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Beastly Lords #2
Lord Herido
Era un hombre privilegiado e inmensamente elegible, hasta que un accidente de carruaje lo arroja a la calle adoquinada. Tras el accidente, el conde despierta como lord Herido. ¿Qué podría empeorar?
De todas las damas de Londres, ¿por qué esta le hace sentir cosquillas?
Lord John Angsley no puede mantenerse alejado de la señorita Blackwood. Pero está claro desde el principio que ella es demasiado voluble para ser una buena esposa, especialmente con pretendientes rivales que aparecen a cada paso.
¿Qué tiene de malo querer besar a algunos hombres guapos?
Margaret Blackwood sabe que el conde tiene talentos de sobra. Ella ha decidido que él es su hombre, si solo unos pocos asuntos menores no se interponen en su camino, como sus dos escayolas, una ceja a medio perder y una “otra” mujer prácticamente perfecta.
Dependencia del opio y una red de mentiras. . .
Cuando Maggie descubre la dependencia al opio del conde, puede que tenga que admitir la derrota y regresar a los salones de baile de Mayfair y sus muchos admiradores. ¿Escogerá lord Herido el maravilloso alivio del láudano o la impredecible pasión de la deslumbrante Miss Blackwood?
Personajes atractivos, una perfecta ambientación y romance apasionado con un toque de todo lo encontrará en las historias de Sydney Jane Baily, autora de éxitos de ventas en USA Today.
De todas las damas de Londres, ¿por qué esta le hace sentir cosquillas?
Lord John Angsley no puede mantenerse alejado de la señorita Blackwood. Pero está claro desde el principio que ella es demasiado voluble para ser una buena esposa, especialmente con pretendientes rivales que aparecen a cada paso.
¿Qué tiene de malo querer besar a algunos hombres guapos?
Margaret Blackwood sabe que el conde tiene talentos de sobra. Ella ha decidido que él es su hombre, si solo unos pocos asuntos menores no se interponen en su camino, como sus dos escayolas, una ceja a medio perder y una “otra” mujer prácticamente perfecta.
Dependencia del opio y una red de mentiras. . .
Cuando Maggie descubre la dependencia al opio del conde, puede que tenga que admitir la derrota y regresar a los salones de baile de Mayfair y sus muchos admiradores. ¿Escogerá lord Herido el maravilloso alivio del láudano o la impredecible pasión de la deslumbrante Miss Blackwood?
Personajes atractivos, una perfecta ambientación y romance apasionado con un toque de todo lo encontrará en las historias de Sydney Jane Baily, autora de éxitos de ventas en USA Today.
Kindle Edition
First published January 9, 2019
591 people are currently reading
218 people want to read
About the author
Sydney Jane Baily
60 books185 followersUSA Today bestselling author Sydney Jane Baily writes historical romance with engaging characters, attention to period detail, and sensual romance ~ often with a touch of intrigue. Amazon page: author.to/SydneyJaneBaily
A first-generation American daughter of Brits from either end of London, Sydney resides in Massachusetts with her family -- human, feline, and canine. The rest of her extended family live in the U.K. where she spent many happy childhood summers. She loves shandy, Maltesers, Cadbury bars, fish and chips, and anything from Harrod's food hall or in a Fortnum and Mason's basket.
Learn more about her books, read her blog, and contact her via her website at https://www.SydneyJaneBaily.com. She loves to hear from readers. On her site, you can also sign up for her Readers' Group and receive an occasional (not bothersome) newsletter along with a free book.
A first-generation American daughter of Brits from either end of London, Sydney resides in Massachusetts with her family -- human, feline, and canine. The rest of her extended family live in the U.K. where she spent many happy childhood summers. She loves shandy, Maltesers, Cadbury bars, fish and chips, and anything from Harrod's food hall or in a Fortnum and Mason's basket.
Learn more about her books, read her blog, and contact her via her website at https://www.SydneyJaneBaily.com. She loves to hear from readers. On her site, you can also sign up for her Readers' Group and receive an occasional (not bothersome) newsletter along with a free book.
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December 12, 2025Soooo not for me...
I'm not going to rate this because it would be unfair
① I didn't pick this audiobook because I wanted to read, but because I was too busy to read the book I actually wanted to read.
② I didn't know this book was about addiction and I absolutely hate those.
───⟢┆Interruptions; the wolf in sheep's clothing of misunderstandings
↠ So the hero is pretty meh. Nothing special going on about him. He likes the heroine who's young and pretty. He hates she's testing the waters and enjoying her suitors even though he's no virtuous monk himself.
↠ The heroine is 19/20, technically on her second season, though her first got interrupted. She's enjoying her youth and her beauty. She's attracted to the hero but is understandably apprehensive to settle down so fast.
The plot relies a lot on int---
It's open! Stop with the noise!
As I was saying, the first part of the book is a series of mis---
HOLY SHI-! Are you trying to give me a heart attack, Inosuke?!
Anyway! In more than one instance, the MCs are about to give each other crucial inf---
i give up.
A horrible carriage accident later, we go from nonsensical to the heavy theme of addiction.
↠ Which btw, made the spicy scenes pretty revolting, since she thinks he stopped and he hasn't.
Six months of convalescence, lies, cranky mood swings, one 'we're over' and a fade to black of hard work later and voilà! Two months later, his broken arm and almost amputated broken leg are in tip top shape, he's sweats/shivers/mood swings free and they are dancing their way into HEA.
・
・
・
━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━
🕮⋆˚࿔✎𓂃 𝐣𝐨𝐢𝐧 𝐦𝐲 𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐦𝐨𝐫𝐞 𝐫𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐞𝐰𝐬
━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━
I'm not going to rate this because it would be unfair
① I didn't pick this audiobook because I wanted to read, but because I was too busy to read the book I actually wanted to read.
② I didn't know this book was about addiction and I absolutely hate those.
───⟢┆Interruptions; the wolf in sheep's clothing of misunderstandings
↠ So the hero is pretty meh. Nothing special going on about him. He likes the heroine who's young and pretty. He hates she's testing the waters and enjoying her suitors even though he's no virtuous monk himself.
↠ The heroine is 19/20, technically on her second season, though her first got interrupted. She's enjoying her youth and her beauty. She's attracted to the hero but is understandably apprehensive to settle down so fast.
The plot relies a lot on int---
It's open! Stop with the noise!
As I was saying, the first part of the book is a series of mis---
HOLY SHI-! Are you trying to give me a heart attack, Inosuke?!
Anyway! In more than one instance, the MCs are about to give each other crucial inf---
i give up.
A horrible carriage accident later, we go from nonsensical to the heavy theme of addiction.
↠ Which btw, made the spicy scenes pretty revolting, since she thinks he stopped and he hasn't.
Six months of convalescence, lies, cranky mood swings, one 'we're over' and a fade to black of hard work later and voilà! Two months later, his broken arm and almost amputated broken leg are in tip top shape, he's sweats/shivers/mood swings free and they are dancing their way into HEA.
・
・
・
━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━
🕮⋆˚࿔✎𓂃 𝐣𝐨𝐢𝐧 𝐦𝐲 𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐦𝐨𝐫𝐞 𝐫𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐞𝐰𝐬
━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 11, 2020
It was a bit uneven for me. Parts flew along and others dragged.
December 1, 2022
The big, public proposal at the end was overly dramatic but otherwise a solid effort, except that there seems to be a very important chapter missing: the chapter showing the reader how Cam handled withdrawal and overcame his addiction. It was a good book but left me wanting more.
April 29, 2023
DNF @ 40%. This Victorian romance had potential
but the h was too immature & the H too jealous. They
needed to talk things over. The story had a few typos
& missing words.
Margaret "Maggie," dtr. of a late baron, had a sister
Jennifer married to an earl, Simon. Who was besties
with John, Lord Cambrey, "Cam" also an earl. Maggie
was attracted to Cam & they kissed. Soon after she
encouraged another man to kiss her, as means of
comparing kisses. She didn't particularly like the 2nd
man. So why encourage his kiss? Cam had mixed
feelings about her-was she a flirty fickle girl or
innocent of the ways of men?
Maggie thought Cam favored "perfect" Lady Jane
(he considered her dull). Cam was jealous of
Maggie + Lord Westing, heir to a duke, when she
had platonic feelings for West.
Cam was involved in a carriage accident & broke
an arm and a leg and could barely see out of one
eye. He fought dependence on laudanum. The
MCs were caught in an unlikely, compromising
position.
but the h was too immature & the H too jealous. They
needed to talk things over. The story had a few typos
& missing words.
Margaret "Maggie," dtr. of a late baron, had a sister
Jennifer married to an earl, Simon. Who was besties
with John, Lord Cambrey, "Cam" also an earl. Maggie
was attracted to Cam & they kissed. Soon after she
encouraged another man to kiss her, as means of
comparing kisses. She didn't particularly like the 2nd
man. So why encourage his kiss? Cam had mixed
feelings about her-was she a flirty fickle girl or
innocent of the ways of men?
Maggie thought Cam favored "perfect" Lady Jane
(he considered her dull). Cam was jealous of
Maggie + Lord Westing, heir to a duke, when she
had platonic feelings for West.
Cam was involved in a carriage accident & broke
an arm and a leg and could barely see out of one
eye. He fought dependence on laudanum. The
MCs were caught in an unlikely, compromising
position.
February 13, 2019
An enthralling story filled with everything needed to make the perfect historical romance. Of course, this is my favorite trope of the wounded hero and the author perfects it in the form of John Ansley, Earl of Cambrey. He was the epitome' of a privileged lord living a good life, who thinks it is time for him to settle down. He sets his sights on Maggie Blackwood, but she is young and frivolous and possibly not the right choice. But Maggie has decided he is the one for her! Yes, the mind of a woman can be a formidable once she makes it up!
But things change in the blink of an eye, and an accident puts John in severe pain which causes a dependence on opium to dull the pain to the point of John's demeanor and attitude change. Can Maggie help him get rid of his addiction and they find true love? Or will John succumb to the demons and be lost to her?
After reading the first story in this series, I became a devoted reader of Sydney Jane Baily's stories! But this one even tripled that to the point I am anxiously awaiting more!! My heart was captured on the first page and with the wonderfully crafted characters, the emotions come through with a vengeance. I highly recommend.
But things change in the blink of an eye, and an accident puts John in severe pain which causes a dependence on opium to dull the pain to the point of John's demeanor and attitude change. Can Maggie help him get rid of his addiction and they find true love? Or will John succumb to the demons and be lost to her?
After reading the first story in this series, I became a devoted reader of Sydney Jane Baily's stories! But this one even tripled that to the point I am anxiously awaiting more!! My heart was captured on the first page and with the wonderfully crafted characters, the emotions come through with a vengeance. I highly recommend.
January 5, 2019
❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
💋💋
A thoroughly brilliant book , I loved every page !
I thought the first book in this series was good , this is probably even better .
It ventures in part , to the disturbing subject of the life of a man addicted to laudanum (opium) , and the problems that arise because of it .
Our hero is the one afflicted by this after and injury , but he has our heroine as a reason for living, will it be enough ?
This is one you have to read , it’s emotional, tense and beautifully written, the romance is wonderful and it’s a really enjoyable read .
I received an advance copy of this book and chose to submit a review
💋💋
A thoroughly brilliant book , I loved every page !
I thought the first book in this series was good , this is probably even better .
It ventures in part , to the disturbing subject of the life of a man addicted to laudanum (opium) , and the problems that arise because of it .
Our hero is the one afflicted by this after and injury , but he has our heroine as a reason for living, will it be enough ?
This is one you have to read , it’s emotional, tense and beautifully written, the romance is wonderful and it’s a really enjoyable read .
I received an advance copy of this book and chose to submit a review
January 10, 2019
Lord Anguish
By Sydney Jane Baily
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
John Anglesy, Earl of Cambrey never expected to wake up to broken bones and a battered head. The only thing that helps with the pain is Opium, but that brings another suffering all of it's own. Now he must chose between the lure of the opium and the woman he loves.
Miss Margaret Blackwood is all John jas ever wanted in a woman. Unfortunately it seems that she is too young and fickle to make him a good wife. Maggie has decided though that John is the man for her and she will not take no for an answer, but now she has to deal with his opium addiction and a web of lies. As the Earl changes before her very eyes from a thoughtful man to sneaky lair desperate for his next dose Maggie may have to admit defeat and return to the ballrooms and her many admires.
Sydney Jane Baily is incredible. This was a brilliantly written book and I was hooked right from the start. I really enjoyed the way she addressed the fact that how a man addicted to opium can change and the problems can arise. The romance in the story was wonderful and I enjoyed the main characters immensely. This book can almost be tense at times and for me it really hit me hard in a good way. This was the first book I have read from this author and will definitely read more from her.
By Sydney Jane Baily
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
John Anglesy, Earl of Cambrey never expected to wake up to broken bones and a battered head. The only thing that helps with the pain is Opium, but that brings another suffering all of it's own. Now he must chose between the lure of the opium and the woman he loves.
Miss Margaret Blackwood is all John jas ever wanted in a woman. Unfortunately it seems that she is too young and fickle to make him a good wife. Maggie has decided though that John is the man for her and she will not take no for an answer, but now she has to deal with his opium addiction and a web of lies. As the Earl changes before her very eyes from a thoughtful man to sneaky lair desperate for his next dose Maggie may have to admit defeat and return to the ballrooms and her many admires.
Sydney Jane Baily is incredible. This was a brilliantly written book and I was hooked right from the start. I really enjoyed the way she addressed the fact that how a man addicted to opium can change and the problems can arise. The romance in the story was wonderful and I enjoyed the main characters immensely. This book can almost be tense at times and for me it really hit me hard in a good way. This was the first book I have read from this author and will definitely read more from her.
April 18, 2021
Half good
I am pretty much a sucker for a romance with an angst-ridden, suffering hero saved by the good woman he loves. Lord Despair, the first book in this series certainly fit the bill, which is why I quickly downloaded Lord Anguish, book 2. Unfortunately, while I wouldn’t characterize the first book as great literature, it was readable and reasonably enjoyable by not causing too many trope-induced eye-rolls.
Lord Despair’s angst was caused by war-induced PTSD while Lord Anguish suffer’s from opium addiction that occurred as a result of laudanum use after a very bad carriage accident which occurred at or about the half way point in the book. Prior to that this was a trope-filled marginally romantic dance of misunderstandings and hurt feelings. Fortunately, the characters seemed to realize their ridiculous behavior by referring to silly misunderstandings often found in Jane Austen novels.
My biggest complaint is the long wait for the couple to have a big challenge, meet it, defeat it, and get their HEA. There was just too much “mucking about” in the beginning.
I am pretty much a sucker for a romance with an angst-ridden, suffering hero saved by the good woman he loves. Lord Despair, the first book in this series certainly fit the bill, which is why I quickly downloaded Lord Anguish, book 2. Unfortunately, while I wouldn’t characterize the first book as great literature, it was readable and reasonably enjoyable by not causing too many trope-induced eye-rolls.
Lord Despair’s angst was caused by war-induced PTSD while Lord Anguish suffer’s from opium addiction that occurred as a result of laudanum use after a very bad carriage accident which occurred at or about the half way point in the book. Prior to that this was a trope-filled marginally romantic dance of misunderstandings and hurt feelings. Fortunately, the characters seemed to realize their ridiculous behavior by referring to silly misunderstandings often found in Jane Austen novels.
My biggest complaint is the long wait for the couple to have a big challenge, meet it, defeat it, and get their HEA. There was just too much “mucking about” in the beginning.
April 1, 2019
Another good vacation read...but I liked the first in the series better I think.
January 6, 2020
DNF 15%
This goes in the Yuck! pile 🤮
This goes in the Yuck! pile 🤮
January 27, 2023
This is the third book I've read in this series. The first was #7. It was fine. But #1 & #2 have lost me. They aren't bad, let me say, but I'm not ready for PTSD and opioid addiction in my Regency Romance novels. Unlike chocolate and peanut butter, I don't think they go well together. In both cases the men go off and deal with their problem alone and off camera. It minimizes these problems and is an easy out if you don't want to show how these terrible afflictions would scar a relationship.
In short, I was kicked out of the narrative and lost my willing sense of belief in the world. YMMV
In short, I was kicked out of the narrative and lost my willing sense of belief in the world. YMMV
January 28, 2020
Average read
This book was good but nowhere near as good as the first one in the series. I was expecting the same dramatic flair and style of writing that kept me turning page after page, but it just didn’t happen. There were too many stops and starts to this relationship to the point where it just wasn’t believable and I completely lost interest.
This book was good but nowhere near as good as the first one in the series. I was expecting the same dramatic flair and style of writing that kept me turning page after page, but it just didn’t happen. There were too many stops and starts to this relationship to the point where it just wasn’t believable and I completely lost interest.
March 8, 2025
I read the first book in the series a while ago. I had some issues but carried on because I wanted to know what happened. Due to that, I put off reading the next in the series. Once again, the plot seemed interesting. But, no. I couldn't be bothered to carry on this time. Frankly, I didn't give it a chance.
I'm tired of reading the vernacular of today in HR books. As if a debutant would address Lords/Gentlemen of the day thus, "A moment, if you please, Boys." In public to boot! Come on! So sloppy and so unnecessary. Apparently, she wasn't like that when she was financially strapped. But, now that she's got money and is sort after it seems she's become arrogant, with the manners of a doxy.
I want to be transported back in time. I want to feel I'm experiencing the lives of characters from the relevant era. There is too much choice out there to put up with less (28/03/2024)
EDITED: OK, so I decided to give this another go. I simply love Tim Campbell as a narrator. I was looking for something simple and stuck his name in the search on audible. Up popped this book again. I quite enjoyed it 2nd time round. Frankly, I was probably fed up with the deluge of poorly written HRs that I'd come across at the time and was rather harsh with my review as a result.
So, I'm upping my rating from 1 🌟 to 3 🌟.
(08/03/2025)
I'm tired of reading the vernacular of today in HR books. As if a debutant would address Lords/Gentlemen of the day thus, "A moment, if you please, Boys." In public to boot! Come on! So sloppy and so unnecessary. Apparently, she wasn't like that when she was financially strapped. But, now that she's got money and is sort after it seems she's become arrogant, with the manners of a doxy.
I want to be transported back in time. I want to feel I'm experiencing the lives of characters from the relevant era. There is too much choice out there to put up with less (28/03/2024)
EDITED: OK, so I decided to give this another go. I simply love Tim Campbell as a narrator. I was looking for something simple and stuck his name in the search on audible. Up popped this book again. I quite enjoyed it 2nd time round. Frankly, I was probably fed up with the deluge of poorly written HRs that I'd come across at the time and was rather harsh with my review as a result.
So, I'm upping my rating from 1 🌟 to 3 🌟.
(08/03/2025)
January 29, 2019
I thoroughly enjoyed Cam and Margaret's story and felt for Cam while his fought through his addiction to Laudanum. Margaret was exactly right to leave Cam when she did because it gave him the impetus to fight harder to release himself from his addiction. I did not read Book one, Lord Despair first but this definitely made me want to go back and read Jenny, Margaret's sister, and Simon's, Cam's best friend's story. I could sense the frustration of Cam's friends, family and fiancee and the helpless feeling as to help Cam with his addiction. If you like an imperfect hero with mich angst, this story won't disappoint.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 6, 2019
4.5/5.0
"Lord Anguish" tackles the issue of drug addiction with sensitivity and compassion.
Read full review in the 2019 April issue of InD'tale Magazine.
"Lord Anguish" tackles the issue of drug addiction with sensitivity and compassion.
Read full review in the 2019 April issue of InD'tale Magazine.
Read
February 1, 2019This started off really well, but since the after chapter 1 it’s been like watching paint dry. I give up.
Lord Anguish?
I wanted angst.
I got dreariness.
Lord Anguish?
I wanted angst.
I got dreariness.
Want to read
January 15, 2022🎁 FREE on Amazon today (8/24/2019)! 🎁
March 2, 2021
Sometimes you just have to give up on a book. I am still in the prequel.
February 19, 2019
I must admit, I was so surprised that this book grabbed hold of my emotions the way it did. After reading Lord Despair, Book 1 in this series, I didn't think the 2nd one would be as soul-stirring but how wrong I was. John Ansley, Earl of Cambrey has been enamored with his best friends sister-in-law, Margaret "Maggie" Blackwood for what seems like forever. He know he must take a wife for the earldom and he knows, even though she is 8 years younger than him and slightly fickle, she would be the perfect bride..
Maggie is attracted to John but she needs to do some comparison shopping, nothing serious but enough that John almost gives up on her as his choice. When she finally decides that he is the one for her, she has to quickly leave town with no notice to anyone, to go to her sister who is giving birth - John thinks she has left him and he gets in a carriage accident when out looking for her. He wakes up after being hurled to the cobbled street with broken leg, arm, ribs and facial and head damage.
John returns to his estate where Simon and Maggie come to see how he is doing. John and Maggie find they are meant for each other and he proposes. She says yes, for now, but things change and John find himself having to make a choice between hook of laudanum and the woman he loves. A lot of emotional things happen but there is also some light-hearted, fun and humorous moments - will the struggle with opium addiction prevail or will the pull of true love win out?
I highly recommend this book and the series - be prepared to become emotionally involved with the characters and find yourself pulled in to their story. Sydney Jane Baily has shown such expertise in depicting the tortured hero theme and I couldn't turn pages quickly enough.
Maggie is attracted to John but she needs to do some comparison shopping, nothing serious but enough that John almost gives up on her as his choice. When she finally decides that he is the one for her, she has to quickly leave town with no notice to anyone, to go to her sister who is giving birth - John thinks she has left him and he gets in a carriage accident when out looking for her. He wakes up after being hurled to the cobbled street with broken leg, arm, ribs and facial and head damage.
John returns to his estate where Simon and Maggie come to see how he is doing. John and Maggie find they are meant for each other and he proposes. She says yes, for now, but things change and John find himself having to make a choice between hook of laudanum and the woman he loves. A lot of emotional things happen but there is also some light-hearted, fun and humorous moments - will the struggle with opium addiction prevail or will the pull of true love win out?
I highly recommend this book and the series - be prepared to become emotionally involved with the characters and find yourself pulled in to their story. Sydney Jane Baily has shown such expertise in depicting the tortured hero theme and I couldn't turn pages quickly enough.
April 4, 2020
It's always timely seeing good people unfortunately cycling into addiction for the most basic of reasons--like then as now, with substances usually starting as medicinal purposes. And like then as now, there is always the protagonist and those around them who are in denial, as well as those who enable the protagonist, or overlook their condition.
Are some of the contrivances a little bit annoying? (Like Cam and Maggie almost going to finally connect and then one of them does the wrong thing in the wrong place at the wrong time and because of crazy social etiquette BOOM, the plot continues?) Sure, but then no one would read regency and Victorian romances if they truly had an issue with that. At least this is a good friendly person who is changed into a darker character with reason, and not a good friendly person changed into a darker character for the sake of a plot for a sequel.
It is interesting seeing "lord Vile" briefly in the first two books in the series before getting his own book next--having read Book 3 first, it's usually a dark character who is given nuance and depth when their story is finally told; based what I've seen in the first two books, he actually appears more mild-mannered, before a heinous act is revealed during his story.
Are some of the contrivances a little bit annoying? (Like Cam and Maggie almost going to finally connect and then one of them does the wrong thing in the wrong place at the wrong time and because of crazy social etiquette BOOM, the plot continues?) Sure, but then no one would read regency and Victorian romances if they truly had an issue with that. At least this is a good friendly person who is changed into a darker character with reason, and not a good friendly person changed into a darker character for the sake of a plot for a sequel.
It is interesting seeing "lord Vile" briefly in the first two books in the series before getting his own book next--having read Book 3 first, it's usually a dark character who is given nuance and depth when their story is finally told; based what I've seen in the first two books, he actually appears more mild-mannered, before a heinous act is revealed during his story.
January 11, 2019
John Ansley, Earl of Cambrey has set his sights on Miss Margaret Blackwood for the perfect wife for him. He knows she’s really young, sometimes fickle, but he continues to peruse her all the same. Maggie is attracted to John and at times her fickle side comes out and he almost gives up on her, but she does decide he’s the one for her. John is the typical aristocrat living the privilege life who never expected a carriage accident to hurls him to the cobbled street and he awakens to broken bones and a battered head. He soon finds he’s a man who must choose between the lure of laudanum and the woman he loves. This a story of true struggle with opium drug addiction and what we do for the people we love, can we overcome the addiction and the web of lies that often affect many we love before so many lives are ruined. A great story with engaging characters and bring forth the reality of opium addiction during this time in history. This my honest opinions after I voluntarily read a copy of this book that was provided to me with no requirements for a review.
April 22, 2022
Cuando empece a leer este libro me llamo mucho el personaje de Cam, conforme iba leyendo no entendía muy bien el personaje si era ese tipo de personajes libertinos o era un personaje "noble" si lo ponemos así. Respecto a ella se me hizo una persona libertina entendiendo en que época se esta desarrollando y hasta creo que en ocasiones el contexto del libro esta como desfasado al tiempo que lo estaba escribiendo.
Algo que si me gusto ver a Simón en otra faceta como amigo la interacción que tuvieron los dos me encanto creo que toda esa mitad del libro me gusto y la disfrute, sin embargo la otra mitad me resulto un poco tediosa, ya cuando me faltaban 3 capítulos y sentí que me faltaba mucho si se me hizo pesada ya al final.
Se que son 6 o 7 libros de la serie, yo solo tengo 4 realmente no se si leer los 2 que me hacen falta. Pero de algo estoy segura si llego a leer los dos últimos libros que tengo de ella, no creo leer volver a leerla. Creo que si fuera un libro con menos paginas hubiese quedado perfecto.
Algo que si me gusto ver a Simón en otra faceta como amigo la interacción que tuvieron los dos me encanto creo que toda esa mitad del libro me gusto y la disfrute, sin embargo la otra mitad me resulto un poco tediosa, ya cuando me faltaban 3 capítulos y sentí que me faltaba mucho si se me hizo pesada ya al final.
Se que son 6 o 7 libros de la serie, yo solo tengo 4 realmente no se si leer los 2 que me hacen falta. Pero de algo estoy segura si llego a leer los dos últimos libros que tengo de ella, no creo leer volver a leerla. Creo que si fuera un libro con menos paginas hubiese quedado perfecto.
January 12, 2019
Lovely romance, serious theme- good read!
Cam and Margaret have been flirting around each other and various ballrooms for awhile now. He, as an earl and eligible bachelor is quite a catch, and she is a popular, lovely young woman and sister-in-law to Cam’s best friend, also an earl. The two each hold a tendre for the other, and the story is light, funny and has interesting characters.
But the unexpected occurs, and things between the two are affected. Can they overcome the after effects of Cam’s tragic incident?
This is a lovely romance with a serious theme. It has two people who truly care for each other and plan to be together but for the illness of addiction. It is as dramatic and realistic an issue even set in Victorian England as it is in today’s society. I enjoyed it very much and am definitely looking forward to the next book in this well written series.
Cam and Margaret have been flirting around each other and various ballrooms for awhile now. He, as an earl and eligible bachelor is quite a catch, and she is a popular, lovely young woman and sister-in-law to Cam’s best friend, also an earl. The two each hold a tendre for the other, and the story is light, funny and has interesting characters.
But the unexpected occurs, and things between the two are affected. Can they overcome the after effects of Cam’s tragic incident?
This is a lovely romance with a serious theme. It has two people who truly care for each other and plan to be together but for the illness of addiction. It is as dramatic and realistic an issue even set in Victorian England as it is in today’s society. I enjoyed it very much and am definitely looking forward to the next book in this well written series.
June 5, 2025
Having loved the first book in the series I was looking forward to Maggie’s story. But was a bit disappointed.
Maggie’s is young and a flirt. So even though she likes the hero John, she wants to “ try” out other guys by kissing them. John was quite a bit older and he would get annoyed and jealous by Maggie’s behaviour. Honestly the story kept going back and forth like that for almost half the book. He misunderstands and the she misunderstands. Smh. Even later when it got interesting with John’s accident and his opium addiction. Maggie’s character was still not as strong as I wanted it to be. She fluctuates and vacillates and when John insults her ( as he’s addicted) she storms off and breaks the engagement. I felt she needed to become more mature like her sister Jenna, who’s story I loved.
Maggie’s is young and a flirt. So even though she likes the hero John, she wants to “ try” out other guys by kissing them. John was quite a bit older and he would get annoyed and jealous by Maggie’s behaviour. Honestly the story kept going back and forth like that for almost half the book. He misunderstands and the she misunderstands. Smh. Even later when it got interesting with John’s accident and his opium addiction. Maggie’s character was still not as strong as I wanted it to be. She fluctuates and vacillates and when John insults her ( as he’s addicted) she storms off and breaks the engagement. I felt she needed to become more mature like her sister Jenna, who’s story I loved.
January 10, 2019
John Angsley, Earl of Cambrey, is a contented, privileged and eligible man who enjoys all that society has to offer. That included a beautiful Miss Margaret Blackwood, that he is planning to woo and make her his own. He is enjoying the season until a horrible carriage accident leaves the driver of the other carriage dead and him with a terrible broken leg and injured head. Then comes the nightmare of pain medication to dull the pain and as he mends; it becomes a daily and at times almost an hourly need. But fortunately, his beloved comes to help him overcome his use, hoping that her advice will help him, until he orders her out of the household. This is a thought-provoking tale of addiction and abuse that the author has made into a page turning adventure.
January 21, 2022
Just Brilliant!
Cam and Margaret's story will show the effects of opium based laudanum, the pain killer from 'way back when' and just how addictive it really was. It also clearly shows how this addiction would affect the lives of the person taking it and those of the peole he or she was living with. How it changed the basic personality of the person was just too terrible.
Sydney Jane Baily has written a passionate historical romance filled with all the things that matter in a relationship and those that will poison one. This was a really good story and in my opinion, she has pulled off a very clever trope, painting the various pictures and situations in clear colour.
I couldn't help but love the characters with all their flaws and am grateful for the happy ever after ending.
Cam and Margaret's story will show the effects of opium based laudanum, the pain killer from 'way back when' and just how addictive it really was. It also clearly shows how this addiction would affect the lives of the person taking it and those of the peole he or she was living with. How it changed the basic personality of the person was just too terrible.
Sydney Jane Baily has written a passionate historical romance filled with all the things that matter in a relationship and those that will poison one. This was a really good story and in my opinion, she has pulled off a very clever trope, painting the various pictures and situations in clear colour.
I couldn't help but love the characters with all their flaws and am grateful for the happy ever after ending.
August 16, 2022
His second chance
Margaret wanted a marriage like her sister Jenny. She new John since he is Simons best friend and when she kisses him for the first time she just knows. But when he catches her kisses someone else just shortly after their kiss he is devastated. With miss cues and misunderstandings, John is on his was to see Margaret when he’s in an horrific carriage accident that killed the driver that cause it. He is badly injured and it will be months of recovery.
When Simon & Margaret visit John at his estate she can see he is getting addicted to laudanum. There are ups and downs during his recovery and it will be up to John to show Margaret how much he really loves her. A beautifully written story with a wonderful ending.
Margaret wanted a marriage like her sister Jenny. She new John since he is Simons best friend and when she kisses him for the first time she just knows. But when he catches her kisses someone else just shortly after their kiss he is devastated. With miss cues and misunderstandings, John is on his was to see Margaret when he’s in an horrific carriage accident that killed the driver that cause it. He is badly injured and it will be months of recovery.
When Simon & Margaret visit John at his estate she can see he is getting addicted to laudanum. There are ups and downs during his recovery and it will be up to John to show Margaret how much he really loves her. A beautifully written story with a wonderful ending.
February 12, 2020
I did not like this book as much as the first one. The same peerage address issues were there, which is very strange as the rest of the book, to me, sounds correctly historical. Not sure why the titles weren’t always correct. The biggest issue though was the character of Margaret (Maggie) herself. I thought she was immature and flighty in the first book and she was in the beginning of this book as well. I fully expected her to learn and grow during the course of this book. But, she really didn’t. I never felt that she loved John as much as he loved her and really am not sure she will be faithful if hard times come.
July 6, 2021
Things to Do While Nursing A Broken Leg💕
ADULT Historical Victorian Romance 💕 and Adventure
Lord John Angsley, Earl of Cambrey, is laid up with a severely broken leg. He becomes addicted to opium.
Before, he had an on again, off again interest in Miss Maggie Blackwood, the daughter of a penniless baron, but also now the sister-in-law to the Earl of Lindsey, his best friend, with the marriage of her sister, Jenny.
Maggie is seeing several different lords, but her only real interest is John. Of course , John is jealous. Seems all these people in the author's books know each other!
Maggie is afraid John cannot kick his opium habit!
ADULT Historical Victorian Romance 💕 and Adventure
Lord John Angsley, Earl of Cambrey, is laid up with a severely broken leg. He becomes addicted to opium.
Before, he had an on again, off again interest in Miss Maggie Blackwood, the daughter of a penniless baron, but also now the sister-in-law to the Earl of Lindsey, his best friend, with the marriage of her sister, Jenny.
Maggie is seeing several different lords, but her only real interest is John. Of course , John is jealous. Seems all these people in the author's books know each other!
Maggie is afraid John cannot kick his opium habit!
January 10, 2019
Circumstances and misunderstandings lead to a harrowing accident for John Angsley. The excruciating pain causes him to crave his “medication”, to the extent of alienating those who love him. Margaret Blackwood is the one for him and he for her. Unfortunately, addiction causes him to lash out at her and break their betrothal. Margaret is devastated. Is there a happy ending? The author has managed to not minimize the effects of an addiction on the addict and those closest to him. Another great book by Ms. Baily.
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