What do you think?
Rate this book
Regency Rogues #1
Rogue Countess
A passion neither of them wanted…and neither can deny.
Anna Locke was once young, naïve and infatuated with the handsome Jude Sinclair. Until the charismatic “gentleman” showed his true colors by abandoning her on their wedding day.
In the years since, she has transformed herself into a confident, successful woman, independent of her errant husband’s aristocratic family in every way but name. When Jude unexpectedly returns demanding a divorce, she quashes the butterflies he still elicits, and resolves to show him she won’t be so easily cast aside.
Jude has come home to assume the responsibilities left to him upon his father’s death, and to finally end the marriage into which he was tricked. To his surprise, Anna is no longer an awkward, skinny girl with a furtive gaze. She has become a lush, enigmatic vixen with dark eyes that shield secrets she seems determined to keep.
In their intimate war of wills, the heat of bold desire flares into passion—and casts light on a shared past tangled in lies and blackmail. But until Jude can win her trust and learn the truth, there will be no destroying the obstacles that loom darkly between them…and the love that should have been theirs.
Product Warnings: This title contains a shockingly revealing sapphire gown, highly improper behavior at a masquerade, a tangled web of deception, and perhaps most scandalous of all, a fiery passion that flares to life between a husband and wife who have been estranged since their wedding day.
Anna Locke was once young, naïve and infatuated with the handsome Jude Sinclair. Until the charismatic “gentleman” showed his true colors by abandoning her on their wedding day.
In the years since, she has transformed herself into a confident, successful woman, independent of her errant husband’s aristocratic family in every way but name. When Jude unexpectedly returns demanding a divorce, she quashes the butterflies he still elicits, and resolves to show him she won’t be so easily cast aside.
Jude has come home to assume the responsibilities left to him upon his father’s death, and to finally end the marriage into which he was tricked. To his surprise, Anna is no longer an awkward, skinny girl with a furtive gaze. She has become a lush, enigmatic vixen with dark eyes that shield secrets she seems determined to keep.
In their intimate war of wills, the heat of bold desire flares into passion—and casts light on a shared past tangled in lies and blackmail. But until Jude can win her trust and learn the truth, there will be no destroying the obstacles that loom darkly between them…and the love that should have been theirs.
Product Warnings: This title contains a shockingly revealing sapphire gown, highly improper behavior at a masquerade, a tangled web of deception, and perhaps most scandalous of all, a fiery passion that flares to life between a husband and wife who have been estranged since their wedding day.
Unknown Binding
First published July 24, 2012
595 people are currently reading
1006 people want to read
About the author
Amy Sandas
115 books344 followersMy love of romance began one summer when I was thirteen and complained of boredom. I ended up with one of my mother's Barbara Cartland books and an obsessive interest that expanded from there. My affinity for writing began with sappy pre-teen poems and led to a Bachelor's degree with an emphasis on Creative Writing from the University of Minnesota--Twin Cities.
I love pizza, wine, and dark brooding heroes! With a husband, three kids, and two dogs at home, it can be difficult to find the time (and the motivation!) to write. But somehow the words keep showing up on the page. I am endlessly grateful to the many wonderful readers who enjoy my books and ask for more!
I love pizza, wine, and dark brooding heroes! With a husband, three kids, and two dogs at home, it can be difficult to find the time (and the motivation!) to write. But somehow the words keep showing up on the page. I am endlessly grateful to the many wonderful readers who enjoy my books and ask for more!
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 139 reviews
June 19, 2022
I am rating this book 4.5 and rounding up to 5*. It starts off with Anna looking to meet her husband again after 8 years of him being gone after leaving her 16-year-old self on her wedding day. The story recaps a brief history of Jules life during those years. Anna has made a sucess of herself and the book describes how the forced marriage came to be. I very much enjoyed the book and only found a few weak spots. Looking forward to more books by this author.
October 2, 2024
Another abandoned bride - a favored trope but it’s so difficult to find a truly satisfying story!
The first chapter is interesting with the meeting between the h/H after 8 long years at a masked ball. She knows who he is but he doesn’t recognize the voluptuous beauty as his wife. The stage is set for some firework but the fire and promise fizzles out pretty soon and what we get is a smoky, hazy storytelling. The kind that annoys incessantly.
The cast off wife is all grown up and beautiful woman now but is also angry and itching for some revenge/just desserts for being tossed aside while the returned prodigal wants nothing more than to get back to his life and duties as the earl but minus the 'cunning manipulative thin girl' he was forced to marry. So he hounds her for annulment while she wants to make him work for it.
There’s that elusive (but not for long) secret that hints at plotting and manipulation by the h’s dear family - read her dear sister/vampy bitch/ H’s first love and the father - the real culprits but we have to go through a whole winding book before the truth gets revealed and all’s well again.
Problems/ loopholes and *spoilers* aplenty!
The author just cannot decide if her h is a strong, independent businesswoman/tradeswoman who can hold her own in a man’s world quite admirably (and implausibly) or she’s a 'silly, sighing, gasping, flouncing, foot stamping, melting, witless' virgin. While I wanted and championed the first, I wanted to slap and stomp on the second!
Then just that independence and ‘career’.
Highly incredibly unbelievable and anachronistic but well okay, I’ll buy it. But but wearing pants so often and so publicly, consorting and being counted as an equal by men (nay, gentlemen) and accepted so easily by them - even get a membership to an exclusive men’s club was going too far. And all that crude language? She’s one of the nobility, after all.
Her identity...
How's it even possible that no one knew that she was the countess? - 'THAT' countess! Her husband vanished years ago but she’s a daughter of a peer and sister to a duchess. How could she cultivate the anonymity, when her wedding was the culmination of a huge, witnessed scandal? And she did move around in society for some time with people pointedly sharing her husband’s indiscretions with her. So for argument's sake, let's say she vanished for few years, bloomed and returned incognito. Still, is it really possible that no one recognized her, named her as she mingled and partied incessantly (as we do read - every day!). Even if she add a Mrs. to her name, she still is Anna Locke. So no one connected the dots? Balderdash!
The sister wanted a duke but was making out with the H/her fiancé even the day before the big plot? And a duke was courting/showing interest in an engaged woman? That bit wasn't gelled properly.
I feel the sister got wasted as she had great potential for causing rift in the present. And strangely, the h/H attend dozens of parties and balls but don’t meet/see the sister/duchess in all these weeks. The meeting happens only when the story is ready for a deranged troublemaking villain!
And his mother?
On seeing her son after eight years, she greats him with ...
She pinned him with a look of supreme dissatisfaction.
“What are you doing here?” she questioned abruptly. “You need to be in London.”.
Even for the coldest, bitchiest of moms, that's an overkill.
And when she goes to London to see him a few weeks later, it’s like -
“Really?” she asked imperiously. “That is how you greet me? Not with pleasure, but with surprise?”
So naturally I expected a starring role for such a woman in the h’s persecution but she voluntarily defangs herself and the past’s all vague vis a vis the in-laws.
When the H starts having some doubts and needs information about the h/past, he goes to see the h’s bff/om but gets (frustratedly for him, happily for us) laughed off. I wanted him to visit the sister then but that doesn’t happen.
Meanwhile his mother drops by and just before sailing off says ..
“The girl really is terribly stubborn and more vulnerable than she lets on. It was years before I ever found out the truth of that fateful night. Good luck,” .
Night? What night? That night?!!!
And Truth? What Truth?
But the dumb man doesn’t ask for more clarity on these stunning/strange/cryptic words! I thought he’d drag his mother back and demand details. At least, any logically thinking, semi-intelligent man would do that. The writing does let down in this way.
And that other ow/mistress? She never gets explained properly. I won’t like it if he was having sex with her after sharing that explosive kiss with the h in the opening chapter. But as she's living in the same hotel room with him, anything else is impossible!
Such frustrating irritants let down this high on drama book.
The first chapter is interesting with the meeting between the h/H after 8 long years at a masked ball. She knows who he is but he doesn’t recognize the voluptuous beauty as his wife. The stage is set for some firework but the fire and promise fizzles out pretty soon and what we get is a smoky, hazy storytelling. The kind that annoys incessantly.
The cast off wife is all grown up and beautiful woman now but is also angry and itching for some revenge/just desserts for being tossed aside while the returned prodigal wants nothing more than to get back to his life and duties as the earl but minus the 'cunning manipulative thin girl' he was forced to marry. So he hounds her for annulment while she wants to make him work for it.
There’s that elusive (but not for long) secret that hints at plotting and manipulation by the h’s dear family - read her dear sister/vampy bitch/ H’s first love and the father - the real culprits but we have to go through a whole winding book before the truth gets revealed and all’s well again.
Problems/ loopholes and *spoilers* aplenty!
The author just cannot decide if her h is a strong, independent businesswoman/tradeswoman who can hold her own in a man’s world quite admirably (and implausibly) or she’s a 'silly, sighing, gasping, flouncing, foot stamping, melting, witless' virgin. While I wanted and championed the first, I wanted to slap and stomp on the second!
Then just that independence and ‘career’.
Highly incredibly unbelievable and anachronistic but well okay, I’ll buy it. But but wearing pants so often and so publicly, consorting and being counted as an equal by men (nay, gentlemen) and accepted so easily by them - even get a membership to an exclusive men’s club was going too far. And all that crude language? She’s one of the nobility, after all.
Her identity...
How's it even possible that no one knew that she was the countess? - 'THAT' countess! Her husband vanished years ago but she’s a daughter of a peer and sister to a duchess. How could she cultivate the anonymity, when her wedding was the culmination of a huge, witnessed scandal? And she did move around in society for some time with people pointedly sharing her husband’s indiscretions with her. So for argument's sake, let's say she vanished for few years, bloomed and returned incognito. Still, is it really possible that no one recognized her, named her as she mingled and partied incessantly (as we do read - every day!). Even if she add a Mrs. to her name, she still is Anna Locke. So no one connected the dots? Balderdash!
The sister wanted a duke but was making out with the H/her fiancé even the day before the big plot? And a duke was courting/showing interest in an engaged woman? That bit wasn't gelled properly.
I feel the sister got wasted as she had great potential for causing rift in the present. And strangely, the h/H attend dozens of parties and balls but don’t meet/see the sister/duchess in all these weeks. The meeting happens only when the story is ready for a deranged troublemaking villain!
And his mother?
On seeing her son after eight years, she greats him with ...
She pinned him with a look of supreme dissatisfaction.
“What are you doing here?” she questioned abruptly. “You need to be in London.”.
Even for the coldest, bitchiest of moms, that's an overkill.
And when she goes to London to see him a few weeks later, it’s like -
“Really?” she asked imperiously. “That is how you greet me? Not with pleasure, but with surprise?”
So naturally I expected a starring role for such a woman in the h’s persecution but she voluntarily defangs herself and the past’s all vague vis a vis the in-laws.
When the H starts having some doubts and needs information about the h/past, he goes to see the h’s bff/om but gets (frustratedly for him, happily for us) laughed off. I wanted him to visit the sister then but that doesn’t happen.
Meanwhile his mother drops by and just before sailing off says ..
“The girl really is terribly stubborn and more vulnerable than she lets on. It was years before I ever found out the truth of that fateful night. Good luck,” .
Night? What night? That night?!!!
And Truth? What Truth?
But the dumb man doesn’t ask for more clarity on these stunning/strange/cryptic words! I thought he’d drag his mother back and demand details. At least, any logically thinking, semi-intelligent man would do that. The writing does let down in this way.
And that other ow/mistress? She never gets explained properly. I won’t like it if he was having sex with her after sharing that explosive kiss with the h in the opening chapter. But as she's living in the same hotel room with him, anything else is impossible!
Such frustrating irritants let down this high on drama book.
June 18, 2022
I was surprised by how much I liked this story. The enemies-to-lovers trope is one I usually avoid because it seems they always break my heart, and because there are usually way too many negative emotions in these kinds of stories than I am comfortable with. But this beautifully woven, emotionally complex story hit all the right notes for me. I loved Anna from the beginning... she was the perfect mix of a confident woman who worked very hard to make a life for herself but still the lost, hurt young woman, emotionally scarred by the cruelties of her family and abandonment by her husband. It took me a while to warm up to Jude because I just don’t dig mean, self righteous people, but the more he questioned his preconceived notions about Anna, the more I fell for him. There was an underlying thread of intense (initially unconsummated) lust between these two, and while it was steamy and delicious, it was there for more than lust’s sake. It was the tenuous connection that kept them together long enough to truly get to know each other. On Jude’s part especially, this allowed him to move from arrogant pain in the ass to growing respect and admiration for Anna, which turned to deeper feelings and had me rooting for them to get the HEA they deserved. Highly recommended.
July 30, 2012
What would you do if at 16, the people you were to trust the most betray you for their own gain, which destroys multiple lives and before you could even say a word, the one person you hoped could save you abandons you for the next 8 years and pretends you don’t exist? You’d plan your revenge too!
Anna, know 26 has lived the last few years of her life they way she wants to. She calls herself Mrs. Locke And distances herself as far from her husband’s family as possible. She’s intelligent, resourceful, and much to her mother in law’s dismay in TRADE. But underneath her harden and worldly exterior is a vulnerable girl who wishes to be wanted, loved and protected. Something she never felt as a child and had hoped to gain in her marriage.
Jude was an angry boy who grew up into a scorned man. Leaving his new wife on the house steps immediately after the wedding, he spent the next few years roaming Europe and trying to forget the betrayal of his family and the witch he refuses to call a wife. He has returned to England after learning of his fathers death more mature and ready to pick up his responsibilities, as soon as he rids himself of the woman he sees as ruining his life.
This is one of the best debut novels I have read and I had to double check that this was a debut novel. The writing and polish is one expected of a much more seasoned writer. The author tackled this estrangement plot line and difficult characters (especially the sister) with aplomb and grit. Each character in the novel, even the more minor ones, were complex and not one dimensional. Not only could I imagine meeting people like the characters in real life, I have met people like them. They have their flaws and their walls. But it is how the author goes about opening up the characters to their own flaws and tunneling under each others walls that makes this story so good.
It was refreshing to come across a story where no one should blame either Anne or Jude for how they feel about their marriage. Neither party is at fault for anything other than being to immature and to hurt to see the situation from any perspective than their own. Each has had plenty of time to build up the idea of whom the other is that is shattered to pieces starting with their very first interactions. The author reaches a fine balance of the couples’ antics between mischievousness, annoying the other, and getting attention, without spite, harm, or childishness. You will not forget Anne and her whip. From there the author manages to create a realistic and creative story that continues to throw these two in each others path allowing the final vestiges of their preconceived notions to disappear but gives them, especially Anne , a chance to believe in love and each other. For both revenge turns out to be very sweet indeed. Like most romance novels, the characters around the couple see so much more clearly than the hero/heroine do and give them little nudges as needed.
While the author moved the plot line via internal conflict of the main characters and a lack of open discussions between the two. She did so in a way that actually works and doesn’t make you want to slap someone for stupidity. It is not even pride that keeps these two apart, but a external threat and in my eyes a very effective plot ploy that works within the psyche and construct of the characters.
An excellent debut romance that should not be missed
Anna, know 26 has lived the last few years of her life they way she wants to. She calls herself Mrs. Locke And distances herself as far from her husband’s family as possible. She’s intelligent, resourceful, and much to her mother in law’s dismay in TRADE. But underneath her harden and worldly exterior is a vulnerable girl who wishes to be wanted, loved and protected. Something she never felt as a child and had hoped to gain in her marriage.
Jude was an angry boy who grew up into a scorned man. Leaving his new wife on the house steps immediately after the wedding, he spent the next few years roaming Europe and trying to forget the betrayal of his family and the witch he refuses to call a wife. He has returned to England after learning of his fathers death more mature and ready to pick up his responsibilities, as soon as he rids himself of the woman he sees as ruining his life.
This is one of the best debut novels I have read and I had to double check that this was a debut novel. The writing and polish is one expected of a much more seasoned writer. The author tackled this estrangement plot line and difficult characters (especially the sister) with aplomb and grit. Each character in the novel, even the more minor ones, were complex and not one dimensional. Not only could I imagine meeting people like the characters in real life, I have met people like them. They have their flaws and their walls. But it is how the author goes about opening up the characters to their own flaws and tunneling under each others walls that makes this story so good.
It was refreshing to come across a story where no one should blame either Anne or Jude for how they feel about their marriage. Neither party is at fault for anything other than being to immature and to hurt to see the situation from any perspective than their own. Each has had plenty of time to build up the idea of whom the other is that is shattered to pieces starting with their very first interactions. The author reaches a fine balance of the couples’ antics between mischievousness, annoying the other, and getting attention, without spite, harm, or childishness. You will not forget Anne and her whip. From there the author manages to create a realistic and creative story that continues to throw these two in each others path allowing the final vestiges of their preconceived notions to disappear but gives them, especially Anne , a chance to believe in love and each other. For both revenge turns out to be very sweet indeed. Like most romance novels, the characters around the couple see so much more clearly than the hero/heroine do and give them little nudges as needed.
While the author moved the plot line via internal conflict of the main characters and a lack of open discussions between the two. She did so in a way that actually works and doesn’t make you want to slap someone for stupidity. It is not even pride that keeps these two apart, but a external threat and in my eyes a very effective plot ploy that works within the psyche and construct of the characters.
An excellent debut romance that should not be missed
March 4, 2022
I picked this book up because it was free and the premise looked interesting. The hero and heroine were married when she was 16 and he was 22. They were married because they were compromised basically. It's much more complicated than that but I don't want to spoil anything. The hero didn't want to be married to her, so he took off and left England for India and other places. Eight years later, his father, the earl, has died so he returns. Lo and behold, he is surprised to find his wife has grown into a beauty and is a successful businesswoman dealing with horses.
I think this was my second book where the hero was named Jude, and it was so nice to have a hero with a name other than Nicholas, Gabriel, or Sebastian. This Jude was really sexy, with curly blonde hair, and made the name all the more sexier for me.
I liked the chemistry between the two and would say that was definitely my favorite part of the novel. However, Anna lost her virginity on top?! What? I've heard that that's really painful for the first time.
In the beginning, there was a lot of bickering between the two, which was to be expected. I feel like they could have gotten to know each other a little better throughout the course of the novel for me to be fully convinced of their love for each other. I'm starting to get sick of the trope where the heroine loves the hero unrequited for years before she even knows him well. I'm also not really sure what Anna did/said to make him fall in love with her, because half the time she wasn't being so charming.
I noticed two spelling mistakes, but what really bugged me was the book's formatting. Why were the paragraphs not indented?? When I noticed, it took me out of the story and I checked other pages to make sure it wasn't just that page.
Also interesting call to make the villain the !
This was the author's debut novel and it was very good for a debut.
I think this was my second book where the hero was named Jude, and it was so nice to have a hero with a name other than Nicholas, Gabriel, or Sebastian. This Jude was really sexy, with curly blonde hair, and made the name all the more sexier for me.
I liked the chemistry between the two and would say that was definitely my favorite part of the novel. However, Anna lost her virginity on top?! What? I've heard that that's really painful for the first time.
In the beginning, there was a lot of bickering between the two, which was to be expected. I feel like they could have gotten to know each other a little better throughout the course of the novel for me to be fully convinced of their love for each other. I'm starting to get sick of the trope where the heroine loves the hero unrequited for years before she even knows him well. I'm also not really sure what Anna did/said to make him fall in love with her, because half the time she wasn't being so charming.
I noticed two spelling mistakes, but what really bugged me was the book's formatting. Why were the paragraphs not indented?? When I noticed, it took me out of the story and I checked other pages to make sure it wasn't just that page.
Also interesting call to make the villain the !
This was the author's debut novel and it was very good for a debut.
May 27, 2016
3.5
(when will we get half stars??)
(when will we get half stars??)
June 8, 2017
4.5/5 Passion and angst beautifully told. The Earl of Blackbourne, Jude Sinclair. returns home to England to confront the bride he left behind 8 years ago. Anna Locke was 16 when she was found compromised in bed with Jude, resulting in their hasty marriage. Since her abandonment by Jude mere hours after their wedding, she has fought hard to distance herself from his name and estate and forged a respectable and profitable business. He wants an annulment, but she is not going to submit to his demand without making him suffer for his callous treatment of her. Jude finds his countess not quite the schemer, he has envisioned all these years, but it takes a while for him to peel off all her layers to discover the true woman within.
June 27, 2016
I have never been a fan of second chance romance or enemies to lovers trope so I didn't really connect with this book. I also felt a little uncomfortable with Jude's way of treating Anne at the beginning. I did like his apology at the end, but the way he talked about her being ugly and all that when she was younger, didn't feel right.
Hope the third book will be better. I'm a sucker for the fake engagement that turns into love trope ;)
Hope the third book will be better. I'm a sucker for the fake engagement that turns into love trope ;)
June 20, 2017
This is the first book in the Rogue Countess series, and I have to say that I don't really like the story or how it unfold
This book told the story about Anne, who married her husband Jude, under certain circumstances that left her husband leaving her alone in England in order to stay away from his wife. For eight long years, Anne had to endure the gossip told to her by the people of the ton regarding her husband's cavalier and womanizer days during his "long holiday" that kept him away from home. And eight years later, that same husband of hers coming back to London again to get an annulment of their marriage
Jude, the husband, is one of a scoundrel who got married to his wife in which, according to him, unfair by all means because he believed she had tricked him for their marriage to happen. It's not easy for him to accept that fact so he took the coward way which is to run away from his wife, only to be back eight years after to find that his wife was not the same woman he left behind years ago
Maybe this is just purely my preferences because I failed to connect with both of the characters in the story. I could believe Anna's love for Jude, since it was established since the beginning how just the sight of him could affect her so much. But finding that Jude also felt the same at the end of the story? I couldn't believe it. Since he'd been such an ass to Anne until near the end of the book, so it's hard for me to believe that he actually love her along the way
Overall ratings: 2.3 stars, because I couldn't connect to the story and characters
This book told the story about Anne, who married her husband Jude, under certain circumstances that left her husband leaving her alone in England in order to stay away from his wife. For eight long years, Anne had to endure the gossip told to her by the people of the ton regarding her husband's cavalier and womanizer days during his "long holiday" that kept him away from home. And eight years later, that same husband of hers coming back to London again to get an annulment of their marriage
Jude, the husband, is one of a scoundrel who got married to his wife in which, according to him, unfair by all means because he believed she had tricked him for their marriage to happen. It's not easy for him to accept that fact so he took the coward way which is to run away from his wife, only to be back eight years after to find that his wife was not the same woman he left behind years ago
Maybe this is just purely my preferences because I failed to connect with both of the characters in the story. I could believe Anna's love for Jude, since it was established since the beginning how just the sight of him could affect her so much. But finding that Jude also felt the same at the end of the story? I couldn't believe it. Since he'd been such an ass to Anne until near the end of the book, so it's hard for me to believe that he actually love her along the way
Overall ratings: 2.3 stars, because I couldn't connect to the story and characters
May 30, 2016
3.5 stars. It might go up on re reads. The sexual chemistry + actual sex between these 2 was extra saucy.
It started a little rough bec Jude was kind of a dick to Anna but he actually stopped being a dick pretty fast when he realized something was amiss so that was cool. But from the start the chemistry between these 2 was RED HOT.
Loved that Anna was such a capable, independent woman who carved herself a fulfilling career while Jude was away.
It started a little rough bec Jude was kind of a dick to Anna but he actually stopped being a dick pretty fast when he realized something was amiss so that was cool. But from the start the chemistry between these 2 was RED HOT.
Loved that Anna was such a capable, independent woman who carved herself a fulfilling career while Jude was away.
February 9, 2013
What a great book. Loved and enjoyed the character of both the H and h. Excited to read more from this author!!!
July 23, 2022
2.5 Stars
I've been in a bad book slump for a while now so it might have played a part in my judgement of this book.
I can say I did enjoy this book. I found it quite entertaining which was a nice surprise tbh. But it did have it's flaws that just began to eat away at my enjoyment.
Was this predictable? Extremely.
Was it sweet? It had a sprinkle but not much. Was it overly dramatic? Yes sir. That's partially why it was so entertaining for me. Because of the ridiculous drammaaa!
Did it have likeable MCs? Eh, yes and no.
Right away I was happy the story didn't focus on the past. We didn't have a drawn out prologue or even flashbacks. We had one or two memories pop up but nothing intricate. This I was fine with. I liked jumping right into the current story and interactions with the MCs.
But then I found myself disappointed (but not surprised) to learn how badly the hero reacted to his forced marriage and betrayal. If you guessed drugs and man whoring while traveling then you get a cookie, friend!
Apparently that went on for perhaps two years or so, it was poorly referenced tbh, and then after a near death experience that had him detoxing he apparently got his shit together and while he stopped screwing everything with a vagina he supposedly became more "discerning" with his lovers. Mhm, whatever.
Naturally I was annoyed by this typical trope. Because of course the heroine is innocent in all ways. Virgin and only been kissed by her male best friend while he was drunk who is also a man whore for pay. So, yes. I was annoyed but not surprised. Typical for these stories. And I knew well and good that the heroines V card would be used later as some sort of proof of her innocence in all things. Hardy har har. 🙄
I did enjoy the back and forth between the MCs though. It was strife with tension and then passion. All enjoyable tbh. Yes some of the hero's attitude and actions early on were a little more on the hateful side. And because he was so blind and selfish to his own hurts from the "betrayal" he felt justified in everything he did in those past eight years and how he treated her when he returned.
Truth be told knowing the truth behind the "betrayal" from nearly the beginning left me with a bad taste in my mouth through most of the book. I didn't like his treatment of her or how he thought of her. Or that he didn't think of her at all while away (his own admission). I especially didn't enjoy that she acted the coward and didn't admit the truth especially after her cliched evil sister threatened her if she did confess.
Specifically this "hero" fucked his way through the world for eight years. Endless women from the way it sounds. Even met a woman on the boat home and had her staying with him in his hotel room! We later learn this fun bit of knowledge when the heroine goes to yell at him and the mistress answers the door since he wasn't there. Somehow the heroine intimidates the mistress who seemed rather nice and understanding tbh to leave. Which she did without drama.
And yet..this is AFTER he's been kissing the heroine passionately and admitting he wants to boink her. Was the author forreal? I willingly put up with A LOT of bull with my heroes being hoes before relationships or even during breaks or break ups, especially in historicals because that's just the tone those use but duddeee! Come on now. Once that scene happened any liking I had for the hero vanished. Truly it did. How was I supposed to respect this idiot? How was I supposed to take him as a serious hero out for the heroines heart? Puh-lease. He literally couldn't even get through an ocean crossing without getting his dick wet.
Oh boo fucking hoo with his sob story with being manipulated. Newsflash dummy your "hated wife" was too. But noooo he couldn't even imagine someone else might've suffered or how his actions hurt her with his head so far up his own ass. Ugh.
So did I like the hero? Nah. At first sure but the story progressed and I just couldn't care anymore.
As for the heroine, well I did like her. Did being the keyword. For nearly half the book we see her go up against her rude and faithless husband. Pushing back and delivering sassy remarks to his insults. Which was great and entertaining for a while. Especially knowing her past and seeing how much confidence she had gained and how her inner strength had grown. But... 🙄 Halfway through the author makes a minor shift that ruined everything about her for me.
We go from the heroine telling us she ADMIRED the hero when she was a young girl, even had a crush on him perhaps. And then somehow the author thought I'm going to change my mind and the heroine starts babbling on in her thoughts and says she LOVED the hero back then and she was afraid she LOVED him now.
Uh what?
Admired I could believe. A crush even. Considering he was betrothed to her selfishly vain and bullying older sister. But love? LOVE? 🤣😆 That's funny shit right there. Nah. Nope. And sadly I couldn't even pretend that was never admitted because the dumb heroine repeats it over and over calling him her only love and other sappy crap. Swear to God I wanted to slap her.
Where did the strong and defiant woman go from the start?? A few steamy kisses and her brain melted apparently. 🤷🏻♀️
I also found the heroes apology and grovel after he learns the truth super weak and undeserving of the quick forgiveness the heroine gave. I was so hoping he'd find out earlier in the book and take time to accept all he'd done wrong by her and ask for forgiveness but instead the author hinted that the confession was incoming then lazily tossed in the crazy older sister for drama who handily admits it all while he's "unconscious" 😉😉 and then the lame wrap up at the end...meh. I didn't buy his admission of love anymore did I believe a pig can fly. There wasn't much put into building feelings between the two sad to say. It kind of gets lost in the shuffle. We were getting close with the scene at the ball before they had sex that night but then nada. Right into wrapping up the book
Did I enjoy this? Maybe not as much as I began to. It WAS entertaining for the drama alone despite being predictable and annoying at times. I wish the author had handled certain parts better for sure. Lots of missed opportunities and potential for a better book. Especially because some of the dialogue used was a bit too modern and stripped away some of that historical vibe for me.
This book also featured a lot of babbling by the heroine in her thoughts that worked my nerves. Especially when they turned all lame and cheesy with her lurve for the hero. And her constant chittering about her body tingling and feeling thangs because of the hero with her betraying body syndrome. Blah blah. It was a lot of filler is what it was.
I've been in a bad book slump for a while now so it might have played a part in my judgement of this book.
I can say I did enjoy this book. I found it quite entertaining which was a nice surprise tbh. But it did have it's flaws that just began to eat away at my enjoyment.
Was this predictable? Extremely.
Was it sweet? It had a sprinkle but not much. Was it overly dramatic? Yes sir. That's partially why it was so entertaining for me. Because of the ridiculous drammaaa!
Did it have likeable MCs? Eh, yes and no.
Right away I was happy the story didn't focus on the past. We didn't have a drawn out prologue or even flashbacks. We had one or two memories pop up but nothing intricate. This I was fine with. I liked jumping right into the current story and interactions with the MCs.
But then I found myself disappointed (but not surprised) to learn how badly the hero reacted to his forced marriage and betrayal. If you guessed drugs and man whoring while traveling then you get a cookie, friend!
Apparently that went on for perhaps two years or so, it was poorly referenced tbh, and then after a near death experience that had him detoxing he apparently got his shit together and while he stopped screwing everything with a vagina he supposedly became more "discerning" with his lovers. Mhm, whatever.
Naturally I was annoyed by this typical trope. Because of course the heroine is innocent in all ways. Virgin and only been kissed by her male best friend while he was drunk who is also a man whore for pay. So, yes. I was annoyed but not surprised. Typical for these stories. And I knew well and good that the heroines V card would be used later as some sort of proof of her innocence in all things. Hardy har har. 🙄
I did enjoy the back and forth between the MCs though. It was strife with tension and then passion. All enjoyable tbh. Yes some of the hero's attitude and actions early on were a little more on the hateful side. And because he was so blind and selfish to his own hurts from the "betrayal" he felt justified in everything he did in those past eight years and how he treated her when he returned.
Truth be told knowing the truth behind the "betrayal" from nearly the beginning left me with a bad taste in my mouth through most of the book. I didn't like his treatment of her or how he thought of her. Or that he didn't think of her at all while away (his own admission). I especially didn't enjoy that she acted the coward and didn't admit the truth especially after her cliched evil sister threatened her if she did confess.
Specifically this "hero" fucked his way through the world for eight years. Endless women from the way it sounds. Even met a woman on the boat home and had her staying with him in his hotel room! We later learn this fun bit of knowledge when the heroine goes to yell at him and the mistress answers the door since he wasn't there. Somehow the heroine intimidates the mistress who seemed rather nice and understanding tbh to leave. Which she did without drama.
And yet..this is AFTER he's been kissing the heroine passionately and admitting he wants to boink her. Was the author forreal? I willingly put up with A LOT of bull with my heroes being hoes before relationships or even during breaks or break ups, especially in historicals because that's just the tone those use but duddeee! Come on now. Once that scene happened any liking I had for the hero vanished. Truly it did. How was I supposed to respect this idiot? How was I supposed to take him as a serious hero out for the heroines heart? Puh-lease. He literally couldn't even get through an ocean crossing without getting his dick wet.
Oh boo fucking hoo with his sob story with being manipulated. Newsflash dummy your "hated wife" was too. But noooo he couldn't even imagine someone else might've suffered or how his actions hurt her with his head so far up his own ass. Ugh.
So did I like the hero? Nah. At first sure but the story progressed and I just couldn't care anymore.
As for the heroine, well I did like her. Did being the keyword. For nearly half the book we see her go up against her rude and faithless husband. Pushing back and delivering sassy remarks to his insults. Which was great and entertaining for a while. Especially knowing her past and seeing how much confidence she had gained and how her inner strength had grown. But... 🙄 Halfway through the author makes a minor shift that ruined everything about her for me.
We go from the heroine telling us she ADMIRED the hero when she was a young girl, even had a crush on him perhaps. And then somehow the author thought I'm going to change my mind and the heroine starts babbling on in her thoughts and says she LOVED the hero back then and she was afraid she LOVED him now.
Uh what?
Admired I could believe. A crush even. Considering he was betrothed to her selfishly vain and bullying older sister. But love? LOVE? 🤣😆 That's funny shit right there. Nah. Nope. And sadly I couldn't even pretend that was never admitted because the dumb heroine repeats it over and over calling him her only love and other sappy crap. Swear to God I wanted to slap her.
Where did the strong and defiant woman go from the start?? A few steamy kisses and her brain melted apparently. 🤷🏻♀️
I also found the heroes apology and grovel after he learns the truth super weak and undeserving of the quick forgiveness the heroine gave. I was so hoping he'd find out earlier in the book and take time to accept all he'd done wrong by her and ask for forgiveness but instead the author hinted that the confession was incoming then lazily tossed in the crazy older sister for drama who handily admits it all while he's "unconscious" 😉😉 and then the lame wrap up at the end...meh. I didn't buy his admission of love anymore did I believe a pig can fly. There wasn't much put into building feelings between the two sad to say. It kind of gets lost in the shuffle. We were getting close with the scene at the ball before they had sex that night but then nada. Right into wrapping up the book
Did I enjoy this? Maybe not as much as I began to. It WAS entertaining for the drama alone despite being predictable and annoying at times. I wish the author had handled certain parts better for sure. Lots of missed opportunities and potential for a better book. Especially because some of the dialogue used was a bit too modern and stripped away some of that historical vibe for me.
This book also featured a lot of babbling by the heroine in her thoughts that worked my nerves. Especially when they turned all lame and cheesy with her lurve for the hero. And her constant chittering about her body tingling and feeling thangs because of the hero with her betraying body syndrome. Blah blah. It was a lot of filler is what it was.
January 16, 2023
This tried so hard but didn't quite keep my interest. And Jude's mother was just appalling. I managed about 40% of the book then dnf'd due to the annoying heroine that tried being strong but wound up being an annoying girl. A solid 3 ⭐.
June 20, 2022
4.5 Stars 🌟
July 28, 2012
Anna Locke was once young, naïve and infatuated with the handsome Jude Sinclair. Until the charismatic “gentleman” showed his true colors by abandoning her on their wedding day. Since then, Anna has transformed herself into a confident, successful woman, independent of her errant husband’s aristocratic family in every way but name. When Jude unexpectedly returns demanding an annulment, she tames the butterflies his nearness elicits, resolved to show him he will not cast her aside so easily this time.
Jude returned home only to assume the responsibilities left to him upon his father’s death, and to finally end the marriage into which he was tricked. However, Anna is no longer an awkward, skinny girl with a furtive gaze. She has become a lush, enigmatic vixen with dark eyes that shield secrets she seems determined to keep.
*** This is another scenario where a man is drugged and tricked into marriage by staging a scene whereby the man is shown to have ‘ruined’ a young maiden. It’s been done before, many times, but it is a scenario that I will read over and over again when it is written in a way that characters come to life, and there are more secrets held back that need to be discovered.
I loved the way the author brought sixteen year old Anna into her own, after she was unceremoniously dumped in front of the Jude’s family estate to fend on her own. During the time Jude had run off to the continent, furious and hating the girl he was forced to marry, Anna had grown up and taken charge of her life. During that time she set herself up in trade. Not just any trade, but a man’s world trade; she established herself as a breeder of some recognition of a fine racing stable.
Jude had no idea, nor did he care of what the conniving little wife of his had been up to only now she was refusing to grant him an annulment. Now, began their intimate war of wills, both had no control of the passion and lust that flared between them whenever they were in the same vicinity. It took some time for Jude to realize that the skinny awkward girl was gone and the beautiful sensual woman was not the conniver her thought her.
The author uses subtle hints which casts light on a past of tangled lies and blackmail. And then she gives Jude an even greater challenge, to win Anna’s trust once he learns the awful truth, before he loses Anna altogether.
Bottom Line: It’s a well used plot, but brilliantly done over in a most refreshing and enchanting way!
Jude returned home only to assume the responsibilities left to him upon his father’s death, and to finally end the marriage into which he was tricked. However, Anna is no longer an awkward, skinny girl with a furtive gaze. She has become a lush, enigmatic vixen with dark eyes that shield secrets she seems determined to keep.
*** This is another scenario where a man is drugged and tricked into marriage by staging a scene whereby the man is shown to have ‘ruined’ a young maiden. It’s been done before, many times, but it is a scenario that I will read over and over again when it is written in a way that characters come to life, and there are more secrets held back that need to be discovered.
I loved the way the author brought sixteen year old Anna into her own, after she was unceremoniously dumped in front of the Jude’s family estate to fend on her own. During the time Jude had run off to the continent, furious and hating the girl he was forced to marry, Anna had grown up and taken charge of her life. During that time she set herself up in trade. Not just any trade, but a man’s world trade; she established herself as a breeder of some recognition of a fine racing stable.
Jude had no idea, nor did he care of what the conniving little wife of his had been up to only now she was refusing to grant him an annulment. Now, began their intimate war of wills, both had no control of the passion and lust that flared between them whenever they were in the same vicinity. It took some time for Jude to realize that the skinny awkward girl was gone and the beautiful sensual woman was not the conniver her thought her.
The author uses subtle hints which casts light on a past of tangled lies and blackmail. And then she gives Jude an even greater challenge, to win Anna’s trust once he learns the awful truth, before he loses Anna altogether.
Bottom Line: It’s a well used plot, but brilliantly done over in a most refreshing and enchanting way!
October 10, 2012
Long married couple trope; man leaves immediately after ceremony and bride is left to pick up the pieces. I couldn't get too excited over either Anna or Jude. It was a book that really just went along. The "villian" wasn't even interesting.
September 12, 2024
They had been forced to marry when she was 16. He left believing the lies he was fed. Luckily she's plucky, built a thriving business and is well respected by others. H easily upset, clutching his pearls. She deserved better, but for some odd reason she loved him.
September 26, 2017
3.5 a nice light read. I would read another book by this author.
August 21, 2022
Heroine: Anna Sinclair (née Locke), about 24. Alias: Mrs. Locke. Countess of Blackbourne. Married at sixteen, she was immediately abandoned by her new husband following the wedding. She is a horse breeder.
Hero: Jude Montgomery Sinclair, 30. Earl of Blackbourne. Left the country immediately after his marriage. He recently returned following his father’s death.
Date: 1818
How they meet: They first met off-page when Jude was engaged to Anna’s older sister. When Jude and Anna are found in a compromising position, they are forced to marry.
What happens: Anna attends a masquerade ball and is looking for her husband after learning he has recently returned to England after 8 years away. She recognizes him immediately. He is instantly attracted to her, but does not recognize her. She lures him into a room where they kiss. She then removes her mask and he realizes who she is. One of the first things on Jude’s agenda upon returning to England is to dissolve the marriage he was forced into.
Verdict: This was my first book by this author and I’m so impressed! The book hits just the right note with the enemies-to-lovers tension. The shots they take at each other are clever and sometimes funny, but never truly cruel. The sexual tension/chemistry was believable. The characters were pretty well developed (leaving just enough mystery that you weren’t always sure how they would react), both struggled with understanding their own feelings, and both experienced some personal growth as the relationship evolved. Anna’s troubled sister added some drama at the end (with some sporadic hints of her volatility throughout the book) that led to a rather sweet reconciliation. There were only a couple of intimate scenes but they were very sensual, unrushed, and contributed to the progression of the story. This was a well-written, carefully constructed plot and was a real page-turner. I look forward to reading more from her!
Steam-level: Steamy (in a very sensual way) and explicit
Rating: 5 stars
Hero: Jude Montgomery Sinclair, 30. Earl of Blackbourne. Left the country immediately after his marriage. He recently returned following his father’s death.
Date: 1818
How they meet: They first met off-page when Jude was engaged to Anna’s older sister. When Jude and Anna are found in a compromising position, they are forced to marry.
What happens: Anna attends a masquerade ball and is looking for her husband after learning he has recently returned to England after 8 years away. She recognizes him immediately. He is instantly attracted to her, but does not recognize her. She lures him into a room where they kiss. She then removes her mask and he realizes who she is. One of the first things on Jude’s agenda upon returning to England is to dissolve the marriage he was forced into.
Verdict: This was my first book by this author and I’m so impressed! The book hits just the right note with the enemies-to-lovers tension. The shots they take at each other are clever and sometimes funny, but never truly cruel. The sexual tension/chemistry was believable. The characters were pretty well developed (leaving just enough mystery that you weren’t always sure how they would react), both struggled with understanding their own feelings, and both experienced some personal growth as the relationship evolved. Anna’s troubled sister added some drama at the end (with some sporadic hints of her volatility throughout the book) that led to a rather sweet reconciliation. There were only a couple of intimate scenes but they were very sensual, unrushed, and contributed to the progression of the story. This was a well-written, carefully constructed plot and was a real page-turner. I look forward to reading more from her!
Steam-level: Steamy (in a very sensual way) and explicit
Rating: 5 stars
March 18, 2024
The author blurb at the end of this book reveals that this is her first book so I will keep that in mind. It was also my first book by this author. She has talent, no question, and handles language easily and elegantly. However, the beginning of this book was a mess and I almost one-starred and dnf’d it at 30%. The book opens at a ball with gorgeous Anna spying her absentee husband for the first time in 8 years and she deliberately entices him. When he comes to heel, not recognizing her, and attempts seduction, she spurns him. It is her attempt to punish him, you see, for the unutterably and inexcusably selfish act of deserting her immediately after their wedding. The wedding that happened because her father and sister drugged him and planted her in his bed, then “discovered” them and made a scene so loud it caused a houseful of people to come running and forces him into the marriage. While not part of the plot, she doesn’t reveal it before the wedding because she “loves” him and thinks they can…what? Talk through it? Come to understand each other? Surprise! He’s angry and bitter, blames her, and leaves her after the ceremony. On his return, he demands an annulment and she refuses because…why? She wants to hang on to an angry, bitter man she still “loves?” And yet he’s the selfish one, the villain. Shame on him for believing the worst of her! Shame on him for being angry about the marriage conspiracy!
Her sister The Duchess tells her that she must not reveal the truth about how the forced marriage took place because it would destroy her marriage with The Duke, then blackmails her sister by saying The Duke would destroy her horse breeding business if she told. Um…How do you blackmail someone when the information you want suppressed is more damaging to yourself than to them? SHE JUST GOT THROUGH SAYING THE DUKE WOULD CAST HER OFF IF HE KNEW. Why would he bother with the sister after kicking his wife to the curb?
I finished it, and the latter part of the book was a little better than the beginning. But I would hope that logic and sense plays a bigger role in future works by this author.
Her sister The Duchess tells her that she must not reveal the truth about how the forced marriage took place because it would destroy her marriage with The Duke, then blackmails her sister by saying The Duke would destroy her horse breeding business if she told. Um…How do you blackmail someone when the information you want suppressed is more damaging to yourself than to them? SHE JUST GOT THROUGH SAYING THE DUKE WOULD CAST HER OFF IF HE KNEW. Why would he bother with the sister after kicking his wife to the curb?
I finished it, and the latter part of the book was a little better than the beginning. But I would hope that logic and sense plays a bigger role in future works by this author.
September 2, 2016
Definitely great chemistry between the main couple; the intensity between them came out of the page. Plus it combined two of my favourite tropes: contract marriages and enemies to lovers. The only reason this is not rated higher is because I never found myself completely emotionally attached to either Anna or Jude.
And sure, there's great tension between Anna and Jude but once they realize that that tension and animosity between then was build on a misunderstanding they actually try to figure each other out.
Oh and I totally called Rutherford's upcoming story, which I am totally looking forward to read! Aristocratic mamas matchmaking their daughters to eligible bachelors, only to have said couple fall in love, is totally another favourite trope!
August 19, 2023
2.5🌟 rounded up.
It's not bad. It's just boring.
This is such a one-dimensional plot. She should have developed Olivia's character more and her desperation for funds. Even the dowager Countess Helena needed a larger slice in the entire scheme.
She's left a very important incident languishing: when Hude goes and buys the horse Anna wanted. There's absolutely no showdown on either person's part. If ut really was so inconsequential, then why make it into an important milestone incident in their lives? I also didn't like how Anna swit he'd off her horse breeding business to accommodate her husband.
Overall, it was a very patchy and boring book.
Recommended : meh 😐
It's not bad. It's just boring.
This is such a one-dimensional plot. She should have developed Olivia's character more and her desperation for funds. Even the dowager Countess Helena needed a larger slice in the entire scheme.
She's left a very important incident languishing: when Hude goes and buys the horse Anna wanted. There's absolutely no showdown on either person's part. If ut really was so inconsequential, then why make it into an important milestone incident in their lives? I also didn't like how Anna swit he'd off her horse breeding business to accommodate her husband.
Overall, it was a very patchy and boring book.
Recommended : meh 😐
January 19, 2019
Bleh... Plot was good but execution not great. I didn't like the writing style. Lot of repetition, lot of telling us how they felt instead of really showing.
Besides I found Anna annoying with her "I want him but I can't but I love him and I'll make him suffer"
The drama at the end with the sister was meh.
2.5 stars
Besides I found Anna annoying with her "I want him but I can't but I love him and I'll make him suffer"
The drama at the end with the sister was meh.
2.5 stars
September 16, 2022
I did enjoy the story, although some of the plot was a little too glib. What I did take exception to was Anna’s appearance at a gentlemen’s only club and at Tattersalls. Never would have happened! If you are going to write period romances, you really must understand the period.
September 3, 2018
3.5*
I will come right out and say this- I am not a big fan of the forced marriage/abandonment trope. But I've read a book by this author that I really liked, so I thought I would give this one a try.
Anna was married at 16. She was found in bed with Jude. Jude happened to be engaged to Anna's sister Olivia. Jude is forced to do the honorable thing and marries Anna. He then impulsively leaves the country and travels for the next 8 years. Anna is left alone. Luckily, Jude's father is supportive and Anna learns all about horses and racing. It turns out, she's one smart cookie.
Fast forward 8 years, after he father's dead, Jude returns. I have very mixed feelings. I really liked Anna. She is smart, independent. I thought she deserved so much more. I really didn't like how Jude blamed Anna for the marriage when she was just as much a victim (granted, he didn't know it, but still I was very annoyed, disappointed). I didn't like his treatment of her and I thought he come-around at the end was too quick. I felt there was no groveling, apology. His confession of love didn't ring true to me.
Some things annoyed me: while married, Jude engaged in numerous affairs in his travels. Anna, true to the trope, remained chaste. After they've made the initial "re-connection," Anna comes across his mistress at the hotel.
I did like the story line about the marriage and Anna's family. I was invested in the story. I'm glad Lief is getting a story, I liked his character.
I will come right out and say this- I am not a big fan of the forced marriage/abandonment trope. But I've read a book by this author that I really liked, so I thought I would give this one a try.
Anna was married at 16. She was found in bed with Jude. Jude happened to be engaged to Anna's sister Olivia. Jude is forced to do the honorable thing and marries Anna. He then impulsively leaves the country and travels for the next 8 years. Anna is left alone. Luckily, Jude's father is supportive and Anna learns all about horses and racing. It turns out, she's one smart cookie.
Fast forward 8 years, after he father's dead, Jude returns. I have very mixed feelings. I really liked Anna. She is smart, independent. I thought she deserved so much more. I really didn't like how Jude blamed Anna for the marriage when she was just as much a victim (granted, he didn't know it, but still I was very annoyed, disappointed). I didn't like his treatment of her and I thought he come-around at the end was too quick. I felt there was no groveling, apology. His confession of love didn't ring true to me.
Some things annoyed me: while married, Jude engaged in numerous affairs in his travels. Anna, true to the trope, remained chaste. After they've made the initial "re-connection," Anna comes across his mistress at the hotel.
I did like the story line about the marriage and Anna's family. I was invested in the story. I'm glad Lief is getting a story, I liked his character.
December 29, 2022
Entire time I was reading this I kept feeling like I've already read it? But the plots too insane to have forgotten..? Overall intriguing story, two people screwed over when they were younger explode with hate and passion as adults.
I suppose my biggest problem was how little we read from his perspective, it got frustrating to not know if he was understanding her life, her motivations, or read him falling in love. I felt like I waited the entire book for him to find out the truth and we didn't even get to read when he did how he felt.
Hero is one of those grab and manhandle guys. I didn't really get a good sense of his personality. He had vague senses of guilt and even vaguer emotions for the heroine. By the final reveal I wanted to sit in the truth, marinate in his realization, take a bubble bath in his apologies. But it was rushed through and felt very unsatisfying.
Also warning *he does have a mistress in the beginning.
I did like the h, she was spunky. But she would melt into goo every time he kissed her and that was frustrating. Especially when you're rooting for her revenge [however misguided it is]. For someone apparently so use to running around in circles of men you think she could build resistance. But he could literally distract he so easily. Also she wasn't very smart with money if she didn't know technically EVERYTHING she owns is her husbands? And if he was an asshole he could have taken it all?? She should have put her business under her friends name.
Overall entertaining read that I feel I've read before 🤔
I suppose my biggest problem was how little we read from his perspective, it got frustrating to not know if he was understanding her life, her motivations, or read him falling in love. I felt like I waited the entire book for him to find out the truth and we didn't even get to read when he did how he felt.
Hero is one of those grab and manhandle guys. I didn't really get a good sense of his personality. He had vague senses of guilt and even vaguer emotions for the heroine. By the final reveal I wanted to sit in the truth, marinate in his realization, take a bubble bath in his apologies. But it was rushed through and felt very unsatisfying.
Also warning *he does have a mistress in the beginning.
I did like the h, she was spunky. But she would melt into goo every time he kissed her and that was frustrating. Especially when you're rooting for her revenge [however misguided it is]. For someone apparently so use to running around in circles of men you think she could build resistance. But he could literally distract he so easily. Also she wasn't very smart with money if she didn't know technically EVERYTHING she owns is her husbands? And if he was an asshole he could have taken it all?? She should have put her business under her friends name.
Overall entertaining read that I feel I've read before 🤔
December 31, 2025
Rogue Countess? More like a rogue Earl.
“When it came down to it, the setting didn’t much matter. A London ballroom, a Florence courtyard, or a Constantinople palace, the drama remained the same. The roles never changed, only the people who played the parts.”
The drama does remain the same. God, I hate second chance romances. Apparently I even re-read this. Why do I do this to myself? Because I am an idiot.
“When it came down to it, the setting didn’t much matter. A London ballroom, a Florence courtyard, or a Constantinople palace, the drama remained the same. The roles never changed, only the people who played the parts.”
The drama does remain the same. God, I hate second chance romances. Apparently I even re-read this. Why do I do this to myself? Because I am an idiot.
February 9, 2025
3.5 stars
July 25, 2025
Me gusto todo en esta historia...pero lo que más me fascino fue Anna, su fortaleza y su valentía fueron únicos para mi. Me sentia tan conectada con la protagonista que quería entrar en el libro para abrazarla.
Jude también fue un héroe muy lindo y protector con Anna pero eso ya se vio reflejado despues de interactuar y convivir más con la protagonista.
M I ❤️ F A V O R I T O
Calificación Final: 5 estrellas 🌟
Jude también fue un héroe muy lindo y protector con Anna pero eso ya se vio reflejado despues de interactuar y convivir más con la protagonista.
M I ❤️ F A V O R I T O
Calificación Final: 5 estrellas 🌟
Displaying 1 - 30 of 139 reviews