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Wellingfords #5
Un caballero de dudosa reputación
Herido mientras luchaba contra los piratas, Greville Anders volvió a Inglaterra con poco interés por recuperar su sitio en la alta sociedad londinense. Ya no se vestía ni se comportaba de manera adecuada para un caballero de su posición.
Y eso no hacía sino desconcertar más aún a la joven debutante Amanda Neville, que no entendía cómo podía sentirse atraída por un hombre que se alejaba tanto de lo que buscaba en su futuro esposo.
Había sido el último deseo de su difunta madre que su hija tuviera una buena entrada en la alta sociedad, brillara entre las demás jóvenes y consiguiera casarse con un lord. Pero Amanda cada vez estaba menos segura de que ése fuera también su sueño.
Y eso no hacía sino desconcertar más aún a la joven debutante Amanda Neville, que no entendía cómo podía sentirse atraída por un hombre que se alejaba tanto de lo que buscaba en su futuro esposo.
Había sido el último deseo de su difunta madre que su hija tuviera una buena entrada en la alta sociedad, brillara entre las demás jóvenes y consiguiera casarse con un lord. Pero Amanda cada vez estaba menos segura de que ése fuera también su sueño.
318 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 17, 2011
8 people are currently reading
145 people want to read
About the author
Julia Justiss
222 books317 followersJulia Justiss grew up breathing the scent of sea air near the colonial town of Annapolis, Maryland, a fact responsible for two of her life-long passions: sailors and history! By age twelve she was a junior tour guide for Historic Annapolis, conducting visitors on walking tours through the city that was a hotbed of revolutionary fervor. (Annapolis hosted its own tea party, dispensing with the cargo aboard the "Peggy Stewart," and was briefly capital of the United States.) She also took tourists through Annapolis's other big attraction, the United States Naval Academy. After so many years of observing future naval officers at P-rade and chapel, it seemed almost inevitable that she eventually married one.
But long before embarking on romantic adventures of her own, she read about them, transporting herself to such favorite venues as ancient Egypt, World War II submarine patrols, the Old South and, of course, Regency England. Soon she was keeping notebooks for jotting down story ideas. From plotting adventures for her first favorite heroine Nancy Drew she went on to write poetry in high school and college, then worked as a business journalist doing speeches, sales promotion material and newsletter articles. After her marriage to a naval lieutenant took her overseas, she wrote the newsletter for the American Embassy in Tunis, Tunisia and traveled extensively throughout Europe. Before leaving Tunis, she fulfilled her first goal: completing a Regency novel.
Children intervened, and not until her husband left the Navy to return to his Texas homeland did she sit down to pen a second novel. The reply to her fan mail letter to a Regency author led her to Romance Writers of America. From the very first meeting, she knew she'd found a home among fellow writers--doubtless the largest group of people outside a mental institution who talk back to the voices in their heads.
Her second goal was achieved the day before her birthday in May, 1998 when Margaret Marbury of Harlequin Historicals offered to buy that second book, the Golden-Heart-Award winning novel that became THE WEDDING GAMBLE. Since then, she has gone on to write fourteen novels, three novellas and an on-line serial, along the way winning or finalling for historical awards from The Golden Quill, the National Reader’s Choice, Romantic Times, and All About Romance’s Favorite Book of the Year.
Julia now inhabits an English Georgian-style house she and her husband built in the East Texas countryside where, if she closes her eyes and ignores the summer thermometer, she can almost imagine she inhabits the landscape of "Pride and Prejudice." In between travelling to visit her three children (a naval officer son stationed in Washington, DC, a textiles and design major daughter who cheers for University of Texas at Austin, and a mechanical engineering major son also at UT Austin) keeping up with her science teacher husband and juggling a part-time day job as a high school French teacher, she pursues her first and dearest love--crafting stories.
To relax, she enjoys watching movies, reading (historical fiction, mystery, suspense) and puttering about in the garden trying to kill off more weeds than flowers.
But long before embarking on romantic adventures of her own, she read about them, transporting herself to such favorite venues as ancient Egypt, World War II submarine patrols, the Old South and, of course, Regency England. Soon she was keeping notebooks for jotting down story ideas. From plotting adventures for her first favorite heroine Nancy Drew she went on to write poetry in high school and college, then worked as a business journalist doing speeches, sales promotion material and newsletter articles. After her marriage to a naval lieutenant took her overseas, she wrote the newsletter for the American Embassy in Tunis, Tunisia and traveled extensively throughout Europe. Before leaving Tunis, she fulfilled her first goal: completing a Regency novel.
Children intervened, and not until her husband left the Navy to return to his Texas homeland did she sit down to pen a second novel. The reply to her fan mail letter to a Regency author led her to Romance Writers of America. From the very first meeting, she knew she'd found a home among fellow writers--doubtless the largest group of people outside a mental institution who talk back to the voices in their heads.
Her second goal was achieved the day before her birthday in May, 1998 when Margaret Marbury of Harlequin Historicals offered to buy that second book, the Golden-Heart-Award winning novel that became THE WEDDING GAMBLE. Since then, she has gone on to write fourteen novels, three novellas and an on-line serial, along the way winning or finalling for historical awards from The Golden Quill, the National Reader’s Choice, Romantic Times, and All About Romance’s Favorite Book of the Year.
Julia now inhabits an English Georgian-style house she and her husband built in the East Texas countryside where, if she closes her eyes and ignores the summer thermometer, she can almost imagine she inhabits the landscape of "Pride and Prejudice." In between travelling to visit her three children (a naval officer son stationed in Washington, DC, a textiles and design major daughter who cheers for University of Texas at Austin, and a mechanical engineering major son also at UT Austin) keeping up with her science teacher husband and juggling a part-time day job as a high school French teacher, she pursues her first and dearest love--crafting stories.
To relax, she enjoys watching movies, reading (historical fiction, mystery, suspense) and puttering about in the garden trying to kill off more weeds than flowers.
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
June 18, 2018
Realmente me entretuvo. Y me gustó el mensaje; que una vida de ocio no siempre es satisfactoria. Y que puedes cambair y ser mejor persona, por cosas que no esperabas.
August 12, 2024
Il perfetto uomo noioso 😴 da beccare in campagna, quando vuoi solo fuggire a Londra per divertirti.
Una storia assurda e urticante: Amanda desidera avere la sua Stagione, dopo anni di attese, lutti e impedimenti familiari; quando (finalmente) potrebbe andarci, il destino le rifila come Grande Amore un libertino squattrino, ubriacone ed emarginato.
Non sono mai stata una fan del trend #libertinoredento: mi è incomprensibile capire perché, dopo anni di gozzoviglie, nullafacenza e bordelli, uno dovrebbe svegliarsi al mattino, venire perdonato di tutto, e pure premiato con la brava ragazza che ha atteso paziente proprio lui...
Una storia assurda e urticante: Amanda desidera avere la sua Stagione, dopo anni di attese, lutti e impedimenti familiari; quando (finalmente) potrebbe andarci, il destino le rifila come Grande Amore un libertino squattrino, ubriacone ed emarginato.
Non sono mai stata una fan del trend #libertinoredento: mi è incomprensibile capire perché, dopo anni di gozzoviglie, nullafacenza e bordelli, uno dovrebbe svegliarsi al mattino, venire perdonato di tutto, e pure premiato con la brava ragazza che ha atteso paziente proprio lui...
July 4, 2016
The hero was illegally impressed onto a Navy ship as a regular seaman (It was apparently illegal to impress a gentleman, but "regular" men were fair game.) and forced to serve for several months. The experience has changed his life--given him a respect for the "lower classes," and for hard work. He's also been injured, and now that his relations have found him, they've arranged for him to recuperate at the country home of a gentleman. He's in pretty bad shape when he arrives, so the heroine is pretty snooty to him at first. She's been dreaming of marriage to a powerful, political man, so she can help shape society, a la the late Duchess of Devonshire. It's what her mother wanted for her, before she passed away a year or so ago, and the heroine is determined to fulfill her mother's dreams, even if she's attracted to--and likes--this young man. This was a good read, with some nice "fulfill your own dreams, not those of others" and some "what do I really want" things. I liked it.
August 31, 2018
It ain't over til it's over - it's over
Well, I thought it was a good idea at the time. Maybe it isn’t such a great idea to glom an author, maybe a little time between books is a better idea. As much as I tried, I could not finish Society’s Most Disreputable Gentleman. Greville Anders is the brother of the previous heroine Joanna. You remember her, she drudged through the mud. Anyway, Greville was actually pressed into the navy and now he finds himself recovering at a house which has Amanda in it. Amanda dreams of life in the city, she thinks Greville is beneath her. This story has a Romanceland separation in it, a pretty lengthy one and for me lengthy separations do not work. Sorry to say I could not finish this book.
So, for me what started out with a bang with A Most Unconventional Match ended with a fizzle.
Well, I thought it was a good idea at the time. Maybe it isn’t such a great idea to glom an author, maybe a little time between books is a better idea. As much as I tried, I could not finish Society’s Most Disreputable Gentleman. Greville Anders is the brother of the previous heroine Joanna. You remember her, she drudged through the mud. Anyway, Greville was actually pressed into the navy and now he finds himself recovering at a house which has Amanda in it. Amanda dreams of life in the city, she thinks Greville is beneath her. This story has a Romanceland separation in it, a pretty lengthy one and for me lengthy separations do not work. Sorry to say I could not finish this book.
So, for me what started out with a bang with A Most Unconventional Match ended with a fizzle.
April 3, 2025
It was very pleasant and had a fair few things I genuinely loved. One of those being that the heroine was 'just like every other girl' and was happy to be so. She looks forward to her season, she wants to be married, she enjoys typical lady pursuits. Her cousin, meanwhile, is the bluestocking hoyden who wants to ride and shoot and drink whiskey, and she is depicted as being a right annoying pain in the arse because of her totally out there personality. What a breath of fresh air to have the heroine be a very unremarkable, normal, not at all shocking woman.
The hero was a nice change too. Ignore the title of this book, we meet him after he's been through some hard times is is 100% a changed man. He is NOT a rake, a rogue, or anything of the sort. He's really a great guy, principled, very aware of a ladies reputation (for unselfish reasons) and full of good intentions and heart. Why the publisher decided to style this book as a rake's story I have NOOO IDEA.
Ignore the tag-line too - "Is one night with an infamous rake enough?" none of this happens, he isn't infamous, he isn't a rake, they don't spend a single night together.... at all!
The hero was a nice change too. Ignore the title of this book, we meet him after he's been through some hard times is is 100% a changed man. He is NOT a rake, a rogue, or anything of the sort. He's really a great guy, principled, very aware of a ladies reputation (for unselfish reasons) and full of good intentions and heart. Why the publisher decided to style this book as a rake's story I have NOOO IDEA.
Ignore the tag-line too - "Is one night with an infamous rake enough?" none of this happens, he isn't infamous, he isn't a rake, they don't spend a single night together.... at all!
January 3, 2015
"Society's Most Disreputable Gentleman" is a most charismatic gentleman indeed! Julia Justiss has created a charming character study of Greville Anders, the only son of a nobleman's younger son. Without a title, and a clear ambition, Greville lives a life of seemingly carefree debauchery. After serving a minor role in the battle of Waterloo, Greville returns home and is made the manager of one of his titled cousin's minor estates. Willingly turning over the management duties to one of his associates, Greville resumes his life of partaking in pleasurable pursuits. When he discovers that the man has been embezzling from the estate, Greville confronts him only to be knocked unconscious, kidnapped, and pressed into serving on a man-of-war. After being seriously injured in battle, Greville is returned to England and given lodging for his recovery at the estate of Lord Bronning. The Lord's beautiful daughter, Amanda, is not impressed by her first sight of Greville in his tattered and stained traveling clothes. However, seeing him after he has rested and obtained more suitable attire, Amanda realizes that is quite a handsome gentleman. He is also a gentle man, with a sly wit and a disarming sensuality. Amanda, who has put off her Season more than once due to family concerns, is just about to depart for London. She has never met a man like Greville, and he sets her mind awhirl and places her thoughts for her future in disarray. She was born to be the wife of a titled man of wealth, and Greville has neither of those things. Their attraction to each other continues to grow, and for the first time in his life, Greville finds himself in love. Amanda is equally smitten, and she is torn between her duty as a Lord's daughter and the desires of her heart. Circumstances dictate that she indeed finally will have her Season, and Greville remains at her father's estate while Amanda journeys to London. Due to the poor health of Amanda's father, Greville steps in to help manage the estate and discovers that not only is he capable of the task, he finds it to be quite pleasant and rewarding. On the other hand, while Amanda finds much to enjoy in London, she ultimately decides to return to her home without accepting a marriage proposal. There is only one man who holds the key to her heart, and that is her "disreputable gentleman". You will enjoy the personal growth of these two characters as they learn much about themselves while they struggle to find their place in the world. They bring out the best in each other, and you will root for them to have their "happily ever after".
February 20, 2017
enjoyed
January 31, 2016
(2.5)
Con esta historia tarde demasiado porque me resulto tediosa la forma en que la autora escribe, entre más seguía leyendo me resultó pesado y poco entretenido. Si bien, el romance no me pareció la gran cosa, quizá porque Amanda no causo una buena impresión en mi ya que no la saque de quejica y de que no quería tener serca al protagonista pero era la primera en ir y buscarlo, simplemente esa contradicción me fastidiaba junto con su actitud. Por otro lado, Greville, era un personaje normal que no me resulto atractivo en la parte de su actitud, solo veía aun hombre que perseguía a alguien que le decía que se alejara de ella pero que lo buscaba para pedir.
Simplemente no fue mi gusto, ya por los últimos capítulos la cosa no perecía tan mala, el drama que pudo ser mejor empezaba rápido de la forma en que acababa, no encontré muros entre el romance que valiera la pena, solo las fantasías de Amanda.
El final tampoco me impresiono pues ya no esperaba nada bueno, pero al menos no término tan mal como estaba esperando.
No se si lo recomiendo, aunque es un libro pequeño tarde demasiado en ligarme un poco en la novela,, si tuviera que decir lo que me gusto... fueron cosas mínimas y que al fin lo terminara; pero si llegan a leerlo que lo discuten mas de no que lo hice.
Con esta historia tarde demasiado porque me resulto tediosa la forma en que la autora escribe, entre más seguía leyendo me resultó pesado y poco entretenido. Si bien, el romance no me pareció la gran cosa, quizá porque Amanda no causo una buena impresión en mi ya que no la saque de quejica y de que no quería tener serca al protagonista pero era la primera en ir y buscarlo, simplemente esa contradicción me fastidiaba junto con su actitud. Por otro lado, Greville, era un personaje normal que no me resulto atractivo en la parte de su actitud, solo veía aun hombre que perseguía a alguien que le decía que se alejara de ella pero que lo buscaba para pedir.
Simplemente no fue mi gusto, ya por los últimos capítulos la cosa no perecía tan mala, el drama que pudo ser mejor empezaba rápido de la forma en que acababa, no encontré muros entre el romance que valiera la pena, solo las fantasías de Amanda.
El final tampoco me impresiono pues ya no esperaba nada bueno, pero al menos no término tan mal como estaba esperando.
No se si lo recomiendo, aunque es un libro pequeño tarde demasiado en ligarme un poco en la novela,, si tuviera que decir lo que me gusto... fueron cosas mínimas y que al fin lo terminara; pero si llegan a leerlo que lo discuten mas de no que lo hice.
June 30, 2013
IS ONE NIGHT WITH AN INFAMOUS RAKE WORTH THE RISK? Wounded in action courageously fighting pirates, the notorious Greville Anders returns to society with neither the dress nor the conduct considered proper for a gentleman. Even more scandalous is the fact that well-brought-up debutante Amanda Neville finds this rogue irresistibly tempting… It was her mama’s last wish that her beautiful daughter should have a glittering London Season, shine on society’s stage and marry a lord… But now Amanda’s greatest desire is just one more secret rendezvous – with the most disreputable man in town!
I am a BIG Julia Justiss fan, but this story was far from her best. The beginning was confusing when Greville is returned from the ship. The history of impressing individuals is not so widely known, and I simply thought the presentation was not clear to those who were not history buffs. Greville is a compelling Alpha male, but his taking a backward step to permit Amanda her freedom is a very feminine idea, but not a very practical story point.
I am a BIG Julia Justiss fan, but this story was far from her best. The beginning was confusing when Greville is returned from the ship. The history of impressing individuals is not so widely known, and I simply thought the presentation was not clear to those who were not history buffs. Greville is a compelling Alpha male, but his taking a backward step to permit Amanda her freedom is a very feminine idea, but not a very practical story point.
March 28, 2011
Obviously I knew it would work out well given the category, but I still liked the book. It was a fast, simple read that kept me engaged for a few hours without having to worry about work. I enjoyed the depth of the characters and the way they interacted with each other. Some of the characters were annoying, and I felt like a few of the conflicts had no resolution.
I don't remember reading anything about Black John after he takes Amanda captive and then leaves her. Do they catch him?
And what about George? I know he goes back to school to resume studies, but does he truly clean up his ways?
And who exactly was that farmer that tried to save Amanda before Greville came to rescue her?
These questions answered would have made the book much more intriguing.
I don't remember reading anything about Black John after he takes Amanda captive and then leaves her. Do they catch him?
And what about George? I know he goes back to school to resume studies, but does he truly clean up his ways?
And who exactly was that farmer that tried to save Amanda before Greville came to rescue her?
These questions answered would have made the book much more intriguing.
January 13, 2012
Very, very enjoyable book! :D
Amanda Neville is a country bred lady set to finally have her first Season when her father agrees to house Greville Anders--a gentleman illegally impressed into the Navy and wounded in battle--during his recuperation. What follows is a charming tale of two people who each think they want one thing, only to realize that their desires had changed.
I love the way that both characters show great emotional growth during the course of the book,and both were immensely likeable.
This book is apparently the fifth in a series, but it stands alone just fine.
I'm definitely interested in checking out some of the other titles in this series.
Amanda Neville is a country bred lady set to finally have her first Season when her father agrees to house Greville Anders--a gentleman illegally impressed into the Navy and wounded in battle--during his recuperation. What follows is a charming tale of two people who each think they want one thing, only to realize that their desires had changed.
I love the way that both characters show great emotional growth during the course of the book,and both were immensely likeable.
This book is apparently the fifth in a series, but it stands alone just fine.
I'm definitely interested in checking out some of the other titles in this series.
June 23, 2014
The characters had me at first glance. Greville Anders, the most disreputable gentlemen of the title had me as he got out of the coach at Ashton Grove although Amanda Neville took me a little longer to warm up to—forgetting the way young ladies of that age were brought up and the class differences. Of course, in little time, I took to rooting for Greville to overcome Amanda’s idea of what she should do and convince her to do what she wanted to do. I often am glad I was not born of that time with its restrictions on young ladies depending upon their status! Wonderful story with supporting characters who were real and endearing.
May 28, 2012
Rather unique in that our hero was an impressed seaman and, although possessed of connections, untitled. It was interesting to witness Greville's character growth and his desire to amend past wrongdoings. However, the story really doesn't take off until at least halfway through when Amanda goes to London for her season. It was also nice to revisit prior characters. A decent read but not very exciting. 3.2 stars.
July 14, 2014
Não há grande coisa a dizer dos livros Harlequin... As estórias são semelhantes, personagens tipo para praticamente todos os livros.
Estes romances servem para uma pausa entre livros sérios.
De notar que neste livro não notei os tipicos erros a que já me habituei nos livros Harlequin.
Estes romances servem para uma pausa entre livros sérios.
De notar que neste livro não notei os tipicos erros a que já me habituei nos livros Harlequin.
October 25, 2014
I have fallen in love with this series and just can't seem to stop myself from reading them. However, I just did not love this book. It was a slow read for me. There was nothing that really pulled me in.
February 13, 2014
Though it started slow, ended up really enjoying this! Just a simple and cute love story, with two very like-able protagonists, well worth a snowy morning read.
September 26, 2012
Una mezza delusione!
November 29, 2019
A good story with an interesting plot. I enjoyed both the characters and the romance.
Read
April 28, 2017This was the first book I attempted to read by this author and did make it past the first 50 pages or so. I didn't feel right in giving it a rating so just left it blank. However, what little I did read I didn't enjoy.
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews