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Dear Lady Truelove #4
A Mentira Sobre Amores e Herdeiras
Cara Lady Truelove,
Minha protegida está me enlouquecendo. Preciso casá-la para me livrar dela o mais rápido possível. Só tem um problema…
Quando Jonathan Deverill prometeu ao amigo moribundo que seria guardião de sua filha, ele estava esperando uma garota com trancinhas e uma boneca de pano a tiracolo, uma criança que poderia ser deixada na escola por mais alguns anos. Mas sua protegida é, na verdade, uma beldade crescida e rebelde, cujos sonhos por romance ameaçam fazer de sua tutela um inferno.
A herdeira nova-iorquina Marjorie McGann quer uma temporada em Londres e um marido nobre que a ajude a gastar os milhões de dólares que o pai lhe deixou, e acredita que seu novo guardião, com seus valiosos contatos, é o homem perfeito para ajudá-la na empreitada. Porém, quando ele se mostra mais rigoroso que a mais severa das professoras, Marjorie decide tomar as rédeas da situação. Afinal, ela passou vinte anos esperando para ser livre, e vai encontrar o amor, de um jeito ou de outro.
Minha protegida está me enlouquecendo. Preciso casá-la para me livrar dela o mais rápido possível. Só tem um problema…
Quando Jonathan Deverill prometeu ao amigo moribundo que seria guardião de sua filha, ele estava esperando uma garota com trancinhas e uma boneca de pano a tiracolo, uma criança que poderia ser deixada na escola por mais alguns anos. Mas sua protegida é, na verdade, uma beldade crescida e rebelde, cujos sonhos por romance ameaçam fazer de sua tutela um inferno.
A herdeira nova-iorquina Marjorie McGann quer uma temporada em Londres e um marido nobre que a ajude a gastar os milhões de dólares que o pai lhe deixou, e acredita que seu novo guardião, com seus valiosos contatos, é o homem perfeito para ajudá-la na empreitada. Porém, quando ele se mostra mais rigoroso que a mais severa das professoras, Marjorie decide tomar as rédeas da situação. Afinal, ela passou vinte anos esperando para ser livre, e vai encontrar o amor, de um jeito ou de outro.
320 pages, Paperback
First published September 24, 2019
247 people are currently reading
850 people want to read
About the author
Laura Lee Guhrke
39 books1,812 followersFrom the publication of her very first historical romance, Laura Lee Guhrke has received numerous honors and critical acclaim for her novels and her writing style. She has been honored with the most prestigious award of romance fiction, the Romance Writers of America Rita Award, and she has received additional awards from Romantic Times and All About Romance. Romantic Times has proclaimed her, “One of the most natural voices in historical romance to be found today”. Her books routinely hit the USA Today Bestseller List, and Guilty Pleasures has been honored with the Romantic Times Award for Best European Historical Romance of 2004. Among her publishing credits are twelve historical romances, including her latest, And Then He Kissed Her, now available from Avon Books.
Laura is currently hard at work on her thirteenth historical romance for Avon Books. She has also written articles for various publications, including the Romance Writers Report, The British Weekly , and the Irish-American Press.
Laura is currently hard at work on her thirteenth historical romance for Avon Books. She has also written articles for various publications, including the Romance Writers Report, The British Weekly , and the Irish-American Press.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 139 reviews
June 11, 2019
It took me forever to finish this book. Couldn't seem to get excited about the story or the hero. Jonathan was manipulative and annoying from the beginning. Everything was about him and how his life should be. I love how the story had to be changed so he could follow his dreams! (Can you hear my sarcasm??)
I found Marjorie's dream of home and hearth comforting especially given her background but over and over she had to be the one to take risks and follow a FUCKING IDIOT because it's a romance novel and it needs to a happy-ish ending. WHAT ABOUT HER DREAMS?!?!
I found Marjorie's dream of home and hearth comforting especially given her background but over and over she had to be the one to take risks and follow a FUCKING IDIOT because it's a romance novel and it needs to a happy-ish ending. WHAT ABOUT HER DREAMS?!?!
September 15, 2019
Series: Dear Lady Truelove #4
Publication Date: 9/24/19
Number of Pages: 384
Jonathan Deverill and Marjorie McGann are two different souls who want very different things in life – or do they? I thoroughly enjoyed these characters and could so easily identify with both of them. It was so much fun to get to know them and to watch them discover that what each of them wanted wasn’t really so very different after all. It is an excellently written story filled with humor and romance. I have not read the other books in the series and didn’t feel I’d missed anything at all in relation to this story – so – bottom line is – it can easily be read as a standalone.
Jonathan’s dreams for his life all came crashing down around him when he was eighteen years old. Jonathan’s grandfather had told him all of his life that the Deverill Publishing company was his birthright – ink flowed in his veins. But then, his grandfather died and hadn’t made a will – so everything went to Jonathan’s father. That wouldn’t have been a bad thing if his father had a little bit of business sense and wasn’t so stubborn and uncompromising. When Jonathan tried to advise his father, he threw a tantrum, disinherited Jonathan and kicked him out of the house. To make matters worse, his betrothed told him that she wouldn’t marry him since he now had no prospects. Jonathan left for America and wandered around doing different things there until he and his friend discovered the biggest silver strike in Idaho. They pulled millions of dollars worth of silver out of that mine.
Jonathan is now rich beyond belief, but his friend, Billy McGann, has just died a horrible death from consumption. Jonathan stayed with him through that last awful year and at the end, Billy told him that he had a daughter and that he’d made Jonathan her guardian. Jonathan is shocked that his friend has kept such a secret from him, but he agrees. He would agree to anything Billy asked because the man was closer than a brother. How hard could it be to arrange for care of a little girl?
Jonathan made an appointment to meet the little girl at her exclusive boarding school. What was his reaction when he met her? “Goddamn and holy hell” is what he said. That was no little girl in pigtails and a pinafore – no, she was a drop-dead gorgeous almost twenty-one-year-old who was fully expecting to finally get to leave the school where she’d spent almost her entire life. She did NOT take the news that she’d need to stay there for another eight months lightly. She made her desires very, very clear – she wanted to go to London, she wanted a season, she wanted to marry a man with a title, and mostly, she wanted a home – a real home.
Marjorie has been left, all alone, at Forsyte Academy, an exclusive boarding school for young ladies in White Plains, New York, when she was just seven years old – right after her mother’s death. Her father promised he’d return for her, but he never did. He always promised she could join him, but it never happened. Oh, she harbored her dreams for a very long time before realizing that he just didn’t want her. She had no family other than him, so she was utterly alone in the world. What she wanted most in life were safety and security. She wanted a real family, a real home and a life outside of a cloistered boarding school - and she really, really, really wanted someone who wouldn't leave her. So, when her new guardian arrived at her school and told her she’d have to stay, she didn’t believe he’d ever be back for her – just like her father – he was going to abandon her as well. She’d be darned if she was going to have that, so she made her own plans – and executed them perfectly.
Jonathan was attracted to Marjorie the moment he met her – and that just wasn’t appropriate. He had to get to England and make arrangements with his sisters to take her in and introduce her to society. Then he’d return to fetch her. But – once his ship was out to sea, there she was, in his suite aboard the ship – on the way to London. Oh! My!
I love that Jonathan tried to fight his attraction and give her what she wanted – and she’d told him in no uncertain terms that he was just like her father and she didn’t want any part of a man like him. I also loved that he saw through to the real Marjorie – the one who was brave and adventurous and who would become bored with the ‘safe’ life she was seeking.
This was a fun visit with two wonderful characters and a host of lovely supporting characters. Marjorie kept Jonathan off-kilter during the entire book and kept upsetting all of his well-laid plans. I was beginning to wonder if she was going to let it slip through her fingers though – but finally, she embraced that brave, resilient, adventurous woman and ran with it. Lovely ending!
I voluntarily read and reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Publication Date: 9/24/19
Number of Pages: 384
Jonathan Deverill and Marjorie McGann are two different souls who want very different things in life – or do they? I thoroughly enjoyed these characters and could so easily identify with both of them. It was so much fun to get to know them and to watch them discover that what each of them wanted wasn’t really so very different after all. It is an excellently written story filled with humor and romance. I have not read the other books in the series and didn’t feel I’d missed anything at all in relation to this story – so – bottom line is – it can easily be read as a standalone.
Jonathan’s dreams for his life all came crashing down around him when he was eighteen years old. Jonathan’s grandfather had told him all of his life that the Deverill Publishing company was his birthright – ink flowed in his veins. But then, his grandfather died and hadn’t made a will – so everything went to Jonathan’s father. That wouldn’t have been a bad thing if his father had a little bit of business sense and wasn’t so stubborn and uncompromising. When Jonathan tried to advise his father, he threw a tantrum, disinherited Jonathan and kicked him out of the house. To make matters worse, his betrothed told him that she wouldn’t marry him since he now had no prospects. Jonathan left for America and wandered around doing different things there until he and his friend discovered the biggest silver strike in Idaho. They pulled millions of dollars worth of silver out of that mine.
Jonathan is now rich beyond belief, but his friend, Billy McGann, has just died a horrible death from consumption. Jonathan stayed with him through that last awful year and at the end, Billy told him that he had a daughter and that he’d made Jonathan her guardian. Jonathan is shocked that his friend has kept such a secret from him, but he agrees. He would agree to anything Billy asked because the man was closer than a brother. How hard could it be to arrange for care of a little girl?
Jonathan made an appointment to meet the little girl at her exclusive boarding school. What was his reaction when he met her? “Goddamn and holy hell” is what he said. That was no little girl in pigtails and a pinafore – no, she was a drop-dead gorgeous almost twenty-one-year-old who was fully expecting to finally get to leave the school where she’d spent almost her entire life. She did NOT take the news that she’d need to stay there for another eight months lightly. She made her desires very, very clear – she wanted to go to London, she wanted a season, she wanted to marry a man with a title, and mostly, she wanted a home – a real home.
Marjorie has been left, all alone, at Forsyte Academy, an exclusive boarding school for young ladies in White Plains, New York, when she was just seven years old – right after her mother’s death. Her father promised he’d return for her, but he never did. He always promised she could join him, but it never happened. Oh, she harbored her dreams for a very long time before realizing that he just didn’t want her. She had no family other than him, so she was utterly alone in the world. What she wanted most in life were safety and security. She wanted a real family, a real home and a life outside of a cloistered boarding school - and she really, really, really wanted someone who wouldn't leave her. So, when her new guardian arrived at her school and told her she’d have to stay, she didn’t believe he’d ever be back for her – just like her father – he was going to abandon her as well. She’d be darned if she was going to have that, so she made her own plans – and executed them perfectly.
Jonathan was attracted to Marjorie the moment he met her – and that just wasn’t appropriate. He had to get to England and make arrangements with his sisters to take her in and introduce her to society. Then he’d return to fetch her. But – once his ship was out to sea, there she was, in his suite aboard the ship – on the way to London. Oh! My!
I love that Jonathan tried to fight his attraction and give her what she wanted – and she’d told him in no uncertain terms that he was just like her father and she didn’t want any part of a man like him. I also loved that he saw through to the real Marjorie – the one who was brave and adventurous and who would become bored with the ‘safe’ life she was seeking.
This was a fun visit with two wonderful characters and a host of lovely supporting characters. Marjorie kept Jonathan off-kilter during the entire book and kept upsetting all of his well-laid plans. I was beginning to wonder if she was going to let it slip through her fingers though – but finally, she embraced that brave, resilient, adventurous woman and ran with it. Lovely ending!
I voluntarily read and reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
October 4, 2020
Review originally published at Romancing Romances.
I received an eARC at no cost from the publisher, and I am leaving a voluntary and honest review. Thank you.
3.75*
This was my first Laura Lee Guhrke book. I don’t know why it took me so long to read this author!
I’ll admit, some things in the book were a bit too much for me, but in general this was quite fun!
I really liked Marjorie, she was fun, and she was very determined. And for someone who pretty much lived her whole life between the walls of a school, she was very courageous. Because it courage to actually do what she did. It’s all good when you’re thinking about going on an adventure, but actually doing it, takes a lot of guts!
The romance trope in this book is the ward-guardian trope. But not to worry, Marjorie isn’t a child, or teenager, she’s a young woman – which the hero knew nothing about, and he was very surprised to find a beautiful woman instead of a young girl in pigtails.
Jonathan does seem a bit annoying sometimes, but we have to keep in mind he is trying to protect both Marjorie and himself. He wants her to have her dream, but at the same time he wants his sanity. Whenever Marjorie does something crazy, we can clearly see all the mechanics in his head, and sometimes it does come out, but it’s mostly #internallyscreaming.
This book was a lot of fun, as we accompanied both the hero and the heroine to discover new (and old) dreams, and what they actually wanted out of their lives. It really pushes some of our buttons, and force us to, alongside the characters, see what we’re looking for in our lives. Is it really the ballrooms and gossip, or do we want something more? This was the question for Marjorie. And for Jonathan? Well, for him it was even a bigger question, as he had no idea what he wanted to do, besides what he already did. But he wanted a new dream… he just didn’t know what that would entail. And together, they find a new, adventurous dream.
I received an eARC at no cost from the publisher, and I am leaving a voluntary and honest review. Thank you.
3.75*
This was my first Laura Lee Guhrke book. I don’t know why it took me so long to read this author!
I’ll admit, some things in the book were a bit too much for me, but in general this was quite fun!
I really liked Marjorie, she was fun, and she was very determined. And for someone who pretty much lived her whole life between the walls of a school, she was very courageous. Because it courage to actually do what she did. It’s all good when you’re thinking about going on an adventure, but actually doing it, takes a lot of guts!
The romance trope in this book is the ward-guardian trope. But not to worry, Marjorie isn’t a child, or teenager, she’s a young woman – which the hero knew nothing about, and he was very surprised to find a beautiful woman instead of a young girl in pigtails.
Jonathan does seem a bit annoying sometimes, but we have to keep in mind he is trying to protect both Marjorie and himself. He wants her to have her dream, but at the same time he wants his sanity. Whenever Marjorie does something crazy, we can clearly see all the mechanics in his head, and sometimes it does come out, but it’s mostly #internallyscreaming.
This book was a lot of fun, as we accompanied both the hero and the heroine to discover new (and old) dreams, and what they actually wanted out of their lives. It really pushes some of our buttons, and force us to, alongside the characters, see what we’re looking for in our lives. Is it really the ballrooms and gossip, or do we want something more? This was the question for Marjorie. And for Jonathan? Well, for him it was even a bigger question, as he had no idea what he wanted to do, besides what he already did. But he wanted a new dream… he just didn’t know what that would entail. And together, they find a new, adventurous dream.
January 20, 2020
I've enjoyed the previous three books in the series, but for some reason, this book was just too slow for me to be truly invested. The love the hero felt for the heroine seemed to occur too suddenly, just so the book can begin to focus on the romance. We do see characters from the previous books, but I think this book can be read as a standalone.
April 22, 2022
We are big fans of LLG's writing. Her characters are always well-drawn and her historical tidbits are delightful. This book is no different! In Heiress Gone Wild, Jonathan is made guardian of his late friend's daughter, Marjorie. When he goes to meet with her and break the news of her father's death, instead of the school-aged child he expected, he finds a beautiful young woman. This would come as no surprise to any experienced HistRom reader, but apparently Jonathan doesn't read the same books we do. This becomes even more obvious when he doesn't realize that Marjorie's just going to board the same transatlantic cruise liner he's booked.
We really enjoyed this book, especially the reappearance of Jonathan's sisters. It's also just about as sexy as a romance can be where the main couple is trying to avoid each other so as not to give in to temptation. That said, when Jonathan makes up his mind, get ready for some library sexytimes*, seductive tennis playing, and a smashing birthday ball.
9-Word Summaries:
Laine: Orphaned teacher absconds to London, finds husband and career.
Meg: Hot guardian STOP leaves tonight STOP go with QUERY
*Obligatory mention that the library is always the sexiest room in the townhouse
We really enjoyed this book, especially the reappearance of Jonathan's sisters. It's also just about as sexy as a romance can be where the main couple is trying to avoid each other so as not to give in to temptation. That said, when Jonathan makes up his mind, get ready for some library sexytimes*, seductive tennis playing, and a smashing birthday ball.
9-Word Summaries:
Laine: Orphaned teacher absconds to London, finds husband and career.
Meg: Hot guardian STOP leaves tonight STOP go with QUERY
*Obligatory mention that the library is always the sexiest room in the townhouse
September 16, 2019
I had read the previous book in this series and really enjoyed it. Coupled with the synopsis, I was excited to read this one.
I liked Marjorie and Jonathan well enough. She’s smart and wants something more. He has no idea what he’s doing and it’s delightful. Together there’s some button pushing and spirited arguing and I loved every second of it. There are loads of secondary characters and I had no idea who any of them were.
Plot wise, it was a bit boring. My main complaint is that I didn’t see the leap from like to lust to love. There were a handful of conversations and two kisses and poof! They’re in love...too much telling, not enough showing.
Overall, it was easy to root for these characters, but the story was lacking a spark I was hoping for.
**Huge thanks to Avon Books for providing the arc free of charge**
I liked Marjorie and Jonathan well enough. She’s smart and wants something more. He has no idea what he’s doing and it’s delightful. Together there’s some button pushing and spirited arguing and I loved every second of it. There are loads of secondary characters and I had no idea who any of them were.
Plot wise, it was a bit boring. My main complaint is that I didn’t see the leap from like to lust to love. There were a handful of conversations and two kisses and poof! They’re in love...too much telling, not enough showing.
Overall, it was easy to root for these characters, but the story was lacking a spark I was hoping for.
**Huge thanks to Avon Books for providing the arc free of charge**
November 22, 2019
Wealthy silver baron Jonathan Deverill is immensely saddened by his business partner's death and makes a deathbed promise to become guardian to the man's daughter. He's expecting a little girl with several more years left of finishing school so he's shocked to discover his new ward is a beautiful young woman whose longing for romance and a change of scene promise to make his role far more difficult than he imagined.
Heiress Marjorie McGann longs to leave New York, have a London season, and be swept off her feet by a titled English gentleman. But Jonathan is extremely protective of Marjorie, constantly warning her of the duplicitous nature of fortune hunters and confidence men. He's so overly protective, in fact, that Marjorie finds no romance at all. Until a kiss between her and Jonathan himself changes everything and she wonders if the key to all her romantic dreams lies with Jonathan after all. But Jonathan is a wanderer and Marjorie longs for a settled life and family of her own. With his restless nature and her desire to live within the British high society he disdains, a future for them together seems near impossible.
This book was different than most in that it's not all sunshine after the hero and heroine fall in love. These two have to learn to compromise and meet in the middle and that made it so real and relatable. They also have to face the hard questions of what they really want from life, which, as is the case for many of us, wasn't what either of them first thought. I thought that was great and I appreciated that they each were concerned about their own dreams and fulfillment along with being concerned about each other. Jonathan was a great hero without compromising himself. Marjorie tried my patience a bit but once she started thinking for herself about what she wanted rather than what she thought she should want, she became likable and relatable.
This was my first read from this author and I really enjoyed it and I want to read the other books in the series now.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Heiress Marjorie McGann longs to leave New York, have a London season, and be swept off her feet by a titled English gentleman. But Jonathan is extremely protective of Marjorie, constantly warning her of the duplicitous nature of fortune hunters and confidence men. He's so overly protective, in fact, that Marjorie finds no romance at all. Until a kiss between her and Jonathan himself changes everything and she wonders if the key to all her romantic dreams lies with Jonathan after all. But Jonathan is a wanderer and Marjorie longs for a settled life and family of her own. With his restless nature and her desire to live within the British high society he disdains, a future for them together seems near impossible.
This book was different than most in that it's not all sunshine after the hero and heroine fall in love. These two have to learn to compromise and meet in the middle and that made it so real and relatable. They also have to face the hard questions of what they really want from life, which, as is the case for many of us, wasn't what either of them first thought. I thought that was great and I appreciated that they each were concerned about their own dreams and fulfillment along with being concerned about each other. Jonathan was a great hero without compromising himself. Marjorie tried my patience a bit but once she started thinking for herself about what she wanted rather than what she thought she should want, she became likable and relatable.
This was my first read from this author and I really enjoyed it and I want to read the other books in the series now.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
September 11, 2019
Heiress Gone Wild
Dear Lady Truelove series
Laura Lee Guhrke
https://www.facebook.com/LauraLeeGuhr...
Release date 9/24/2019
Publisher Avon
Blurb :
My ward is driving me crazy. I have to marry her off and get her out of my life. There’s just one problem…
When Jonathan Deverill promised a dying friend he’d be guardian to the man’s daughter, he envisioned a girl in pigtails and pinafores, a child he could leave behind in some finishing school. Problem is, his ward is actually a fully-grown, defiant beauty whose longing for romance threatens to make his guardianship a living hell.
New York heiress Marjorie McGann wants a London season and a titled husband who can help her spend the Yankee millions she’s inherited, and she thinks her new British guardian is the perfect person to help her find him. But Jonathan has no intention of letting his friend’s fortune be squandered. Under his watchful, protective eye, Marjorie finds romance hard to come by . . . until one fateful night when her own guardian’s devastating kisses makes her wonder if the greatest romance of all might be right in front of her.
My review :
Can they let go of the past and find a common ground for a futur together...
Mrs Laura Lee Guhrke is one of my favorite author, she crafts moving tale with strong but flawed characters and this one does not disappoint, in this slow-burn page-turning romance, she conveyed the struggles Marjorie and Jonathan faced when their chemistry arises and question their own plans.
Despite their instant-attraction, it was a slow-going tale, the author never rushing down, letting them interact and discover who is really the other.
Marjorie is a wounded young woman, she had dreams to reunite with her long departed father, until she learns of his passing, and her attribution of a guardian. So, it is not a man she just encountered whom will decide too for her future. She wants what her friends with whom she grew up have, a season in London, a beautiful home and maybe love with a titled gentleman.
Sure, she appears quite innocent to think she will be able to avoid easily to become prey of those lurking after her fortune. She might be naïve and readily fall for some awesome men whispering charming words, she does know she must stay vigilant, and learn to navigate in murky waters as she often without even knowing it break many rules.
Everything is new to her, having lived her whole life within the confines of a gilded cage. She is at first entranced by the light of the London’s life. Still she can’t shake out of her mind the kiss she exchanged with her too attractive guardian. Said guardian who seems only to think to delegate her care to his sisters, and run away for a far away land. Then she realises, what she has longed for years, can be quite boring and overwhelming, it does not fulfill the hopes she had for this life, and it might change her in a aseptic version of herself if she continues in the same path.
With all his dreams smashed to piece, Jonathan Deverill had to rebuild himself in a new man, and the road to his new self was not linear. Then he reached his goal and made his fortune, one grander than his own father’s. But his wealth and success left him unfilled. Something is still missing, thus his need to hop from one place to another.
Then Marjorie McGann happens, and by her simple presence, she makes him question himself. What are his new goals and the more he looks inside himself, the more he is unsure he is on the right path. Did he lied to himself all these years?
Jonathan was not very lovable at first, domineering and overbearing. Giving no time to Marjorie to adjust to the decisions he made for her. Leaving like her father, to wait for his return. Then as his view of her changes, his attitude too. But as he doesn’t know how to deal with this new emotions she steers from him, he tries to distance himself from her.
But once he realizes the depth of his feelings, he is the one never renouncing. Making the necessary changes to prove he is worthy of her, even when she doubts his commitment.
This was a beautiful tale of finding where is their home, with trust freely given and faith in the other as foundation for a successful relationship.
5 stars
On a note, I would have loved a cover with the heroine wearing her dashing black dress.
I was granted by the publisher Avon, through Edelweiss an advance copy.
I had previously preordered my own.
Here is my true and unbiased opinion.
https://www.facebook.com/429830134272...
Dear Lady Truelove series
Laura Lee Guhrke
https://www.facebook.com/LauraLeeGuhr...
Release date 9/24/2019
Publisher Avon
Blurb :
My ward is driving me crazy. I have to marry her off and get her out of my life. There’s just one problem…
When Jonathan Deverill promised a dying friend he’d be guardian to the man’s daughter, he envisioned a girl in pigtails and pinafores, a child he could leave behind in some finishing school. Problem is, his ward is actually a fully-grown, defiant beauty whose longing for romance threatens to make his guardianship a living hell.
New York heiress Marjorie McGann wants a London season and a titled husband who can help her spend the Yankee millions she’s inherited, and she thinks her new British guardian is the perfect person to help her find him. But Jonathan has no intention of letting his friend’s fortune be squandered. Under his watchful, protective eye, Marjorie finds romance hard to come by . . . until one fateful night when her own guardian’s devastating kisses makes her wonder if the greatest romance of all might be right in front of her.
My review :
Can they let go of the past and find a common ground for a futur together...
Mrs Laura Lee Guhrke is one of my favorite author, she crafts moving tale with strong but flawed characters and this one does not disappoint, in this slow-burn page-turning romance, she conveyed the struggles Marjorie and Jonathan faced when their chemistry arises and question their own plans.
Despite their instant-attraction, it was a slow-going tale, the author never rushing down, letting them interact and discover who is really the other.
Marjorie is a wounded young woman, she had dreams to reunite with her long departed father, until she learns of his passing, and her attribution of a guardian. So, it is not a man she just encountered whom will decide too for her future. She wants what her friends with whom she grew up have, a season in London, a beautiful home and maybe love with a titled gentleman.
Sure, she appears quite innocent to think she will be able to avoid easily to become prey of those lurking after her fortune. She might be naïve and readily fall for some awesome men whispering charming words, she does know she must stay vigilant, and learn to navigate in murky waters as she often without even knowing it break many rules.
Everything is new to her, having lived her whole life within the confines of a gilded cage. She is at first entranced by the light of the London’s life. Still she can’t shake out of her mind the kiss she exchanged with her too attractive guardian. Said guardian who seems only to think to delegate her care to his sisters, and run away for a far away land. Then she realises, what she has longed for years, can be quite boring and overwhelming, it does not fulfill the hopes she had for this life, and it might change her in a aseptic version of herself if she continues in the same path.
With all his dreams smashed to piece, Jonathan Deverill had to rebuild himself in a new man, and the road to his new self was not linear. Then he reached his goal and made his fortune, one grander than his own father’s. But his wealth and success left him unfilled. Something is still missing, thus his need to hop from one place to another.
Then Marjorie McGann happens, and by her simple presence, she makes him question himself. What are his new goals and the more he looks inside himself, the more he is unsure he is on the right path. Did he lied to himself all these years?
Jonathan was not very lovable at first, domineering and overbearing. Giving no time to Marjorie to adjust to the decisions he made for her. Leaving like her father, to wait for his return. Then as his view of her changes, his attitude too. But as he doesn’t know how to deal with this new emotions she steers from him, he tries to distance himself from her.
But once he realizes the depth of his feelings, he is the one never renouncing. Making the necessary changes to prove he is worthy of her, even when she doubts his commitment.
This was a beautiful tale of finding where is their home, with trust freely given and faith in the other as foundation for a successful relationship.
5 stars
On a note, I would have loved a cover with the heroine wearing her dashing black dress.
I was granted by the publisher Avon, through Edelweiss an advance copy.
I had previously preordered my own.
Here is my true and unbiased opinion.
https://www.facebook.com/429830134272...
October 13, 2019
Jonathan Deverill comes to Forsyth Academy in New York to meet his ward, Miss Marjorie McGann, her father was his friend and business partner, but recently died of consumption, leaving a huge fortune to his daughter and only child. But Marjorie is not the little girl Jonathan imagined, no, she is full grown, gorgeous woman who is tired of waiting for her life to start.
Marjorie has been at Forsyth for 13 years and hasn’t seen her father since the day he dropped her off when she was just seven years old. After the other girls her age graduated and left, Marjorie stayed on to teach as she had nowhere to go. So when the handsome Jonathan Deverill waltzes in and proclaims that he has business to attend to and will return for her in 8 months. Marjorie is not happy with this proclamation and tries to negotiate with Jonathan. He is firm, he cannot take her with him, he thought she was a child and is not prepared, besides she is in mourning and can’t go out in society anyway. Marjorie argues that she shouldn’t be in mourning, she hadn’t seen her father in 13 years, she didn’t even know him! Again, Jonathan is adamant and reiterates that he will return for her in 8 months. Marjorie knows that she will get nowhere with him and lets him believe that she agrees with him.
Imagine Jonathan’s surprise when once his ship has set sail and he is relaxing in his bath, that he gets a visitor – Marjorie! This is just the beginning of the hijinks Marjorie has planned for Jonathan, but to the delight of this reader, Jonathan is a worthy opponent to Marjorie and will not go down without a fight.
The story is delightful, it is well written, flows nicely and Marjorie and Jonathan are wonderful leads. The chemistry between these two is obvious and their banter is amusing and heartfelt. I loved watching both of them grow and trust, especially Marjorie who has been hurt and abandoned. The secondary characters (characters from the previous books) are great, the love scenes steamyish, the conflict believable and emotional. My only complaint is Marjorie’s refusal to trust Jonathan felt like it dragged on just a tad too long, not horribly so, but leaning towards annoying. This is the fourth book in the series, but it can easily be read as a stand-alone with no problems.
*I am voluntarily leaving a review for an eARC that was provided to me by Edelweiss and the publisher.*
Marjorie has been at Forsyth for 13 years and hasn’t seen her father since the day he dropped her off when she was just seven years old. After the other girls her age graduated and left, Marjorie stayed on to teach as she had nowhere to go. So when the handsome Jonathan Deverill waltzes in and proclaims that he has business to attend to and will return for her in 8 months. Marjorie is not happy with this proclamation and tries to negotiate with Jonathan. He is firm, he cannot take her with him, he thought she was a child and is not prepared, besides she is in mourning and can’t go out in society anyway. Marjorie argues that she shouldn’t be in mourning, she hadn’t seen her father in 13 years, she didn’t even know him! Again, Jonathan is adamant and reiterates that he will return for her in 8 months. Marjorie knows that she will get nowhere with him and lets him believe that she agrees with him.
Imagine Jonathan’s surprise when once his ship has set sail and he is relaxing in his bath, that he gets a visitor – Marjorie! This is just the beginning of the hijinks Marjorie has planned for Jonathan, but to the delight of this reader, Jonathan is a worthy opponent to Marjorie and will not go down without a fight.
The story is delightful, it is well written, flows nicely and Marjorie and Jonathan are wonderful leads. The chemistry between these two is obvious and their banter is amusing and heartfelt. I loved watching both of them grow and trust, especially Marjorie who has been hurt and abandoned. The secondary characters (characters from the previous books) are great, the love scenes steamyish, the conflict believable and emotional. My only complaint is Marjorie’s refusal to trust Jonathan felt like it dragged on just a tad too long, not horribly so, but leaning towards annoying. This is the fourth book in the series, but it can easily be read as a stand-alone with no problems.
*I am voluntarily leaving a review for an eARC that was provided to me by Edelweiss and the publisher.*
October 19, 2019
3.5ish
I loved the hero and heroine but then the romance became rushed. The abrupt turnabout of one character was too jarring for me to recover. This was still an enjoyable read.
Library eloan
I loved the hero and heroine but then the romance became rushed. The abrupt turnabout of one character was too jarring for me to recover. This was still an enjoyable read.
Library eloan
dnf-p50-rule
May 12, 2020Found the book, it was under the passenger seat in the car. Should have left it there. This was fun in a “hoo boy here we go” way at first but now it’s just kinda cringey. I’m not in the mood for cringe.
February 19, 2025
DNF
The romance is severely lacking in romance.
The romance is severely lacking in romance.
September 30, 2019
Heiress Gone Wild: Dear Lady Truelove by Laura Lee Guhrke is book 4 in the Dear Lady Truelove Series. This is the story of Jonathan Deverill and Marjorie McGann. I have read the previous books but feel you could make this a standalone book if you wish to do so.
Jonathan was promised by his grandfather the family business but his grandfather didn't do the will before he died and his father received it and when Jonathan tried to help him it didn't go well at all...he was kicked out of the house and disowned. This lead him to leave for America where he ended up meeting Billy McGann besides becoming friends they ended up having the biggest silver strike in Idaho which made them very rich. But then Billy died but before doing so he asked Jonathan to take over guardianship for his little girl. Of course Jonathan couldn't refuse. Besides how much trouble can a little girl would be when at a boarding school for girls...well a lot when they are grown and that little girl wants a London Season with a Titled husband. Marjorie was left at a boarding school for young ladies in White Plains, New York after her mother died and her dad left her there with the promise to return. Sadly he never did and now she just wants to leave the school and start her life with a husband that is more secure than her flighty father. The attraction between the two are to much for either to ignore which of course causes issue for them both.
Enjoyed their story.
Jonathan was promised by his grandfather the family business but his grandfather didn't do the will before he died and his father received it and when Jonathan tried to help him it didn't go well at all...he was kicked out of the house and disowned. This lead him to leave for America where he ended up meeting Billy McGann besides becoming friends they ended up having the biggest silver strike in Idaho which made them very rich. But then Billy died but before doing so he asked Jonathan to take over guardianship for his little girl. Of course Jonathan couldn't refuse. Besides how much trouble can a little girl would be when at a boarding school for girls...well a lot when they are grown and that little girl wants a London Season with a Titled husband. Marjorie was left at a boarding school for young ladies in White Plains, New York after her mother died and her dad left her there with the promise to return. Sadly he never did and now she just wants to leave the school and start her life with a husband that is more secure than her flighty father. The attraction between the two are to much for either to ignore which of course causes issue for them both.
Enjoyed their story.
September 23, 2019
I received an ARC of this book to read through Edelweiss+ in exchange for a fair review. Heiress Gone Wild by Laura Lee Guhrke is the fourth book in her delightful Dear Lady Truelove Series. This book could be read as a stand-alone but it’s an excellent series so I do recommend reading them all. Jonathon Deverill has been entrusted by a close friend with the guardianship of his daughter, thinking she is a young girl he goes to visit it her at the school his friend left her at only to find she is 20 years old no longer a school girl but now a teacher at the school. Marjorie McCann is surprised to find that she is an heiress, and hurt and angry that her father never sent for her as he promised vows that she is going to go out and find her life, that she is tired of being left behind and is not going to stand for it any more. She follows Jonathon on the ship he is taking to England.The chemistry between these two is hot and the story is a lovely slow burn of a romance between two people who’s lives have been upended and now need to figure out what it is they want to make of their lives. Medium Steam Publishing Date September 24, 2019 #Edelweissplus #HeiressGoneWild #LauraLeeGuhrke #AvonRomance #HarperCollinsCanada #AvonBooks #HistoricalRomance #Bookstagram
July 23, 2020
To be honest, I rounded up. I typically can rely on LLG to give me a satisfying romance, but this one really didn’t work for me. It’s fair to say world events are certainly influencing my ability to enjoy things, but guardian/ward relationships are always difficult to write in a way that balances the power dynamic and this did not do that. Majorie goes from being in an all-girls school to being 24/7 chaperoned by women to being in love with the first man she’s ever spent any time with, who makes her ~feel things~ she’s never felt before. I just wasn’t able to buy in to this working out well for anyone.
November 19, 2019
3 stars - Historical Romance
October 20, 2020
This one was kind of disappointing, and my least favorite of the series. Their attraction was apparent, but I didn't really see much evidence of actual appreciation or closeness or anything, it's just suddenly claimed as love in the end. Both characters are largely clueless, the heroine has been sheltered, so she has kind of a childlike understanding of how the world works I guess, (which wouldn't entirely be her fault, but still wasn't very appealing either), and there's hardly anything at all to the hero beyond that he's attracted to her 'yet still must somehow try to resist ruining her' because she's his innocent ward and all. *eye roll* I didn't care for either of them that much, separately or together, and there wasn't much keeping them apart except for both of them just getting in their own way. The whole thing felt kind of like it was just going through the motions.
September 24, 2019
Fun book about two people who seem to be opposites, but are more alike than they know. I thoroughly enjoyed watching these two people drive each other crazy on their path to happily-ever-after. Though I haven't read the earlier books in the series, this one works well as a stand-alone. There are hints of the earlier stories, enough to fill in the blanks without bogging down the story with recaps. It was also motivation to read the previous books as soon as possible.
Marjorie is a young woman who is ready to take on a new life. She was dumped in boarding school at the age of seven by her father who promised to come back for her. Infrequent letters promised it would be "soon" but the years passed. She dreamed of having what her friends had - a London season, a titled husband, children, and a beautiful home of her own. She's saddened by the passing of her father, but more determined than ever to pursue the life she wants. A stuffy English guardian with plans to leave her at school until it's convenient for him to take her to London is not in her plans.
At the age of eighteen, Jonathan was disinherited by his father, leaving him to make his way in the world alone. After ten years in America doing many things, he and his business partner struck it rich in Idaho. Though extremely rich, Jonathan has just seen his best friend and partner die a terrible death from consumption (tuberculosis). Before Billy died, he begged Jonathan to take care of his "little girl." Of course, he promised to do so, expecting to find a child that he can leave in school.
Jonathan received quite a shock when Billy's "little girl" turned out to be a beautiful twenty-year-old woman. Not only is Marjorie not a child, she has no intention of being left behind and makes that perfectly clear. The sparks flew between Jonathan and Marjorie from the start, each intent on having their own way. Marjorie is an intelligent and determined young woman, and I was not surprised to see her take her destiny into her own hands. Jonathan's plans were completely upended when he found Marjorie onboard the ship to London. He and Marjorie butt heads as his protectiveness runs up against her determination to pursue the life she wants. That protectiveness goes a little overboard, though he did have reason to be concerned.
I enjoyed the development of the relationship between Marjorie and Jonathan. The sparks of attraction were there from the beginning, with Jonathan realizing that he could be in deep trouble. Lusting after the daughter of his best friend was not appropriate, and his attempts to fight it became more and more difficult. Marjorie started out pretty naïve, unwilling to believe the trouble she could make for herself. I could feel her frustration at the restrictions she faced on the ship, but she was also smart enough that she learned from it. Things got even livelier once they were in London and joined forces with Jonathan's sisters. I loved the way that they upended his plans, forcing him to stay in London.
Thrown into each other's company regularly, the attraction between Jonathan and Marjorie continues to build. Neither of them knows quite how to handle it. Jonathan has no interest in settling down. Even after all of his success, he still feels that he is searching for something which keeps him on the move. His growing feelings for Marjorie cause him to take a good look at himself and what he really wants for his future. I loved seeing him accept his feelings and look for the way to make his new dreams happen. I ached for him when Marjorie allowed her fears to push him away. Those fears made her look at her future with tunnel vision, refusing to face the truth about her true desires. Advice from an unexpected source opened her eyes. I loved Marjorie's big moment at the end and seeing her open her heart to the possibilities.
The secondary characters helped things along quite nicely and were lots of fun themselves. Marjorie's new friend and ostensible "chaperone" was quite a character. I leaned a little bit toward Jonathan's belief that she was a fraud. There were a couple of scenes on the ship that reinforced that idea, and yet I felt that there was more to her. She was a good foil for the Countess of Stansbury, who was very different from the Baroness. Though the Countess was a royal pain for Marjorie, she did provide a good look at what Marjorie would face when she reached London. Jonathan's sisters and their husbands were great. Jonathan's trepidation overseeing them for the first time in ten years was understandable, especially his sister Clara. I liked that she made him sweat a little before forgiving him. I loved the two sisters and their immediate support of Marjorie, as well as their refusal to let Jonathan bail on them.
Marjorie is a young woman who is ready to take on a new life. She was dumped in boarding school at the age of seven by her father who promised to come back for her. Infrequent letters promised it would be "soon" but the years passed. She dreamed of having what her friends had - a London season, a titled husband, children, and a beautiful home of her own. She's saddened by the passing of her father, but more determined than ever to pursue the life she wants. A stuffy English guardian with plans to leave her at school until it's convenient for him to take her to London is not in her plans.
At the age of eighteen, Jonathan was disinherited by his father, leaving him to make his way in the world alone. After ten years in America doing many things, he and his business partner struck it rich in Idaho. Though extremely rich, Jonathan has just seen his best friend and partner die a terrible death from consumption (tuberculosis). Before Billy died, he begged Jonathan to take care of his "little girl." Of course, he promised to do so, expecting to find a child that he can leave in school.
Jonathan received quite a shock when Billy's "little girl" turned out to be a beautiful twenty-year-old woman. Not only is Marjorie not a child, she has no intention of being left behind and makes that perfectly clear. The sparks flew between Jonathan and Marjorie from the start, each intent on having their own way. Marjorie is an intelligent and determined young woman, and I was not surprised to see her take her destiny into her own hands. Jonathan's plans were completely upended when he found Marjorie onboard the ship to London. He and Marjorie butt heads as his protectiveness runs up against her determination to pursue the life she wants. That protectiveness goes a little overboard, though he did have reason to be concerned.
I enjoyed the development of the relationship between Marjorie and Jonathan. The sparks of attraction were there from the beginning, with Jonathan realizing that he could be in deep trouble. Lusting after the daughter of his best friend was not appropriate, and his attempts to fight it became more and more difficult. Marjorie started out pretty naïve, unwilling to believe the trouble she could make for herself. I could feel her frustration at the restrictions she faced on the ship, but she was also smart enough that she learned from it. Things got even livelier once they were in London and joined forces with Jonathan's sisters. I loved the way that they upended his plans, forcing him to stay in London.
Thrown into each other's company regularly, the attraction between Jonathan and Marjorie continues to build. Neither of them knows quite how to handle it. Jonathan has no interest in settling down. Even after all of his success, he still feels that he is searching for something which keeps him on the move. His growing feelings for Marjorie cause him to take a good look at himself and what he really wants for his future. I loved seeing him accept his feelings and look for the way to make his new dreams happen. I ached for him when Marjorie allowed her fears to push him away. Those fears made her look at her future with tunnel vision, refusing to face the truth about her true desires. Advice from an unexpected source opened her eyes. I loved Marjorie's big moment at the end and seeing her open her heart to the possibilities.
The secondary characters helped things along quite nicely and were lots of fun themselves. Marjorie's new friend and ostensible "chaperone" was quite a character. I leaned a little bit toward Jonathan's belief that she was a fraud. There were a couple of scenes on the ship that reinforced that idea, and yet I felt that there was more to her. She was a good foil for the Countess of Stansbury, who was very different from the Baroness. Though the Countess was a royal pain for Marjorie, she did provide a good look at what Marjorie would face when she reached London. Jonathan's sisters and their husbands were great. Jonathan's trepidation overseeing them for the first time in ten years was understandable, especially his sister Clara. I liked that she made him sweat a little before forgiving him. I loved the two sisters and their immediate support of Marjorie, as well as their refusal to let Jonathan bail on them.
October 3, 2019
Laura Lee Guhrke comes to the blog today with the fourth book in her Dear Lady Truelove story, this one involves Jonathan Deveriill who fled England to prove himself to his father and sisters, and is just returning with the mantle of guardianship of his late partner’s daughter, a now young woman that he never expected in Marjorie McGann. An American, heiress in her own right, and determined to make her own life similar to those of her well-to-do schoolmates, Marjorie has followed Jonathan to England, much to his despair.
Jonathan never expected a fully grown, beautiful woman when he went to meet his “ward’, in fact, he had only heard of her existence from his partner before he died of tuberculosis. Being the money savvy and more business-like of the two, while Jonathan has amassed his own wealth, that which Marjorie inherited will leave her in a position to be a fortune-hunters dream – so he was understandably dismayed to find her aboard the ship bound for England, as he planned to reunite with his sisters after many years in the hopes that they will chaperone Marjorie for the next few months as he plans to head off again on anther adventure disguised as urgent business.
A bit of a slow burn, Marjorie is wholly naïve and unfamiliar with the world, and angry about her father’s desertion and Jonathan’s plans to leave her ‘stranded’ as a teacher in the school she long ago graduated from. Determined to live an exciting life where she chooses her next step, Jonathan is both an obstacle to avoid and one she can’t help be attracted to. But his own statements about not settling down, and seeing her handed off don’t sit well. What she is not seeing is Jonathan’s attraction to her, and his innate honor making him feel as if he’s caught in an unwinnable trap. Full of sparkling moments, conversations, situations where readers see the connection long before the characters do themselves, and the long-awaited but satisfying ending – the story fits all the others in this series and provides a lovely afternoon’s read.
I received an eArc copy of the title from the publisher via Edelweiss for purpose of honest review. I was not compensated for this review: all conclusions are my own responsibility.
Review first appeared at I am, Indeed
Jonathan never expected a fully grown, beautiful woman when he went to meet his “ward’, in fact, he had only heard of her existence from his partner before he died of tuberculosis. Being the money savvy and more business-like of the two, while Jonathan has amassed his own wealth, that which Marjorie inherited will leave her in a position to be a fortune-hunters dream – so he was understandably dismayed to find her aboard the ship bound for England, as he planned to reunite with his sisters after many years in the hopes that they will chaperone Marjorie for the next few months as he plans to head off again on anther adventure disguised as urgent business.
A bit of a slow burn, Marjorie is wholly naïve and unfamiliar with the world, and angry about her father’s desertion and Jonathan’s plans to leave her ‘stranded’ as a teacher in the school she long ago graduated from. Determined to live an exciting life where she chooses her next step, Jonathan is both an obstacle to avoid and one she can’t help be attracted to. But his own statements about not settling down, and seeing her handed off don’t sit well. What she is not seeing is Jonathan’s attraction to her, and his innate honor making him feel as if he’s caught in an unwinnable trap. Full of sparkling moments, conversations, situations where readers see the connection long before the characters do themselves, and the long-awaited but satisfying ending – the story fits all the others in this series and provides a lovely afternoon’s read.
I received an eArc copy of the title from the publisher via Edelweiss for purpose of honest review. I was not compensated for this review: all conclusions are my own responsibility.
Review first appeared at I am, Indeed
April 11, 2020
Overall: ⭐️⭐️⭐️
Plot/Storyline: 📖 📖 📖
Feels: 🦋🦋🦋
Romance: 💞💞
Emotional Depth: 💔💔
Sexual Tension: ⚡️ ⚡️ ⚡️
Sensuality: 🔥🔥
Sex Scene Length: 🍆🍆
This book starts on page 200. And that’s a damn shame because you have to wade through a lot of...well, frankly, “nothingness” to get to the good stuff. The first half was so boring. I almost gave up on page 150. Even the first kiss was a blasé affair. Disappointingly so.
But the end does redeem this book, so let me tell you what I disliked and what I loved.
This book had all the makings of things I love. Guardian-Ward. Forced Proximity. Part road trip romance. It could have been a 5 star. It had so much potential. But the first half was boring and completely devoid of romance.
Jonathan is Marjorie’s guardian. She’s been in White Plains, NY at finishing school. He is going back to London and decides to leave her there even though she’s almost 21. So she sneaks onto the same boat and into his cabin. I thought YES! This is going to be so good. They have to be alone. This just has to be steamy. Has to be!
Ensue 150 pages of boredom. LLG did try to make it exciting (I think?). There was a 30 page stretch of a single dinner scene in which a con-lady and a broke Count are trying to manipulate the heroine so that she will be compromised. The hero keeps warning her and she doesn’t believe him and so he has to form alliances with other guests to protect her and sneak around to catch the Count and con-lady in sneaky conversation. He then threaten’s the Count and pays off the con-lady to stop meddling.
And then when that is resolved, the whole thing is over. It has no bearing on their romance or the story at all, except to make me dread that plot line would rear its ugly head again. Thankfully it didn’t. I will say this: If gratuitous sex is considered poor form in romance novels because it doesn’t advance their relationship, this kind of stuff should be considered poor form, too. Hell, I’d rather read gratuitous sex any day over boring and pointless filler.
Following that, we get chapters of Jonathan avoiding Marjorie like the plague> He saddles her with with boring ass chaperones that are overly stern and force her to do needlepoint and we’re told about it all in mind-numbing detail. I know we were meant to understand how boring the time on the ship was for Marjorie but that’s the shit an author should skip over. Towards the end of this monotony, we’re told that the hero spent a week burning for Marjorie and that’s why he was avoiding her. Why couldn’t LLG write about that instead of about fucking needlepoint and how stern her temporary chaperone was? I wanted to read a romance, not a chaperonage story.
Ugh, so yeah. I nearly gave up on it at that point. I am happy, however, that I didn’t because the second half was like reading an entirely different book. It was more like the previous LLG books I’ve read, which were delicious, slow burn romances with incredible tension and heart-melting sweetness. It’s what I was hoping for with this book. But it took forever for those butterflies to emerge from their cocoons. I hated how long I had to wait for Jonathan to pay attention to her. But once he stopped avoiding her, once he couldn’t ignore her anymore, once the feelings were too strong. That was when it started becoming a the book I expected it to be.
It was at this point that we finally get to know Jonathan, who thinks he knows exactly what he wants out of life, but Marjorie makes him question everything. He’s unable to answer, though and his self reflection on the past ten years was both poignant and sad. As he reacquainted himself with London and his family you begin to understand that his adventurous spirit was built on restless loneliness. A deep longing to be more. To have more. Rich as sin, money never meant anything to him. But he’d never stopped to analyze why he bothered to earn so much of it. That’s where Marjorie changes everything.
Marjorie is very much the opposite. Her father essentially abandoned her when she was seven and she’d spent her whole life in one place. She’s not a wandering soul. She wants nothing more than to have a home and to be loved and wanted. And as she falls in love with Jonathan she’s forced to analyze the impact her fathers absence from her life had on her and deal with the pain of Jonathan essentially ignoring her. She’s scared she will be abandoned again and this has lasting implications once Jonathan finally does come around.
It’s those feeling and emotions that finally brought richness to this story. How they have to learn to understand each other and compromise the things that are important to themselves in order to make each other happy. Those were the parts that I loved about this book.
Sadly, they were a bit too far and few between for this to be anything more than 3 stars. I think this book could have been a wonderful novella if LLG just lopped off the first 150 pages.
The love scenes that were there were sweet and hot, but not as good as they could have been. I do want to address one thing. I heard that the first love scene between them had questionable consent. I have to whole heartedly disagree with that assessment. There are two. The first is a “second-base” situation. Marjorie is dealing with difficult emotions that have nothing to do with Jonathan. They share a moment and she leans in to kiss him. Then he leans in to kiss her. Jonathan has some internal misgivings because he is her guardian, but Marjorie doesn’t resist. She doesn’t say no. She doesn’t even think no. She is all in. She is surprised, and tentative, as she is very innocent and naive, but it was not questionable that she wanted it, in my opinion. The second love scene was full-sex, and Marjorie went to him and seduced him and they both wanted it, badly.
The reason I mention this is simply because I feel that kind of thing can make people not read a book and here, I don’t personally think it is questionable. I wanted to explain what happened so that anyone wondering would be able to have a good grasp of what happened.
So I will leave it there. If you can wade through the beginning, the end is great.
Plot/Storyline: 📖 📖 📖
Feels: 🦋🦋🦋
Romance: 💞💞
Emotional Depth: 💔💔
Sexual Tension: ⚡️ ⚡️ ⚡️
Sensuality: 🔥🔥
Sex Scene Length: 🍆🍆
This book starts on page 200. And that’s a damn shame because you have to wade through a lot of...well, frankly, “nothingness” to get to the good stuff. The first half was so boring. I almost gave up on page 150. Even the first kiss was a blasé affair. Disappointingly so.
But the end does redeem this book, so let me tell you what I disliked and what I loved.
This book had all the makings of things I love. Guardian-Ward. Forced Proximity. Part road trip romance. It could have been a 5 star. It had so much potential. But the first half was boring and completely devoid of romance.
Jonathan is Marjorie’s guardian. She’s been in White Plains, NY at finishing school. He is going back to London and decides to leave her there even though she’s almost 21. So she sneaks onto the same boat and into his cabin. I thought YES! This is going to be so good. They have to be alone. This just has to be steamy. Has to be!
Ensue 150 pages of boredom. LLG did try to make it exciting (I think?). There was a 30 page stretch of a single dinner scene in which a con-lady and a broke Count are trying to manipulate the heroine so that she will be compromised. The hero keeps warning her and she doesn’t believe him and so he has to form alliances with other guests to protect her and sneak around to catch the Count and con-lady in sneaky conversation. He then threaten’s the Count and pays off the con-lady to stop meddling.
And then when that is resolved, the whole thing is over. It has no bearing on their romance or the story at all, except to make me dread that plot line would rear its ugly head again. Thankfully it didn’t. I will say this: If gratuitous sex is considered poor form in romance novels because it doesn’t advance their relationship, this kind of stuff should be considered poor form, too. Hell, I’d rather read gratuitous sex any day over boring and pointless filler.
Following that, we get chapters of Jonathan avoiding Marjorie like the plague> He saddles her with with boring ass chaperones that are overly stern and force her to do needlepoint and we’re told about it all in mind-numbing detail. I know we were meant to understand how boring the time on the ship was for Marjorie but that’s the shit an author should skip over. Towards the end of this monotony, we’re told that the hero spent a week burning for Marjorie and that’s why he was avoiding her. Why couldn’t LLG write about that instead of about fucking needlepoint and how stern her temporary chaperone was? I wanted to read a romance, not a chaperonage story.
Ugh, so yeah. I nearly gave up on it at that point. I am happy, however, that I didn’t because the second half was like reading an entirely different book. It was more like the previous LLG books I’ve read, which were delicious, slow burn romances with incredible tension and heart-melting sweetness. It’s what I was hoping for with this book. But it took forever for those butterflies to emerge from their cocoons. I hated how long I had to wait for Jonathan to pay attention to her. But once he stopped avoiding her, once he couldn’t ignore her anymore, once the feelings were too strong. That was when it started becoming a the book I expected it to be.
It was at this point that we finally get to know Jonathan, who thinks he knows exactly what he wants out of life, but Marjorie makes him question everything. He’s unable to answer, though and his self reflection on the past ten years was both poignant and sad. As he reacquainted himself with London and his family you begin to understand that his adventurous spirit was built on restless loneliness. A deep longing to be more. To have more. Rich as sin, money never meant anything to him. But he’d never stopped to analyze why he bothered to earn so much of it. That’s where Marjorie changes everything.
Marjorie is very much the opposite. Her father essentially abandoned her when she was seven and she’d spent her whole life in one place. She’s not a wandering soul. She wants nothing more than to have a home and to be loved and wanted. And as she falls in love with Jonathan she’s forced to analyze the impact her fathers absence from her life had on her and deal with the pain of Jonathan essentially ignoring her. She’s scared she will be abandoned again and this has lasting implications once Jonathan finally does come around.
It’s those feeling and emotions that finally brought richness to this story. How they have to learn to understand each other and compromise the things that are important to themselves in order to make each other happy. Those were the parts that I loved about this book.
Sadly, they were a bit too far and few between for this to be anything more than 3 stars. I think this book could have been a wonderful novella if LLG just lopped off the first 150 pages.
The love scenes that were there were sweet and hot, but not as good as they could have been. I do want to address one thing. I heard that the first love scene between them had questionable consent. I have to whole heartedly disagree with that assessment. There are two. The first is a “second-base” situation. Marjorie is dealing with difficult emotions that have nothing to do with Jonathan. They share a moment and she leans in to kiss him. Then he leans in to kiss her. Jonathan has some internal misgivings because he is her guardian, but Marjorie doesn’t resist. She doesn’t say no. She doesn’t even think no. She is all in. She is surprised, and tentative, as she is very innocent and naive, but it was not questionable that she wanted it, in my opinion. The second love scene was full-sex, and Marjorie went to him and seduced him and they both wanted it, badly.
The reason I mention this is simply because I feel that kind of thing can make people not read a book and here, I don’t personally think it is questionable. I wanted to explain what happened so that anyone wondering would be able to have a good grasp of what happened.
So I will leave it there. If you can wade through the beginning, the end is great.
October 4, 2019
Two people who have a lot in common but do not realize it at all. Jonathan Deverill who lost his dream of owing and running the Deverill Publishing Company when his father disinherited him, had to go out on his own and make his fortune. So he felt a little lost even though he had done well.
Marjorie McGann had been left at the boarding school when she was eight and had never seen her father since. So she felt abandoned until Johnathan came to let her know he was now her guardian since her father had passed away. Her father and he had made their fortune in the silver mines in America so he owed the man's wish he be guardian to his daughter after he died.
A story of denial of feelings that are definitely there, deep wounds from the past and the desires of the heart that cannot be denied.
Another delightful story by Laura Lee Guhrke, who is one of my favorite authors. I always look forward to reading her books because they never disappoint and always leave me with a smile and a sigh as I turn the last page!
Marjorie McGann had been left at the boarding school when she was eight and had never seen her father since. So she felt abandoned until Johnathan came to let her know he was now her guardian since her father had passed away. Her father and he had made their fortune in the silver mines in America so he owed the man's wish he be guardian to his daughter after he died.
A story of denial of feelings that are definitely there, deep wounds from the past and the desires of the heart that cannot be denied.
Another delightful story by Laura Lee Guhrke, who is one of my favorite authors. I always look forward to reading her books because they never disappoint and always leave me with a smile and a sigh as I turn the last page!
January 29, 2025
Jonathan Deverill, younger brother of Irene and Clara, has made his fortune in silver. When his business partner and best friend dies, he finds he's now the legal guardian of his friend's daughter. When he goes to meet her at her school, he's expecting a girl in braids and pinafores...and not a nearly 21-year-old striking young woman. At the threat of leaving her behind, Marjorie balks, stifled by the sheltered life she's lived so far, and hides on board Jonathan's ship on the way back to England to claim a life she wants.
Laura Lee Guhrke is a fantastic writer, and her prose is excellent, so even though I didn't love either Marjorie or Jonathan, or the plot of this book as much as I did the others in the series, it's still a really solid historical romance read.
Laura Lee Guhrke is a fantastic writer, and her prose is excellent, so even though I didn't love either Marjorie or Jonathan, or the plot of this book as much as I did the others in the series, it's still a really solid historical romance read.
November 8, 2020
A fun book, I kinda hated how Marjorie was so...naive and trusting. I get that she was super sheltered and everything but she just gets pissy every time she can’t do exactly what she wants. I liked Deverill, although he could be kind of a jerk about things. But dude just lost his best friend and though he’d agreed to be a guardian of a little girl, not a grown woman, and also he’s trying to figure out where he wants his life to take him, so I get it.
August 19, 2019
A bit of a slow burn (like so many guardian-ward books), but so worth it. The hero was refreshingly honest with his feelings once he realized them, and the side characters were a total hoot! I hadn't read the first three books in the series, but I definitely will now.
This one is perfect if you like: sea voyages, old west back stories, secret and beautiful wards, adventure, fake aristocrats, sneaky kisses filled with confusing feelings, a giant and supportive family, non-nobles joining the nobility, diamonds and gemstones, yearning for more, yachts, redheaded heroines, ladies with jobs, vulnerability, and/or frilly undergarments.
This one is perfect if you like: sea voyages, old west back stories, secret and beautiful wards, adventure, fake aristocrats, sneaky kisses filled with confusing feelings, a giant and supportive family, non-nobles joining the nobility, diamonds and gemstones, yearning for more, yachts, redheaded heroines, ladies with jobs, vulnerability, and/or frilly undergarments.
April 12, 2024
This book was like an icky car crash. I just couldn’t look away.
October 28, 2019
3.75. I enjoyed this book it was exactly what I wanted a quick, easy and fun romance to get me out of my slight reading slump.
July 3, 2021
Passei metade do livro impaciente com o mocinho e a outra metade impaciente com a mocinha
June 28, 2023
3.5/5
Great story, character chemistry was great, slow burn with little spice
Great story, character chemistry was great, slow burn with little spice
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August 31, 2025I think I’m done at 45% I’m struggling to be interested
January 8, 2023
I liked the story line. I didn’t love the h. At times I felt her annoying. I felt she was cold when the H declared his love.
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