
The man is vicious and sadistic.
The woman is stupid and whiny.
P.S. word of caution to readers... there is an act of RAPE in this book. And it happens more than once. A lot more....
The way they hurt each other again and again boggles me. And they're "suppose" to love each other?!!!
Tsk! tsk!
The man is vicious and sadistic.
The woman is stupid and whiny.
P.S. word of caution to readers... there is an act of RAPE in this book. And it happens more than once. A lot more....
November 9, 2012
I can't not read something that SEP wrote. I know she doesn't really like this book but Im going into remembering that it was her first and she wrote it with someone else. So far it's not that bad.
After reading:
Okay so I loved the first part of this book and that gets 5 stars the second half is heartbreaking and pisses me off so that gets 3 stars. Sooo overall 4 stars.
After reading:
Okay so I loved the first part of this book and that gets 5 stars the second half is heartbreaking and pisses me off so that gets 3 stars. Sooo overall 4 stars.
March 9, 2013
Started good and was all in all an ok read. However, you had no chance to get warm with the hero.
April 14, 2017
Almost all along the book H`s behavior is hurtful and hateful with hardly any redemption.
April 28, 2013
When I had discovered that Susan Elizabeth Phillips had written a historical under a different name, I jumped at the chance to pick up a used copy. It was originally written in 1983. I have to admit that I haven't read many romance novels from the era before the late 90s, and this particular historical romance reminded me exactly why that is the case. Even SEP, a favorite author of mine, couldn't save this one.
Though the story was well written, it was a true bodice-ripper with a spitfire heroine who constantly had to be rescued.
Some spoilerish stats from the novel:
Not even my beloved author could make me like this hero and heroine as a couple :(
Though the story was well written, it was a true bodice-ripper with a spitfire heroine who constantly had to be rescued.
Some spoilerish stats from the novel:
Not even my beloved author could make me like this hero and heroine as a couple :(
June 11, 2016
This book had great potential and was written by a great author. Unfortunately, however, it is the kind of book that was popular in the 1980's where the hero is a "Trump-like" male, egotistical, brutal, and just plain mean and violent. The heroine is just the kind of heroine for that 80's era--lets the hero wipe the floor with her but really loves him between the sheets. Once they are out of bed, however, they are fighting again and don't have any kind of relationship at all. In the end you wonder how the heck she could even stand him and wish she had just kicked him in the crotch as payback! I must say, I don't like books where the heroine is raped, seduced by a jerk, or shown to be weak. Women have fought too hard to be though of as "almost" equal by some sexist males and I think a story where there is a heroine to emulate is much better. I'm also puzzled why some really good books on this site are trashed for silly reasons while those like this one are given high numbers????? WTF????
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