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Scandals and Seductions #2
The Earl Claims His Wife
She'll be his perfect wife . . .
Preoccupied with fighting Napoleon and making love to his mistress, Brian Ranson has ignored his wife since their wedding. But now that he's become the Earl of Wright, he's ready to fetch his bride back to London. He's shocked to find she's become a bold, beautiful woman, exactly the kind he lusts after . . . and she wants nothing to do with him.
Gillian, Lady Wright, is desperate to seize the love she's been denied . . . but not with her rakish husband! So she makes a bargain -- for thirty days she'll be the perfect wife, then he'll set her free. But no matter how she hardens her heart against her damnable earl, her body begs her to surrender . . .
Preoccupied with fighting Napoleon and making love to his mistress, Brian Ranson has ignored his wife since their wedding. But now that he's become the Earl of Wright, he's ready to fetch his bride back to London. He's shocked to find she's become a bold, beautiful woman, exactly the kind he lusts after . . . and she wants nothing to do with him.
Gillian, Lady Wright, is desperate to seize the love she's been denied . . . but not with her rakish husband! So she makes a bargain -- for thirty days she'll be the perfect wife, then he'll set her free. But no matter how she hardens her heart against her damnable earl, her body begs her to surrender . . .
368 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 2009
70 people are currently reading
1020 people want to read
About the author
Cathy Maxwell
72 books2,205 followersCATHY MAXWELL spends hours in front of her computer pondering the question, "Why do people fall in love?" It remains for her the mystery of life and the secret to happiness.
She lives in the Austin, TX area where she is having the time of her life.
Visit her on Instagram, Twitter, FB, and TikTok at maxwellcathy (Yes, some other Cathy Maxwell nabbed the handle. However, she does own www.cathymaxwell.com and she'd love for you to swing by.)
She lives in the Austin, TX area where she is having the time of her life.
Visit her on Instagram, Twitter, FB, and TikTok at maxwellcathy (Yes, some other Cathy Maxwell nabbed the handle. However, she does own www.cathymaxwell.com and she'd love for you to swing by.)
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 128 reviews
August 13, 2011
Re The Earl Claims His Wife- this story has an interesting premise and makes a valiant attempt at redemption but Ms. Maxwell doesn't seem to have the literary depth or writing skills to pull it off. She over-emphasizes each of the characters virtues and trivializes their faults. This is a mistake IMO in a situation like this. The h's pain is never really explored between the couple and the depth of her betrayal by the H is seemingly minimized with the addition of the h's potential new lover, the Spaniard Andres. Sadly his influence on Gillian is limited to portraying her as childishly striking back at her husband in a petty attempt at vengeance while being a love so strong on his side, he is willing to die for her.
I know that this futile triangle is a plot device to foster the big reconciliation scene in the theater later in the story but it cheapens Gillian's character and makes her supposed steadfastness and loyalty seem a joke. Gillian comes off as immature, flighty and indecisive by her supposed reluctance to break things off with Andres and this supposed unwillingness is really nothing more than CM's attempt to bring Gillian down to Brian's level of contemptuous behavior. When she positions Gillian to have a potential affair, even to the extent that Gillian would run off with Andres, she is mocking the very qualities that supposedly Brian values her for and proving the Gillian is little better than the other overt betrayers in the book.
In reality, if Gillian is the paragon of womanly virtue and supportive wife and helpmate that CM wants her to be so Brian will value her, she never would have contemplated running off with Andres for more than a minute and she would have ended the potential relationship firmly the moment she decided to leave for London with Brian. It would have been far more effective to have Gillian battle with her owns self esteem and personal values in staying with Brian than introducing a third party to angst over. If she had portrayed Gillian as being in love with Brian but very hurt, angry and really wanting to go her own way as opposed to living as Brian's wife, I could respect and believe in her character more easily. As it is I see her as too willing to be seduced and too easily charmed away from what CM repeatedly assures us are strong personal values. This tarnishes Gillian, it makes her seem more opportunistic and foolish that what Ms. Maxwell wants us to believe about her.
This tainted honor extends to Brian the H too. On one hand it is pretty remarkable that he loves Jess so much when he was young, that he marries but determines to be faithful to his mistress based on the strength of his youthful passion. Once he has legally consummated his arranged marriage, he goes off to be with Jess and he does love her deeply, so I felt some sadness for him that he had to marry to please his family cause his position renders his true love unacceptable. I respect the fact that he remains faithful to his mistress for four years off in war, but I am appalled that a man who places such a high value on his honor and thinks of himself as a man of strength and character treats Gillian as harshly as he does when he informs her he loves Jess and then dumps her. This coldness in his character is never resolved and it reminds me of a narcissistic user who only charms when he needs others to do something for him.
Brian is a passionate idealist but has no true idea of the meaning of humanistic principles. He has a lot of passion, his affair with Jess and his fervor regarding his army experience demonstrates that, but he has no romance and no empathetic qualities with those whose needs differ from his and a complete inability to even see that he should try to understand another needs if they don't coincide with what he wants.
Brian needs to learn that idealism needs to be tempered with compassion and mercy. He also needs to learn that what he wants isn't always the best thing for others around him. I liked the fact that he rescues the baby, but I have no respect for the fact that he lied to Gillian about Jess's death, he lied about having no further feelings for her and he manipulates Gillian shamelessly and will continue to do it throughout their relationship and he never once feels bad about it. He has decided on what he wants and he is going to have his way. In ten years or so he will be exactly like his father.
Brian's continued demands for Gillian's trust when he has done nothing to earn it and doesn't really trust her also irritated me. He only tells Gillian enough to get her to do what he wants her to do and never explains why he feels the way he does or even asks Gillian what she wants or how she feels. He only values Gillian for what she can do for him and how he feels when he is in bed with her. If he valued trust and honesty in his marriage so much, why didn't he just ask Gillian what she was doing writing to Andres. That whole subplot was ridiculous and effectively destroys any hope of Gillian and Brian actually talking to each other about their respective actions throughout the marriage. It limits their interaction to sex and political maneuvering, where is the understanding, intimacy and love that builds the bonds of true trust?
There is no concern on Brian's part for what Gillian's needs might be or any caring about understanding or healing her pain from his previous treatment of her. He expects her to fall blindly in love and she obliges, mostly due to hot sex, but he never tries to explain or resolve the deep pain and anger from the past. He fully believes that it can all be forgotten and a fresh start made and he never has to acknowledge to Gillian that he did much of anything wrong. His whole statement on it was "I was young and don't feel that way now" so the message is get over it and move on, he doesn't care enough to listen to her anguish or try to make amends. This is callous arrogance and taints any redemption he might have made because you realize he really doesn't think he did anything horribly wrong. The decision to have a complete non discussion of what happened in the beginning of the marriage leaves me feeling that there is a big oily stain over the whole story and it leaves a really bad taste.
Now I do feel badly for Brian that he was so betrayed by Jess and his father, that was a horrible thing to do and he had my empathy for his loss and anguish but it does put a more cynical slant on why he took the baby. Brian tells Gillian he took the baby to preserve some innocence and purity from betrayal and the horrors of war, but the lack of outrage when he sees Jess and the fact that he is still trying to excuse her actions with his father lend more credence to the thought that Brian took the baby to taunt his father with his illegitimate child and in fact wants to keep some part of Jess sacred. The part of Brian in the care of the baby doesn't really illustrate his goodness, it illuminates how far he is willing to go to defy and manipulate his father and I really felt that Brian is planning to try to use the baby as a pawn against his father at some future time as well as having a vicarious part of a woman he adores but who really doesn't love him.
If Brian had half the anger and torment at Jess that he says he did, he should have done every thing in his power to get her run out of town. With or without his father's input, the kind of agony he supposedly experienced demands nothing less. Instead she is coming into his house and he never seeks to put a stop to her forays, he never discourages her approaching him and I never really believe he is over his infatuation with her. He will wind up with her again, I am sure, because he needs his wife to independent and capable but he wants his lover to be clinging and dependent.
He ruminates on Jess's helplessness a little too much to be convincing that independence and strength in his lover is what he really wants. He has Gillian, he yearns for Jess, and in time when the passion with Gillian fades, he will go back to Jess and Gillian will just continue on with what she sees as her duty and loyalty to him.
Honor or the lack of it and the interpretation of what it means to be honorable and follow your duty even in opposition to the dictates of your heart is the big theme of this story.
There are manipulations, lies and betrayals everywhere in this book and it taints the whole thing. No one is really good, virtuous or even very likable in this book and that is too bad, the story had a lot of potential but gets bogged down in the lack of romantic empathy and it becomes an empty manipulation of both the characters and the reader. It leaves the reader feeling as though both Gillian and Brian are cowards and settled for second best, they will stay married but eventually the marriage will devolve into a political partnership and that is a very depressing way to end a supposed romance.
I know that this futile triangle is a plot device to foster the big reconciliation scene in the theater later in the story but it cheapens Gillian's character and makes her supposed steadfastness and loyalty seem a joke. Gillian comes off as immature, flighty and indecisive by her supposed reluctance to break things off with Andres and this supposed unwillingness is really nothing more than CM's attempt to bring Gillian down to Brian's level of contemptuous behavior. When she positions Gillian to have a potential affair, even to the extent that Gillian would run off with Andres, she is mocking the very qualities that supposedly Brian values her for and proving the Gillian is little better than the other overt betrayers in the book.
In reality, if Gillian is the paragon of womanly virtue and supportive wife and helpmate that CM wants her to be so Brian will value her, she never would have contemplated running off with Andres for more than a minute and she would have ended the potential relationship firmly the moment she decided to leave for London with Brian. It would have been far more effective to have Gillian battle with her owns self esteem and personal values in staying with Brian than introducing a third party to angst over. If she had portrayed Gillian as being in love with Brian but very hurt, angry and really wanting to go her own way as opposed to living as Brian's wife, I could respect and believe in her character more easily. As it is I see her as too willing to be seduced and too easily charmed away from what CM repeatedly assures us are strong personal values. This tarnishes Gillian, it makes her seem more opportunistic and foolish that what Ms. Maxwell wants us to believe about her.
This tainted honor extends to Brian the H too. On one hand it is pretty remarkable that he loves Jess so much when he was young, that he marries but determines to be faithful to his mistress based on the strength of his youthful passion. Once he has legally consummated his arranged marriage, he goes off to be with Jess and he does love her deeply, so I felt some sadness for him that he had to marry to please his family cause his position renders his true love unacceptable. I respect the fact that he remains faithful to his mistress for four years off in war, but I am appalled that a man who places such a high value on his honor and thinks of himself as a man of strength and character treats Gillian as harshly as he does when he informs her he loves Jess and then dumps her. This coldness in his character is never resolved and it reminds me of a narcissistic user who only charms when he needs others to do something for him.
Brian is a passionate idealist but has no true idea of the meaning of humanistic principles. He has a lot of passion, his affair with Jess and his fervor regarding his army experience demonstrates that, but he has no romance and no empathetic qualities with those whose needs differ from his and a complete inability to even see that he should try to understand another needs if they don't coincide with what he wants.
Brian needs to learn that idealism needs to be tempered with compassion and mercy. He also needs to learn that what he wants isn't always the best thing for others around him. I liked the fact that he rescues the baby, but I have no respect for the fact that he lied to Gillian about Jess's death, he lied about having no further feelings for her and he manipulates Gillian shamelessly and will continue to do it throughout their relationship and he never once feels bad about it. He has decided on what he wants and he is going to have his way. In ten years or so he will be exactly like his father.
Brian's continued demands for Gillian's trust when he has done nothing to earn it and doesn't really trust her also irritated me. He only tells Gillian enough to get her to do what he wants her to do and never explains why he feels the way he does or even asks Gillian what she wants or how she feels. He only values Gillian for what she can do for him and how he feels when he is in bed with her. If he valued trust and honesty in his marriage so much, why didn't he just ask Gillian what she was doing writing to Andres. That whole subplot was ridiculous and effectively destroys any hope of Gillian and Brian actually talking to each other about their respective actions throughout the marriage. It limits their interaction to sex and political maneuvering, where is the understanding, intimacy and love that builds the bonds of true trust?
There is no concern on Brian's part for what Gillian's needs might be or any caring about understanding or healing her pain from his previous treatment of her. He expects her to fall blindly in love and she obliges, mostly due to hot sex, but he never tries to explain or resolve the deep pain and anger from the past. He fully believes that it can all be forgotten and a fresh start made and he never has to acknowledge to Gillian that he did much of anything wrong. His whole statement on it was "I was young and don't feel that way now" so the message is get over it and move on, he doesn't care enough to listen to her anguish or try to make amends. This is callous arrogance and taints any redemption he might have made because you realize he really doesn't think he did anything horribly wrong. The decision to have a complete non discussion of what happened in the beginning of the marriage leaves me feeling that there is a big oily stain over the whole story and it leaves a really bad taste.
Now I do feel badly for Brian that he was so betrayed by Jess and his father, that was a horrible thing to do and he had my empathy for his loss and anguish but it does put a more cynical slant on why he took the baby. Brian tells Gillian he took the baby to preserve some innocence and purity from betrayal and the horrors of war, but the lack of outrage when he sees Jess and the fact that he is still trying to excuse her actions with his father lend more credence to the thought that Brian took the baby to taunt his father with his illegitimate child and in fact wants to keep some part of Jess sacred. The part of Brian in the care of the baby doesn't really illustrate his goodness, it illuminates how far he is willing to go to defy and manipulate his father and I really felt that Brian is planning to try to use the baby as a pawn against his father at some future time as well as having a vicarious part of a woman he adores but who really doesn't love him.
If Brian had half the anger and torment at Jess that he says he did, he should have done every thing in his power to get her run out of town. With or without his father's input, the kind of agony he supposedly experienced demands nothing less. Instead she is coming into his house and he never seeks to put a stop to her forays, he never discourages her approaching him and I never really believe he is over his infatuation with her. He will wind up with her again, I am sure, because he needs his wife to independent and capable but he wants his lover to be clinging and dependent.
He ruminates on Jess's helplessness a little too much to be convincing that independence and strength in his lover is what he really wants. He has Gillian, he yearns for Jess, and in time when the passion with Gillian fades, he will go back to Jess and Gillian will just continue on with what she sees as her duty and loyalty to him.
Honor or the lack of it and the interpretation of what it means to be honorable and follow your duty even in opposition to the dictates of your heart is the big theme of this story.
There are manipulations, lies and betrayals everywhere in this book and it taints the whole thing. No one is really good, virtuous or even very likable in this book and that is too bad, the story had a lot of potential but gets bogged down in the lack of romantic empathy and it becomes an empty manipulation of both the characters and the reader. It leaves the reader feeling as though both Gillian and Brian are cowards and settled for second best, they will stay married but eventually the marriage will devolve into a political partnership and that is a very depressing way to end a supposed romance.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 25, 2019
The Earl claims his wife….when it suits him and when he needs her (help).
Major spoilers and ranting ahead. Don't go on if you intend to read the book.
The writing flows easily, only wish the author's thoughts on redemption had been as clear.
The om thankfully gets a book of his own and hopefully a more faithful and appreciative h.
Major spoilers and ranting ahead. Don't go on if you intend to read the book.
The writing flows easily, only wish the author's thoughts on redemption had been as clear.
The om thankfully gets a book of his own and hopefully a more faithful and appreciative h.
June 3, 2018
These two deserve each other.
Okay, I'm tired and I'm done, and that is a tacky book cover.
Okay, I'm tired and I'm done, and that is a tacky book cover.
February 15, 2014
4 Stars!
After years of neglect by her husband, Gillian is ready to take a lover. And just when she was about to entertain Andres, the Spaniard as her lover, guess who comes back to claim Gillian back? Her estranged husband, of course. Brian abandoned Gillian right after he married her, choosing instead his mistress whom he loved very much and then later on, going to fight the war against Napoleon. But after suffering a betrayal in the hands of his own father and mistress, Brian needed Gillian more than ever. And so, their story begins.
I really enjoyed this one. It was a little predictable in some places but hey, after reading so many historical novels, some tropes are bound to show up in these books over and over again. But still, this had great dialogue and chemistry between the two MCs. Plus, the hero did grovel.
So it's definitely worth four stars for me. :)
After years of neglect by her husband, Gillian is ready to take a lover. And just when she was about to entertain Andres, the Spaniard as her lover, guess who comes back to claim Gillian back? Her estranged husband, of course. Brian abandoned Gillian right after he married her, choosing instead his mistress whom he loved very much and then later on, going to fight the war against Napoleon. But after suffering a betrayal in the hands of his own father and mistress, Brian needed Gillian more than ever. And so, their story begins.
I really enjoyed this one. It was a little predictable in some places but hey, after reading so many historical novels, some tropes are bound to show up in these books over and over again. But still, this had great dialogue and chemistry between the two MCs. Plus, the hero did grovel.
So it's definitely worth four stars for me. :)
January 30, 2023
2.5 stars lmaooooooo. It's a struggle because SHE FORGAVE HIM SO EASILYYYYYYY but it was such a good beginning and set up.
September 1, 2025
Read: 9/1/25
Setting: 1810 England
Trope: second chances
3.5 stars
plot: Gillian is stuck in a loveless marriage. Her husband had informed her the morning after their wedding that he was in love with his mistress. Brian left her to rot with his horrible parents while he visited his mistress and went to war. Well, now he's back and out of the blue wants his wife.
Gillian left his parents' home to work for her cousin. She's ready to have an affair with a handsome Spaniard. She's finally found some contentment in her new life. Now, Brian is demanding she return to London with him. Brian needs her help with his career. Gillian strikes a bargain with him. She'll help his career if he'll allow her a divorce afterward.
It doesn't take long for Gillian to forgive him of his past transgressions. Then Brian ruins it with one lie. His mistress is not dead. She was cheating on him with his own father. Brian now has a sick baby brother that he needs Gillian's help taking care of. Gillian agrees to comply in exchange for her freedom.
Brian has been a fool, and he knows it. He has discovered true love with Gillian. He can't give up such an amazing woman. Of course, Brian's love life is not his only problem. He was forced from the army after his two older brothers died. His father hoped to control him as he did Brian's late brothers. Now, his father demands him to take a certain diplomatic position, but Brian is a soldier. He wants to work in Prime Minster Pitt's war cabinet. Unfortunately, his powerful father is sabotaging him.
So, can this couple get on the same page, or will they be torn apart by misunderstandings?
liked:
1. I liked Gillian and Brian. Brian's likability was a surprise. I was prepared to hate him, but the author found a way to make me root for this cheater. That took some talent.
2. The OW drama was one-sided. I was happy that Brian wanted nothing to do with her. The woman sent her newborn (Brian's brother) to a baby farm where the infant almost died. Yeah, that cured him of his infatuation!
3. the author's writing style and fast pacing were the saving grace of this story. I never grew bored.
4. The story had some touching moments and happy scenes, especially with the baby.
dislike:
1. I don't mind cheating in my books, but I do need the H to grovel a little. Gillain forgave him way too quickly. By day 2 of their trip, she was screwing him in the carriage. I almost stopped reading. I'm glad I didn't because the rest of the book was pretty good.
2. The villains weren't used enough. His father and mistress force their way into this couple's world but then kind of disappear near the end. Their characters didn't get flushed out or any comeuppance.
3. I needed an epilogue! The book ended too abruptly. I wanted to see the couple happy and the villains miserable.
Conclusion: I enjoyed this book more than I thought I would. If the author had made Brian grovel more, this would have been a great hr book. If you read past that problem in the beginning, then you'll discover a pretty good story.
Setting: 1810 England
Trope: second chances
3.5 stars
plot: Gillian is stuck in a loveless marriage. Her husband had informed her the morning after their wedding that he was in love with his mistress. Brian left her to rot with his horrible parents while he visited his mistress and went to war. Well, now he's back and out of the blue wants his wife.
Gillian left his parents' home to work for her cousin. She's ready to have an affair with a handsome Spaniard. She's finally found some contentment in her new life. Now, Brian is demanding she return to London with him. Brian needs her help with his career. Gillian strikes a bargain with him. She'll help his career if he'll allow her a divorce afterward.
It doesn't take long for Gillian to forgive him of his past transgressions. Then Brian ruins it with one lie. His mistress is not dead. She was cheating on him with his own father. Brian now has a sick baby brother that he needs Gillian's help taking care of. Gillian agrees to comply in exchange for her freedom.
Brian has been a fool, and he knows it. He has discovered true love with Gillian. He can't give up such an amazing woman. Of course, Brian's love life is not his only problem. He was forced from the army after his two older brothers died. His father hoped to control him as he did Brian's late brothers. Now, his father demands him to take a certain diplomatic position, but Brian is a soldier. He wants to work in Prime Minster Pitt's war cabinet. Unfortunately, his powerful father is sabotaging him.
So, can this couple get on the same page, or will they be torn apart by misunderstandings?
liked:
1. I liked Gillian and Brian. Brian's likability was a surprise. I was prepared to hate him, but the author found a way to make me root for this cheater. That took some talent.
2. The OW drama was one-sided. I was happy that Brian wanted nothing to do with her. The woman sent her newborn (Brian's brother) to a baby farm where the infant almost died. Yeah, that cured him of his infatuation!
3. the author's writing style and fast pacing were the saving grace of this story. I never grew bored.
4. The story had some touching moments and happy scenes, especially with the baby.
dislike:
1. I don't mind cheating in my books, but I do need the H to grovel a little. Gillain forgave him way too quickly. By day 2 of their trip, she was screwing him in the carriage. I almost stopped reading. I'm glad I didn't because the rest of the book was pretty good.
2. The villains weren't used enough. His father and mistress force their way into this couple's world but then kind of disappear near the end. Their characters didn't get flushed out or any comeuppance.
3. I needed an epilogue! The book ended too abruptly. I wanted to see the couple happy and the villains miserable.
Conclusion: I enjoyed this book more than I thought I would. If the author had made Brian grovel more, this would have been a great hr book. If you read past that problem in the beginning, then you'll discover a pretty good story.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 19, 2014
Okay, I have to say I was swept up in the beginning of the book, but quickly got disillusioned by several unforgivable faults.
1. This author really needs to restudy/bone up on her vocabulary. Not only did she repeat phrases over and over but she would use words in a completely inappropriate context. Those are not typos those are out and out mistakes that never should have made it past the slush pile!
2. The heroine, Gillian, was very annoying. She would change her mind about the hero on the turn of a dime. She goes on and on about how badly he treated her for four years and ONE DAY LATER she is exchanging renewal wedding vows and body fluids in a coach with this "terrible husband."
3. Everything wrapped up WAY too quickly. But that goes back to the fact that these characters would go from eternal hate to a love fest within the span of a page or two.
4. Finally, the love scenes were basically non-existent. Now, don't get me wrong I don't like when the sex is dragged out for an entire chapter, but in this book if you blinked you missed them. What WAS there was boring.
This is the last book I will read by this author. I just don't understand what is happening to publishing these days! Some houses seem ready and willing to publish any piece of shallow tripe sent their way.
As disturbing as some of the 80's era romance novels could be with their underage heroines and rather violent heroes, at least they were meticulous in research and talented in writing (the ones I read anyway). Now romance novels read like they were written by 9th graders (and not very talented 9th graders either).
1. This author really needs to restudy/bone up on her vocabulary. Not only did she repeat phrases over and over but she would use words in a completely inappropriate context. Those are not typos those are out and out mistakes that never should have made it past the slush pile!
2. The heroine, Gillian, was very annoying. She would change her mind about the hero on the turn of a dime. She goes on and on about how badly he treated her for four years and ONE DAY LATER she is exchanging renewal wedding vows and body fluids in a coach with this "terrible husband."
3. Everything wrapped up WAY too quickly. But that goes back to the fact that these characters would go from eternal hate to a love fest within the span of a page or two.
4. Finally, the love scenes were basically non-existent. Now, don't get me wrong I don't like when the sex is dragged out for an entire chapter, but in this book if you blinked you missed them. What WAS there was boring.
This is the last book I will read by this author. I just don't understand what is happening to publishing these days! Some houses seem ready and willing to publish any piece of shallow tripe sent their way.
As disturbing as some of the 80's era romance novels could be with their underage heroines and rather violent heroes, at least they were meticulous in research and talented in writing (the ones I read anyway). Now romance novels read like they were written by 9th graders (and not very talented 9th graders either).
March 15, 2024
I am a fan of Cathy's books but this book fell short for me.
I enjoyed Gillian and her big heart to save a child's life and that she is her own person with a big personality. What I didn't like is that after their husband abandoned her almost after his wedding night to go to war he had nothing to do with his wife for 4 years. But Gillian has moved on and started her own life but after 4 years of no contact, her husband Brian shows up to claim his wife. But Gillian has found a new man that she wants to start a new life with and wants a divorce. Her husband challenges her new man to a duel but to prevent the death of either of them she offers to go with her husband. Gillian wants no part of her husband and refuses to go but caves in to avoid the duel and parties being injured. The problem I had with this is that her husband left her after their wedding almost immediately but lives openly with his mistress Jess his long-time sweetheart.
He comes back from the war after 4 years and sees his mistress, not his wife, and after 6 months of being back from the war he decides to seek out his wife because she needs her but for something he is hiding from her which she won't find out until she arrives at her new home. I would hate my husband or lover doing this to me and humiliating me. I would not be having sex with him on my way to our new home. I know he is her husband but she has found new love with someone else and tells her husband that she wants a divorce if she agrees to help him and yet she can't stop having sex with her husband where's your pride women? She was supposed to hate him after all! The positive side there are a few twists and turns along the way and a happy ending.
I enjoyed Gillian and her big heart to save a child's life and that she is her own person with a big personality. What I didn't like is that after their husband abandoned her almost after his wedding night to go to war he had nothing to do with his wife for 4 years. But Gillian has moved on and started her own life but after 4 years of no contact, her husband Brian shows up to claim his wife. But Gillian has found a new man that she wants to start a new life with and wants a divorce. Her husband challenges her new man to a duel but to prevent the death of either of them she offers to go with her husband. Gillian wants no part of her husband and refuses to go but caves in to avoid the duel and parties being injured. The problem I had with this is that her husband left her after their wedding almost immediately but lives openly with his mistress Jess his long-time sweetheart.
He comes back from the war after 4 years and sees his mistress, not his wife, and after 6 months of being back from the war he decides to seek out his wife because she needs her but for something he is hiding from her which she won't find out until she arrives at her new home. I would hate my husband or lover doing this to me and humiliating me. I would not be having sex with him on my way to our new home. I know he is her husband but she has found new love with someone else and tells her husband that she wants a divorce if she agrees to help him and yet she can't stop having sex with her husband where's your pride women? She was supposed to hate him after all! The positive side there are a few twists and turns along the way and a happy ending.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 13, 2014
Uninspiring writing, dispassionate characters. Four years after his abandonment of his new bride on their wedding night for his long term mistress, he finally decided she's the worthy one and returned to claim her and only after the mistress betrayed him and the heroine " is the only one who can save him". What she will save him from, I never cared enough to find out, as I was too agitated to finish. Silly twit of a heroine decided, after just 24 hours and a charming smile from H, that she will forgive him, for after all, he just told her she is the 'love of life'! WTH??? Never mind that the indecisive, spineless H consummated the marriage previously and in the next breath told her he really is in love with his mistress and intended to be with her and left h to rot with his amoral and mean parents. Never also mind the fact that she had, 24 hours prior to their reunion, declared her love to some Spanish baron. Fickled, shallow, immature people.
September 25, 2025
Gillian and Brian. Gillian forgives Brian too fast. Brian is a jerk. To have sex with her on their wedding night, then confess his love for his mistress, and then leaving to join the army for years means to me it should have taken longer for her to fall back in love with him. Especially, since his motivation for claiming his wife is to raise his mistress and fathers child but he neglects to tell her that fact. Even Brian is surprised that he was able to have sex with her so fast. To have sex with her again before telling her she will be raising his mistress's child is cruel.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 6, 2023
I almost gave this 4 stars but the hero didn’t do enough during the reconciliation. This was one of those, hero leaves his arranged marriage wife for his real live, his mistress. But! what I liked about this one if the wife was ready to take her own lover (of course she doesn’t). The hero didn’t hate his wife, just resented him having to marry her, he didn’t take time to get to know her or anything, so it doesn’t really feel like he chose another over her. The circumstances that cause him to seek out his wife again are complex, in the end, I was ready for them to be in love and happy but I feel like the author messed up, he should’ve been more willing to fight for them, instead the heroine speaks up. After everything she already did for him, that was just too much.
April 17, 2016
Brian is as heroic as the shine is on rust..... faithless, thoughtless, selfish and a foolish moron.
Lets get to the heart of the story...a slut... his slut to be exact...a woman he was faithful to his entire life except the night he bedded his wife... he thinks of this thought with some idiotic pride especially given the story. Jess is a milk maid who apparently is weak and helpless to him and a whorish mistress to the other man in this story. This moron makes excuses for her behavior, justifies, blames the other man for her behavior...as if there was any excuse for what this piece of skirt did.
Gillian loved the image of Brian... she was a good person with good breeding and she had morals and was kind, so of course the callow mongrel bedded her to cement the marriage betrayed her the morning after with hate and disdain and left her for his whore. He then left for war... he returned 4-6 months ago and is only now returning to Gillian... but as you can imagine it is not with love he has come for Gillian.. he is betraying her yet again... there is no level this dirtbag with a mongrel pedigree will not lower to raise his mistresses bastard NO MATTER his parentage... U do not believe his selflessness remotely, it is still his mistresses bastard and in claiming him I assume he would inherit the title... so not only is GIllian brought back to mother that child but he will unsurp any legitimate children If Gillian had any.... so technically his whores bastard will forever be above any children that he has with Gillian...she will forever be "above" Gillian on that aspect. I hated Jess she was a slut, she behaved as a slut... her coming to undermine Gillian WITHOUT any rebuke from Brian let you know that no matter what he said and no matter who and what this nasty piece did , he would forever be cleaning up her messes.
He undermines Gillian at every corner, she has another suitor one who adores her and whom she is falling for... she deserved happiness with him... not forever mothering his whores child at his side. THere was no redemption for him with me at all... he did not deserve Gillain...he deserved jess perhaps a threesome with her other suitor as it could be no more distasteful than what it was, he was a jacka%% from the begining to the end... I think we were supposed to think him heroic for the rescue of Anthony... I did not... he did it because of whose it's mother was NOT who the father was, he was still somewhat under the spell of the piece, and now he trapped Gillian by the very plot her god mother rescued her from...raising someone else children (her father and stepmother have 7 or 8). There is a HEA and I imagine it is for as long as Gillian does as he pleases... I imagine his knight to the piece has not ended as he never saw her as a villain I think Gillian deserved much better. Sorry I do not take to the ow children ever..... their innocence is a mirage, their very being is distasteful and the writers (all of them) making them the special blessing of god like creatures make me worse...lol. So the book made me nuts but I loved it... and no I do not have to explain to you why... *you know who you are..my questioning stalker review reader* the rating of the book is true...my hatred... 5* as well....
Lets get to the heart of the story...a slut... his slut to be exact...a woman he was faithful to his entire life except the night he bedded his wife... he thinks of this thought with some idiotic pride especially given the story. Jess is a milk maid who apparently is weak and helpless to him and a whorish mistress to the other man in this story. This moron makes excuses for her behavior, justifies, blames the other man for her behavior...as if there was any excuse for what this piece of skirt did.
Gillian loved the image of Brian... she was a good person with good breeding and she had morals and was kind, so of course the callow mongrel bedded her to cement the marriage betrayed her the morning after with hate and disdain and left her for his whore. He then left for war... he returned 4-6 months ago and is only now returning to Gillian... but as you can imagine it is not with love he has come for Gillian.. he is betraying her yet again... there is no level this dirtbag with a mongrel pedigree will not lower to raise his mistresses bastard NO MATTER his parentage... U do not believe his selflessness remotely, it is still his mistresses bastard and in claiming him I assume he would inherit the title... so not only is GIllian brought back to mother that child but he will unsurp any legitimate children If Gillian had any.... so technically his whores bastard will forever be above any children that he has with Gillian...she will forever be "above" Gillian on that aspect. I hated Jess she was a slut, she behaved as a slut... her coming to undermine Gillian WITHOUT any rebuke from Brian let you know that no matter what he said and no matter who and what this nasty piece did , he would forever be cleaning up her messes.
He undermines Gillian at every corner, she has another suitor one who adores her and whom she is falling for... she deserved happiness with him... not forever mothering his whores child at his side. THere was no redemption for him with me at all... he did not deserve Gillain...he deserved jess perhaps a threesome with her other suitor as it could be no more distasteful than what it was, he was a jacka%% from the begining to the end... I think we were supposed to think him heroic for the rescue of Anthony... I did not... he did it because of whose it's mother was NOT who the father was, he was still somewhat under the spell of the piece, and now he trapped Gillian by the very plot her god mother rescued her from...raising someone else children (her father and stepmother have 7 or 8). There is a HEA and I imagine it is for as long as Gillian does as he pleases... I imagine his knight to the piece has not ended as he never saw her as a villain I think Gillian deserved much better. Sorry I do not take to the ow children ever..... their innocence is a mirage, their very being is distasteful and the writers (all of them) making them the special blessing of god like creatures make me worse...lol. So the book made me nuts but I loved it... and no I do not have to explain to you why... *you know who you are..my questioning stalker review reader* the rating of the book is true...my hatred... 5* as well....
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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March 18, 2024dnf @ 45%
lowkey getting secondhand embarrassment at how quickly she took him back 😭
dude legs it on his wedding night right after telling his new wife he’s in love with another woman. doesn’t even spare a single thought on said wife after walking out her and only to return 4 years later after learning that she’s deadset on divorcing the prick and taking a lover after years of abandonment (as she should 💅). ofc that’s when he decides to put his big boi boots on and put a stop to this farcical notion, lest it wound his itty bitty pride 😬
… and after all that, she still takes him back after one scrambled night together at an inn and taking a botched “toss the apple peel over the shoulder to find your soulmate’s initial” buzzfeed quiz as a sure sign that they are meant to be 🤷🏽♀️
like ffs be for fucking real 🫣
lowkey getting secondhand embarrassment at how quickly she took him back 😭
dude legs it on his wedding night right after telling his new wife he’s in love with another woman. doesn’t even spare a single thought on said wife after walking out her and only to return 4 years later after learning that she’s deadset on divorcing the prick and taking a lover after years of abandonment (as she should 💅). ofc that’s when he decides to put his big boi boots on and put a stop to this farcical notion, lest it wound his itty bitty pride 😬
… and after all that, she still takes him back after one scrambled night together at an inn and taking a botched “toss the apple peel over the shoulder to find your soulmate’s initial” buzzfeed quiz as a sure sign that they are meant to be 🤷🏽♀️
like ffs be for fucking real 🫣
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June 6, 2018This will be a short review as I will have to resist ranting.
Our hero Brian marries Gillian, his father has ordered him to marry her as he wants the helpful connections that the marriage will bring him. Brian immediately tells Gillian on the wedding night that he never wanted to marry her as he’s in love with another woman Jess whom he can’t marry as she’s the milkmaid on the family estate. Off Brian goes to war, 4 years later he returns home to find Jess has been at it with his father and a baby was the result. The baby was placed in an orphanage. So Brian decides that he will take the baby into his home. But now that his mistress has betrayed him with his father, who will,look after the child, of course he’s got Gillian whom he hasn’t seen or spoken to for years, so he forces her to return to him. I can’t say anymore about this story as it’s probably one of the most irritating books I’ve ever read.
Our hero Brian marries Gillian, his father has ordered him to marry her as he wants the helpful connections that the marriage will bring him. Brian immediately tells Gillian on the wedding night that he never wanted to marry her as he’s in love with another woman Jess whom he can’t marry as she’s the milkmaid on the family estate. Off Brian goes to war, 4 years later he returns home to find Jess has been at it with his father and a baby was the result. The baby was placed in an orphanage. So Brian decides that he will take the baby into his home. But now that his mistress has betrayed him with his father, who will,look after the child, of course he’s got Gillian whom he hasn’t seen or spoken to for years, so he forces her to return to him. I can’t say anymore about this story as it’s probably one of the most irritating books I’ve ever read.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 6, 2010
Okay, okay. They're tortured with their love for each other and their pride, I get it. These two went back and forth about their feelings so often, sometimes on the same page, it was dizzying.
So it's 1810, and these two folks are married. He goes to war, leaving her with his parents. She gets tired of the in-laws and goes off with her family. He returns from war, goes to his mistress, and leaves her alone until one day he comes back to claim her.
Why, you ask? Well, I won't ruin the story, but there is enough bodice-ripping to satisfy the romance-lovers. But geez, enough with the "I love her but she obviously loves another so I'll be prideful and be rude to her" and "oh, he must not love me or he would tell me so" garbage. I mean, come on. The entire second half was irritating with that. The backstory is interesting though, I'll give credit to that.
So it's 1810, and these two folks are married. He goes to war, leaving her with his parents. She gets tired of the in-laws and goes off with her family. He returns from war, goes to his mistress, and leaves her alone until one day he comes back to claim her.
Why, you ask? Well, I won't ruin the story, but there is enough bodice-ripping to satisfy the romance-lovers. But geez, enough with the "I love her but she obviously loves another so I'll be prideful and be rude to her" and "oh, he must not love me or he would tell me so" garbage. I mean, come on. The entire second half was irritating with that. The backstory is interesting though, I'll give credit to that.
January 1, 2019
I'm a little bit disappointed. The end came way too fast for me, it needed at least one other chapter or an epilogue. There were some pages left in the book, but they were a preview for another book, so I was surprised when the story ended. As it is, the book kind of ends right after the big climax, so it feels like the author left me high and dry.
There are also a couple of missing / incorrect words, which is very unusual and felt irritating.
There are also a couple of missing / incorrect words, which is very unusual and felt irritating.
January 16, 2025
It was fine until it got rapey. I love a good historical romance but this just didn’t deliver. Maybe because I was audiobooking it?? Idk.
February 14, 2024
When I start a series of books I tend to want to finish the series, this one wasn't as interesting as the first and quite lacking when it cames to the characters' interactions and the development of their relationship.
Not in any way memorable, lacked the fast pace of the first book and generally uneventful.
I am glad I picked it up as an audio and haven't wasted more time on reading it.
Not in any way memorable, lacked the fast pace of the first book and generally uneventful.
I am glad I picked it up as an audio and haven't wasted more time on reading it.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 25, 2013
Gillian, Lady Wright, after falling in love with Brian Rason, the Earl of Wright, then marries him only to find out that he loves another and plans to leave her to go to Europe to fight in the war and take the woman he loves as his mistress. Now she is ready to take a lover, a hansome spaniard who stirs up her heart, and she knows that she can find happiness with him. Brian has returned to London, and has been sending her requests to return to his side, however after all the years he has ignored her, she plans on the doing the same to him as well. But then he comes to her to take her home with him. Brian, Earl of Wright, after finding out that his mistress betrayed him, and left behind a situation where he will need his wife's help, he goes to her to bring her to London, because he is at a loss at what to do, and knows that she is the only one that can help him, despite all the hurt he has caused her. But Brian has only one month to prove to Gillian, his love for her, and to have her feel the same in return. The Earl Claims His Wife by Cathy Maxwell is a wonderfully written love story, that stir up emotions in any reader. This is the second installment of the Scandals and Seduction series. As with most of Cathy Maxwwell's novels, I found this to be a intriguing and romantic read, that had me cheering for both of the main characters. We have the hero, who is fighting for the life of a innocent and the heroine, who yearns for love and children. So when she agree's to the one month agreement, she never realized that her heart would once more be threatened by Brian, knowing that she can't resist his charms or his heart. The Earl Claims His Wife was a wonderful romance, a well written story, with endearing characters.
June 11, 2020
You could get seasick following this couple's mood changes - swearing on one page to trust each another while repeating their wedding vows in the midst of carriage sex then utterly DIStrusting and cold-shouldering the "love of their life" on the next. This seesaw continues until they finally co-ordinate their declaration of love in the foyer of an opera house with hundreds of onlookers. So Hollywood.
Also it's bizarre that after saving and adopting the baby born to his ex-mistress and his father, the hero Wright calls him "son" instead of what he is - (half) brother/ward, especially since Wright's 2 older brothers died and the baby is named after the eldest Anthony, a replacement of sorts. Do Wright and his wife never intend to tell the misbegotten child his shabby origins? Will they let his father's bastard inherit the earldom and estates eventually over their own legitimate child who's on his way at the end of this tale? However, too many people know the real bloodlines so that's not even an option. Just imagine the conversation with an older Anthony - "You're not really my son but the illegitimate son of your grandfather and as such, my (half) brother and uncle to our baby born a year after you. Sorry about letting you grow up believing something completely different".
Also it's bizarre that after saving and adopting the baby born to his ex-mistress and his father, the hero Wright calls him "son" instead of what he is - (half) brother/ward, especially since Wright's 2 older brothers died and the baby is named after the eldest Anthony, a replacement of sorts. Do Wright and his wife never intend to tell the misbegotten child his shabby origins? Will they let his father's bastard inherit the earldom and estates eventually over their own legitimate child who's on his way at the end of this tale? However, too many people know the real bloodlines so that's not even an option. Just imagine the conversation with an older Anthony - "You're not really my son but the illegitimate son of your grandfather and as such, my (half) brother and uncle to our baby born a year after you. Sorry about letting you grow up believing something completely different".
August 6, 2012
After deserting his wife on her wedding night for his mistress and the war Brian (hero) returns after 4 years to claim his wife not because he is sorry for the humiliation he has put her through and not because he loves her, but because he needs her to become his nursemaid, nanny, and to organize his household and help his career, oh and a bed partner. Gillian (heroin) returns with him to London to find a surprise waiting for her!! Brian comes across as very selfish and has no compassion for his wife, once again she is the one being humiliated he never treats her with respect or gratitude, maybe if he tried to pursue her the story would have worked but it just didn't happen the few love scene were just plain BLAH AND BORING just like their relationship. For any female to tolerate this circumstances; she must have had very low self esteem!!! I was convinced by all he did that he did love his mistress!!!!
January 24, 2011
Gillian Wright is a very inspiring person for she stands up to what she believes in even though her husband who hasn't wanted anything to do with her four years ago suddenly shows up at the time when shes thinking about taking a lover and demands her to return with him. Gillian won't go easily so she makes a deal with Brain Lord Wright that after 30 days she will have her freedom.
Brian Ranson Lord Wright needs his wife now more than ever, for when he returns from war he finds that his mistress has had a child and its NOT his but his FATHER!! *gasp* Set on saving the baby from dying Brain sets off the find his wife hoping that she will forgive all that has happened and help his save the child.
As thing begin to get complicated so does their relationship, can this baby save them or will the strain of the relationship tear them apart?
Brian Ranson Lord Wright needs his wife now more than ever, for when he returns from war he finds that his mistress has had a child and its NOT his but his FATHER!! *gasp* Set on saving the baby from dying Brain sets off the find his wife hoping that she will forgive all that has happened and help his save the child.
As thing begin to get complicated so does their relationship, can this baby save them or will the strain of the relationship tear them apart?
May 23, 2013
I'm torn on this book. 1st I really don't like books that has one or both of the main characters cheat. This book had one that did and one that seriously considered it. drove me crazy! 2nd Gillian "forgave" Brian too quickly then hated him again then forgave him again. She was very macurical and I didn't like that. I loved the baby! He was a good addition to the book. I think it was a good reason to hate Jess and the dad while being a great reason for Gillian and Brian to be forced together long enough to fall in love. After the inital back and forth with her though, the story got very sweet and made sense. I feel bad for Andres. I hope he understands what happened and can move on because I really like him! All in all I rate it a 3.5.
January 6, 2016
I have loved every book by Ms Maxwell thus far. And don't get me wrong, I enjoyed this one as well. But it fell short for me because of her mistreatment of Andres. I felt so horrible for him! If that whole scenario was written differently then this book would easily be 4 stars. But the book ended not with me feeling giddy over the HEA, but with me almost in tears for Andres. And that alone made me drop from 4 stars to only 2.
May 27, 2018
There's a lot of bad things done to our heroine, emotionally, for this zero to just walk away with her love. I'm assuming the author didn't have the writing ability (or just got lazy) to redeem him. Either way, it's a wallbanger.
April 12, 2010
Pretty awful.
September 25, 2010
ga smw Best Seller itu bagus lho..
mnrt gw ini membosankan sangat malahan..
mnrt gw ini membosankan sangat malahan..
October 24, 2010
The hero needed to grovel a lot for his awful treatment of the heroine before the book started. Also, the heroine was kind of dumb too. Readable, but nothing more than that
January 7, 2024
I actually really liked this book. Some of the 1 to 3 star reviews make some good points - we find out in the beginning that the hero was basically ordered by his father to marry the hero, who was in love with the hero. The hero consummated the marriage (because asshole) and then promptly told the heroine that he had a mistress with whom he was in love.
Stupid stupid man.
Four years pass, and the heroine meets a new guy that she would like to marry.
The husband, who has been at war and is now home, comes to claim his wife and take her back to London so they can live happily ever after. 😬🙄🤦♀️
And that is all in the first few pages and sets the stage for a what ended up being a mildly angsty read that made me alternate between wanting to toss the book (I didn't- it has a *gorgeous* stepback) and wanting to clutch it to my chest and give a swoony sigh.
The heroine was the star of the show. I liked her thought process. I liked her willingness to do what was right despite her own misgivings. The hero was a big dummy that just needed to let go of some stupid stubborn pride and talk to the heroine about his feelings. Of course he didn't, and he made stupid man assumptions. But I found it all surprisingly and ridiculously enjoyable. Ha!
Stupid stupid man.
Four years pass, and the heroine meets a new guy that she would like to marry.
The husband, who has been at war and is now home, comes to claim his wife and take her back to London so they can live happily ever after. 😬🙄🤦♀️
And that is all in the first few pages and sets the stage for a what ended up being a mildly angsty read that made me alternate between wanting to toss the book (I didn't- it has a *gorgeous* stepback) and wanting to clutch it to my chest and give a swoony sigh.
The heroine was the star of the show. I liked her thought process. I liked her willingness to do what was right despite her own misgivings. The hero was a big dummy that just needed to let go of some stupid stubborn pride and talk to the heroine about his feelings. Of course he didn't, and he made stupid man assumptions. But I found it all surprisingly and ridiculously enjoyable. Ha!
November 1, 2022
1,5
"And so he did.
And so she was."
These last two sentences made me laugh in a good way and I consider them...the best part of this book.
It was endearing and romantic but in a very juvenile way, best suited for a much younger audience that does not require in-depth character study in a story and can't hold their attention to a more complicated and layered plot.
If it was meant to be bonkers in style of 80s historicals - it failed quite miserably.
Our h&h are childish and their dialogues fully expose that.
Secondary characters were introduced - promising potential twists - and ditched, never getting their resolution.
If this book meant to showcase a "groveling hero" - it fell flat terribly.
That also goes for the writing where my disappointment sits at most: It's written dryly, with short, simple sentences. If you enjoy beautiful or even purple prose, and appreciate subtle metaphors and nuance - you won't find it here.
There's quite a lot of phrase repetition, which I found unbelievable for such a short book.
It bored me, and was lackluster and underdeveloped.
format: anyplay audiobook + physical copy (owned)
"And so he did.
And so she was."
These last two sentences made me laugh in a good way and I consider them...the best part of this book.
It was endearing and romantic but in a very juvenile way, best suited for a much younger audience that does not require in-depth character study in a story and can't hold their attention to a more complicated and layered plot.
If it was meant to be bonkers in style of 80s historicals - it failed quite miserably.
Our h&h are childish and their dialogues fully expose that.
Secondary characters were introduced - promising potential twists - and ditched, never getting their resolution.
If this book meant to showcase a "groveling hero" - it fell flat terribly.
That also goes for the writing where my disappointment sits at most: It's written dryly, with short, simple sentences. If you enjoy beautiful or even purple prose, and appreciate subtle metaphors and nuance - you won't find it here.
There's quite a lot of phrase repetition, which I found unbelievable for such a short book.
It bored me, and was lackluster and underdeveloped.
format: anyplay audiobook + physical copy (owned)
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