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Scandalous Affairs #2
Taming of the Beast
Intrigued by the scandal of London’s Lost Lords, intrepid Faye Poplar resolves to untangle the mystery of those complicit in the disappearance of the young lords and ladies-even if it leads her to the steps of the most powerful peers. But she’ll require the help only one man can provide…the ruthless, Beast of Newgate.
Caught up in his own crimes, Tynan Wylie, the Beast of Newgate, finds himself behind bars of the same prison he once ran. When he’s freed with Faye’s help, he has no intention of repaying her debt. His only focus is reclaiming his place of power, overseeing the most ruthless criminals in London.
Except, Faye didn’t go to the trouble of freeing Tynan only to face his rejection, and it isn't long before Tynan understands how tenacious and charming the young miss can be. When Faye’s research into the disappearances open up an even darker danger, Tynan becomes the only person she can depend on. Despite vowing to never be weakened by love, Tynan finds himself falling for the one woman he can never have.
Caught up in his own crimes, Tynan Wylie, the Beast of Newgate, finds himself behind bars of the same prison he once ran. When he’s freed with Faye’s help, he has no intention of repaying her debt. His only focus is reclaiming his place of power, overseeing the most ruthless criminals in London.
Except, Faye didn’t go to the trouble of freeing Tynan only to face his rejection, and it isn't long before Tynan understands how tenacious and charming the young miss can be. When Faye’s research into the disappearances open up an even darker danger, Tynan becomes the only person she can depend on. Despite vowing to never be weakened by love, Tynan finds himself falling for the one woman he can never have.
301 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 23, 2021
411 people are currently reading
354 people want to read
About the author
Christi Caldwell
139 books2,573 followersUSA TODAY Bestselling author CHRISTI CALDWELL blames Judith McNaught's "Whitney, My Love!" for luring her into the world of historical romance. While sitting in her graduate school apartment at the University of Connecticut, Christi decided to set aside her notes and pick up her laptop to try her hand at romance. She believes the most perfect heroes and heroines have imperfections, and she rather enjoys torturing them before crafting them a well deserved happily ever after!
Christi makes her home in Charlotte, North Carolina where she spends her time writing her own enchanting historical romances, and baking surprisingly good cakes (almost 2 years in lockdown will do that) with her courageous son and twin daughters, each who with their daily antics provides limitless source material.
Christi makes her home in Charlotte, North Carolina where she spends her time writing her own enchanting historical romances, and baking surprisingly good cakes (almost 2 years in lockdown will do that) with her courageous son and twin daughters, each who with their daily antics provides limitless source material.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 75 reviews
January 24, 2022
3/5 stars
Overall a quick read and I did cautiously enjoy it. But it's not something I'll remember for sure.
Every time I start a new Caldwell book (and I honestly don't know why I continue to read them even though my last favorite from her was from the Wicked Wallflowers series. Basically ages ago) I always have this hope that it might not be a mess of loose plot, two-dimensional characters and a way too predictable plot. I had a similar hope for this one, maybe because the description or maybe I had had a spectacular cup of coffee as I started this book. Who knows.
But Alas, dissapointment was in store for me.
The plot is... extremely evident in the beginning but then just fizzles out because feelings make a wild entry. Faye Poplar (sister to another vague Caldwell Hero a few thousand series ago) is a wallflower and openly ridiculed by her own parents who deem her ugly and odd, a stark difference from her beautiful sisters. So, in all her wallflower glory she decided to look into a mystery very loosely threaded across Caldwell's books. Basically kids of titled folks are being stolen and sold into the fighting market? Boxing something, I lost track. You don't need to know this, even the characters forgot this was the point of the book halfway through.
To help her solve this mystery - that no one asked her to, and she genuinely has no personal attachment to - Faye aids the release of Tynan Wylie, former prison warden turned prisoners with the pact that he help her look into this mystery.
From here begins the love story. Tynan is a brute who has fortified his heart because typically male reasons but his facade starts to crack because of little miss Faye Poplar. Shy, unassuming and un-pretty as she may be but this one man thinks she's madonna of the rocks, not because of her looks but her spunk and spirit and those typical tropes. I have no problem with this truly, I lap up books like this... but it's so evident that no effort was put into selling them as a couple.
It's like you're given a pair and simply told they're perfect for each other and never once see it.
Post the romance, the plot is loose, predictable and honestly un-interesting. There are more "steam" scenes than I'm used to by CC, not complaining here. At the end good wins over evil and our couple lives happily ever after.
Addionally, once again this would be more enjoyable if Caldwell hadn't wrapped up the book in like 5 pages. We needed an epilogue for closure, it was all too rushed. Another sign that the intent was simply to churn out books as fast as possible and not quality. Sigh
Overall a quick read and I did cautiously enjoy it. But it's not something I'll remember for sure.
Every time I start a new Caldwell book (and I honestly don't know why I continue to read them even though my last favorite from her was from the Wicked Wallflowers series. Basically ages ago) I always have this hope that it might not be a mess of loose plot, two-dimensional characters and a way too predictable plot. I had a similar hope for this one, maybe because the description or maybe I had had a spectacular cup of coffee as I started this book. Who knows.
But Alas, dissapointment was in store for me.
The plot is... extremely evident in the beginning but then just fizzles out because feelings make a wild entry. Faye Poplar (sister to another vague Caldwell Hero a few thousand series ago) is a wallflower and openly ridiculed by her own parents who deem her ugly and odd, a stark difference from her beautiful sisters. So, in all her wallflower glory she decided to look into a mystery very loosely threaded across Caldwell's books. Basically kids of titled folks are being stolen and sold into the fighting market? Boxing something, I lost track. You don't need to know this, even the characters forgot this was the point of the book halfway through.
To help her solve this mystery - that no one asked her to, and she genuinely has no personal attachment to - Faye aids the release of Tynan Wylie, former prison warden turned prisoners with the pact that he help her look into this mystery.
From here begins the love story. Tynan is a brute who has fortified his heart because typically male reasons but his facade starts to crack because of little miss Faye Poplar. Shy, unassuming and un-pretty as she may be but this one man thinks she's madonna of the rocks, not because of her looks but her spunk and spirit and those typical tropes. I have no problem with this truly, I lap up books like this... but it's so evident that no effort was put into selling them as a couple.
It's like you're given a pair and simply told they're perfect for each other and never once see it.
Post the romance, the plot is loose, predictable and honestly un-interesting. There are more "steam" scenes than I'm used to by CC, not complaining here. At the end good wins over evil and our couple lives happily ever after.
Addionally, once again this would be more enjoyable if Caldwell hadn't wrapped up the book in like 5 pages. We needed an epilogue for closure, it was all too rushed. Another sign that the intent was simply to churn out books as fast as possible and not quality. Sigh
August 30, 2021
"I've not given you any reason to trust me, Faye. And I never will. I'm not a man you can trust. I'm a man who can be bought if the price is high enough."
4.5 stars!
This book was such an amazing and welcome surprise. Historical romance is a genre that I tend to gravitate towards when I need something different to break up my recent reads, and this novel by Christi Caldwell was exactly what I needed to reorient myself.
I absolutely loved the banter and chemistry between Tynan and Faye! Faye was such an amazing heroine, and I loved witnessing as Tynan slowly fell under her spell of innocence while Faye worked to show Tynan his worth and the goodness he is capable of. My biggest complaint about this novel is that this story seems to be so tied up in Christi's previous series and books that it was hard at first to fully understand the plot. Luckily, I've read The Scoundrel's Honor so many times and Ryker's story was pretty prominent here, but I usually prefer my HRs to be standalones because I like to jump around in different series.
Other than that, I thoroughly enjoyed Tynan and Faye's story! As always, I wish there had been more action/danger towards the end, but Tynan's grovel and proposal were so well-done that the ending left me swooning for the happiness that Tynan and Faye have found together at last ♡
March 17, 2021
Since the revelation of her own family’s involvement in the disappearance of one of the famed Lost Lords of London, Faye Poplar is determined to reveal other complicit peers. She’s seeking justice at any cost, even if it means enlisting help from the dangerous man known as the Beast of Newgate.
After bribing the wrong nobleman, Tynan Wylie finds himself confined to a cell in the very prison he was warden of. When Faye sees him released, he has every intention of giving her the slip without repaying that debt. He must concentrate on his own future and reclaiming the power of his old position.
But determined, stubborn Faye didn’t release Tynan for nothing, and he soon learns just how dogged she is in her pursuit of his help. When she fails to heed his warnings and her investigations lead her into dangerous territory, it is Tynan she relies on. He has always been determined to avoid the weakness of attachment to another but, despite himself, he begins to fall rapidly for Faye, even knowing he has nothing to offer her.
These main characters had to grow on me, especially Faye, but there was excellent emotional examination and growth here from both of them. Tynan opened Faye’s eyes to a way of life she had never encountered or considered before and broadened her naïve view of the world. Faye’s sheltered upbringing meant she endangered both herself and Tynan with her ignorance and her unwillingness to listen to him, but eventually she opened her eyes to the fact that he wasn’t just trying to control her and understood his reasons. Tynan was afraid to open himself up to anyone who could hurt him, but Faye helped him see the potential for more out of life. Faye and Tynan changed each other’s lives dramatically but for the better and I loved the faith they had in each other and their willingness to reevaluate their views as they learned from each other. This book was very emotionally heavy and character driven, and once Faye removed the blinders that had her so very focused on doing things her way or no way, I really enjoyed it. I love these redemption stories with characters from the darker ends of London and no one does them quite like Christi.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own. Blog link: https://mustreadalltheromance.blogspo...
After bribing the wrong nobleman, Tynan Wylie finds himself confined to a cell in the very prison he was warden of. When Faye sees him released, he has every intention of giving her the slip without repaying that debt. He must concentrate on his own future and reclaiming the power of his old position.
But determined, stubborn Faye didn’t release Tynan for nothing, and he soon learns just how dogged she is in her pursuit of his help. When she fails to heed his warnings and her investigations lead her into dangerous territory, it is Tynan she relies on. He has always been determined to avoid the weakness of attachment to another but, despite himself, he begins to fall rapidly for Faye, even knowing he has nothing to offer her.
These main characters had to grow on me, especially Faye, but there was excellent emotional examination and growth here from both of them. Tynan opened Faye’s eyes to a way of life she had never encountered or considered before and broadened her naïve view of the world. Faye’s sheltered upbringing meant she endangered both herself and Tynan with her ignorance and her unwillingness to listen to him, but eventually she opened her eyes to the fact that he wasn’t just trying to control her and understood his reasons. Tynan was afraid to open himself up to anyone who could hurt him, but Faye helped him see the potential for more out of life. Faye and Tynan changed each other’s lives dramatically but for the better and I loved the faith they had in each other and their willingness to reevaluate their views as they learned from each other. This book was very emotionally heavy and character driven, and once Faye removed the blinders that had her so very focused on doing things her way or no way, I really enjoyed it. I love these redemption stories with characters from the darker ends of London and no one does them quite like Christi.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own. Blog link: https://mustreadalltheromance.blogspo...
March 12, 2021
Taming of the Beast
Scandalous Affairs Series #2
Christi Caldwell
https://www.facebook.com/AuthorChrist...
Release Date 03/23/2021
𝗕𝗹𝘂𝗿𝗯
Intrigued by the scandal of London’s Lost Lords, intrepid Miss Faye Poplar resolves to untangle the mystery of those complicit in the disappearance of the young lords and ladies-even if it leads her to the steps of the most powerful peers. But she’ll require the help only one man can provide…the ruthless, Beast of Newgate.
Caught up in his own crimes, Tynan Wylie, the Beast of Newgate, finds himself behind bars of the same prison he once ran. When he’s freed with Faye’s help, he has no intention of repaying her debt. His only focus is reclaiming his place of power, overseeing the most ruthless criminals in London.
Except, Faye didn’t go to the trouble of freeing Tynan only to face his rejection, and it isn't long before Tynan understands how tenacious and charming the young miss can be. When Faye’s research into the disappearances open up an even darker danger, Tynan becomes the only person she can depend on. Despite vowing to never be weakened by love, Tynan finds himself falling for the one woman he can never have.
𝗠𝘆 𝗿𝗲𝘃𝗶𝗲𝘄
Will she persist in her pursuit when he does every to discourage her ...
After Claire’s story, I wondered about Faye the little duckling, she seemed the one everyone overlooked and did not really take the measure.
If two people were inversely different from the other, it would be these two.
Sure Faye is no all light and shine miss, even before being tainted by her family’s awful deeds, she was more a girl of the shadow. The unloved one by her parent, a social paria by the ton’s eye yet still a lady. And while she can’t change what has already been done, she wants justice and retribution for those behind these crimes.
Yet how unprepared she begins her quest, so sheltered, she has no idea of the dangers only awaiting the right prey to pounce on it. She navigates the slums of the city in her pretty garments, unaware she is watched and assessed.
Still for once, she acts as she wants to, she makes mistakes but is not far from her goal, until it becomes not her sole aim.
Tynan survived the workhouses and the hard streets life, he made a name of himself, one feared if not respected. Using not always honorable means to make money, it provided him the same, more than enough to protect those under his care.
Until he finds himself rescued, and if he were a gentleman in debt, by a slip of a woman, so young and innocent that just being close to him ruin her. But he is no gentleman, in no need to redeem his honor. Yet, all the same, this pint size of a girl disrupts his peace of mind, shaken his life and unsettles what he thought was his drawn path.
This tale contains less actions than it is usual for the author’s narrative style, it is more their spiritual journey toward one another, while they reflect on what they really want and attend from life, to reschedule one’s agenda to decide what should be their primary objective instead of they want it to be.
Both have certitudes that their encounter will blur, up to them to rewrite them and see if both can fit in.
I loved all the boys Tynan took under his wing, Finn is so full of admiration and courage.
On one Obote, I just would have liked to see more of the background plot explored.
4.25 stars
𝗦𝘁𝗲𝗮𝗺 𝗹𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗹 onscreen detailed lovemaking scenes.
I have been granted an advance copy by the author, here is my true and unbiased opinion.
https://www.facebook.com/429830134272...
Scandalous Affairs Series #2
Christi Caldwell
https://www.facebook.com/AuthorChrist...
Release Date 03/23/2021
𝗕𝗹𝘂𝗿𝗯
Intrigued by the scandal of London’s Lost Lords, intrepid Miss Faye Poplar resolves to untangle the mystery of those complicit in the disappearance of the young lords and ladies-even if it leads her to the steps of the most powerful peers. But she’ll require the help only one man can provide…the ruthless, Beast of Newgate.
Caught up in his own crimes, Tynan Wylie, the Beast of Newgate, finds himself behind bars of the same prison he once ran. When he’s freed with Faye’s help, he has no intention of repaying her debt. His only focus is reclaiming his place of power, overseeing the most ruthless criminals in London.
Except, Faye didn’t go to the trouble of freeing Tynan only to face his rejection, and it isn't long before Tynan understands how tenacious and charming the young miss can be. When Faye’s research into the disappearances open up an even darker danger, Tynan becomes the only person she can depend on. Despite vowing to never be weakened by love, Tynan finds himself falling for the one woman he can never have.
𝗠𝘆 𝗿𝗲𝘃𝗶𝗲𝘄
Will she persist in her pursuit when he does every to discourage her ...
After Claire’s story, I wondered about Faye the little duckling, she seemed the one everyone overlooked and did not really take the measure.
If two people were inversely different from the other, it would be these two.
Sure Faye is no all light and shine miss, even before being tainted by her family’s awful deeds, she was more a girl of the shadow. The unloved one by her parent, a social paria by the ton’s eye yet still a lady. And while she can’t change what has already been done, she wants justice and retribution for those behind these crimes.
Yet how unprepared she begins her quest, so sheltered, she has no idea of the dangers only awaiting the right prey to pounce on it. She navigates the slums of the city in her pretty garments, unaware she is watched and assessed.
Still for once, she acts as she wants to, she makes mistakes but is not far from her goal, until it becomes not her sole aim.
Tynan survived the workhouses and the hard streets life, he made a name of himself, one feared if not respected. Using not always honorable means to make money, it provided him the same, more than enough to protect those under his care.
Until he finds himself rescued, and if he were a gentleman in debt, by a slip of a woman, so young and innocent that just being close to him ruin her. But he is no gentleman, in no need to redeem his honor. Yet, all the same, this pint size of a girl disrupts his peace of mind, shaken his life and unsettles what he thought was his drawn path.
This tale contains less actions than it is usual for the author’s narrative style, it is more their spiritual journey toward one another, while they reflect on what they really want and attend from life, to reschedule one’s agenda to decide what should be their primary objective instead of they want it to be.
Both have certitudes that their encounter will blur, up to them to rewrite them and see if both can fit in.
I loved all the boys Tynan took under his wing, Finn is so full of admiration and courage.
On one Obote, I just would have liked to see more of the background plot explored.
4.25 stars
𝗦𝘁𝗲𝗮𝗺 𝗹𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗹 onscreen detailed lovemaking scenes.
I have been granted an advance copy by the author, here is my true and unbiased opinion.
https://www.facebook.com/429830134272...
March 25, 2021
London 1828
She needed him. He did not need her.... No, he had needed her to get him out of Newgate, but that was all he would have to do with her... But she was a force he had never dealt with...
Faye Poplar was determined to expose those who played a part in the disappearance of the young lords and ladies, who had just been exposed. Unfortunately her family had been a part and led to their ruin. Tynan Wylie, the Beast of Newgate was to be the one to help her. She just had to convince him.
Former head of Newgate, before he was imprisoned in the walls, Tynan Wylie only wanted to get his power back. He had risen from squalor, endured living in the streets and by the help of one man had risen. Now, he had to deal with Faye, who had gotten him out of goal and he had to admire her for her tenacity.
Captivating, enthralling, a little dark and one of the best books I have read this year is all I can say! Tynan is the dark hero that needs redemption and Faye is the one to help him as he does the same for her.. What more can I say? My favorite kind of story.. but in the end, so is this author!
She needed him. He did not need her.... No, he had needed her to get him out of Newgate, but that was all he would have to do with her... But she was a force he had never dealt with...
Faye Poplar was determined to expose those who played a part in the disappearance of the young lords and ladies, who had just been exposed. Unfortunately her family had been a part and led to their ruin. Tynan Wylie, the Beast of Newgate was to be the one to help her. She just had to convince him.
Former head of Newgate, before he was imprisoned in the walls, Tynan Wylie only wanted to get his power back. He had risen from squalor, endured living in the streets and by the help of one man had risen. Now, he had to deal with Faye, who had gotten him out of goal and he had to admire her for her tenacity.
Captivating, enthralling, a little dark and one of the best books I have read this year is all I can say! Tynan is the dark hero that needs redemption and Faye is the one to help him as he does the same for her.. What more can I say? My favorite kind of story.. but in the end, so is this author!
March 21, 2021
Intrigued by the scandal of London’s Lost Lords, intrepid Miss Faye Poplar resolves to untangle the mystery of those complicit in the disappearance of the young lords and ladies-even if it leads her to the steps of the most powerful peers. But she’ll require the help only one man can provide…the ruthless, Beast of Newgate. Caught up in his own crimes, Tynan Wylie, the Beast of Newgate, finds himself behind bars of the same prison he once ran. When he’s freed with Faye’s help, he has no intention of repaying her debt. His only focus is reclaiming his place of power, overseeing the most ruthless criminals in London. Except, Faye didn’t go to the trouble of freeing Tynan only to face his rejection, and it isn't long before Tynan understands how tenacious and charming the young miss can be.
Another totally enthralling book from the author, which once again took me on a plethora of emotions from giggling to crying. The characters as usual are full of depth, I loved the chemistry between Tynan & Faye, the sexual tension & verbal bantering was so good. The story flowed effortlessly & I was engrossed from cover to cover & made the mistake of starting it on an evening so it was well into the night when I finished it. I’ve waited a while for Tynan to have his story since he first appeared in a previous book & boy it didn’t disappoint.
My honest review is for a special copy I voluntarily read
Another totally enthralling book from the author, which once again took me on a plethora of emotions from giggling to crying. The characters as usual are full of depth, I loved the chemistry between Tynan & Faye, the sexual tension & verbal bantering was so good. The story flowed effortlessly & I was engrossed from cover to cover & made the mistake of starting it on an evening so it was well into the night when I finished it. I’ve waited a while for Tynan to have his story since he first appeared in a previous book & boy it didn’t disappoint.
My honest review is for a special copy I voluntarily read
November 3, 2021
Rating: ** 3.5 stars**
A decent read which started out impressively, slowed down in the middle and fizzled out towards the end.
Faye is a sweet, talkative and wilful woman which is all likeable traits in a FL but her reckless attitude and utter naivety overshadowed her better parts. In her quest for justice she entirely overlooked not just the danger she posed to herself but to her family too which btw was already suffering from their past and trying to recover so instead of looking headstrong she came across more stubborn and selfish.
It's not like she was entirely unlikable her cute habit of babbling and not filtering her words added to quite a lot of comic situations and had me grinning, I just wish she had been shown more practical in her pursuit.
I really liked the part when someone gave Faye sound advice and was able to get through her
For, when the crimes of sinners are exposed, it is the individuals who suffered long ago whose memories are resurrected for all the world to see. And to know…”
Coming to the ML, Tynan is an absolute coconut all ruthless, street-smart and surly on the outside but a really kind, soft and caring person on the inside. He was honestly likable and more so when he was always left floundering and exasperated due to Faye's thick-headedness.
Their chemistry and story was well-developed but really predictable so it got quite boring after a while. Overall, it was an OK read for me.
A decent read which started out impressively, slowed down in the middle and fizzled out towards the end.
Faye is a sweet, talkative and wilful woman which is all likeable traits in a FL but her reckless attitude and utter naivety overshadowed her better parts. In her quest for justice she entirely overlooked not just the danger she posed to herself but to her family too which btw was already suffering from their past and trying to recover so instead of looking headstrong she came across more stubborn and selfish.
It's not like she was entirely unlikable her cute habit of babbling and not filtering her words added to quite a lot of comic situations and had me grinning, I just wish she had been shown more practical in her pursuit.
I really liked the part when someone gave Faye sound advice and was able to get through her
For, when the crimes of sinners are exposed, it is the individuals who suffered long ago whose memories are resurrected for all the world to see. And to know…”
Coming to the ML, Tynan is an absolute coconut all ruthless, street-smart and surly on the outside but a really kind, soft and caring person on the inside. He was honestly likable and more so when he was always left floundering and exasperated due to Faye's thick-headedness.
Their chemistry and story was well-developed but really predictable so it got quite boring after a while. Overall, it was an OK read for me.
January 13, 2022
upon the explosive revelation of her family's scheme of an earl, faye's determined to unravel the system. to do that, she needs names of people who were involved in the Lost Lords, and to obtain those, she needs the help of the Beast of Newgate.
faye tends to throw herself into dangerous situations without looking back or any ounce of hesitance. her determination to bring justice upon those who had abused and wronged the vulnerable children is commendable and admirable. though the poplar family name is tainted, faye still lived a relatively sheltered and privileged life. while she's on the hunt for information, her world-view changed and her opinions matured.
once the prison warden, the Beast of Newgate bribed the wrong nobleman and needed up in the same jail. nobody could successfully aid his release until faye appeared. though tynan seemed to be ruthless and emotionless, he's a wonderful person. he took care of homeless children and gave them a job and place to stay. his love for poetry is just one of many things that are unknown to others. his protectiveness of his sister knows no bounds.
overall, the relationship grew nicely. faye's personality is bubbly and bright while tynan acts like he's always sniffing something bad. i loved the moments when faye utterly broke tynan's walls down and when he realised how much he would miss her once their arrangement is over. what he says and what he feels are vastly different. the sexual tension is high ever since the beginning when they were starting to get to know one another. read this super fast as always for a christi caldwell book. am excited for the next one in may!
books in the series:
1. a groom of her own: ✰✰✰✰
2. taming of the beast: ✰✰✰✰
3. my fair marchioness: ✰✰✰✰
3.5. it happened one winter: ✰✰✰✰
faye tends to throw herself into dangerous situations without looking back or any ounce of hesitance. her determination to bring justice upon those who had abused and wronged the vulnerable children is commendable and admirable. though the poplar family name is tainted, faye still lived a relatively sheltered and privileged life. while she's on the hunt for information, her world-view changed and her opinions matured.
once the prison warden, the Beast of Newgate bribed the wrong nobleman and needed up in the same jail. nobody could successfully aid his release until faye appeared. though tynan seemed to be ruthless and emotionless, he's a wonderful person. he took care of homeless children and gave them a job and place to stay. his love for poetry is just one of many things that are unknown to others. his protectiveness of his sister knows no bounds.
overall, the relationship grew nicely. faye's personality is bubbly and bright while tynan acts like he's always sniffing something bad. i loved the moments when faye utterly broke tynan's walls down and when he realised how much he would miss her once their arrangement is over. what he says and what he feels are vastly different. the sexual tension is high ever since the beginning when they were starting to get to know one another. read this super fast as always for a christi caldwell book. am excited for the next one in may!
books in the series:
1. a groom of her own: ✰✰✰✰
2. taming of the beast: ✰✰✰✰
3. my fair marchioness: ✰✰✰✰
3.5. it happened one winter: ✰✰✰✰
April 2, 2021
Another great read by this author! Her writing style is unique and wonderful in the way she pours her heart into each and every story, always bringing to life the amazing characters, drawing the reader into a world of romance, mystery, light versus dark, trials and triumphs. But the best part is she never disappoints the reader, always leaving you content, satisfied, and anxiously waiting for her next release.
Absolutely loved Faye and Tynan’s book, and hoping to see more of these two, and Finn and the other boys in future stories.
Absolutely loved Faye and Tynan’s book, and hoping to see more of these two, and Finn and the other boys in future stories.
July 24, 2021
Didn't enjoy this one as much as all the other Christi Caldwell books. It was o.k. (and there is a but), but it took me a while to get into this story. Not a favourite, I'm afraid. I did love the wedding proposal at the end of the story though. 3.5☆
March 13, 2022
3.75 stars
March 25, 2021
Great read.
I really loved this story. The only thing is I felt it was too quick of an ending. I would have liked a bit more of a finish...but otherwise good.
I really loved this story. The only thing is I felt it was too quick of an ending. I would have liked a bit more of a finish...but otherwise good.
March 13, 2021
Have you ever opened a book and fallen in love with the hero and heroine? Tynan is that man for me. He is the Beast of Newgate, but went too far and a Duke had him arrested for bribery. Tynan must figure out what to do next! Faye is on a mission to see the lords and ladies of the ton who have sold innocent children into a life of crime, exposed and punished. She gets Tynan out of jail and works a deal with him to help her. She has a tale of her own!
I do not ever write a spoiler review, so I cannot tell you what happens. I can tell you that Christi Caldwell has Tynan open his soul to us – I feel like we are sitting together and he is telling me everything about his life. Faye too, is sharing why she is so determined to find justice for these lost children. Our secondary characters, Finn, especially, are so integral to this story. He’s a delightful child, with great honor and loyalty.
Taming the Beast has become one of my top 10 of Christi Caldwell tales. I’m still sitting here wanting to talk with Tynan and Faye. I want to know them in 1 year, and 5 years and many years in the future. I want them to come to dinner and sit on the porch and enjoy their company. I truly have fallen in love with these two. I hope you do too.
I do not ever write a spoiler review, so I cannot tell you what happens. I can tell you that Christi Caldwell has Tynan open his soul to us – I feel like we are sitting together and he is telling me everything about his life. Faye too, is sharing why she is so determined to find justice for these lost children. Our secondary characters, Finn, especially, are so integral to this story. He’s a delightful child, with great honor and loyalty.
Taming the Beast has become one of my top 10 of Christi Caldwell tales. I’m still sitting here wanting to talk with Tynan and Faye. I want to know them in 1 year, and 5 years and many years in the future. I want them to come to dinner and sit on the porch and enjoy their company. I truly have fallen in love with these two. I hope you do too.
March 23, 2021
Faye Popular is on a mission to bring to light the crimes the nobility have kept hidden and avoid punishment. Her family, her parents chief among them, her mother being a prime example of the nobility not paying for her crimes. Desperate times call for desperate measures as Faye makes a deal with the new warden to take Tynan Wylie aka the “Beast of Newgate” off his hands and out of the prision the Beast had controlled for several years. With his ruthless nature and his connections she feels it’s worth the danger she places herself into. She quite intrigues him, she’s quite unlike the other ladies of the nobility, she sees him as an equal not the scum he is from the wrong side of the tracks of London. Tynan tries to discourage Faye at every turn, he takes her money without the intention f helping her, he tries to scare her into giving up her mission, but in the end he ends up sacrificing all to keep her safe from harm, especially keeping her safe from himself. A great adventure into East End London to uncover the secrets of the Lost Lords, looking for anyone willing to talk and aid her investigation. A great story filled with danger, intrigue, and finding love in all the wrong places. I voluntarily read and reviewed this captivating story filled with danger, intrigue with a tantalizing and forbidden romance.
March 23, 2021
This is the second in the fabulous Christi Caldwell’s Scandalous Affairs series. Faye Poplar scarred by her parents role in the disappearance of the current Earl of Maxwell, resolves to make those in the peerage pay for crimes similar to that of her family. Since the scandal came to light all invitations and marriage prospects have disappeared leading her to believe she will be a spinster for life. In her quest for justice she enlist the help of the Beast of Newgate, Tynan Wylie who has landed on the wrong side of the prison bars. After she frees him he reluctantly agrees to help Faye in her pursuit of justice. During their time together they each learn more about each other, realizing how life has marked and scarred them both. This leads to caring and ultimately love, even if her overbearing older brother tries to intervene. I am a huge fan of all of Christi’s books but the ones set in the dark, tough streets of London are my favorites. She manages to meld the peerage and those of the lower class together, couples finding love across station divides. Although both characters appear in earlier books, you don’t need to read them to enjoy this story but after reading you will want to. I highly recommend this book, it’s gritty, gusty and heartwarming in these dark times. We all need an escape and this is the perfect book to lose yourself in.
March 25, 2021
From the magic pen of Christi Caldwell , another heart wrenching look into the evil and devastation on the streets of East London in 1828, a place where only the strong survive. Tynan Wylie is one of those, earning a position of the jailer of Newgate, until his acceptance of bribes leads him to the other side of those bars. Locked in a cage like cell, he is suddenly released by a tiny kitten of a girl, Faye Poplar, from a disgraced family of the nobility, notorious for being involved in disappearance of the lost Lords. Her agenda is to seek his help in uncovering those like her family that had a part in the disappearance of these children but had never paid for their crimes. But Tynan has no intention of being in her debt or involved in her agenda. He underestimated Faye and her tenacity. Everyone feared “The Beast of Newgate”, but this little lady tracked him down and went head to head with him. She got under his skin, but determined to show him the good inside of him. She believed in him and loved him as no other had. A very touching and emotional story! Well Done!
March 23, 2021
Christi Caldwell is a master at writing strong, independent women characters. In this case, Faye Poplar is on a mission to bring secrets of the peers to light in their dealings with the Lost Lords of London. Over a period of time, Lords and Ladies had sold noble children into a street gang to get rid of them either for money or a title. This includes Faye's parents and she wants these people to pay for what they did. To help her, she manages to arrange for the release from prison of Tynan Wylie. Tynan had once been the warden at Newgate and was privy to many secrets and deals.
While Tynan doesn't see the point of her investigation, she continues to try to convince him to help her. These two are the least likely people to be together yet the more time they spend together the more they are attracted to each other.
No story is complete without a tearful (on the part of the reader) reunion after Faye's brother has had Tynan thrown out of the house. This sotry shows that love is stronger than title or position and you don't have to be a Lord to be a kind, noble person.
I received an advanced copy of this book in return for an honest review.
While Tynan doesn't see the point of her investigation, she continues to try to convince him to help her. These two are the least likely people to be together yet the more time they spend together the more they are attracted to each other.
No story is complete without a tearful (on the part of the reader) reunion after Faye's brother has had Tynan thrown out of the house. This sotry shows that love is stronger than title or position and you don't have to be a Lord to be a kind, noble person.
I received an advanced copy of this book in return for an honest review.
March 25, 2021
Love Always Conquers
Another wonderful book by a great author who brings the past into the future. Love can hit anyone no mater their station in life. And, as Tynan learns power isn't everything unless you're with the one you love.
As always Christi brings her characters to life with real situations that you just can't put down when you're along for a roller coaster ride of emotions.
From the first word you're with Tynan, in Newgate, seeing, feeling and even imagining what is happening.
Wondering if and what will happen and then being surprised at Faye's reason for getting Tynan help after he is out of Newgate.
Christi doesn't disappoint, she has you turning the pages to see how Tynan and Faye finally get their HEA.
Love the first book of this series and with Taming of the Beast, I can't wait to see and read the next book❤❤❤
Another wonderful book by a great author who brings the past into the future. Love can hit anyone no mater their station in life. And, as Tynan learns power isn't everything unless you're with the one you love.
As always Christi brings her characters to life with real situations that you just can't put down when you're along for a roller coaster ride of emotions.
From the first word you're with Tynan, in Newgate, seeing, feeling and even imagining what is happening.
Wondering if and what will happen and then being surprised at Faye's reason for getting Tynan help after he is out of Newgate.
Christi doesn't disappoint, she has you turning the pages to see how Tynan and Faye finally get their HEA.
Love the first book of this series and with Taming of the Beast, I can't wait to see and read the next book❤❤❤
April 6, 2021
Absolutely amazing story. You won't want to put this book down, and if you have to, the characters will continue with you through your day. Miss Faye Poplar has always been underestimated by her family and pretty much shunned from society for being too odd. She wishes to uncover the stories of the children wronged by their elite families and seeks out the help of a very unlikely man - the Beast of Newgate. Tynan Wylie deserves his title of beast for the way he has run the prison, but there is more to him than just his job. Having met him in previous books, it seemed it was unlikely he could be redeemed, but Ms Caldwell is a master of revealing the good side in her villains. 10 stars.
March 27, 2021
Taming of the Beast by Christi Caldwell is book #2 in the Scandalous Affairs series. Another delightful journey to HEA. The characters were awesome. I loved the street kids and their interactions with the Hero and heroine. Faye Poplar’s tenacity in trying to unearth the peerage responsible for the Lost Lords.
This story has the Beast of Newgate, prison release, seediest parts of London, learning to compromise, deals struck, dealings with brothers, and so much more. It can certainly be read on it’s own but reading the first story in the series will just add to it.
This story has the Beast of Newgate, prison release, seediest parts of London, learning to compromise, deals struck, dealings with brothers, and so much more. It can certainly be read on it’s own but reading the first story in the series will just add to it.
April 2, 2021
Another enjoyable instalment in this series. Faye and Tynan seem like an unlikely pair but soon get to have deep feelings for one another despite the differences in their status. The story gradually reveals the depths of both of their characters. It proves that opposites attract!
March 22, 2021
Oh boy! This book has it all! A spunky heroine out to unmask the people in society who destroyed lives, and an unlikely hero who hides his tender side to the world. Tynan is the warden of Newgate until he tries to bribe the wrong Duke and becomes in inmate. Faye is the daughter of a lord who had a young child kidnapped so he could inherit. Faye wants to expose the demons in society who never get punished. She gets Tynan freed in order to help her, and thus begins their story.
Twists and turns, and an HEA that will leave you smiling. Another great book by Christi Caldwell!
Twists and turns, and an HEA that will leave you smiling. Another great book by Christi Caldwell!
March 26, 2021
Christ’s characters breathe & inspire
Revenge & redemption from the wonderfully robust characters created by Christ Caldwell. The human spirit shines & thrives through this author
Revenge & redemption from the wonderfully robust characters created by Christ Caldwell. The human spirit shines & thrives through this author
March 30, 2021
I very rarely DNF a book, but this one was close. For the first half of the book, it seemed all that went on was Faye and Tynan arguing and kissing. Part of the problem for me was that I didn't read the first book in the series which (I think) must have explained who the various characters were and why they wanted to do whatever they were doing (I was never clear on some of that). Usually, there's a small information drop that would have told me about the Lost Lords, Lord Maxwell, Faye's family, and why Faye thought Tynan was the man to help her (I get that he knew a lot of criminals, but how did she hear of him and that he was in Newgate).
Towards the end, some of this became a bit clearer but it never really interested me so I was skimming over a lot. I guess I should have read the earlier books, but based on this one, I don't think I will.
Towards the end, some of this became a bit clearer but it never really interested me so I was skimming over a lot. I guess I should have read the earlier books, but based on this one, I don't think I will.
September 21, 2021
He shrugged. “That’s just the way of the world, Faye.” “Well, it’s an unfair way,” she cried. “That’s also the way of the world,” he said. Her lower lip trembled, and she caught it between her teeth. “That doesn’t make it right, Tynan.” “Oh, I know that, love. Those who have money and power are going to always be free to bury their secrets and hide their crimes.” She lifted her chin. “I don’t much like this world, then, Tynan. It’s not one I want to be part of.”
Mixed feelings about this one
This book is, for me anyways, halfway into being a good fresh regency novel and yet also halfway into being simply stating something that we are supposed to take for granted yet never having the feeling of it actually being so. I will explain.
I find Tynan, the hero of this story, to be exactly what I have mentioned earlier. The author is describing our hero as the beast of Newgate as in the notorious man who dabbed into every kind of illegitimate shady business and crime you can think of because he lost his ways and now that he lost his position and everything that he has built he will have to learn how to survive and change himself. Hmph... but is it really so?
No, not really. Even though the author with her over the top constant repetition of the phrase 'The beast of Newgate' is really trying her best to make us believe he was into horrible things and wasn't a nice man, really I swear, promise... he actually wasn't that at all. He was helping orphaned children, he kept his family member safe and secure and with all the good material possessions she might need, he declined a lot of I will exchange my body for a favour offers etc. Basically he only took some monetary bribes and that was the horror of his existence really. He wasn't bad nor evil nor corrupt as the author keeps trying to push that he was. And when that fact sinks in there is not much left to the story. There is no worry of how he will behave towards the heroine or if he will help her or what his actions will be towards other characters. You are basically left with two average good natured people who will end up together because there just wasn't that much drama or obstacles in the way.
Regarding the heroine, Faye, well she also isn't a fully established character that would behave like a normal person would have. She is more or less just a one-thing-driving-me and that-is-all-my-character-is heroine. There is not much more to this heroine apart from the fact that she somehow wants to out all of the nobility who might have had their hands in shady or criminal businesses and that is all because her parents were involved in one such endeavour. Other than that she is more or less quite bleak apart from us knowing that she is very small but firm in standing her ground.
The story is a bit different from the ones I have read so far. I'll give the author that much. She really tried to add mystery and intrigue into the mix with some darker undertones than you would normally see / or read about. But I am afraid that after the very good dark interesting beginning she either chickened out in progressing in the same fashion or she baited us into the story that she knew wouldn't be as portrayed in the beginning.
I loved the beginning. It was promising. I kept expecting a big revelation to come about. This mysterious woman only has such limited amount of time to do the thing that sounds very dangerous and life threatening so of course we would be interested. But I was sorely disappointed with the reveal of why she has such limited amount of time and with what exactly she is doing.
Maybe I am just becoming bored of the genre or I am too cynical for this read. I feel that this could have been so much more. And I honestly did not feel the connection between the characters. Not at all. At times their conversations were even tedious and boring and repetitive as all hell.
I gave it a fair chance and read through the whole thing but in the end it just left me disappointed.
October 24, 2021
SASSY AND CUTE. DESPITE THE GRAVITY OF HOW THE BLURB SOUNDED, I WAS CHARMED BY THE CHARACTERS AND THE SPARKS THAT FLEW BETWEEN THEM FROM THE START. OH, IT WASN'T EXTREMELY INTENSE BUT IT SIZZLED ENOUGH TO HIT THE SPOT.
TYNAN used to be the prison warden for Newgate until word of his power abuse and bribes got out and he became the very prisoner he lorded over during his reign. When a certain Mrs X comes to bail him out, you can expect he's not going to just kowtow with gratitude and kiss her feet. You don't become a prison warden by being a nice guy, especially not one with a background like his. Tynan has climbed up a long way from his workhouse days, and while he has a black past, we'll get to understand that everything isn't black and white. Tynan's pretty much roped into helping Faye's ridiculous scheme and I for one have to agree with him that she's too naive, ignorant of the danger it could pose to her life and such. But I suppose that was the angle the author was hoping to go for, in order for Tynan to FEEL something for her other than attraction. If you like a good sexual undercurrent banter, then you'll no doubt enjoy theirs. Tynan's not going to be bossed around by a slip of woman yet, he can't even deal with her, being pushed to do what she wants against his will! The poor beast of a man. While he tries to hide it, Tynan's loves his sister and the orphaned street boys very much, and due to past experiences, he hones himself never to form or care about anyone else less it only brings him pain and misery, until Faye walks into his life.
FAYE is...a conundrum. A lady, yet not quite. By a stroke of luck, she manages to bail the beast of Newgate from prison only to have her plans go awry when he doesn't show an ounce of gratitude. Instead, the man lied to her, swindled her and tried to mollycoddle her plans before dropping her like a hot potato! The nerve of him! But she's not to be dissuaded. What Faye wants, she hopes to hell she's going to get it. And no, she's no spoilt miss. In fact, Faye's bitter about her family reputation that was involved in a kidnapping scheme that obviously darkened the Poplar name. Now she's on a mission to expose all the corrupted lords and ladies of the ton for their crimes, and she needs Tynan's help with the names. What started off as an idea in her head turns into a hard reality when she's faced with what Tynan had to endure as a child, the darkness of London's streets and what rich people are willing to do. As she discovers more, she turns hesitant as awareness that her life might be at risk sinks in...and yet she cannot just abandon the injustice of the victims. Faye's a good sport, and not a simpering virgin. She gives in freely to her opinions and passions, and that's what I liked about her.
OVERALL this was enjoyable, and easy to read. It wasn't intense as I would have preferred. The characters just gelled so well together, their chemistry didn't appear forced and it just went with the flow. Although, I DID HAVE AN AVERSION TO THE REASON THEY WERE BROUGHT TOGETHER IN THE FIRST PLACE. It seemed silly and reckless albeit it was for a noble and honourable cause. Unless the heroine had noble connections to back her up, I found her missionary endeavor rather ridiculous the moment she told Tynan WHY she needed his help. And here I thought it was something MORE life threatening.
TYNAN used to be the prison warden for Newgate until word of his power abuse and bribes got out and he became the very prisoner he lorded over during his reign. When a certain Mrs X comes to bail him out, you can expect he's not going to just kowtow with gratitude and kiss her feet. You don't become a prison warden by being a nice guy, especially not one with a background like his. Tynan has climbed up a long way from his workhouse days, and while he has a black past, we'll get to understand that everything isn't black and white. Tynan's pretty much roped into helping Faye's ridiculous scheme and I for one have to agree with him that she's too naive, ignorant of the danger it could pose to her life and such. But I suppose that was the angle the author was hoping to go for, in order for Tynan to FEEL something for her other than attraction. If you like a good sexual undercurrent banter, then you'll no doubt enjoy theirs. Tynan's not going to be bossed around by a slip of woman yet, he can't even deal with her, being pushed to do what she wants against his will! The poor beast of a man. While he tries to hide it, Tynan's loves his sister and the orphaned street boys very much, and due to past experiences, he hones himself never to form or care about anyone else less it only brings him pain and misery, until Faye walks into his life.
FAYE is...a conundrum. A lady, yet not quite. By a stroke of luck, she manages to bail the beast of Newgate from prison only to have her plans go awry when he doesn't show an ounce of gratitude. Instead, the man lied to her, swindled her and tried to mollycoddle her plans before dropping her like a hot potato! The nerve of him! But she's not to be dissuaded. What Faye wants, she hopes to hell she's going to get it. And no, she's no spoilt miss. In fact, Faye's bitter about her family reputation that was involved in a kidnapping scheme that obviously darkened the Poplar name. Now she's on a mission to expose all the corrupted lords and ladies of the ton for their crimes, and she needs Tynan's help with the names. What started off as an idea in her head turns into a hard reality when she's faced with what Tynan had to endure as a child, the darkness of London's streets and what rich people are willing to do. As she discovers more, she turns hesitant as awareness that her life might be at risk sinks in...and yet she cannot just abandon the injustice of the victims. Faye's a good sport, and not a simpering virgin. She gives in freely to her opinions and passions, and that's what I liked about her.
OVERALL this was enjoyable, and easy to read. It wasn't intense as I would have preferred. The characters just gelled so well together, their chemistry didn't appear forced and it just went with the flow. Although, I DID HAVE AN AVERSION TO THE REASON THEY WERE BROUGHT TOGETHER IN THE FIRST PLACE. It seemed silly and reckless albeit it was for a noble and honourable cause. Unless the heroine had noble connections to back her up, I found her missionary endeavor rather ridiculous the moment she told Tynan WHY she needed his help. And here I thought it was something MORE life threatening.
March 18, 2021
Any Christi Caldwell book is a must read for me but Taming of the Beast may very well be my favorite. An engaging romance that gripped me from the very beginning. I’m so accustomed to the glittering balls and parties that feature so prominently in regency romance. But in Taming of the Beast I found myself in areas of London that people avoided. That alone made this story an irresistible literary escape.
I knew Christi Caldwell could make me swoon, and she has brought me to tears more times than I care to admit. But I didn’t know that she could make me giggle quite so much. The witty repartee between Faye and Tynan was expertly written and just plain fun to read. And the secondary characters were delightfully loveable and added so much to the story.
I think the utter humanness of Tynan and Faye is what made the story stand out to me. I don’t think I’ve ever fallen in love with two characters so quickly. I was in love with Tynan for his boldness and droll humor. He was such a rascal and loved getting under Faye’s skin. I adored his endearments for Faye that rolled so easily off his tongue. He brought images of Rhett Butler to mind frequently. I loved Faye for her boldness and courage. She was tenacious and driven. I admired her honesty and her lack of fear in saying how she felt. The fact that she cursed and looked at dirty books only made her even more endearing to me. When she spoke about her natural curiosity of carnal acts, I choked on my coffee. She could exasperate Tynan like no one else and that’s what made every interaction with them such a treat.
I really liked how the relationship developed between these two. They discovered so much about themselves through the other. Tynan had lived his life with the goal of not just surviving, but thriving. He never wanted to return to the poverty and insecurity he’d known as a boy. That singular concern drove his actions. Actions that landed him in Newgate. But Faye helped him see himself beyond that veneer of ice and frost he presented to the world. He was a good and thoughtful man. Faye discovered much about herself as she worked to right the wrongs done by society. In her pursuit of a just world, she discovered life isn’t black and white but has many shades of gray. These discoveries are where I experienced my usual Christi Caldwell emotional moments. This story is every bit as rich with compassion and emotional depth as her other books.
Tynan and Faye had so much boldness and fire in every encounter. It wasn’t surprising that there was boldness and fire in their intimate encounters as well. Not just fire though. More like an inferno! As in “en fuego”! In other words, there are some darn fine sex scenes in this book.
In all honesty, I’ve never read a Christi Caldwell book I didn’t love. This particular series has had all the passion and emotion I’ve come to expect but also a lot of wit and humor. With beautiful prose, deep emotion, sophisticated wit, and a page turning plot, this story solidifies my love for Christi Caldwell.
I knew Christi Caldwell could make me swoon, and she has brought me to tears more times than I care to admit. But I didn’t know that she could make me giggle quite so much. The witty repartee between Faye and Tynan was expertly written and just plain fun to read. And the secondary characters were delightfully loveable and added so much to the story.
I think the utter humanness of Tynan and Faye is what made the story stand out to me. I don’t think I’ve ever fallen in love with two characters so quickly. I was in love with Tynan for his boldness and droll humor. He was such a rascal and loved getting under Faye’s skin. I adored his endearments for Faye that rolled so easily off his tongue. He brought images of Rhett Butler to mind frequently. I loved Faye for her boldness and courage. She was tenacious and driven. I admired her honesty and her lack of fear in saying how she felt. The fact that she cursed and looked at dirty books only made her even more endearing to me. When she spoke about her natural curiosity of carnal acts, I choked on my coffee. She could exasperate Tynan like no one else and that’s what made every interaction with them such a treat.
I really liked how the relationship developed between these two. They discovered so much about themselves through the other. Tynan had lived his life with the goal of not just surviving, but thriving. He never wanted to return to the poverty and insecurity he’d known as a boy. That singular concern drove his actions. Actions that landed him in Newgate. But Faye helped him see himself beyond that veneer of ice and frost he presented to the world. He was a good and thoughtful man. Faye discovered much about herself as she worked to right the wrongs done by society. In her pursuit of a just world, she discovered life isn’t black and white but has many shades of gray. These discoveries are where I experienced my usual Christi Caldwell emotional moments. This story is every bit as rich with compassion and emotional depth as her other books.
Tynan and Faye had so much boldness and fire in every encounter. It wasn’t surprising that there was boldness and fire in their intimate encounters as well. Not just fire though. More like an inferno! As in “en fuego”! In other words, there are some darn fine sex scenes in this book.
In all honesty, I’ve never read a Christi Caldwell book I didn’t love. This particular series has had all the passion and emotion I’ve come to expect but also a lot of wit and humor. With beautiful prose, deep emotion, sophisticated wit, and a page turning plot, this story solidifies my love for Christi Caldwell.
May 4, 2021
Update————-
Finished it.
the character improved marginally but I just didn’t like this book as much as I usually like this authors work.
It was moral crusade with vague origins that seemed forced and the heroine had to be lead to obvious conclusions and pitfalls of her plan by other characters. It was just a bit of a mess and nothing actually happens. Any tension was really contrived with no real believable end goal. Even the conclusion of the “central conflict” was a lukewarm afterthought with nothing actually happening. There wasn’t any character growth on the part of the heroine and she fell flat. I was expecting a character like Lydia from Beetlejuice but got this weird mish mash of incompatible traits and actions.
In conclusion this won’t be a book I reread and hopefully this was just filler and future character introductions
Original Review————
51% - I want to like this book. The hero is interesting and likable, the premise isn’t incredibly cliche, but the heroine is just really annoyingly naive and infuriating.
Summary:
- great hero
-Way too oblivious heroine constantly making poor choices and assumptions
-Conversations are infuriating with a inability to distinguish rhetorical questions and sarcasm on the part of the heroine
-A lot of character actions just don’t come across as believable and just serve to muddy up waters and create obvious plot devices. For instance someone will jump to a conclusion that seems ridiculous then turns out to be true which is somehow even worse and even more unbelievable
-seriously the children have more sense than the heroine
When Faye is introduced in previous books I anticipated that she’d be more serious and grounded. What I instead find is a heroine that is annoyingly chatty but not in an endearing way. Then, Despite seeming to acknowledge (at least in her own thoughts) how fool hardy her plans are she goes along and follows them anyways. She keeps dragging Wylie into her messes and making further demands rather than showing some growth and making adjustments.
Her aim seems to be about bringing to light evils perpetrated by the upper class upon children but she goes about it like a bull in china shop with no subtlety or finesse. And despite her assertions about wanting to out evil doers I’m confused as to what exactly the end goal is for her. If I’m honest it seems like a really elaborate way of trying to lessen her own guilt for being the daughter of such people.
She blindly runs around trying to write her exposé while ignoring the children that suffer everyday in the areas she’s visiting. I think that’s what frustrates me so much. She’s trying to shine a light on these elaborate plots but doing nothing about the problems in front of her not even bringing food or candy for the children she encounters. Maybe this changes later but for now I just want her to stop interrupting Wylie, stop being so obtuse about rhetorical questions and sarcasm, and stop making cliche horror movie style self destructive decisions.
I’ll update this when I finish the book.
Finished it.
the character improved marginally but I just didn’t like this book as much as I usually like this authors work.
It was moral crusade with vague origins that seemed forced and the heroine had to be lead to obvious conclusions and pitfalls of her plan by other characters. It was just a bit of a mess and nothing actually happens. Any tension was really contrived with no real believable end goal. Even the conclusion of the “central conflict” was a lukewarm afterthought with nothing actually happening. There wasn’t any character growth on the part of the heroine and she fell flat. I was expecting a character like Lydia from Beetlejuice but got this weird mish mash of incompatible traits and actions.
In conclusion this won’t be a book I reread and hopefully this was just filler and future character introductions
Original Review————
51% - I want to like this book. The hero is interesting and likable, the premise isn’t incredibly cliche, but the heroine is just really annoyingly naive and infuriating.
Summary:
- great hero
-Way too oblivious heroine constantly making poor choices and assumptions
-Conversations are infuriating with a inability to distinguish rhetorical questions and sarcasm on the part of the heroine
-A lot of character actions just don’t come across as believable and just serve to muddy up waters and create obvious plot devices. For instance someone will jump to a conclusion that seems ridiculous then turns out to be true which is somehow even worse and even more unbelievable
-seriously the children have more sense than the heroine
When Faye is introduced in previous books I anticipated that she’d be more serious and grounded. What I instead find is a heroine that is annoyingly chatty but not in an endearing way. Then, Despite seeming to acknowledge (at least in her own thoughts) how fool hardy her plans are she goes along and follows them anyways. She keeps dragging Wylie into her messes and making further demands rather than showing some growth and making adjustments.
Her aim seems to be about bringing to light evils perpetrated by the upper class upon children but she goes about it like a bull in china shop with no subtlety or finesse. And despite her assertions about wanting to out evil doers I’m confused as to what exactly the end goal is for her. If I’m honest it seems like a really elaborate way of trying to lessen her own guilt for being the daughter of such people.
She blindly runs around trying to write her exposé while ignoring the children that suffer everyday in the areas she’s visiting. I think that’s what frustrates me so much. She’s trying to shine a light on these elaborate plots but doing nothing about the problems in front of her not even bringing food or candy for the children she encounters. Maybe this changes later but for now I just want her to stop interrupting Wylie, stop being so obtuse about rhetorical questions and sarcasm, and stop making cliche horror movie style self destructive decisions.
I’ll update this when I finish the book.
April 3, 2021
Totally Enthralled!
Taming the Beast, the second book in Christi Caldwell’s Scandalous Affairs series was a wonderful story that kept completely enthralled from the first page to the very last. This is Caldwel at her very best! She writes characters with such depth, that comes from the deepest traumas, but she fills them with joy and an iron-will to survive and to prosper, not just go through live but to reach for all they want. And these characters are a perfect example of that! Faye Poplar, the youngest daughter of the scandalous family involved in the kidnapping of the Earl of Maxwell, is shamed by the acts committed by her parents and other members of the peerage. Yet they seems to go about life mostly unaffected, except by gossip, not truly paying for the crimes they committed. Faye would like to see them exposed, and have true justice, so that they pay, and the innocent that were wrong may have some satisfaction. In order to do that, she needs the help of Tynan Wylie, the Beast of Newgate! Tynan, once warden of the prison, is now an inmate for taking bribes from those he should have protected and their families. But Faye secures his release in exchange for his help on her project to expose the peerage involved in the “Lost Lords” scandal. Tynan, knows what it’s like to grow up with nothing and fight for everything you need. He doesn’t want to help Faye, but somehow, can’t seem to resist. And as Faye gets to know Tynan, she realizes he’s not the Beast that he portrays, but a good man, who can’t see his own self worth, but who also helps those who need the help the most, even when he has nothing. He opens Faye’s eyes to different possibilities. This book was so beautiful and so touching, and I love that we see the whole Poplar family together again! Definitely a keeper!
Taming the Beast, the second book in Christi Caldwell’s Scandalous Affairs series was a wonderful story that kept completely enthralled from the first page to the very last. This is Caldwel at her very best! She writes characters with such depth, that comes from the deepest traumas, but she fills them with joy and an iron-will to survive and to prosper, not just go through live but to reach for all they want. And these characters are a perfect example of that! Faye Poplar, the youngest daughter of the scandalous family involved in the kidnapping of the Earl of Maxwell, is shamed by the acts committed by her parents and other members of the peerage. Yet they seems to go about life mostly unaffected, except by gossip, not truly paying for the crimes they committed. Faye would like to see them exposed, and have true justice, so that they pay, and the innocent that were wrong may have some satisfaction. In order to do that, she needs the help of Tynan Wylie, the Beast of Newgate! Tynan, once warden of the prison, is now an inmate for taking bribes from those he should have protected and their families. But Faye secures his release in exchange for his help on her project to expose the peerage involved in the “Lost Lords” scandal. Tynan, knows what it’s like to grow up with nothing and fight for everything you need. He doesn’t want to help Faye, but somehow, can’t seem to resist. And as Faye gets to know Tynan, she realizes he’s not the Beast that he portrays, but a good man, who can’t see his own self worth, but who also helps those who need the help the most, even when he has nothing. He opens Faye’s eyes to different possibilities. This book was so beautiful and so touching, and I love that we see the whole Poplar family together again! Definitely a keeper!
December 25, 2021
I really liked this book but I wanted to see more of the side characters that were mentioned.
I really liked Faye and Tynan and their interactions. I liked how determined Faye was and one of the best scenes in this book was how Faye dealt with her brother. She didn’t let him tell her what to do but she did it in a way that was based on facts (how her brother used to do worse things before he was married). I liked Tynan’s character and how he helped Faye, even though it was reluctant.
I really liked Tynan’s boys and I wanted to see more scenes with them. I would love to read a novella about Faye and Tynan’s new lives with the boys where you can actually see their personalities. Also, I wanted to see Lord Lothian meet Faye and them all interact with each other.
I wouldn’t have minded seeing more of Faye’s family but I wasn’t too focused on that.
I really liked this book and I want to read the next book in the series, which will hopefully be more like this book than the first book in the series.
I really liked Faye and Tynan and their interactions. I liked how determined Faye was and one of the best scenes in this book was how Faye dealt with her brother. She didn’t let him tell her what to do but she did it in a way that was based on facts (how her brother used to do worse things before he was married). I liked Tynan’s character and how he helped Faye, even though it was reluctant.
I really liked Tynan’s boys and I wanted to see more scenes with them. I would love to read a novella about Faye and Tynan’s new lives with the boys where you can actually see their personalities. Also, I wanted to see Lord Lothian meet Faye and them all interact with each other.
I wouldn’t have minded seeing more of Faye’s family but I wasn’t too focused on that.
I really liked this book and I want to read the next book in the series, which will hopefully be more like this book than the first book in the series.
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