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Pembroke Palace #3
When a Stranger Loves Me
I saved his life, and I had much to demand in return…
When a stranger washes ashore with no memory of his life or where he came from, Lady Chelsea believes her prayers have been answered. She need no longer fear poverty and heartbreak. To secure her family’s estate, all she needs is a child.
Handsome and clearly noble-born, the mysterious stranger is perfect. She must simply visit his bedchamber and seduce him.
Chelsea expects him to be a skillful, generous lover, but once in his arms, she is overcome by something far more powerful than mere passion. Before long, she realizes she has fallen hopelessly, desperately in love.
Lady Chelsea’s plan has gone shockingly awry, and when his family arrives unexpectedly to claim him, she must ask herself if she is willing to do whatever it takes to cling to a happiness she never believed possible…and to make this stranger love her.
When a stranger washes ashore with no memory of his life or where he came from, Lady Chelsea believes her prayers have been answered. She need no longer fear poverty and heartbreak. To secure her family’s estate, all she needs is a child.
Handsome and clearly noble-born, the mysterious stranger is perfect. She must simply visit his bedchamber and seduce him.
Chelsea expects him to be a skillful, generous lover, but once in his arms, she is overcome by something far more powerful than mere passion. Before long, she realizes she has fallen hopelessly, desperately in love.
Lady Chelsea’s plan has gone shockingly awry, and when his family arrives unexpectedly to claim him, she must ask herself if she is willing to do whatever it takes to cling to a happiness she never believed possible…and to make this stranger love her.
351 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 2, 2013
386 people are currently reading
655 people want to read
About the author
Julianne MacLean
80 books4,322 followersJulianne MacLean is a USA Today bestselling author of more than thirty novels, including the contemporary women’s fiction Color of Heaven Series. Readers have described her books as “breathtaking,” “soulful” and “uplifting.” MacLean is a four-time RITA finalist and has won numerous awards, including the Booksellers’ Best Award and a Reviewers’ Choice Award from Romantic Times. Her novels have sold millions of copies worldwide and have been published in over a dozen languages.
MacLean has a degree in English literature from the University of King’s College in Halifax, Nova Scotia, and a degree in business administration from Acadia University in Wolfville, Nova Scotia. She loves to travel and has lived in New Zealand, Canada, and England. MacLean currently resides on the east coast of Canada in a lakeside home with her husband and daughter.
For more information about Julianne and her writing life, please visit her website at www.juliannemaclean.com. Be sure to follow her on Bookbub to be notified whenever her ebooks are offered for FREE or 99 cents. (www.bookbub.com/authors/julianne-maclean) and chat with her on Facebook (www.facebook.com/JulianneMacLeanRoman...), Twitter (@JulianneMacLean), and Instagram (@JulianneMaclean).
MacLean has a degree in English literature from the University of King’s College in Halifax, Nova Scotia, and a degree in business administration from Acadia University in Wolfville, Nova Scotia. She loves to travel and has lived in New Zealand, Canada, and England. MacLean currently resides on the east coast of Canada in a lakeside home with her husband and daughter.
For more information about Julianne and her writing life, please visit her website at www.juliannemaclean.com. Be sure to follow her on Bookbub to be notified whenever her ebooks are offered for FREE or 99 cents. (www.bookbub.com/authors/julianne-maclean) and chat with her on Facebook (www.facebook.com/JulianneMacLeanRoman...), Twitter (@JulianneMacLean), and Instagram (@JulianneMaclean).
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 69 reviews
August 6, 2009
Update: i love julianne maclean, but this book is utterly ridiculous.
the premise is CRAZY! heroine chelsea rescues a naked man she finds unconscious in some caves near her home. she's been exiled to this island because of some "scandal" years before. anyway, she's being pressured to marry because her older bro can't produce an heir with his wife...or at least they haven't. so, she sets out to seduce the stranger so she can get pregnant from him and pass the baby off as her brother and sister in law's! that way, she won't have to marry! if that isn't crazy, why is this chick in love with the stranger...who by the way has lost his memory...after only 2 nights of sex. c'mon! i know virgins are susceptible to romantic notions...but really! there is a mystery slapped in here, but it's all wrapped up too quickly. there's like a paragraph of explanation for what happens rather than a development. ahh well.
the premise is CRAZY! heroine chelsea rescues a naked man she finds unconscious in some caves near her home. she's been exiled to this island because of some "scandal" years before. anyway, she's being pressured to marry because her older bro can't produce an heir with his wife...or at least they haven't. so, she sets out to seduce the stranger so she can get pregnant from him and pass the baby off as her brother and sister in law's! that way, she won't have to marry! if that isn't crazy, why is this chick in love with the stranger...who by the way has lost his memory...after only 2 nights of sex. c'mon! i know virgins are susceptible to romantic notions...but really! there is a mystery slapped in here, but it's all wrapped up too quickly. there's like a paragraph of explanation for what happens rather than a development. ahh well.
April 27, 2009
Humph. Julieanne MacLean is a talented writer. Her prose flows beautifully and her characters are memorable. Unfortunately, the plot in "When a Stranger Loves Me" was just a bit too outre FOR ME.
Chelsea lives a life of freedom now that she's disgraced. However, she's perfectly content with her writing and her rambles about the seashore. But since her brother and his wife have been unable to have a child, he and her mother are looking to marry her off to the presumptive heir--a nasty, smelly old man. Desperate to save herself, when a stranger with no memory washes up on the seashore, Chelsea's inventive mind begins to spin a plot.
He has no memory, no clothes, and almost no life! Since he woke up, 'Jack' has clung to the woman who saved him. Their time together is increasingly special and passionate. But when he discovers Chelsea's plot...nothing can convince him of her true feelings.
Chelsea is a truly unusual heroine. But even understanding her reasoning didn't wash the foul taste from my mouth. And the complicity of her mother and brother was the last straw. For me, there were just too many things that didn't make sense. I understand they were needed to progress the story, but I just flat out didn't like or believe them. That made the whole book more of a chore than an enjoyment.
On the plus side, everything else carried Ms. MacLean's normal great writing--pace, tension, relationship--all were there for me with the big exception of a few plot devices. The good news is, if this doesn't bug you, then "When a Stranger Loves Me" will be another winner for you!
Chelsea lives a life of freedom now that she's disgraced. However, she's perfectly content with her writing and her rambles about the seashore. But since her brother and his wife have been unable to have a child, he and her mother are looking to marry her off to the presumptive heir--a nasty, smelly old man. Desperate to save herself, when a stranger with no memory washes up on the seashore, Chelsea's inventive mind begins to spin a plot.
He has no memory, no clothes, and almost no life! Since he woke up, 'Jack' has clung to the woman who saved him. Their time together is increasingly special and passionate. But when he discovers Chelsea's plot...nothing can convince him of her true feelings.
Chelsea is a truly unusual heroine. But even understanding her reasoning didn't wash the foul taste from my mouth. And the complicity of her mother and brother was the last straw. For me, there were just too many things that didn't make sense. I understand they were needed to progress the story, but I just flat out didn't like or believe them. That made the whole book more of a chore than an enjoyment.
On the plus side, everything else carried Ms. MacLean's normal great writing--pace, tension, relationship--all were there for me with the big exception of a few plot devices. The good news is, if this doesn't bug you, then "When a Stranger Loves Me" will be another winner for you!
March 16, 2021
Niet zo'n fijn verhaal als de 2 voorgaande in deze serie . Het plan van Chelsea wat ze met goedkeuring van haar moeder , broer en schoonzus uitvoert is niet erg eerlijk tegenover de onbekende man - met geheugenverlies - die ze halfdood van het strand heeft gehaald . Dit is de reden waarom ik dit verhaal lager waardeer dan de 2 hiervoor .
Wat jammer dat de volgende delen van deze serie niet in het Ned. vertaald zijn uitgegeven .
Wat jammer dat de volgende delen van deze serie niet in het Ned. vertaald zijn uitgegeven .
March 27, 2022
Someone remind me to stop picking up this author's romance books LOL
I got sucked into reading this after a two-chapter preview of it in the previous book, "The Mistress Diaries", Pembroke Palace #2.
I got sucked into reading this after a two-chapter preview of it in the previous book, "The Mistress Diaries", Pembroke Palace #2.
July 7, 2018
Lo que más me gustó fue ver al hermano Sinclair mas discreto y obediente mostrando su lado más espontáneo. El romance es un poco extraño por las circunstancias, casi surrealista, pero me gustó bastante.
March 18, 2016
"Eso no cambia el hecho de que, ahora, lo que menos me gusta de ti es tu interés oportunista, tu capacidad para utilizar y engañar a un hombre herido que no tiene medios para escapar de tus nocivas atenciones."
Sabía que el libro no sería la gran cosa, la sinopsis lo dice clarito. Es una estupidez. Encontrar desconocidos que han perdido la memoria es casi un género en sí mismo y de vez en cuando se encuentran libros llevaderos (Diez días contigo, Un Beso Inolvidable, Prohibido.... ) pero este, lamentablemente, no lo es.
Chelsea arruinó su reputación al fugarse con un cazafortunas hace siete años, ahora, exiliada por motus propio en una isla se encuentra aburrida. Siete años de estar demasiado libre no le han hecho mucho bien a su cabecita y vive en una fantasía donde ha dejado de considerar el daño que sus actos pueden hacerle a otros. En eso pensaba, cuando se encuentra en una cueva marina a un desconocido desnudo y golpeado. Y acá es donde parece una historia de terror, o al menos si yo fuera Blake me asustaría:
Te despiertas herido, pero cuidado y vendado en una habitación que no reconoces en un lugar que no sientes tuyo y sin un solo recuerdo. Es como si volvieras a nacer. A tu lado, se encuentra una belleza rubia que promete satisfacer todos tus deseos con una sonrisa pícara. Como no tienes nada de que dudar, se acuestan. Pero ella sigue volviendo por más, y más. Y cuando menos lo esperas pasan días enteros haciendo el amor en una casa donde esta belleza vive junto con su familia. Te preguntas, ¿es que nadie se preocupa por su reputación? Empiezas a notar cosas: que cierran la puerta con llave, que le ponen láudano a tu vino, que la joven parece demasiado entusiasta de que te vuelvas descuidado en la cama. Pides salir, ver el sol, comer con los familiares en la mesa. Aceptan y pronto formas parte de la escena familiar. Un desconocido encantador.
Sucede que una noche escuchas lo que no debías escuchar: la madre de la muchacha la está regañando de que esta noche debería estar acostándose contigo, dos o tres veces para asegurar el resultado. Cuando un escalofrío corre por tu cuerpo sabes que definitivamente algo va mal. ¿Qué haces? Vas y arrinconas a la muchacha en busca de la verdad y nada más que la verdad. Y te suelta esto:
Su hermano necesita un heredero. Si algo le pasa toda la familia quedaría al amparo de un pariente viejo que busca casarse con la joven. A ella se le ocurrió que dado que el desconocido es bonito no le vendría mal conocer el placer de tenerle en sus brazos y si todo sale bien quedar embarazada para darle ese bebé a su hermano para que lo haga pasar por suyo así el problema de la descendencia queda solucionada y ella no tenga que casarse con un viejo verde para darle paz a la familia. Su primer hijo a cambio de la libertad de no tener que casarse forzosamente. Parece un cuento de hadas, ¿a que no?
En fin, no hay manera de que este plan descabellado, inconsciente y mal planificado saliera bien. Ella acepta acostarse con un tipo que no conoce de nada y con el que apenas ha hablado para salir de un problema. Está mal y difícilmente lo entiende. Acá no hay amor de ningún lado. No se conocen, el sexo no es bueno es aburrido y espantoso. Frío, frío, chato. Y el conflicto que le sigue es peor todavía.
Lo que considero como un punto positivo es que al perder Blake la memoria recupera parte de la personalidad que por el honor, la obligación y la responsabilidad tuvo que reprimir así que si no quiere ser más el hermano amable no lo es, si no quiere ser el cordero sacrificado no lo es, y si culpa a sus irresponsables hermanos por cargarle a tan joven edad responsabilidades que eran de ellos los culpa. Bien por él.
"-Esta casa es un circo.
-Y que lo digas."
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 22, 2014
I have no idea why I picked this book up. I finished it hoping that I'd remember. I didn't.
Overall, I found this book formulaic without redemption in the form of characters or plot twists. The ending felt rushed, even though I was really glad to see it end. I can't see reading anything further by this author.
Overall, I found this book formulaic without redemption in the form of characters or plot twists. The ending felt rushed, even though I was really glad to see it end. I can't see reading anything further by this author.
February 8, 2009
The premise of this novel was both cliched and innovative - a woman falls in love with a man who has lost his memory ... But the whole situation starts up when she plots to seduce him so that she could conceive a child to escape a marriage to a horrifying man. And the novel is a carefree and enjoyable read ... until the man in question begins to recover his memory.
From there, things get more complicated - which certainly could have been an opportunity for some fabulous writing. Instead, it gets predictable and almost far-fetched. There's a lot of potential in this book and that makes me wish the execution had been better towards the end.
From there, things get more complicated - which certainly could have been an opportunity for some fabulous writing. Instead, it gets predictable and almost far-fetched. There's a lot of potential in this book and that makes me wish the execution had been better towards the end.
May 26, 2010
I read a review that praised this book highly for its honesty. That's one way of looking at it, but the words that came more to my mind were "prosaic," "passionless," even "clinical." Despite a ridiculous plot, there was great potential here to stir some powerful emotions, but the writing is completely lacking in oomph. When a plot twist that should have been exciting made me yawn, I called it a day.
February 13, 2021
I am personally a sucker for a good amnesia romance. All the better for it being the male lead rather than the female suffering that particular affliction.
It's a running theme for me that I like the elements of these (Pembroke Palace) stories yet the specifics of how they hang together don't necessarily knock my socks off. For me, this plot would have been fun in a slightly grittier longer duration novel - which is impossible in the time constraint of the series (the running theme of this series is that all 4 men must be married by Christmas).
This timeline forces the story down a 'love at first sight' path that means the characters don't have time for a proper falling out. It packs a lot in and some of it lands, other parts make me want to get a red pen out and adjust it. But I enjoyed the change from the previous two books.
There's definitely consent issues associated with dishonesty in the sexual plot of this book. This is declared pretty clearly in the books blurb but if that isn't your sort of thing it might be worth giving this a miss. The sexual acts themselves are consentual, but the ulterior motives are not.
It's a running theme for me that I like the elements of these (Pembroke Palace) stories yet the specifics of how they hang together don't necessarily knock my socks off. For me, this plot would have been fun in a slightly grittier longer duration novel - which is impossible in the time constraint of the series (the running theme of this series is that all 4 men must be married by Christmas).
This timeline forces the story down a 'love at first sight' path that means the characters don't have time for a proper falling out. It packs a lot in and some of it lands, other parts make me want to get a red pen out and adjust it. But I enjoyed the change from the previous two books.
There's definitely consent issues associated with dishonesty in the sexual plot of this book. This is declared pretty clearly in the books blurb but if that isn't your sort of thing it might be worth giving this a miss. The sexual acts themselves are consentual, but the ulterior motives are not.
April 1, 2024
This book is entertaining and soap opera-ish at times. It is also wildly unrealistic and the premise is downright crazy but I suppose most of us don’t read this genre for the realism. 🙃 I mostly enjoyed the book, especially the second part after Chelsea’s insane plot was discovered and Blake’s family showed up to claim him. I couldn’t put this down after about the halfway point. The Elizabeth storyline was a fun twist that could have brought even more drama than it did. It actually wrapped up pretty quickly and neatly. I do like the two books I’ve read from this series and although I don’t think I’ll read the others because I don’t find their blurbs as interesting, I will look at other books in Macclean‘s backlog.
December 10, 2020
When a Stranger Love Me (Love at Pembroke Palace Book 3)
The love story of Chelsea and Blake (Jack). Chelsea find a man in a cave on the beach who is half dead. She name the man Jack. Her mother want her to marry her cousin who will be the next earl if her brother dose not have a heir. She come up with a plan, she will have a baby for her brother and sister-in-law. Can she do it?
Blake has lost his memory. He is found by Chelsea in a cave. She name him Jack. Will he get his memories back? Great story.
The love story of Chelsea and Blake (Jack). Chelsea find a man in a cave on the beach who is half dead. She name the man Jack. Her mother want her to marry her cousin who will be the next earl if her brother dose not have a heir. She come up with a plan, she will have a baby for her brother and sister-in-law. Can she do it?
Blake has lost his memory. He is found by Chelsea in a cave. She name him Jack. Will he get his memories back? Great story.
February 1, 2021
Chelsea is on the beach when she finds a nude man. She has been on the Jersey shore for years after she was shunned by society. The man is Blake Sinclair who when he wakes up cannot remember anything about who he is or what happened. His mind is a blank. Lady Chelsea thinks she will seduce him and have a child for her brother and sister-in-law since they have not been able to have a baby. This does not work out but eventually Blake's oldest brother comes to get him. Read to find out how the future works out for Blake and Chelsea.
February 22, 2022
Chelsea finds a man washed up on the island where she lives and he has amnesia. Chelsea devises a plan so she doesn't have to wed an older man. Blake doesn't get his memory back, but Chelsea spends time with him and tries to help him get his memory back. Once these two start spending time together they realize they have a lot in common. The rest of the book is really good and I don't want to give it away! This is a definite must read!!
December 21, 2021
New twist to an expected outcome
Julianne MacLean is my favorite writer of historical romance novels. It fulfilled my expectations: handsome charismatic men and beautiful charming women of various ages and temperament. I particularly enjoy reading about the exploits of strong feisty women.
Julianne MacLean is my favorite writer of historical romance novels. It fulfilled my expectations: handsome charismatic men and beautiful charming women of various ages and temperament. I particularly enjoy reading about the exploits of strong feisty women.
April 2, 2018
Audible Romance Package
AUDIOBOOK: Read April 1st
8hrs 9min
Narrator: Rosalyn Landor was perfect as usual.
Liked this one. Blake's story. Rescued naked with no memory on a beach.
Brother in law arrested for opium imports and almost killing him.
AUDIOBOOK: Read April 1st
8hrs 9min
Narrator: Rosalyn Landor was perfect as usual.
Liked this one. Blake's story. Rescued naked with no memory on a beach.
Brother in law arrested for opium imports and almost killing him.
February 14, 2021
Love the paperback. And the story. What happens when a hero and heroine get together for one night. The hero is a rake. But he gets a surprise visit from the heroine with a little bundle of joy. It’s not a joy for him
December 17, 2021
An interesting premise
An interesting premise and an even more intriguing execution of this romance. There are so many questions that need to be answered for this poor nameless hero and the excuses this intrepid heroine gives for her actions creates quite a story!
An interesting premise and an even more intriguing execution of this romance. There are so many questions that need to be answered for this poor nameless hero and the excuses this intrepid heroine gives for her actions creates quite a story!
April 24, 2022
🌟 (3,5)
La historia y la trama son entretenidas a pesar de que todo ocurre un poco rápido y no se sabe bien que paso al final con los personajes antagonistas finalmente.
Lo que al final si me parece interesante es saber la historia de Vincent, así que me leere el 2do libro 😅.
La historia y la trama son entretenidas a pesar de que todo ocurre un poco rápido y no se sabe bien que paso al final con los personajes antagonistas finalmente.
Lo que al final si me parece interesante es saber la historia de Vincent, así que me leere el 2do libro 😅.
May 9, 2022
Different
When Chelsea finds an unconscious and bleeding, naked man in a remote cave on the Island of Jersey, she not only saved his life but finds baccalaureate to the man.
When he wakes up unable to remember any thing. Services a plan which gets a little out of control
When Chelsea finds an unconscious and bleeding, naked man in a remote cave on the Island of Jersey, she not only saved his life but finds baccalaureate to the man.
When he wakes up unable to remember any thing. Services a plan which gets a little out of control
August 5, 2018
A pretty good read
September 28, 2020
Playing a role
Blake has been the upstanding reliable brother all his life! Chelsea had made a previous scandal and stupid decision that was not what everyone thought! When Blake washed up on her shore naked in a cave she works with her family to save his life! She hatches this hare-brained scheme to which her brother and mother sanction? This part in that time frame seems incomprehensible to me!!! Shenanigans follow when Chelsea conscience kicks in and both Devon and Vincent arrive to rescue him Blake insist that Chelsea accompany them! This ugly scheme unfolds even more Bizarre as Elizabeth is revealed and her cohorts? Blake is an artist but like so many things in his life he repressed for the family sake! Chelsea has also lived an exemplary life for 7 years to atone for her "sins"! 4 stars for the chemistry and relationship between Blake trapped by lost memories and Chelsea his anchor in a storm!!
Blake has been the upstanding reliable brother all his life! Chelsea had made a previous scandal and stupid decision that was not what everyone thought! When Blake washed up on her shore naked in a cave she works with her family to save his life! She hatches this hare-brained scheme to which her brother and mother sanction? This part in that time frame seems incomprehensible to me!!! Shenanigans follow when Chelsea conscience kicks in and both Devon and Vincent arrive to rescue him Blake insist that Chelsea accompany them! This ugly scheme unfolds even more Bizarre as Elizabeth is revealed and her cohorts? Blake is an artist but like so many things in his life he repressed for the family sake! Chelsea has also lived an exemplary life for 7 years to atone for her "sins"! 4 stars for the chemistry and relationship between Blake trapped by lost memories and Chelsea his anchor in a storm!!
August 27, 2021
Interesting context.
December 20, 2021
This was a sweet, quick read with an unusual set-up.
December 27, 2021
Stuggled to read it, took days to drag into the end.
January 4, 2022
Steamy but Tame
This story is sweet but a little bit scandalous. I like it when an author breaks from the rules a little. Enjoyed!
This story is sweet but a little bit scandalous. I like it when an author breaks from the rules a little. Enjoyed!
January 8, 2022
Great story
I was glad this was a long story
I didn't want it to end. Even though it's required, I do not have six words.
I was glad this was a long story
I didn't want it to end. Even though it's required, I do not have six words.
January 11, 2022
Delightful story
I did not want to put this book down, read it in a day! Loved the characters and the story line. I recommend it to anyone who enjoys a good historical romance.
I did not want to put this book down, read it in a day! Loved the characters and the story line. I recommend it to anyone who enjoys a good historical romance.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 69 reviews