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Reid Family #2
Ascultă-ți inima
Ophelia Reid, o frumusețe răpitoare considerată cea mai dorită debutantă a sezonului, rupe logodna cu viitorul marchiz Duncan MacTavish, ales de tatăl ei drept viitor ginere, și decide să își caute ea însăși un soț potrivit. Dar în drumul spre casă se întâmplă un lucru neașteptat, care îi dă planurile peste cap. Raphael Locke, viconte de Lynnfield, este cel mai râvnit burlac din Anglia, în ciuda dezinteresului legat de căsătorie. Deși dezaprobă comportamentul Opheliei din cauza scandalului în care l-a târât pe prietenul lui, Duncan, el este convins totuși că această femeie de gheață este capabilă să se schimbe. Având binecuvântarea părinților ei, Rafe o răpește și o duce la moșia de la țară, unde încearcă să transforme furia și egoismul Opheliei în calm și bunăvoință.
Lecțiile de bune maniere încep să dea roade, drept care, întorși la Londra, cererile în căsătorie încep să curgă pentru Ophelia.
Însă Rafe descoperă că, deși misiunea pe care și-a propus-o este un adevărat succes, rezultatul nu este deloc cel pe care și-l dorește acum inima lui.
Lecțiile de bune maniere încep să dea roade, drept care, întorși la Londra, cererile în căsătorie încep să curgă pentru Ophelia.
Însă Rafe descoperă că, deși misiunea pe care și-a propus-o este un adevărat succes, rezultatul nu este deloc cel pe care și-l dorește acum inima lui.
288 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2007
406 people are currently reading
3108 people want to read
About the author
Johanna Lindsey
148 books7,266 followersJohanna Helen Howard was born on March 10, 1952 in Germany, where her father, Edwin Dennis Howard, a soldier in the U.S. Army was stationed. The family moved about a great deal when she was young. Her father always dreamed of retiring to Hawaii, and after he passed away in 1964 Johanna and her mother settled there to honor him.
In 1970, when she was still in school, she married Ralph Lindsey, becoming a young housewife. The marriage had three children; Alfred, Joseph and Garret, who already have made her a grandmother. After her husband's death, Johanna moved to Maine, New England, to stay near her family.
Johanna Lindsey wrote her first book, Captive Bride in 1977 "on a whim", and the book was a success. By 2006, with over 58 Million copies of her books have been sold worldwide, with translations appearing in 12 languages, Johanna Lindsey is one of the world's most popular authors of historical romance.
Johanna's books span the various eras of history, including books set in the Middle Ages, the American "Old West" and the popular Regency England-Scotland. She has even written a few sci-fi romances. By far the most popular among her books are the stories about the Malory-Anderson Family, a Regency England saga.
Johanna Lindsey died on Oct. 27, 2019 in Nashua, N.H. She was 67.
In 1970, when she was still in school, she married Ralph Lindsey, becoming a young housewife. The marriage had three children; Alfred, Joseph and Garret, who already have made her a grandmother. After her husband's death, Johanna moved to Maine, New England, to stay near her family.
Johanna Lindsey wrote her first book, Captive Bride in 1977 "on a whim", and the book was a success. By 2006, with over 58 Million copies of her books have been sold worldwide, with translations appearing in 12 languages, Johanna Lindsey is one of the world's most popular authors of historical romance.
Johanna's books span the various eras of history, including books set in the Middle Ages, the American "Old West" and the popular Regency England-Scotland. She has even written a few sci-fi romances. By far the most popular among her books are the stories about the Malory-Anderson Family, a Regency England saga.
Johanna Lindsey died on Oct. 27, 2019 in Nashua, N.H. She was 67.
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May 7, 2024Top reviews all say that the heroine is unlikeable, mean, and unreasonable… so you know I’m going to have to read this ;)
January 28, 2022
There's not one good thing I can say about this heroine. Not even her beauty is presented in a good light. I have read many books where the heroine had many horrible problems and this heroine is not one of them. And to think that she's that horrible and spiteful with people because of her problems. As if!!! We would all be spiteful if we had her thoughts.
You will probably not hate her as much if you read only this book. You will probably side with her, but as I know her from the previous book where she was THE villain in the story, I don't think she redeemed herself. By the end she was so aggravating that I felt sorry for the hero. How can you have a conversation with someone that is so easily agressieve and a liar? That spite is what moves her? I understand her problems, who was not betrayed one way or another in her/his life? Who doesn't want to be loved? But to take it out on the world is so over the top.
You know, ofc people get angry. We don't simply agree on everything and have no quarrels whatsoever, but being spiteful, hurting people just to get back at them, and most times just hurting people to not being hurt yourself is downright crazy.
Another thing that aggravetes me was the fact that the heroines of this
series cares not a bit for their virginity. Which is so weird. But ok.
I would not recommend to read this book without reading the previous one because the two stories are kind of linked. Don't let my rating fool you, this was a good book with a likable hero, but I just can't get past the heroine's character.
You will probably not hate her as much if you read only this book. You will probably side with her, but as I know her from the previous book where she was THE villain in the story, I don't think she redeemed herself. By the end she was so aggravating that I felt sorry for the hero. How can you have a conversation with someone that is so easily agressieve and a liar? That spite is what moves her? I understand her problems, who was not betrayed one way or another in her/his life? Who doesn't want to be loved? But to take it out on the world is so over the top.
You know, ofc people get angry. We don't simply agree on everything and have no quarrels whatsoever, but being spiteful, hurting people just to get back at them, and most times just hurting people to not being hurt yourself is downright crazy.
Another thing that aggravetes me was the fact that the heroines of this
series cares not a bit for their virginity. Which is so weird. But ok.
I would not recommend to read this book without reading the previous one because the two stories are kind of linked. Don't let my rating fool you, this was a good book with a likable hero, but I just can't get past the heroine's character.
dnf
February 15, 202242% Yawn
August 15, 2016
Because I loved her old stuff, I can’t resist a new Johanna Lindsey. Sad thing is, she used to be an autobuy for me, now I wait for library copies.
The Devil Who Tamed Her gets a “meh” and a "sigh" from this once loyal JL reader.
Ophelia Reid & Raphael Locke were fist introduced in JL’s earlier release, The Heir - a wholly forgettable novel that I never finished. In The Heir, Ophelia was a mean-spirited brat engaged to Duncan Mctavish. Raphael is Duncan’s best friend. This story picks up soon after the ending of The Heir,or perhaps even before, because, as previously mentioned, I never bothered to finish it.
In TDWTH Raphael takes it on himself to tame the shrew and of course finds himself totally mistaken about her and helplessly besotted- eventually. (hey, at least there's no spanking in this one!)
I’ll give Lindsey one thing, I wasn’t sure if I was going to even like Ophelia after the way she acted in The Heir, but she does manage to transform her enough to make her match even the sweetest of heroines.
Still, The Devil Who Tamed Her is almost as forgettable as The Heir. The hero was too flatly drawn and by the end I simply didn’t care too much either way about them both.
But I did finish it so I’m giving it 2 out of 5.
The Devil Who Tamed Her gets a “meh” and a "sigh" from this once loyal JL reader.
Ophelia Reid & Raphael Locke were fist introduced in JL’s earlier release, The Heir - a wholly forgettable novel that I never finished. In The Heir, Ophelia was a mean-spirited brat engaged to Duncan Mctavish. Raphael is Duncan’s best friend. This story picks up soon after the ending of The Heir,or perhaps even before, because, as previously mentioned, I never bothered to finish it.
In TDWTH Raphael takes it on himself to tame the shrew and of course finds himself totally mistaken about her and helplessly besotted- eventually. (hey, at least there's no spanking in this one!)
I’ll give Lindsey one thing, I wasn’t sure if I was going to even like Ophelia after the way she acted in The Heir, but she does manage to transform her enough to make her match even the sweetest of heroines.
Still, The Devil Who Tamed Her is almost as forgettable as The Heir. The hero was too flatly drawn and by the end I simply didn’t care too much either way about them both.
But I did finish it so I’m giving it 2 out of 5.
February 12, 2017
Ophelia Reid has been known as the "ice queen", who has no friends, and has a bad relationship with her father. She doesn't know why people pretend to be nice to her, even after she broke up her engagement with Duncan MacTavish. When she meets Raphael Locke, he's the one who has to set her on her ways, tames her wild side, and made a bet. Things gets heated up between Ophelia and Rafe, even after they kiss, when they realize what's going on between them. Rafe and Phelia is so cute and sweet together^_^ Ophelia Reid is an extremely beautiful woman. But she is also cranky, surly and self-centred. She appears to be a rumourmonger and is, by her own admission, impatient, tells lies when it suits her and has difficulty controlling her temper. She is bitter because she feels that people only act like her friends because of her looks.
I really didn't want to like Ophelia.... Strongly disliked her through about half of this one. But by the end, she had grown on me. I still don't approve of her reasoning for why she behaved the way she did. I thought this was a nice quick easy read. I really liked the hero in this one. And I liked how they "warmed up" in one scene LOL. A bit too much was made of the heroines looks though that was the point but at one part I am like enough already we know she is the most beautiful in the whole wide world :). I love this book!! It was a delight to read! So subtle and loving, and a bit sensual as well. I really liked the ending it was too cute. I enjoyed this book! The story line had just the right amount of drama, romance, tragedy, and humor. I couldn't put the book down at some parts! I just was not swept away into the story.
I really didn't want to like Ophelia.... Strongly disliked her through about half of this one. But by the end, she had grown on me. I still don't approve of her reasoning for why she behaved the way she did. I thought this was a nice quick easy read. I really liked the hero in this one. And I liked how they "warmed up" in one scene LOL. A bit too much was made of the heroines looks though that was the point but at one part I am like enough already we know she is the most beautiful in the whole wide world :). I love this book!! It was a delight to read! So subtle and loving, and a bit sensual as well. I really liked the ending it was too cute. I enjoyed this book! The story line had just the right amount of drama, romance, tragedy, and humor. I couldn't put the book down at some parts! I just was not swept away into the story.
November 22, 2018
It has been a while since I read a book that's specifically a romance novel, so it felt a bit nostalgic to read The Devil Who Tamed Her. It was like coming home to familiar things - the breathtakingly beautiful woman, the rakishly handsome man, the disagreements, the passion, the ultimate love.
The Devil Who Tamed Her broke no new ground as far as romances or storytelling are concerned, but if you're looking for something familiar and for a sexy take on the classic Taming of the Shrew, then Johanna Lindsey's book may just be for you.
The Devil Who Tamed Her broke no new ground as far as romances or storytelling are concerned, but if you're looking for something familiar and for a sexy take on the classic Taming of the Shrew, then Johanna Lindsey's book may just be for you.
November 14, 2023
Review I liked: Ophelia Reid has been known as the "ice queen", who has no friends, and has a bad relationship with her father. She doesn't know why people pretend to be nice to her, even after she broke up her engagement with Duncan MacTavish. When she meets Raphael Locke, he's the one who has to set her on her ways, tames her wild side, and made a bet. Things gets heated up between Ophelia and Rafe, even after they kiss, when they realize what's going on between them. Rafe and Phelia is so cute and sweet together^_^ Ophelia Reid is an extremely beautiful woman. But she is also cranky, surly and self-centred. She appears to be a rumourmonger and is, by her own admission, impatient, tells lies when it suits her and has difficulty controlling her temper. She is bitter because she feels that people only act like her friends because of her looks.
I really didn't want to like Ophelia.... Strongly disliked her through about half of this one. But by the end, she had grown on me. I still don't approve of her reasoning for why she behaved the way she did. I thought this was a nice quick easy read. I really liked the hero in this one. And I liked how they "warmed up" in one scene LOL. A bit too much was made of the heroines looks though that was the point but at one part I am like enough already we know she is the most beautiful in the whole wide world :). I love this book!! It was a delight to read! So subtle and loving, and a bit sensual as well. I really liked the ending it was too cute. I enjoyed this book! The story line had just the right amount of drama, romance, tragedy, and humor. I couldn't put the book down at some parts! I just was not swept away into the story.
I really didn't want to like Ophelia.... Strongly disliked her through about half of this one. But by the end, she had grown on me. I still don't approve of her reasoning for why she behaved the way she did. I thought this was a nice quick easy read. I really liked the hero in this one. And I liked how they "warmed up" in one scene LOL. A bit too much was made of the heroines looks though that was the point but at one part I am like enough already we know she is the most beautiful in the whole wide world :). I love this book!! It was a delight to read! So subtle and loving, and a bit sensual as well. I really liked the ending it was too cute. I enjoyed this book! The story line had just the right amount of drama, romance, tragedy, and humor. I couldn't put the book down at some parts! I just was not swept away into the story.
March 8, 2019
Στο δεύτερο βιβλίο της σειράς Οικογένεια Ράιντ, με τίτλο «Ο γητευτής», ήρθε η ώρα να γνωρίσουμε καλύτερα την Οφηλία Ράιντ, που τόσο μας… ταλαιπώρησε στο προηγούμενο.
Η ιστορία ξεκινάει αμέσως μετά την οριστική (και επεισοδιακή) διάλυση του αρραβώνα της Οφηλίας με τον Ντάνκαν ΜακΤράβις. Τώρα πια, εκείνος έχει βρει τον πραγματικό έρωτα και εκείνη ετοιμάζεται να επιστρέψει στο Λονδίνο, στην κοσμική σεζόν και στην αναζήτηση συζύγου, ελπίζοντας πως αυτή τη φορά θα μπορέσει να επιλέξει η ίδια τον άντρα που θα γίνει σύζυγός της. Αυτός που δεν έχει υπολογίσει η Οφηλία όμως είναι ο υποκόμης Ραφαέλ Λοκ, που τη συνοδεύει σ’ αυτό της το ταξίδι.
Η γνώμη που έχει σχηματίσει ο Ραφαέλ για την Οφηλία δεν είναι η καλύτερη, όμως πιστεύει πως υπάρχει πιθανότητα να αλλάξει εκείνη – κάτι στο οποίο διαφωνεί ο φίλος του, Ντάνκαν. Οι δυο τους λοιπόν βάζουν ένα ιντριγκαδόρικο στοίχημα: ότι ο Ραφαέλ θα καταφέρει να τη μετατρέψει από κακομαθημένη μέγαιρα σε καλοσυνάτη δεσποινίδα, ιδανική νύφη για οποιονδήποτε τζέντλεμαν. Έτσι, αντί να οδηγήσει την άμαξα της Οφηλίας στο Λονδίνο την πηγαίνει στο απομονωμένο εξοχικό της οικογένειάς του στο Νορθκάμπερλαντ, με σκοπό να την… εκπαιδεύσει με τον δικό του τρόπο!
Εκεί, μακριά από την καλή κοινωνία του Λονδίνου και την υποκρισία των ανθρώπων της τάξης τους, ο Ραφαέλ θα ανακαλύψει μια άλλη Οφηλία. Όχι εντελώς διαφορετική, μα αρκετά απ’ ό,τι την είχε εκείνος στο μυαλό του. Κι εκείνη, άθελά της σχεδόν, θα του αποκαλύψει μερικά από τα πιο καλά κρυμμένα μυστικά της και τους λόγους που την έχουν αναγκάσει επί χρόνια να υιοθετεί αυτή τη συμπεριφορά, που τόσο εκνευρίζει τους γύρω της. Η κοπέλα θα αναθεωρήσει για αρκετές από τις παλαιότερες πράξεις της και πράγματι θα δει τον χαρακτήρα της να αλλάζει. Κι όχι μόνο αυτόν· σύντομα θα συνειδητοποιήσει πως και τα αισθήματά της για τον Ραφαέλ δεν είναι τα ίδια με εκείνα στην αρχή της γνωριμίας τους και πως έχει αρχίσει να τον ερωτεύεται. Εκείνος, όμως, τι αισθήματα μπορεί να τρέφει για μια γυναίκα που μέχρι πρόσφατα έδειχνε να απεχθάνεται;
Το δεύτερο βιβλίο της σειράς είναι επικεντρωμένο στη λαίδη Οφηλία Ράιντ – κάτι που πολύ θα λάτρευε και η ίδια! Δεν είναι μόνο ο υποκόμης Ραφαέλ Λοκ εκείνος που στοιχηματίζει για το αν μπορεί να αλλάξει τον χαρακτήρα της Οφηλίας· κι η ίδια η Lindsey καλείται να αντεπεξέλθει σε ένα συγγραφικό στοίχημα που αφορά την ηρωίδα της και να καταφέρει να το κερδίσει. Στο πρώτο βιβλίο της σειράς, «Ο διάδοχος», η Οφηλία έκλεψε τις εντυπώσεις – όχι με θετικό τρόπο. Ο κακομαθημένος χαρακτήρας και οι μελετημένες ίντριγκές της δημιούργησαν μια αρνητική εικόνα της που τώρα θα πρέπει να αλλάξει, έτσι ώστε η ηρωίδα να «αναγεννηθεί». Καλείται επομένως η συγγραφέας να δημιουργήσει ένα στόρυ που να ανταποκρίνεται σε αυτό, όπως και να δικαιολογήσει τη συμπεριφορά της κοπέλας ως τώρα.
Το αν το καταφέρνει, τελικά, θα το αποφασίσει ο αναγνώστης. Οπωσδήποτε, και η Οφηλία και η Lindsey προσπαθούν. Μέσα από την αφήγηση ξεδιπλώνεται ένας χαρακτήρας δύσκολος, περίπλοκος, ευμετάβλητος. Μια κοπέλα μαθημένη να γίνεται το δικό της, όχι όμως παραχαϊδεμένη από το σπίτι της, με μια εύθραυστη ψυχολογία και πολλά κόμπλεξ, τα οποία καλύπτει πίσω από την εριστική συμπεριφορά και τη μεγάλη γλώσσα της. Βέβαια σε καμία περίπτωση δεν δικ��ιολογούνται όλα όσα έκανε, παρόλο που πολλές φορές εκείνη θεωρεί πως φέρθηκε σωστά ή πως οι πράξεις της δεν είχαν αντίκτυπο σε τρίτους. Πολλές φορές δεν καταλαβαίνει καν γιατί οι άλλοι πληγώνονται α��ό την αιχμηρή γλώσσα της και το απαξιωτικό φέρσιμό της. Θα κληθεί να παλέψει με τον εγωισμό της αρκετές φορές, προκειμένου να κατανοήσει το πόσο λάθος συμπεριφερόταν σε ανθρώπους που θα ήθελαν πραγματικά να γίνουν φίλοι της και η ίδια κρατούσε σε απόσταση. Σ’ αυτό θα τη βοηθήσει πολύ και ο Ραφαέλ, αλλά και η προσωπική της ενδοσκόπηση.
Το βιβλίο αυτό ως προς τη δομή του μοιάζει με το πρώτο. Όχι πολύ μεγάλο σε έκταση, με μια ιστορία επικεντρωμένη στους πρωταγωνιστές και με ένα στυλ γραφής γρήγορο, με ένταση, αλλά χωρίς ιδιαίτερο βάθος, εκπλήξεις ή δραματικές ανατροπές. Το παθιασμένο ρομάντζο απουσιάζει και από εδώ. Οπωσδήποτε η σχέση του Ραφαέλ και της Οφηλίας είναι πιο έντονη και εκρηκτική από εκείνη του Ντάνκαν και της Σαμπρίνα, όμως αυτό οφείλεται κυρίως στις συνεχείς αντιπαραθέσεις τους κι όχι στις σκηνές όπου ο ρομαντισμός ξεχειλίζει. Πάντα όμως, ακόμα και στους χειρότερους καβγάδες τους, υποβόσκει ένας αναντίρρητος ερωτισμός που χρωματίζει με τον δικό του τόνο την αφήγηση.
Όποιος θέλει να διαβάσει την ιστορία ενός «Πυγμαλίωνα», που αναλαμβάνει να μετατρέψει μια δεσποσύνη σε κάτι εντελώς διαφορετικό απ’ ό,τι είναι, πιθανότατα θα βρει άλλες πολύ καλύτερες από αυτήν εδώ. Όποιος όμως θέλει να διαβάσει την εξέλιξη της Οφηλίας Ράιντ και να ανακαλύψει αν τελικά βρήκε την ευτυχία, θα βρει το συγκεκριμένο βιβλίο ενδιαφέρον. Καλό θα ήταν όμως να έχει διαβάσει πριν και το προηγούμενο, ώστε και να κάνει τις απαραίτητες συνδέσεις ανάμεσα στις ιστορίες αλλά και να σχηματίσει μια όσο γίνεται πιο ολοκληρωμένη άποψη για τον χαρακτήρα της συγκεκριμένης ηρωίδας.
Η άποψή μου στο site "Book City" και τον παρακάτω σύνδεσμο: Ο γητευτής
Η ιστορία ξεκινάει αμέσως μετά την οριστική (και επεισοδιακή) διάλυση του αρραβώνα της Οφηλίας με τον Ντάνκαν ΜακΤράβις. Τώρα πια, εκείνος έχει βρει τον πραγματικό έρωτα και εκείνη ετοιμάζεται να επιστρέψει στο Λονδίνο, στην κοσμική σεζόν και στην αναζήτηση συζύγου, ελπίζοντας πως αυτή τη φορά θα μπορέσει να επιλέξει η ίδια τον άντρα που θα γίνει σύζυγός της. Αυτός που δεν έχει υπολογίσει η Οφηλία όμως είναι ο υποκόμης Ραφαέλ Λοκ, που τη συνοδεύει σ’ αυτό της το ταξίδι.
Η γνώμη που έχει σχηματίσει ο Ραφαέλ για την Οφηλία δεν είναι η καλύτερη, όμως πιστεύει πως υπάρχει πιθανότητα να αλλάξει εκείνη – κάτι στο οποίο διαφωνεί ο φίλος του, Ντάνκαν. Οι δυο τους λοιπόν βάζουν ένα ιντριγκαδόρικο στοίχημα: ότι ο Ραφαέλ θα καταφέρει να τη μετατρέψει από κακομαθημένη μέγαιρα σε καλοσυνάτη δεσποινίδα, ιδανική νύφη για οποιονδήποτε τζέντλεμαν. Έτσι, αντί να οδηγήσει την άμαξα της Οφηλίας στο Λονδίνο την πηγαίνει στο απομονωμένο εξοχικό της οικογένειάς του στο Νορθκάμπερλαντ, με σκοπό να την… εκπαιδεύσει με τον δικό του τρόπο!
Εκεί, μακριά από την καλή κοινωνία του Λονδίνου και την υποκρισία των ανθρώπων της τάξης τους, ο Ραφαέλ θα ανακαλύψει μια άλλη Οφηλία. Όχι εντελώς διαφορετική, μα αρκετά απ’ ό,τι την είχε εκείνος στο μυαλό του. Κι εκείνη, άθελά της σχεδόν, θα του αποκαλύψει μερικά από τα πιο καλά κρυμμένα μυστικά της και τους λόγους που την έχουν αναγκάσει επί χρόνια να υιοθετεί αυτή τη συμπεριφορά, που τόσο εκνευρίζει τους γύρω της. Η κοπέλα θα αναθεωρήσει για αρκετές από τις παλαιότερες πράξεις της και πράγματι θα δει τον χαρακτήρα της να αλλάζει. Κι όχι μόνο αυτόν· σύντομα θα συνειδητοποιήσει πως και τα αισθήματά της για τον Ραφαέλ δεν είναι τα ίδια με εκείνα στην αρχή της γνωριμίας τους και πως έχει αρχίσει να τον ερωτεύεται. Εκείνος, όμως, τι αισθήματα μπορεί να τρέφει για μια γυναίκα που μέχρι πρόσφατα έδειχνε να απεχθάνεται;
Το δεύτερο βιβλίο της σειράς είναι επικεντρωμένο στη λαίδη Οφηλία Ράιντ – κάτι που πολύ θα λάτρευε και η ίδια! Δεν είναι μόνο ο υποκόμης Ραφαέλ Λοκ εκείνος που στοιχηματίζει για το αν μπορεί να αλλάξει τον χαρακτήρα της Οφηλίας· κι η ίδια η Lindsey καλείται να αντεπεξέλθει σε ένα συγγραφικό στοίχημα που αφορά την ηρωίδα της και να καταφέρει να το κερδίσει. Στο πρώτο βιβλίο της σειράς, «Ο διάδοχος», η Οφηλία έκλεψε τις εντυπώσεις – όχι με θετικό τρόπο. Ο κακομαθημένος χαρακτήρας και οι μελετημένες ίντριγκές της δημιούργησαν μια αρνητική εικόνα της που τώρα θα πρέπει να αλλάξει, έτσι ώστε η ηρωίδα να «αναγεννηθεί». Καλείται επομένως η συγγραφέας να δημιουργήσει ένα στόρυ που να ανταποκρίνεται σε αυτό, όπως και να δικαιολογήσει τη συμπεριφορά της κοπέλας ως τώρα.
Το αν το καταφέρνει, τελικά, θα το αποφασίσει ο αναγνώστης. Οπωσδήποτε, και η Οφηλία και η Lindsey προσπαθούν. Μέσα από την αφήγηση ξεδιπλώνεται ένας χαρακτήρας δύσκολος, περίπλοκος, ευμετάβλητος. Μια κοπέλα μαθημένη να γίνεται το δικό της, όχι όμως παραχαϊδεμένη από το σπίτι της, με μια εύθραυστη ψυχολογία και πολλά κόμπλεξ, τα οποία καλύπτει πίσω από την εριστική συμπεριφορά και τη μεγάλη γλώσσα της. Βέβαια σε καμία περίπτωση δεν δικ��ιολογούνται όλα όσα έκανε, παρόλο που πολλές φορές εκείνη θεωρεί πως φέρθηκε σωστά ή πως οι πράξεις της δεν είχαν αντίκτυπο σε τρίτους. Πολλές φορές δεν καταλαβαίνει καν γιατί οι άλλοι πληγώνονται α��ό την αιχμηρή γλώσσα της και το απαξιωτικό φέρσιμό της. Θα κληθεί να παλέψει με τον εγωισμό της αρκετές φορές, προκειμένου να κατανοήσει το πόσο λάθος συμπεριφερόταν σε ανθρώπους που θα ήθελαν πραγματικά να γίνουν φίλοι της και η ίδια κρατούσε σε απόσταση. Σ’ αυτό θα τη βοηθήσει πολύ και ο Ραφαέλ, αλλά και η προσωπική της ενδοσκόπηση.
Το βιβλίο αυτό ως προς τη δομή του μοιάζει με το πρώτο. Όχι πολύ μεγάλο σε έκταση, με μια ιστορία επικεντρωμένη στους πρωταγωνιστές και με ένα στυλ γραφής γρήγορο, με ένταση, αλλά χωρίς ιδιαίτερο βάθος, εκπλήξεις ή δραματικές ανατροπές. Το παθιασμένο ρομάντζο απουσιάζει και από εδώ. Οπωσδήποτε η σχέση του Ραφαέλ και της Οφηλίας είναι πιο έντονη και εκρηκτική από εκείνη του Ντάνκαν και της Σαμπρίνα, όμως αυτό οφείλεται κυρίως στις συνεχείς αντιπαραθέσεις τους κι όχι στις σκηνές όπου ο ρομαντισμός ξεχειλίζει. Πάντα όμως, ακόμα και στους χειρότερους καβγάδες τους, υποβόσκει ένας αναντίρρητος ερωτισμός που χρωματίζει με τον δικό του τόνο την αφήγηση.
Όποιος θέλει να διαβάσει την ιστορία ενός «Πυγμαλίωνα», που αναλαμβάνει να μετατρέψει μια δεσποσύνη σε κάτι εντελώς διαφορετικό απ’ ό,τι είναι, πιθανότατα θα βρει άλλες πολύ καλύτερες από αυτήν εδώ. Όποιος όμως θέλει να διαβάσει την εξέλιξη της Οφηλίας Ράιντ και να ανακαλύψει αν τελικά βρήκε την ευτυχία, θα βρει το συγκεκριμένο βιβλίο ενδιαφέρον. Καλό θα ήταν όμως να έχει διαβάσει πριν και το προηγούμενο, ώστε και να κάνει τις απαραίτητες συνδέσεις ανάμεσα στις ιστορίες αλλά και να σχηματίσει μια όσο γίνεται πιο ολοκληρωμένη άποψη για τον χαρακτήρα της συγκεκριμένης ηρωίδας.
Η άποψή μου στο site "Book City" και τον παρακάτω σύνδεσμο: Ο γητευτής
February 25, 2020
2,5 - Dopo due libri molto belli letti di seguito, un po' mi aspettavo di imbattermi in un romanzo che non mi avrebbe convinto.
In realtà mi ha lasciato piuttosto perplessa, sia nello sviluppo della trama che nei personaggi.
La protagonista è tale Ophelia e già il nome mi ha suscitato emozioni contrastanti. Io non sono certo cresciuta a pane e Shakespeare, però appena sento quel nome ripenso all'Ofelia di Amleto o al dipinto del pittore preraffaellita John Everett Millais (peraltro bello e straziante) e mi assale una grande malinconia.
Quindi non siamo partiti benissimo.
Lei, poi, sarebbe una sorta di Lady Ghiaccio, algida e inaccessibile, famosa per essere la debuttante più corteggiata di Londra (se non "del secolo"! Si trova scritto proprio così all'inizio del romanzo) ma anche quella che rifiuta tutti, spezzando cuori a manetta.
Soltanto che dopo tre pagine m'è parsa un po' una lagna, visto che continua ripetere "mi odiano tutti perchè sono bellissima", "non è colpa mia se così attraente", ecc.
Ecco, diciamo che neanche questo è il mondo migliore per conquistare simpatie.
Inoltre, dopo l'ennesima rottura di un fidanzamento (da lei auspicato, in quanto lo scozzese era un po' villico e non abbastanza alla moda...), si inserisce un tale visconte (ma futuro duca e affascinante, quindi la ragazza esce da una porta per correre subito ad aprire un portone...) che, detestandola e odiandola con tutto se stesso, pensa bene di rapirla per una scommessa e di portarla nel solitario maniero avito e qui.... già qui cosa? ... lui dice che la vorrebbe far rinsavire, ma è tutto fumoso, oltre che francamente abbastanza surreale come procedere di eventi.
Il futuro duca si espone un po', lei piange ogni 3x2, facendo gli occhioni dolci (non sono così cattiva come tutti pensano...) e c'è anche una fase confusa con il ritorno a Londra, perchè i due un colpo sono amici, un colpo si odiano moltissimo....
Sinceramente mi è sembrata una versione regency della Bisbetica domata, o forse no.
Alla fine mi è venuto un lieve mal di testa e non sono riuscita ad entrare tanto in empatia con nessuno dei due. Per mio gusto personale, avrei alleggerito alcune cose e approfondito di più il nascere dell'amore tra Ophelia e Raphael.
In realtà mi ha lasciato piuttosto perplessa, sia nello sviluppo della trama che nei personaggi.
La protagonista è tale Ophelia e già il nome mi ha suscitato emozioni contrastanti. Io non sono certo cresciuta a pane e Shakespeare, però appena sento quel nome ripenso all'Ofelia di Amleto o al dipinto del pittore preraffaellita John Everett Millais (peraltro bello e straziante) e mi assale una grande malinconia.
Quindi non siamo partiti benissimo.
Lei, poi, sarebbe una sorta di Lady Ghiaccio, algida e inaccessibile, famosa per essere la debuttante più corteggiata di Londra (se non "del secolo"! Si trova scritto proprio così all'inizio del romanzo) ma anche quella che rifiuta tutti, spezzando cuori a manetta.
Soltanto che dopo tre pagine m'è parsa un po' una lagna, visto che continua ripetere "mi odiano tutti perchè sono bellissima", "non è colpa mia se così attraente", ecc.
Ecco, diciamo che neanche questo è il mondo migliore per conquistare simpatie.
Inoltre, dopo l'ennesima rottura di un fidanzamento (da lei auspicato, in quanto lo scozzese era un po' villico e non abbastanza alla moda...), si inserisce un tale visconte (ma futuro duca e affascinante, quindi la ragazza esce da una porta per correre subito ad aprire un portone...) che, detestandola e odiandola con tutto se stesso, pensa bene di rapirla per una scommessa e di portarla nel solitario maniero avito e qui.... già qui cosa? ... lui dice che la vorrebbe far rinsavire, ma è tutto fumoso, oltre che francamente abbastanza surreale come procedere di eventi.
Il futuro duca si espone un po', lei piange ogni 3x2, facendo gli occhioni dolci (non sono così cattiva come tutti pensano...) e c'è anche una fase confusa con il ritorno a Londra, perchè i due un colpo sono amici, un colpo si odiano moltissimo....
Sinceramente mi è sembrata una versione regency della Bisbetica domata, o forse no.
Alla fine mi è venuto un lieve mal di testa e non sono riuscita ad entrare tanto in empatia con nessuno dei due. Per mio gusto personale, avrei alleggerito alcune cose e approfondito di più il nascere dell'amore tra Ophelia e Raphael.
June 20, 2020
El principio me pareció muy narrativo, luego fue mejorando la cosa, mas dialogo y mas interesante la historia.
August 11, 2012
Oh Lordy, this has to be one of the worst Romance books I've read. The characters are all hollow and lifeless, which makes the plot - character driven as it is - even worse off then the characters.
The main character, Ophelia, was a Mary Sue. The most beautiful woman in all of england, maybe even world, more beautiful then any other woman who'd ever existed? Come on now... And the whole "I'm so beautiful, everyone hates me" is so cliche it makes me choke.
Even that, though, I can understand and go along with. Romance novels don't have to be the best plot driven things. Just believable, I can make up the rest. Rafe was equally and utterly stupid for someone who is supposed to be smart. The abduction was laughable. The "change" was laughable.
The author made no attempt to breath any life into these characters. The plot was crystal clear and see through, utterly boring because it wasn't supported; the characters stupid, dull, and dead; and to add insult to injury, she wrote the characters speach in some kind of butchered english accent instead of trusting that we can fill that in for ourselves.
Don't read this book. If she's a best seller, then this can't be more then a "need to fulfil a contract" book and nothing else.
The main character, Ophelia, was a Mary Sue. The most beautiful woman in all of england, maybe even world, more beautiful then any other woman who'd ever existed? Come on now... And the whole "I'm so beautiful, everyone hates me" is so cliche it makes me choke.
Even that, though, I can understand and go along with. Romance novels don't have to be the best plot driven things. Just believable, I can make up the rest. Rafe was equally and utterly stupid for someone who is supposed to be smart. The abduction was laughable. The "change" was laughable.
The author made no attempt to breath any life into these characters. The plot was crystal clear and see through, utterly boring because it wasn't supported; the characters stupid, dull, and dead; and to add insult to injury, she wrote the characters speach in some kind of butchered english accent instead of trusting that we can fill that in for ourselves.
Don't read this book. If she's a best seller, then this can't be more then a "need to fulfil a contract" book and nothing else.
May 13, 2011
Not too great. I expected a bit more excitement in the whole story and was a bit disappointed when there wasn't much. Also I found the characters to be a tad bit one-dimensional. The kind of change and growth you'd expect weren't there. And I personally did not like their individual characteristics much. Johanna Lindsey didn't really satisfy me with this one.
May 20, 2020
Una lectura con la que he comprendido mejor la actitud de una protagonista odiosa que consigue encontrar el amor sin buscarlo, y ese amor será el bálsamo que necesita, dos personajes que se complementan a la perfección pese a que cueste reconocerlo.
Reseña completa: https://atrapadaenunashojasdepapel.bl...
Reseña completa: https://atrapadaenunashojasdepapel.bl...
August 10, 2019
Ξεκινώντας το περίμενα ότι δεν θα μου άρεσε καθόλου, ευτυχώς βγήκα λάθος και το απόλαυσα πολύ!
Η ιστορία τους ήταν γλυκιά και συγκινητική!
Η ιστορία τους ήταν γλυκιά και συγκινητική!
March 1, 2010
My Take:
Ophelia Reid is known for her beauty- and at no point in this book will you forget it. The central conflict in Ophelia's life is that she is so beautiful that no one has taken the time to get to know her for who she is. Men flock to her and praise her beauty but see nothing else, and women surround her to try to take advantage of her popularity. She trusts no one and has become bitter and alone, taking out her wrath on those around her. While it's a nice break from the wallflower, it does get a bit out of hand. No one could possibly be that beautiful. There isn't a single character at any point in the book who disagrees. At one point she can't go to a party without a man proposing to her within the first five minutes! In the end, I think the constant descriptions, both in narration and by other characters, of Ophelia's beauty took away from Raphael's admiration of her beauty, both physically and as a person after her "transformation".
I did enjoy the way the romance blossomed between Ophelia and Raphael. He makes a bet to a friend that anyone, even she, would be able to change for the better and subsequently abducts her to his country estate where he makes her see the error of her ways. (This is the part of the novel I didn't really understand- he intends to do this by telling her all the things she's done wrong, something people have been doing for a while. Supposedly he gave her a new perspective, but I only got the sense she was more expressive about the perspectives she already had because they were away from society. Overall, in almost all scenes, she was most personable one on one. I'm not sure what causes her to change her behavior when back in London. It seemed rather sudden and acted more as a plot device rather than an actual change in her character.) While away from society, Ophelia begins to let her defenses down. While there was still an intense and passionate side to their romance, the passages I liked most were Raphael's observations of her and her surprising passion for the simpler things in life.
What I liked most about this book was that the writing didn't get in the way of the story. I personally like Johanna Lindsey's writing style. Die hard historical fans may disagree with some parts of it (I highly doubt that well breed young ladies swore), but there was no overuse of outdated and distracting historical phrases and the language did flow smoothly. I particularly liked this because too often I find myself aware I'm reading a novel rather than engrossed in the story because of the writing elements.
What To Watch Out For:
While I did like the writing style, my one complaint would be that too much is told through dialog. A lot of the back story, such as Ophelia's failed engagement to MacTavish (subject of the first novel of the series) and her childhood are relayed through dialog and conversations, almost to the point where characters are having mini-monologues back and forth. It wasn't realistic, and the information could have either been better shown through non-verbal interactions, narrations, or just been left out.
Also, there did seem to be a bit of missing info. The grand reason for the end of Ophelia's engagement (and possibly a cause for scandal?) is never made clear. I assume it is all revealed at the end of The Heir, the first in the series, but it would have been good to have been made clear in this book as well.
Ophelia Reid is known for her beauty- and at no point in this book will you forget it. The central conflict in Ophelia's life is that she is so beautiful that no one has taken the time to get to know her for who she is. Men flock to her and praise her beauty but see nothing else, and women surround her to try to take advantage of her popularity. She trusts no one and has become bitter and alone, taking out her wrath on those around her. While it's a nice break from the wallflower, it does get a bit out of hand. No one could possibly be that beautiful. There isn't a single character at any point in the book who disagrees. At one point she can't go to a party without a man proposing to her within the first five minutes! In the end, I think the constant descriptions, both in narration and by other characters, of Ophelia's beauty took away from Raphael's admiration of her beauty, both physically and as a person after her "transformation".
I did enjoy the way the romance blossomed between Ophelia and Raphael. He makes a bet to a friend that anyone, even she, would be able to change for the better and subsequently abducts her to his country estate where he makes her see the error of her ways. (This is the part of the novel I didn't really understand- he intends to do this by telling her all the things she's done wrong, something people have been doing for a while. Supposedly he gave her a new perspective, but I only got the sense she was more expressive about the perspectives she already had because they were away from society. Overall, in almost all scenes, she was most personable one on one. I'm not sure what causes her to change her behavior when back in London. It seemed rather sudden and acted more as a plot device rather than an actual change in her character.) While away from society, Ophelia begins to let her defenses down. While there was still an intense and passionate side to their romance, the passages I liked most were Raphael's observations of her and her surprising passion for the simpler things in life.
What I liked most about this book was that the writing didn't get in the way of the story. I personally like Johanna Lindsey's writing style. Die hard historical fans may disagree with some parts of it (I highly doubt that well breed young ladies swore), but there was no overuse of outdated and distracting historical phrases and the language did flow smoothly. I particularly liked this because too often I find myself aware I'm reading a novel rather than engrossed in the story because of the writing elements.
What To Watch Out For:
While I did like the writing style, my one complaint would be that too much is told through dialog. A lot of the back story, such as Ophelia's failed engagement to MacTavish (subject of the first novel of the series) and her childhood are relayed through dialog and conversations, almost to the point where characters are having mini-monologues back and forth. It wasn't realistic, and the information could have either been better shown through non-verbal interactions, narrations, or just been left out.
Also, there did seem to be a bit of missing info. The grand reason for the end of Ophelia's engagement (and possibly a cause for scandal?) is never made clear. I assume it is all revealed at the end of The Heir, the first in the series, but it would have been good to have been made clear in this book as well.
August 15, 2020
This couldn’t have been more of a 3 star read for me. I was so excited to read this book! the cover and stepback were beautiful and the synopsis sounded like so much fun! I really related to ophelia in so many ways. I actually took some things with me while reading this. Im learning how to not react so harshly and to be grateful for what’s around me. Although the message was great the book was incredibly boring. I wish more went into it but it was a pretty simple story. I found Rafe to be incredibly annoying and he had 0 personality which sucked. Also the smut wasn’t the best either. It was just bland and me for me. Im disappointed because everyone raves about johanna lindsey so i hope this was just a bad apple and the author isn’t bad.
March 28, 2019
Δεύτερο βιβλίο της σειράς "Reid Family" και ομολογώ πως η Lindsey καταφέρνει να μας προσφέρει ένα καλύτερο αποτέλεσμα, σε σχέση με το πρώτο βιβλίο, παντρεύοντας τις κλασσικές ιστορίες της "Στρίγκλας που έγινε αρνάκι" και του "Πυγμαλίωνα", σε ένα ρομαντικό μυθιστόρημα εποχής με έντονες δόσεις έρωτα και κωμικής διάθεσης, με έναν τρόπο αρκετά φρέσκο και σύγχρονο παρά το χρονικό πλαίσιο στο οποίο τοποθετείται η όλη δράση. Μάλιστα, αυτή τη φορά, η συγγραφέας επικεντρώνεται σε μια ηρωίδα που ήδη έχουμε γνωρίσει, χωρίς, ωστόσο, να την έχουμε συμπαθήσει ιδιαίτερα, αλλά που την ίδια στιγμή μάς είχε κεντρίσει το ενδιαφέρον και ανυπομονούσαμε να δούμε τη δική της προσωπική ιστορία και να τη γνωρίσουμε καλύτερα. Η στιγμή αυτή, λοιπόν, έφτασε!
Η Οφήλια Ράιντ, ψυχρή και εγωκεντρική νεαρή κορασίδα της υψηλής κοινωνίας, με ιδιαίτερα κακές σχέσεις με τον πατέρα της, διαλύει οριστικά και αμετάκλητα τον αρραβώνα που ο τελευταίος είχε κανονίσει για λογαριασμό της χωρίς τη σύμφωνη γνώμη της. Ο Ντάνκαν ΜακΤράβις έχει βρει, πλέον, την αγάπη της ζωής του, και η Οφήλια αποφασίζει να επιστρέψει στο Λονδίνο έχοντας σκοπό να κάνει το ίδιο. Στο ταξίδι της αυτό τη συνοδεύει ο Ραφαέλ Λοκ, που χωρίς να το γνωρίζει η Οφήλια, έχει βάλει ένα μεγάλο στοίχημα με τον Ντάνκαν που δεν είναι άλλο από το ότι μπορεί να την μετατρέψει σε μια καλόκαρδη δεσποσύνη, ιδανική και ήρεμη σύζυγο, ιδανική για τον κάθε άντρα. Και μπορεί ο Ραφαέλ να μην έχει την καλύτερη γνώμη για την Οφήλια, όμως πιστεύει ακράδαντα πως μπορεί να πετύχει τον σκοπό του. Γι' αυτό τον λόγο, αντί για το Λονδίνο, θα την οδηγήσει στο έρημο εξοχικό της οικογένειάς του προκειμένου να αφοσιωθεί στην εκπαίδευσή της.
Βέβαια, τα πράγματα δεν είναι τόσο απλά όσο φαίνονται, αφού ο Ραφαέλ, μένοντας μόνος του μαζί με την Οφήλια μακριά από το κοσμικό και αποπνικτικό Λονδίνο, θα γνωρίσει και μια άλλη πλευρά της Οφήλια που ποτέ του δεν είχε φανταστεί και που σταδιακά θ' αρχίσει να τον γοητεύει με τρόπους που δεν είχαν καν περάσει ποτέ από το μυαλό του. Μια Οφήλια που δεν είναι ξένος άνθρωπος, αλλά που έχει τους λόγους της να συμπεριφέρεται με κάτι περισσότερο από επιφυλακτικότητα απέναντι στους ανθρώπους, που επιμένουν να την κρίνουν και να της συμπεριφέρονται σύμφωνα με αυτό που φαίνεται να είναι και όχι με αυτό που κρύβει πραγματικά μέσα της. Και όταν ανοίγει την καρδιά της, ένα βήμα τη φορά, ο Ραφαέλ αρχίζει να την καταλαβαίνει, να κατανοεί τις σκέψεις και τα συναισθήματά της, που όσο περισσότερο αφήνει ελεύθερα, τόσο περισσότερο εκείνη αρχίζει να τον ερωτεύεται, διατηρώντας τις επιφυλάξεις της, τόσο απέναντι στους ανθρώπους γενικά, όσο και απέναντι στον άντρα που την έχει γοητεύσει αλλά που μέχρι τώρα την αντιπαθούσε και που δεν ξέρει αν και πως μπορεί να τον κερδίσει.
Στο πρώτο βιβλίο της σειράς, όπως ίσως να θυμάστε, η Οφήλια είχε καταφέρει να κλέψει τις εντυπώσεις. Φυσικά, αυτό δεν το είχε πετύχει με θετικό πρόσημο απέναντι στην ίδια, όμως είναι καλύτερο το να προκαλείς την αντιπάθεια κάποιου από το να του είσαι αδιάφορος. Τουλάχιστον, έτσι ισχυρίζονται ορισμένοι και θα έλεγα πως μάλλον ανήκω κι εγώ σε αυτούς. Σαφέστατα, η Οφήλια, δεν είναι ένας από τους χαρακτήρες εκείνους που σε κερδίζουν εύκολα, πόσο μάλλον όταν η πρώτη σου εντύπωση γι' αυτούς είναι αρνητική, όμως η Lindsey κάνει ό,τι μπορεί προκειμένου να χτίσει το ψυχογράφημά της, όχι για να δικαιολογήσει τα κακά στοιχεία του χαρακτήρα της, αλλά για να μας κάνει να την καταλάβουμε καλύτερα, ίσως και να δικαιολογήσουμε, έστω και σε κάποιον βαθμό, την κακή συμπεριφορά της που πηγάζει από προσωπικά κόμπλεξ που τροφοδοτήθηκαν για χρόνια από το ίδιο της το περιβάλλον και το πως αυτό την αντιμετώπιζε, και μου τη σειρά τους τροφοδότησαν τις εσωτερικές τις ανασφάλειες και τον υπέρμετρο εγωισμό της. Και ναι, όσον αφορά αυτό το κομμάτι, η προσπάθεια της Lindsey αποδίδει.
Η ροή της ιστορίας είναι γρήγορη, αποφεύγοντας κάθε είδους φλυαρία, κι απόλυτα επικεντρωμένη στους ίδιους τους χαρακτήρες και στην ανάλυση και ανάπτυξη του εσωτερισμού τους. Δεν δίνεται μεγάλη βάση στο τι συμβαίνει αλλά στο γιατί αυτό συμβαίνει, κατευθυνόμενο πάντα και απόλυτα από τα ίδια τα πρόσωπα και τα δεδομένα εκείνα που δομούν την προσωπικότητά τους. Το ρομαντικό στοιχείο είναι αρκετά έντονο, μα εμποτισμένο με έντονες δόσεις ρεαλισμού, πράγμα που προσωπικά απολαμβάνω σε κάθε βιβλίο που πραγματεύεται τον έρωτα, όπως έντονη είναι και η καυστική χιουμοριστική διάθεση της Lindsey που σε άλλες περιπτώσεις μπορεί να μην ήταν ιδιαίτερα απολαυστική, αλλά που στην προκειμένη δένει απόλυτα με τις μικρές και μεγάλες λεπτομέρειες που συνθέτουν αυτή την ιστορία. Μια ιστορία με νεύρο κι ένταση που διαβάζεται ευχάριστα, αβίαστα, και που σε κάθε περίπτωση είναι καλύτερα δομημένη και πιο ενδιαφέρουσα από τον "Διάδοχο".
Η Οφήλια Ράιντ, ψυχρή και εγωκεντρική νεαρή κορασίδα της υψηλής κοινωνίας, με ιδιαίτερα κακές σχέσεις με τον πατέρα της, διαλύει οριστικά και αμετάκλητα τον αρραβώνα που ο τελευταίος είχε κανονίσει για λογαριασμό της χωρίς τη σύμφωνη γνώμη της. Ο Ντάνκαν ΜακΤράβις έχει βρει, πλέον, την αγάπη της ζωής του, και η Οφήλια αποφασίζει να επιστρέψει στο Λονδίνο έχοντας σκοπό να κάνει το ίδιο. Στο ταξίδι της αυτό τη συνοδεύει ο Ραφαέλ Λοκ, που χωρίς να το γνωρίζει η Οφήλια, έχει βάλει ένα μεγάλο στοίχημα με τον Ντάνκαν που δεν είναι άλλο από το ότι μπορεί να την μετατρέψει σε μια καλόκαρδη δεσποσύνη, ιδανική και ήρεμη σύζυγο, ιδανική για τον κάθε άντρα. Και μπορεί ο Ραφαέλ να μην έχει την καλύτερη γνώμη για την Οφήλια, όμως πιστεύει ακράδαντα πως μπορεί να πετύχει τον σκοπό του. Γι' αυτό τον λόγο, αντί για το Λονδίνο, θα την οδηγήσει στο έρημο εξοχικό της οικογένειάς του προκειμένου να αφοσιωθεί στην εκπαίδευσή της.
Βέβαια, τα πράγματα δεν είναι τόσο απλά όσο φαίνονται, αφού ο Ραφαέλ, μένοντας μόνος του μαζί με την Οφήλια μακριά από το κοσμικό και αποπνικτικό Λονδίνο, θα γνωρίσει και μια άλλη πλευρά της Οφήλια που ποτέ του δεν είχε φανταστεί και που σταδιακά θ' αρχίσει να τον γοητεύει με τρόπους που δεν είχαν καν περάσει ποτέ από το μυαλό του. Μια Οφήλια που δεν είναι ξένος άνθρωπος, αλλά που έχει τους λόγους της να συμπεριφέρεται με κάτι περισσότερο από επιφυλακτικότητα απέναντι στους ανθρώπους, που επιμένουν να την κρίνουν και να της συμπεριφέρονται σύμφωνα με αυτό που φαίνεται να είναι και όχι με αυτό που κρύβει πραγματικά μέσα της. Και όταν ανοίγει την καρδιά της, ένα βήμα τη φορά, ο Ραφαέλ αρχίζει να την καταλαβαίνει, να κατανοεί τις σκέψεις και τα συναισθήματά της, που όσο περισσότερο αφήνει ελεύθερα, τόσο περισσότερο εκείνη αρχίζει να τον ερωτεύεται, διατηρώντας τις επιφυλάξεις της, τόσο απέναντι στους ανθρώπους γενικά, όσο και απέναντι στον άντρα που την έχει γοητεύσει αλλά που μέχρι τώρα την αντιπαθούσε και που δεν ξέρει αν και πως μπορεί να τον κερδίσει.
Στο πρώτο βιβλίο της σειράς, όπως ίσως να θυμάστε, η Οφήλια είχε καταφέρει να κλέψει τις εντυπώσεις. Φυσικά, αυτό δεν το είχε πετύχει με θετικό πρόσημο απέναντι στην ίδια, όμως είναι καλύτερο το να προκαλείς την αντιπάθεια κάποιου από το να του είσαι αδιάφορος. Τουλάχιστον, έτσι ισχυρίζονται ορισμένοι και θα έλεγα πως μάλλον ανήκω κι εγώ σε αυτούς. Σαφέστατα, η Οφήλια, δεν είναι ένας από τους χαρακτήρες εκείνους που σε κερδίζουν εύκολα, πόσο μάλλον όταν η πρώτη σου εντύπωση γι' αυτούς είναι αρνητική, όμως η Lindsey κάνει ό,τι μπορεί προκειμένου να χτίσει το ψυχογράφημά της, όχι για να δικαιολογήσει τα κακά στοιχεία του χαρακτήρα της, αλλά για να μας κάνει να την καταλάβουμε καλύτερα, ίσως και να δικαιολογήσουμε, έστω και σε κάποιον βαθμό, την κακή συμπεριφορά της που πηγάζει από προσωπικά κόμπλεξ που τροφοδοτήθηκαν για χρόνια από το ίδιο της το περιβάλλον και το πως αυτό την αντιμετώπιζε, και μου τη σειρά τους τροφοδότησαν τις εσωτερικές τις ανασφάλειες και τον υπέρμετρο εγωισμό της. Και ναι, όσον αφορά αυτό το κομμάτι, η προσπάθεια της Lindsey αποδίδει.
Η ροή της ιστορίας είναι γρήγορη, αποφεύγοντας κάθε είδους φλυαρία, κι απόλυτα επικεντρωμένη στους ίδιους τους χαρακτήρες και στην ανάλυση και ανάπτυξη του εσωτερισμού τους. Δεν δίνεται μεγάλη βάση στο τι συμβαίνει αλλά στο γιατί αυτό συμβαίνει, κατευθυνόμενο πάντα και απόλυτα από τα ίδια τα πρόσωπα και τα δεδομένα εκείνα που δομούν την προσωπικότητά τους. Το ρομαντικό στοιχείο είναι αρκετά έντονο, μα εμποτισμένο με έντονες δόσεις ρεαλισμού, πράγμα που προσωπικά απολαμβάνω σε κάθε βιβλίο που πραγματεύεται τον έρωτα, όπως έντονη είναι και η καυστική χιουμοριστική διάθεση της Lindsey που σε άλλες περιπτώσεις μπορεί να μην ήταν ιδιαίτερα απολαυστική, αλλά που στην προκειμένη δένει απόλυτα με τις μικρές και μεγάλες λεπτομέρειες που συνθέτουν αυτή την ιστορία. Μια ιστορία με νεύρο κι ένταση που διαβάζεται ευχάριστα, αβίαστα, και που σε κάθε περίπτωση είναι καλύτερα δομημένη και πιο ενδιαφέρουσα από τον "Διάδοχο".
June 10, 2015
I've been a very avid reader of Johanna Lindsey's books ever since my mom told me "A Pirate's Love" as a bedtime story. (She didn't include the other scenes, don't worry) Anyway, I did really like this book. I haven't read "The Heir" yet so I wasn't able to meet Ophelia's character from before.
I liked the cover and was enthralled by it because it was written by Johanna Lindsey. I really did like how it was explained why Ophelia became the way she was and it was quite enjoyable reading them falling in love with each other. The book was romantic, witty and would really make you envious of Ophelia's beauty. Even now, I could still never picture anyone who might be Ophelia.
However, the plot was a bit confusing. I wouldn't have thought that a bet would have made a guy do what the hero in this story did. He kidnapped Ophelia in order to "change" her because of a bet made with his best friend. Later on he realized he wanted to do it willingly to make Ophelia happy and also because he just wants to "help" her. I wouldn't think that motivation enough, but maybe it could be possible.
I didn't really care for much of the other things but when I read the book again, I found their 1st "love scene" totally wrong. Most books I've read, the hero would make love w/ the heroine because he loved her or they were married or engaged or have plans of marrying or something of the like, however, in this story, they did it because they just wanted to. Oh and also as a way for Ophelia to release her hidden passion. Seriously?! sigh] Raphael had no plans of marrying her at all even though he have obviously compromised her.
Good thing though because at least this is not my most disliked book by Johanna Lindsey. I really hated that robot futuristic one.
I still do recommend this book to Johanna Lindsey's avid fans. If you only want a quick read then this is the book for you.
I liked the cover and was enthralled by it because it was written by Johanna Lindsey. I really did like how it was explained why Ophelia became the way she was and it was quite enjoyable reading them falling in love with each other. The book was romantic, witty and would really make you envious of Ophelia's beauty. Even now, I could still never picture anyone who might be Ophelia.
However, the plot was a bit confusing. I wouldn't have thought that a bet would have made a guy do what the hero in this story did. He kidnapped Ophelia in order to "change" her because of a bet made with his best friend. Later on he realized he wanted to do it willingly to make Ophelia happy and also because he just wants to "help" her. I wouldn't think that motivation enough, but maybe it could be possible.
I didn't really care for much of the other things but when I read the book again, I found their 1st "love scene" totally wrong. Most books I've read, the hero would make love w/ the heroine because he loved her or they were married or engaged or have plans of marrying or something of the like, however, in this story, they did it because they just wanted to. Oh and also as a way for Ophelia to release her hidden passion. Seriously?! sigh] Raphael had no plans of marrying her at all even though he have obviously compromised her.
Good thing though because at least this is not my most disliked book by Johanna Lindsey. I really hated that robot futuristic one.
I still do recommend this book to Johanna Lindsey's avid fans. If you only want a quick read then this is the book for you.
April 27, 2016
Eh. The title of The Devil Who Tamed Her is ironic considering how tame the romance was. I felt it lacked the author's typical trademark passion and entertaining writing. The passion between the protagonists never seemed to surpass anything beyond lukewarm. Raphael wasn't as smitten with Ophelia as I would have liked, even after encountering the sweeter and nicer Ophelia (whose true nature had been lying dormant). His plan to improve Ophelia for everyone else's sake because he's into helping underdogs just seemed silly and arrogant. Ophelia's reasons for acting the way she did in the past were plausible yet still left me indifferent to her character.
If one is looking for a similar Pygmalion story executed better, try Once More, My Darling Rogue by Lorraine Heath. It's a blessing that Johanna Lindsey is still writing romance, but this one was sadly just subpar for me.
If one is looking for a similar Pygmalion story executed better, try Once More, My Darling Rogue by Lorraine Heath. It's a blessing that Johanna Lindsey is still writing romance, but this one was sadly just subpar for me.
dnf
July 29, 2024DNF @ 22%
I’ve had terrible luck with Johanna Lindsay! I liked the first book I read by her but have DNFed the other two I picked up. I was going to try to keep going with this one but, honestly, if a historical romance takes me over a month to read I’m not going to pick it back up and suddenly fall in love with the couple.
The guy was awful - who kidnaps a woman, takes her to the middle of nowhere, and decides he’s going to “tame her”?? Like, “I’m going to teach you how to be a proper woman, because I’m a man and I know everything.” Be still my beating heart. 🙄 And she doesn’t even really fight back!!! If you’re going to make the guy that much of a pompous ass, you need to have his love interest challenge him and have some growth happen with both characters otherwise it’s not romantic and fun, it’s abusive and gross.
No thanks. 🤷🏼♀️
I’ve had terrible luck with Johanna Lindsay! I liked the first book I read by her but have DNFed the other two I picked up. I was going to try to keep going with this one but, honestly, if a historical romance takes me over a month to read I’m not going to pick it back up and suddenly fall in love with the couple.
The guy was awful - who kidnaps a woman, takes her to the middle of nowhere, and decides he’s going to “tame her”?? Like, “I’m going to teach you how to be a proper woman, because I’m a man and I know everything.” Be still my beating heart. 🙄 And she doesn’t even really fight back!!! If you’re going to make the guy that much of a pompous ass, you need to have his love interest challenge him and have some growth happen with both characters otherwise it’s not romantic and fun, it’s abusive and gross.
No thanks. 🤷🏼♀️
June 21, 2020
Both the Hero and Heroine has extended roles in the previous book in the series “The Heir“
Though the series is named as Reid family presumably after Ophelia Reid, she’s doesn’t have any siblings and is the only child to her parents. So I wonder why this series is named as Reid Family. Considering that the Hero is a Locke and the remaining 2 books are members of his family, I think that the series should be renamed as Locke Family.
Reading about her extremely negative characterisation in the previous book, one wonders how the author is going to redeem her in this book. And she gives us a “Taming of the Shrew”.
The author portrays the heroine’s nature as undergoing a 360 degree turn. Quite unbelievable actually.
Though the series is named as Reid family presumably after Ophelia Reid, she’s doesn’t have any siblings and is the only child to her parents. So I wonder why this series is named as Reid Family. Considering that the Hero is a Locke and the remaining 2 books are members of his family, I think that the series should be renamed as Locke Family.
Reading about her extremely negative characterisation in the previous book, one wonders how the author is going to redeem her in this book. And she gives us a “Taming of the Shrew”.
The author portrays the heroine’s nature as undergoing a 360 degree turn. Quite unbelievable actually.
February 9, 2020
מקסים!
April 25, 2022
3.5 stars
October 18, 2011
I've read many Johanna Lindsey books (most of which I've loved), but I wasn't initially planning on reading The Devil Who Tamed Her because I'd heard from a few friends that the characters in it are very unlikeable. BUT one day I was in the book store looking for a Johanna Lindsey book that I hadn't yet read and this was the only one on the shelf at the time, so I decided to give it a try anyway. I'm so glad I gave this book a chance, because I absolutely loved it! The story revolves around Ophelia, a beautiful woman who'd just intentionally sabotaged her engagement to a prominent Scot named Duncan, and her fiance's friend, Rafe. Ophelia is known for being a gossip and a shrew, so Duncan and Rafe make a bet that Rafe can't teach her the error of her ways. It did strike me as a little strange why Rafe would accept such a bet and go to the lengths he went to in order to "tame" Ophelia, but he claims several times throughout the book it is because he likes to help people and he thinks it will help Ophelia be able to find a husband she loves (instead of having to marry someone of her father's choosing). After Rafe absconds Ophelia away to his grandfather's secluded estate, he goes about trying to get Ophelia to confess all the bad things she's done (gossip, lies, etc) only to discover she's not really the shrew everyone believes her to be. During this process, Ophelia is constantly reminded of all the wrongs her father did to her and how she never really had a real childhood because her father insisted she be treated like an adult. Her father's ambition in life is to see her married to a man with a great title, even if that man is not of her choosing. It's impossible not to like Ophelia, especially when you learn of all the ways she'd tried helping her so-called friends. Yes, she's considered the most beautiful girl in London, but she actually hates her beauty because all she really wants is a man to love her for who she is - not for her pretty face. During her time alone with Rafe, they both become attracted to one another and end up making love. Rafe, however, claims he's not ready to marry yet and Ophelia says she will never consider Rafe as a husband because of how much her father would love to have a future duke as a son-in-law. When Ophelia is back in London, it isn't long before Rafe is attending the same parties as she is, and their paths cross often. Ophelia is actually grateful for Rafe's help and considers him a friend (and maybe more), until she discovers the bet between Duncan and Rafe. She feels incredibly betrayed and tries her best to convince Rafe that he never helped her at all. Near the end of the book, it seems that only a miracle can bring them together. The last few chapters of this book are very intense and filled with emotion on both sides. I couldn't put The Devil Who Tamed Her down! If you enjoy historical romance, I highly recommend giving this book a try.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 3, 2019
People can change
July 7, 2018
"The Devil Who Tamed Her" is the story of Ophelia and Raphael.
The protagonists of this book have been introduced in the last- Lady Ophelia is the gorgeous, ethereal beauty with a vile tongue and even more wretched behavior. We saw her tantrums and snide, thoughtless remarks in the previous book- and for me she was a villain beyond redemption..
That is until I started this book and JL proved me wrong. It fascinated me, how her true character was revealed in layers, her actions justified but not defended, and how she took criticism and changed for the better.
The book begins with Lady Ophelia running away as her ex fiance Duncan chooses to marry the poor Sabrina. While this is happening, Duncan challenges Raphael that Ophelia is nonredeemable, and the latter takes on the bet to tame the shrew.
Kidnapping and whisking her away to a remote countryside, he plans to make her realize her misdeeds, but what he does not count is the growing attraction to her, and as he sees the real Ophelia emerging, he starts falling for her..
But there are many hindrances to their blooming comfort- Ophelia hides behind a hellish mask whenever she is angry, and Raphael has not yet revealed the whole truth to her.
Two notorious people who are used to attention- while one despises it, other revels in it-can they finally find the truth about one another?
I enjoyed this book till 80%. I felt Ophelia was vindicated in this book, and her character was finally likable. Raphael on the other hand starts as a charming rake, but as the book progresses becomes more and more short tempered and impulsive, until we reach the dramatic climax. I felt the feelings were not addressed after the conflict, and that there should have been more groveling/detailed confession.
That being said, liked the epilogue and the few sex scenes (JL is their queen!)
Safe? SWE?
3.5/5
The protagonists of this book have been introduced in the last- Lady Ophelia is the gorgeous, ethereal beauty with a vile tongue and even more wretched behavior. We saw her tantrums and snide, thoughtless remarks in the previous book- and for me she was a villain beyond redemption..
That is until I started this book and JL proved me wrong. It fascinated me, how her true character was revealed in layers, her actions justified but not defended, and how she took criticism and changed for the better.
The book begins with Lady Ophelia running away as her ex fiance Duncan chooses to marry the poor Sabrina. While this is happening, Duncan challenges Raphael that Ophelia is nonredeemable, and the latter takes on the bet to tame the shrew.
Kidnapping and whisking her away to a remote countryside, he plans to make her realize her misdeeds, but what he does not count is the growing attraction to her, and as he sees the real Ophelia emerging, he starts falling for her..
But there are many hindrances to their blooming comfort- Ophelia hides behind a hellish mask whenever she is angry, and Raphael has not yet revealed the whole truth to her.
Two notorious people who are used to attention- while one despises it, other revels in it-can they finally find the truth about one another?
I enjoyed this book till 80%. I felt Ophelia was vindicated in this book, and her character was finally likable. Raphael on the other hand starts as a charming rake, but as the book progresses becomes more and more short tempered and impulsive, until we reach the dramatic climax. I felt the feelings were not addressed after the conflict, and that there should have been more groveling/detailed confession.
That being said, liked the epilogue and the few sex scenes (JL is their queen!)
Safe? SWE?
3.5/5
April 14, 2019
Lastimosamente no ha estado a la altura; y es una pena xq la historia prometía. Ophelia y Rafe podrían haber sido una de esas parejas de anti héroes memorables pero me resultaron demasiado arrogantes, demasiado consientes de sus virtudes: Ophelia es taaaan bella, q es irresistible y no soporta a nadie xq todos solo la quieren xq es hermosa (really????) y Raphael es taaaan noble, tan buenazo q está dispuesto a "hacerla cambiar" xq es lo mejor para ella (really??????).
La relación de amor-odio no resulta creíble xq no me ha parecido q se odien lo suficiente; y aunq se supone q se odiaban a muerte, por lo menos yo me he perdido esas peleas monumentales q suelen caracterizar este tipo de relaciones. Pero tampoco he sentido saltar las chispas; y cada vez q el giro de los acontecimientos parecía ponerse bueno, todo terminaba demasiado rápido, y sin mayores detalles lo q resultó en escenas románticas de lo más forzadas, como x obligación. Los diálogos no tenían sabor y mucho menos fuego, son mayormente cliché y es una lástima xq me consta q la autora puede dar diálogos realmente memorables. Y él único drama q realmente pudo haberle dado alzo de sazón, q fue el accidente de ella, en primer lugar resulta confuso, xq tarda más en describir a la gente de los alrededores q el horror q debe sentir el marido al ver al amor de su vida destrozada, y luego la reconciliación....REALLY?????????
Cuestión q me ha parecido una historia de lo más mediocre....una pena.
La relación de amor-odio no resulta creíble xq no me ha parecido q se odien lo suficiente; y aunq se supone q se odiaban a muerte, por lo menos yo me he perdido esas peleas monumentales q suelen caracterizar este tipo de relaciones. Pero tampoco he sentido saltar las chispas; y cada vez q el giro de los acontecimientos parecía ponerse bueno, todo terminaba demasiado rápido, y sin mayores detalles lo q resultó en escenas románticas de lo más forzadas, como x obligación. Los diálogos no tenían sabor y mucho menos fuego, son mayormente cliché y es una lástima xq me consta q la autora puede dar diálogos realmente memorables. Y él único drama q realmente pudo haberle dado alzo de sazón, q fue el accidente de ella, en primer lugar resulta confuso, xq tarda más en describir a la gente de los alrededores q el horror q debe sentir el marido al ver al amor de su vida destrozada, y luego la reconciliación....REALLY?????????
Cuestión q me ha parecido una historia de lo más mediocre....una pena.
December 4, 2010
Audiobook. Narrator Laural Merlington.
The book starts out with Ophelia having been rejected on the day of her wedding, which she's not too upset about. Raphael is a friend of the ex-groom to be and makes a wager with him that he can turn this mean girl into a nice one, kidnaps her and her maid and takes her to one of his houses far away. I would have hated Raphael. He was so holier-than-thou and would bring out a literal list of her shortcomings to go through with her.
***Spoilers***Then to top it all off, he has sex with her even though she's a virgin without planning on marrying her. She's a woman of the "ton" but this doesn't seem to bother her at all. What a pig! So, even though the narration was great and the book itself wasn't so bad, this story drove me crazy. Therefore, the lower rating.
The book starts out with Ophelia having been rejected on the day of her wedding, which she's not too upset about. Raphael is a friend of the ex-groom to be and makes a wager with him that he can turn this mean girl into a nice one, kidnaps her and her maid and takes her to one of his houses far away. I would have hated Raphael. He was so holier-than-thou and would bring out a literal list of her shortcomings to go through with her.
***Spoilers***Then to top it all off, he has sex with her even though she's a virgin without planning on marrying her. She's a woman of the "ton" but this doesn't seem to bother her at all. What a pig! So, even though the narration was great and the book itself wasn't so bad, this story drove me crazy. Therefore, the lower rating.
October 23, 2020
DNF @ 87%.
Ophelia is super bland and Rafe is an ass.
I was intrigued by the premise because I believed that it could make for an interesting story but it was super disappointing. Because I hadn’t read book 1 I didn’t know Ophelia as she was before so I didn’t really find her irritating to begin with and the whole she’s so beautiful everyone is jealous of her and she’s super lonely was bland. There was nothing else to her character.
And Rafe was so annoying. The premise is supposedly that he is perfect and he was far from it. I got so frustrated at her supposedly goading him into marrying her? Okay maybe she was immature to have teased him but surely it’s a fault of his not hers that he isn’t able to act like a mature adult in response. Basically every time he did something wrong it would somehow be blamed on her behaviour until she was a boring doormat.
Ophelia is super bland and Rafe is an ass.
I was intrigued by the premise because I believed that it could make for an interesting story but it was super disappointing. Because I hadn’t read book 1 I didn’t know Ophelia as she was before so I didn’t really find her irritating to begin with and the whole she’s so beautiful everyone is jealous of her and she’s super lonely was bland. There was nothing else to her character.
And Rafe was so annoying. The premise is supposedly that he is perfect and he was far from it. I got so frustrated at her supposedly goading him into marrying her? Okay maybe she was immature to have teased him but surely it’s a fault of his not hers that he isn’t able to act like a mature adult in response. Basically every time he did something wrong it would somehow be blamed on her behaviour until she was a boring doormat.
August 13, 2011
This is really 3.5 stars ;)
I really didn't want to like Ophelia.... practically hated her in the first book in this series. Strongly disliked her through about half of this one. But by the end, she had grown on me. I still don't approve of her reasoning for why she behaved the way she did. An uncontrollable temper? Only having the best intentions when saying something or doing something but it's always misconstrued because of the way people perceive you because you are mean spirited? I just don't buy it.
And you know all those times I said I hoped she got ran over by her horse and carriage? I kinda feel bad cause she did in this book ;)
I really didn't want to like Ophelia.... practically hated her in the first book in this series. Strongly disliked her through about half of this one. But by the end, she had grown on me. I still don't approve of her reasoning for why she behaved the way she did. An uncontrollable temper? Only having the best intentions when saying something or doing something but it's always misconstrued because of the way people perceive you because you are mean spirited? I just don't buy it.
And you know all those times I said I hoped she got ran over by her horse and carriage? I kinda feel bad cause she did in this book ;)
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