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How to Tame a Modern Rogue
Commitment-phobic Sam Carson has only dated model-gorgeous women. But one stolen kiss from a plain-Jane schoolteacher and he's hell-bent on stripping away her floral dresses and teaching her the art of being bad. If only her good-girl ways didn't make him want to be a better man . . .
Ally Giordano is at the end of her rope. Her beloved grandmother actually believes that she's living in her favorite romance novel in Regency England and Ally doesn't have the heart to set her straight. But now Granny Donny's last wish is for a retreat to the country and Ally can't refuse her...until she demands that Sam accompany them. And though his smiles turn her knees into jelly, Ally knows better than to trust a playboy...and she definitely knows better than to try to change one. Or does she?
Ally Giordano is at the end of her rope. Her beloved grandmother actually believes that she's living in her favorite romance novel in Regency England and Ally doesn't have the heart to set her straight. But now Granny Donny's last wish is for a retreat to the country and Ally can't refuse her...until she demands that Sam accompany them. And though his smiles turn her knees into jelly, Ally knows better than to trust a playboy...and she definitely knows better than to try to change one. Or does she?
308 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published July 14, 2009
2 people are currently reading
235 people want to read
About the author
Diana Holquist
12 books125 followersThe Official Bio
I love to write. That’s pretty much all I do. Ask my family about the undone laundry, the un-bought groceries, and the fact that I rarely find time to get dressed in the morning. Actually, if you train your family right, they won’t notice any of these things. "Popcorn for dinner again, mom! Cool," say my filthy children. God bless them, they don’t know what panty hose are.
Oh, my poor husband.
Anyway, it took me a long time to figure out WHAT to write. So I spent years writing ads, brochures, and company reports. If I had to give advice to anyone--which, thankfully, I don’t--it would be that if you want to write books, start now. In fact, get the heck off this website and do it.
(First, throw your TV out the window. Good. Now write.)
Are you still here?
Okay, then you must be a pure reader (or my mother). Good for you. No money in writing. Best to have a real job.
What else do you want to know about me? I love kids. I love cats. I love chocolate. (Not necessarily in that order.) I live just outside of Philadelphia with kids and cats and my dear husband.
I love to write. That’s pretty much all I do. Ask my family about the undone laundry, the un-bought groceries, and the fact that I rarely find time to get dressed in the morning. Actually, if you train your family right, they won’t notice any of these things. "Popcorn for dinner again, mom! Cool," say my filthy children. God bless them, they don’t know what panty hose are.
Oh, my poor husband.
Anyway, it took me a long time to figure out WHAT to write. So I spent years writing ads, brochures, and company reports. If I had to give advice to anyone--which, thankfully, I don’t--it would be that if you want to write books, start now. In fact, get the heck off this website and do it.
(First, throw your TV out the window. Good. Now write.)
Are you still here?
Okay, then you must be a pure reader (or my mother). Good for you. No money in writing. Best to have a real job.
What else do you want to know about me? I love kids. I love cats. I love chocolate. (Not necessarily in that order.) I live just outside of Philadelphia with kids and cats and my dear husband.
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November 26, 2020
A little bit too much gimmicky nonsense, unlikable MCs.
October 2, 2013
This story is definitely like nothing I have ever read before; a crazy old lady (I totally see myself turning into her because of all the regency books I read), a Duke of Whatthehell, and frumpy schoolteacher. I'm three chapters in and feel like I should write some comments but honestly I'm flabbergasted as to what to say, not because it is awful but because it is so damn good and intriguing right now.
When someone asks you to waltz, you waltz. I understand Ally's fear for her grandmother (grandmother ran away and has dementia) but she did find her safe and sound and with so many people around it would have been safe and ok to have a night waltz in central park with Sam. Yeah, yeah I get the author is trying to establish and make known Ally's personality here. She has issues from her parents abandoning her, I get it. Just please let the lady waltz!
Awesome stuff, when Sam is imaging Ally's "garden" (personality/environment) and how it differs from Veronica's and is possibly full of poison ivy but doesn't care and wants to scoop her out of it and carry her to his jungle. Funny, Funny.
Up until ch. 11 I kind of brushed Sam off as carefree, rich, and good looking male but after he reads "The Dulcet Duke" (regency romance book Ally's grandmother thinks she is living in) and proceeds to get drunk at the pub the reader gets an insight into the real man. These couple of pages that show Sam's thoughts, feelings, and past are fantastic and add some much needed heft to his character and the story.
The trip in a horse carriage through New York seemed kind of crazy and a bit fortuitous how everything worked out perfectly for them. However, in the pursuit of the greater good (storyline) I was able to forgive the author for these nagging little unbelievable parts.
I liked Ally's friend June, great secondary character doesn't try to take over the story but adds something and is intriguing in her own right.
Very touching how Sam is hurt that Ally doesn't think him worthy. He is also bothered that he and Ally had to role-played as a duke and princess in order for Ally to sleep with him. After they sleep together he just wants Ally to respect him and see him for who he really is. So touching; story becomes about breaking through walls to get to the true essence of a person.
Oh the late night conversation between Ally and Sam when they are at the Brazilian hotel is where I felt like the fun, frivolous aspect of their relationship stopped and it started to become meaningful. Ally wants him to tell her about his past but he argues he is his own man and his past doesn't matter (even though it's obvious it affects who he is and his actions) and that only what they feel and do here and now matters. This little part was incredibly meaningful and brought this couple out of "Chik-lit" for me.Oh Sam what a hero sigh sigh sigh. I refuse to tell you what made me type this, you must read for yourself.
Oh letter writing such a lost art form! When Sam writes his "prologue" my eyes watered for some weird reason. The last chapters of this book are guaranteed to make your heart clench. Ally is the focus of the first half of book then Sam last half, it worked, sort of. Mateo (carriage driver) was nice character but his soccer story was unnecessary. The quotes from a regency romance called "The Dulcet Duke" was just about one of my favorite things from this story. I want to read that story!
LOVED the ending (I really want to waltz) just sigh, sigh, sigh.Read this book people. Sure it's a little fluffy, glossed over heavier tones the author tried to introduce in regards to her character's background, a hero/heroine not fully flushed out, and some unnecessary secondary character drama. But the overall story is wonderful from it's humor, sheer romanticism, and sigh inducing moments. Simply a modern day fairytale. This book is going in keeper purgatory. Meaning it was really, really good but I don't know if it is quite keeper worthy. I have a bad feeling that the magic and sigh worthiness will fade after the first reading. You all know books like that where some dialogue loses it's weight with a second reading. Time will only tell, we'll see after I read it a second time in the distant future.
When someone asks you to waltz, you waltz. I understand Ally's fear for her grandmother (grandmother ran away and has dementia) but she did find her safe and sound and with so many people around it would have been safe and ok to have a night waltz in central park with Sam. Yeah, yeah I get the author is trying to establish and make known Ally's personality here. She has issues from her parents abandoning her, I get it. Just please let the lady waltz!
Awesome stuff, when Sam is imaging Ally's "garden" (personality/environment) and how it differs from Veronica's and is possibly full of poison ivy but doesn't care and wants to scoop her out of it and carry her to his jungle. Funny, Funny.
Up until ch. 11 I kind of brushed Sam off as carefree, rich, and good looking male but after he reads "The Dulcet Duke" (regency romance book Ally's grandmother thinks she is living in) and proceeds to get drunk at the pub the reader gets an insight into the real man. These couple of pages that show Sam's thoughts, feelings, and past are fantastic and add some much needed heft to his character and the story.
The trip in a horse carriage through New York seemed kind of crazy and a bit fortuitous how everything worked out perfectly for them. However, in the pursuit of the greater good (storyline) I was able to forgive the author for these nagging little unbelievable parts.
I liked Ally's friend June, great secondary character doesn't try to take over the story but adds something and is intriguing in her own right.
Very touching how Sam is hurt that Ally doesn't think him worthy. He is also bothered that he and Ally had to role-played as a duke and princess in order for Ally to sleep with him. After they sleep together he just wants Ally to respect him and see him for who he really is. So touching; story becomes about breaking through walls to get to the true essence of a person.
Oh the late night conversation between Ally and Sam when they are at the Brazilian hotel is where I felt like the fun, frivolous aspect of their relationship stopped and it started to become meaningful. Ally wants him to tell her about his past but he argues he is his own man and his past doesn't matter (even though it's obvious it affects who he is and his actions) and that only what they feel and do here and now matters. This little part was incredibly meaningful and brought this couple out of "Chik-lit" for me.Oh Sam what a hero sigh sigh sigh. I refuse to tell you what made me type this, you must read for yourself.
Oh letter writing such a lost art form! When Sam writes his "prologue" my eyes watered for some weird reason. The last chapters of this book are guaranteed to make your heart clench. Ally is the focus of the first half of book then Sam last half, it worked, sort of. Mateo (carriage driver) was nice character but his soccer story was unnecessary. The quotes from a regency romance called "The Dulcet Duke" was just about one of my favorite things from this story. I want to read that story!
LOVED the ending (I really want to waltz) just sigh, sigh, sigh.Read this book people. Sure it's a little fluffy, glossed over heavier tones the author tried to introduce in regards to her character's background, a hero/heroine not fully flushed out, and some unnecessary secondary character drama. But the overall story is wonderful from it's humor, sheer romanticism, and sigh inducing moments. Simply a modern day fairytale. This book is going in keeper purgatory. Meaning it was really, really good but I don't know if it is quite keeper worthy. I have a bad feeling that the magic and sigh worthiness will fade after the first reading. You all know books like that where some dialogue loses it's weight with a second reading. Time will only tell, we'll see after I read it a second time in the distant future.
August 9, 2009
Ally Giordano is ready to leave New York City and move to San Francisco where she has her dream job teaching English to the tenth-grade at one of the most progressive and successful high schools in the country. The only down side to this all is leaving her eighty-four year old grandmother Donny. Ally has always relied on Granny Donny ever since she took Ally in when her parent’s split when she was barely a teenager. But Granny Donny has been acting very strange lately. Granny has dementia and thinks she is living during the regency period in the 19th century. She wants Ally to find a duke and that is where playboy Sam Carson comes into the picture.
Sam is from England and has lived in American ever since he was disowned from his family after he married a woman who was less than ideal. His marriage was very short lived because his wife became sick and died. Sam never wants to get married again and when he meets the very stiff and proper Ally, he knows she is the least likely woman he would ever consider. He goes along with Granny Donny because he doesn’t want to hurt the old lady and enjoys teasing her granddaughter. Ally thinks Sam is a womanizer and would have been perfect living in the regency period as a rake. Granny Donny wants to vacation at her summer home in Long Island and instead of using a car, she decides on a horse and carriage to take her there. Sam feels very protective of Ally and Donny and will join them for the ride even though Ally acts like she can’t stand him.
By accident Sam picks up and reads The Dulcet Duke. This is the book Donny read which made her think she is living as a Lady of the ton. Sam is insulted because after reading this regency romance, he comes to the conclusion that Ally doesn’t like him because he is so much like the rakish hero in the book. Sam will act like the Duke and treat Ally like the heroine Veronica. Ally at first finds it disturbing that Sam is play acting, but she can’t help but get swept off her feet by Sam’s undertones, which lead to some interested bed play between the two.
Soon Sam and Ally become close and Sam wants Ally to remain in his life and allow herself to love him. But Ally is afraid to love someone like Sam who she thinks goes through women like Kleenex. It is up to Sam to show Ally that he may be a cad in spirit but he is really her prince charming she has always been waiting for.
How To Take a Modern Rogue is a light and fluffy romance that will bring forth the laughs. Sam is delightful and a wonderful man who is caring and sweet, but a bit of a rogue in the sense that he thinks he has so much to offer women. He gets flustered because he can’t understand why Ally won’t fall into his arms. He has to work hard at gaining her respect. Because Ally has been hurt in the past, mainly because of her parents, she is wary of allowing Sam into her life. He acts too smooth for her tastes but she changes her opinion when she sees how respectful he is towards her grandmother.
Diana Holoquist builds the attraction between Sam and Ally to the point you can’t wait for them to act on it even if they are playing roles. The love scenes are spicy because Sam pretends to be a duke who has seduced Veronica. And because Ally has some reservations because of the person she is, allowing herself to have a bit of fun with Sam was pleasant to read.
Granny Donny is a hoot and her horse and carriage driver, Mateo has some great insight on what Sam and Ally are experiencing. The journey from Manhattan to Long Island makes for great reading. I found myself chuckling a few times.
How To Tame A Modern Rogue is perfect for Summer reading or a trip to the beach.
Sam is from England and has lived in American ever since he was disowned from his family after he married a woman who was less than ideal. His marriage was very short lived because his wife became sick and died. Sam never wants to get married again and when he meets the very stiff and proper Ally, he knows she is the least likely woman he would ever consider. He goes along with Granny Donny because he doesn’t want to hurt the old lady and enjoys teasing her granddaughter. Ally thinks Sam is a womanizer and would have been perfect living in the regency period as a rake. Granny Donny wants to vacation at her summer home in Long Island and instead of using a car, she decides on a horse and carriage to take her there. Sam feels very protective of Ally and Donny and will join them for the ride even though Ally acts like she can’t stand him.
By accident Sam picks up and reads The Dulcet Duke. This is the book Donny read which made her think she is living as a Lady of the ton. Sam is insulted because after reading this regency romance, he comes to the conclusion that Ally doesn’t like him because he is so much like the rakish hero in the book. Sam will act like the Duke and treat Ally like the heroine Veronica. Ally at first finds it disturbing that Sam is play acting, but she can’t help but get swept off her feet by Sam’s undertones, which lead to some interested bed play between the two.
Soon Sam and Ally become close and Sam wants Ally to remain in his life and allow herself to love him. But Ally is afraid to love someone like Sam who she thinks goes through women like Kleenex. It is up to Sam to show Ally that he may be a cad in spirit but he is really her prince charming she has always been waiting for.
How To Take a Modern Rogue is a light and fluffy romance that will bring forth the laughs. Sam is delightful and a wonderful man who is caring and sweet, but a bit of a rogue in the sense that he thinks he has so much to offer women. He gets flustered because he can’t understand why Ally won’t fall into his arms. He has to work hard at gaining her respect. Because Ally has been hurt in the past, mainly because of her parents, she is wary of allowing Sam into her life. He acts too smooth for her tastes but she changes her opinion when she sees how respectful he is towards her grandmother.
Diana Holoquist builds the attraction between Sam and Ally to the point you can’t wait for them to act on it even if they are playing roles. The love scenes are spicy because Sam pretends to be a duke who has seduced Veronica. And because Ally has some reservations because of the person she is, allowing herself to have a bit of fun with Sam was pleasant to read.
Granny Donny is a hoot and her horse and carriage driver, Mateo has some great insight on what Sam and Ally are experiencing. The journey from Manhattan to Long Island makes for great reading. I found myself chuckling a few times.
How To Tame A Modern Rogue is perfect for Summer reading or a trip to the beach.
March 30, 2010
Given the cliche timid spinster miss meets charming roguish Duke HR theme, DH revamps it by bringing it to the 21st century, with some serious roleplaying. Loved it.
Unlike the normal premise, where the hero is the emotionally stunted one, the heroine is afraid to love after her parents left her alone with her grandmother. When her only family starts thinking that she's living in a regency romance novel, Ally goes out of her way to make the fantasy real. This includes bringing in Lord of Midfield, Duke Whatthehell, aka Sam, our current day rake and hiring a coach to the 'country', from Manhattan.
It's a fun read, fast, funny, and just plain sweet (the hero falls first). And Sam is a soccer player (*drool), if that helps any for the unconvinced.
Unlike the normal premise, where the hero is the emotionally stunted one, the heroine is afraid to love after her parents left her alone with her grandmother. When her only family starts thinking that she's living in a regency romance novel, Ally goes out of her way to make the fantasy real. This includes bringing in Lord of Midfield, Duke Whatthehell, aka Sam, our current day rake and hiring a coach to the 'country', from Manhattan.
It's a fun read, fast, funny, and just plain sweet (the hero falls first). And Sam is a soccer player (*drool), if that helps any for the unconvinced.
September 6, 2009
It lagged a little in the middle but was otherwise a very entertaining read.
May 18, 2009
Author Diana Holquist is as entertaining as her books. According to her, she is a cat person, a horrible cook, hasn’t owned a television since 1999, owns only two pairs of earrings and dress shoes, and has a philosophy degree from Columbia University. Other titles include: Hungry For More, Sexiest Man Alive, and Make Me A Match. She resides in upstate New York with her family.
Ally Giordano was raised by her grandmother after her parents abandoned her for more interesting prospects. Spending her whole life looking at strangers faces in the off chance they may be them, she has now decided to relocate from New York to California, accept a teaching position, and move on. Except, her beloved grandmother most recently thinks she is living in her favorite Regency romance novel, and her doctors aren’t sure if she’ll ever know reality again. Worse, Granny Donny is positive that she has found Ally a Duke to save her from spinsterhood and intends to have a great ball in the country to woo them together. Commitment-phobic Sam Carson is intrigued by Granny Donny but not at all interested in good girl, Ally. He likes his women naughty and disposable. That is, until he kisses her, and now he is determined to strip away her layers to see the real woman underneath. Can a playboy and a good girl hit it off and find love? Granny Donny sure thinks so.
If you want a feel good book to bring you out of your normal life, whether it be the kids, work, or anything else, this book is it. If chapter two doesn’t have you rolling on the floor laughing so hard you’re in tears, then there is something very, very wrong with you. As ridiculously funny as it is clever, you won’t be able to put it down. The sweet moments were endearing, the dialog crafty, and the setting was catching. Lovers of historical romance will get a kick out of this and contemporary romance fans will find it delightful. I can truly appreciate a book where the secondary characters are as lovable as the main ones. You’ll fall in love with Granny Donny, June, and Mateo. Guaranteed. From a medical standpoint though, I’m not so sure about the reason for Granny’s delusion or the medical advice to heal her. Just a thought.
How to Tame a Modern Rogue, by Diana Holquist, is a wild, wacky, grand flee from reality.
Kelly Moran
Author and Reviewer
Ally Giordano was raised by her grandmother after her parents abandoned her for more interesting prospects. Spending her whole life looking at strangers faces in the off chance they may be them, she has now decided to relocate from New York to California, accept a teaching position, and move on. Except, her beloved grandmother most recently thinks she is living in her favorite Regency romance novel, and her doctors aren’t sure if she’ll ever know reality again. Worse, Granny Donny is positive that she has found Ally a Duke to save her from spinsterhood and intends to have a great ball in the country to woo them together. Commitment-phobic Sam Carson is intrigued by Granny Donny but not at all interested in good girl, Ally. He likes his women naughty and disposable. That is, until he kisses her, and now he is determined to strip away her layers to see the real woman underneath. Can a playboy and a good girl hit it off and find love? Granny Donny sure thinks so.
If you want a feel good book to bring you out of your normal life, whether it be the kids, work, or anything else, this book is it. If chapter two doesn’t have you rolling on the floor laughing so hard you’re in tears, then there is something very, very wrong with you. As ridiculously funny as it is clever, you won’t be able to put it down. The sweet moments were endearing, the dialog crafty, and the setting was catching. Lovers of historical romance will get a kick out of this and contemporary romance fans will find it delightful. I can truly appreciate a book where the secondary characters are as lovable as the main ones. You’ll fall in love with Granny Donny, June, and Mateo. Guaranteed. From a medical standpoint though, I’m not so sure about the reason for Granny’s delusion or the medical advice to heal her. Just a thought.
How to Tame a Modern Rogue, by Diana Holquist, is a wild, wacky, grand flee from reality.
Kelly Moran
Author and Reviewer
September 7, 2009
Ally Giordano is ready to leave New York City and start a new life in San Francisco as a schoolteacher. That is, until her grandmother shows up in a carriage with some admittedly really attractive guy who’s calling himself Duke Whatthehell (Seriously). Her Grandma thinks she’s leaving in her favorite Regency romance novel, the Dulcet Duke and that same Duke is here to marry Ally. Ally can’t leave now, she has to take care of her grandma and make sure she gets back to her normal self, in the present. But Granny Donny is determined to marry off Ally, and she also won’t rest until the “Duke” accompanies them to the country. Actually, her beach house.
Sam Carson is the definition of commitment-phobe. But then meeting Ally changes things, he’s strangely attracted to her. Strange because she’s so not his type - she’s a good girl who follows the rules, so unlike the women he normally goes for. But he’s hell-bent on stripping her good girl tendencies and get the bad girl out. He’s not interested in marriage or anything, and much to his chagrin, he can’t resist Ally’s charm or even Granny Donny’s wackiness. So has this confirmed bachelor met his match in good-girl Ally?
How to Tame a Modern Rogue is refreshing, engaging contemporary romance. It’s a delightfully funny book, Granny Donny seems like a whack job but she’s so charming in her own little way. I can totally relate to Ally, she follows the rules and always tries to do the right thing. Even if that messes with her plans. It was great to read. Sam goes from slightly jerky, admittedly very sexy and charming to possibly having feelings for Ally. I loved the plot of the present time following what the Regency romance novel said. How to Tame a Modern Rogue is a witty, lighthearted romantic book, with lovable characters and a great plot.
Sam Carson is the definition of commitment-phobe. But then meeting Ally changes things, he’s strangely attracted to her. Strange because she’s so not his type - she’s a good girl who follows the rules, so unlike the women he normally goes for. But he’s hell-bent on stripping her good girl tendencies and get the bad girl out. He’s not interested in marriage or anything, and much to his chagrin, he can’t resist Ally’s charm or even Granny Donny’s wackiness. So has this confirmed bachelor met his match in good-girl Ally?
How to Tame a Modern Rogue is refreshing, engaging contemporary romance. It’s a delightfully funny book, Granny Donny seems like a whack job but she’s so charming in her own little way. I can totally relate to Ally, she follows the rules and always tries to do the right thing. Even if that messes with her plans. It was great to read. Sam goes from slightly jerky, admittedly very sexy and charming to possibly having feelings for Ally. I loved the plot of the present time following what the Regency romance novel said. How to Tame a Modern Rogue is a witty, lighthearted romantic book, with lovable characters and a great plot.
May 6, 2012
Reviewed for http://heartsonfirereviews.com
This was such a fun book to read. Granny Donny is a seriously great character, with her Regency era environment in the midst of a contemporary setting. Granny Donny is rich, living a huge penthouse and believing she is actually living in the middle 1812 London: dressing this way, taking a horse and carriage around New York and waiting for the wedding of her granddaughter, Ally, to the Duke. The Duke, who introduces himself to Granny Donny as Duke Whatthehell, happens to actually be Sam Carson, a successful man who had his heart broken once long, long ago and since then has been adamant about never giving his heart away again.
Ally is trying to take care of Granny Donny in her delusional Regency state. Not knowing if Granny Donny will be this way for the rest of her life or if she will return to herself, Ally does her best to make Granny happy. This involves a trip, via horse and carriage, to Long Island. Her friend June thinks she is crazy for this, but Granny Donny has always been there for Ally, especially after her parents just up and disappeared ten years ago. The one quibble I had with this is that Ally is now 24 years old and she is still jumping out of the shower thinking her parents are back. She was almost obsessed about it. Time to move on, Ally.
There are some truly lovely scenes in this story: Granny Donny in her Regency finery dancing under a bridge; Granny at the horse races; Sam realizing what the plain school teacher means to him. You would think Sam is the scoundrel, but really Ally is the one who breaks hearts.
There are such great characters here: Granny Donny is the best by far, but I loved Mateo as well (sexy man!). Ally and Sam are both flawed characters who need to face their weaknesses in order to move forward. A sweet, romantic story.
This was such a fun book to read. Granny Donny is a seriously great character, with her Regency era environment in the midst of a contemporary setting. Granny Donny is rich, living a huge penthouse and believing she is actually living in the middle 1812 London: dressing this way, taking a horse and carriage around New York and waiting for the wedding of her granddaughter, Ally, to the Duke. The Duke, who introduces himself to Granny Donny as Duke Whatthehell, happens to actually be Sam Carson, a successful man who had his heart broken once long, long ago and since then has been adamant about never giving his heart away again.
Ally is trying to take care of Granny Donny in her delusional Regency state. Not knowing if Granny Donny will be this way for the rest of her life or if she will return to herself, Ally does her best to make Granny happy. This involves a trip, via horse and carriage, to Long Island. Her friend June thinks she is crazy for this, but Granny Donny has always been there for Ally, especially after her parents just up and disappeared ten years ago. The one quibble I had with this is that Ally is now 24 years old and she is still jumping out of the shower thinking her parents are back. She was almost obsessed about it. Time to move on, Ally.
There are some truly lovely scenes in this story: Granny Donny in her Regency finery dancing under a bridge; Granny at the horse races; Sam realizing what the plain school teacher means to him. You would think Sam is the scoundrel, but really Ally is the one who breaks hearts.
There are such great characters here: Granny Donny is the best by far, but I loved Mateo as well (sexy man!). Ally and Sam are both flawed characters who need to face their weaknesses in order to move forward. A sweet, romantic story.
May 29, 2010
How do I say this? Despite the weird grandmother plot and the cliched story line, I LOVED IT!!
I fine it hilarious, laughed out loud funny and heart-warming. Hot, too.
There were moments in the book where I just sigh, think and get teary eyed over.
And love the sassy sense of humor, and the unapologetic sexual innuendos which some crossed over as cheesy but still funny.
It's definitely not world changing but highly enjoyable for a light summer read.
And there are just some quotes that I just love!!! Like,
"And she really couldn’t help but dislike Veronica,who was pouty and overdyed and insulting to the vertically challenged. That woman deserved to be one-upped by a short schoolteacher in a vintage polyester
dress gotten for a steal from a hole-in-the-wall shop on Seventh Street and Avenue D."
and
"I want to hear your discussion on the percentage of head injuries treated vs. untreated and how you segue from that into the mating habits of the Central Park pigeon...."
Seriously, if that's not love? What is?
I fine it hilarious, laughed out loud funny and heart-warming. Hot, too.
There were moments in the book where I just sigh, think and get teary eyed over.
And love the sassy sense of humor, and the unapologetic sexual innuendos which some crossed over as cheesy but still funny.
It's definitely not world changing but highly enjoyable for a light summer read.
And there are just some quotes that I just love!!! Like,
"And she really couldn’t help but dislike Veronica,who was pouty and overdyed and insulting to the vertically challenged. That woman deserved to be one-upped by a short schoolteacher in a vintage polyester
dress gotten for a steal from a hole-in-the-wall shop on Seventh Street and Avenue D."
and
"I want to hear your discussion on the percentage of head injuries treated vs. untreated and how you segue from that into the mating habits of the Central Park pigeon...."
Seriously, if that's not love? What is?
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 30, 2009
The good news first: This book was a lot of fun.
I loved the setup-- the always eccentric grandmother decides she's living in the world of a particular Regency Romance novel. As in the book, she must marry off her granddaughter (who, luckily, is not 16 as in the book). So she picks out a duke, or the closest thing to one that she can find.
Granny Donny was an interesting character, and I liked Ally. I wish I'd liked Sam a little more. His resemblance to your typical physically attractive but emotionally wounded regency romance hero was something of an ongoing gag. I did like it when he showed up in lace up pants :-).
The problem is that I need to be able to shut off the analytical part of my brain when reading a book like this. I did have some issues with this book, that usually went away when I reminded myself I was looking forward to this book for the fun part, I wanted a break from books I needed to think about.
I loved the setup-- the always eccentric grandmother decides she's living in the world of a particular Regency Romance novel. As in the book, she must marry off her granddaughter (who, luckily, is not 16 as in the book). So she picks out a duke, or the closest thing to one that she can find.
Granny Donny was an interesting character, and I liked Ally. I wish I'd liked Sam a little more. His resemblance to your typical physically attractive but emotionally wounded regency romance hero was something of an ongoing gag. I did like it when he showed up in lace up pants :-).
The problem is that I need to be able to shut off the analytical part of my brain when reading a book like this. I did have some issues with this book, that usually went away when I reminded myself I was looking forward to this book for the fun part, I wanted a break from books I needed to think about.
July 20, 2010
I'm not at all a historical romance reader, but I was intrigued by the concept of a modern romance with a historical twist. Based on the cover summary I wasn't totally sure what to expect, or how the modern would combine with the historical.
The story is interesting and entertaining. The characters are real in the struggles with their inner demons, and on the other hand comical in their attempt at living their real life, while straddling the fence with their historic fantasy life. I found it really sweet the lengths Ally was willing to go to for her Granny Donny by leaving behind her dreams and plans for her life, as well as reality. All didn't hesitate to do whatever it took to make sure Granny Donny was happen and taken care of, even if it did seem insane. At the same time Sam, a near stranger was drawn in and willing to do the same for both Ally and Granny Donny.
I can definitely see the appeal of historical romance for some readers, it can be truly magical.
The story is interesting and entertaining. The characters are real in the struggles with their inner demons, and on the other hand comical in their attempt at living their real life, while straddling the fence with their historic fantasy life. I found it really sweet the lengths Ally was willing to go to for her Granny Donny by leaving behind her dreams and plans for her life, as well as reality. All didn't hesitate to do whatever it took to make sure Granny Donny was happen and taken care of, even if it did seem insane. At the same time Sam, a near stranger was drawn in and willing to do the same for both Ally and Granny Donny.
I can definitely see the appeal of historical romance for some readers, it can be truly magical.
January 21, 2013
This is a re-read for me. I'm not sure if it was a free or discounted download, but I think it is one of those gems I found for cheap/free, but I don't really remember. The premise of the book is a bit far-fetched. An old, wealthy woman loses her marbles and gets stuck in 1812, and ends up going on the journey of a life time with her granddaughter. This sounds like one of those premises that gets stupid fast, but it doesn't. It sustains momentum, has a hilarious plot, and the end left me very satisfied. This reads like a Regency Romance set in modern times. People drive cars, have phones, and enjoy modern electric and plumbing. However, there is still a carriage and horse involved, as well as hurdles of finding good help and period costumes. This was a fast read, very intelligent, and I would recommend it for contemporary readers as well as historical readers.
January 9, 2010
I was surprised by how much I loved this! It played with the typical gender roles of romances - Ally's grandmother had a stroke and thinks she's part of a Regency romance she was reading when it happened. She's determined to get Sam and Ally to marry, and while they are not keen on that idea, they do play along with the 1812 thing. Sam decides to read the book and then he and Ally each think that the other is the rogue that must be tamed. It was damned funny, the role play scenes were hotter than expected and I was so so so glad to see Ally's priorities stay the same through the end of the novel. I also really sympathized with Ally, even at her lowest moments, because I completely understood where she was coming from. Neat.
July 4, 2012
The driving principle of this book is charming: an old lady becomes convinced she is a Regency noblewoman; and Ally, her long-suffering but devoted granddaughter (whom Granny is desperate to marry off before Ally winds up on the shelf, a fear worthy of Mrs. Bennet in Pride and Prejudice), struggles to cope with the results. Again, the dialogue is first-rate and the plot fun. My only reason for the lower number of stars is that the hero, Sam Carson, really is not much of a rogue. He saves kittens and helps kids out at soccer games. Other than that, though, this book is a lovely, lighthearted read for a hot summer day.
November 27, 2017
This is a humorous romantic comedy. The plot is not plausible, but it is delightful. A British businessman is mistaken for a British Duke by an elderly lady, who thinks she is an aristocrat in 1812 London. She is trying to arrange a marriage for her granddaughter, Princess Alexandra. Her granddaughter, Ally is horrified by her beloved grandmother's condition. While waiting for her grandmother to recover, she tries to appease the elderly lady. Which means she needs help from the Duke. This story involves nice people, who try to do their best. It is romantic and sexy.
September 29, 2009
One of the sillier trashy romances I've read lately. Some sex, but not a lot. Lots of thinking about it though. Two people who have been abandoned by parents find each other. He is a playboy, she's a prim and proper school teacher afraid to move on with life. Her rich grandmother starts living in a dream world--Regency England and decides that he is the Duke who will marry her princess. It only gets more far-fetched from here, but no one said romances had to be realistic, did they?
December 17, 2013
Cute, enjoyable, funny. Nice romance set in New York and surrounding areas with a grandmother who thinks it's the 1800's and she's living out a life taken from a romance novel that she read. Granddaughter is determined that she will not marry the "duke" and grandmother is determined she will. Feel good and lots of smiles.
April 29, 2016
They all...
Have to end up happily ever after or they ain't no good. She certainly was right about that. I think through the struggle these two characters deserved each other. I'm not sure if I was happy or sad about her parents. I also don't think she should have forgiven them so easily. I'm looking forward to more by this author.
Have to end up happily ever after or they ain't no good. She certainly was right about that. I think through the struggle these two characters deserved each other. I'm not sure if I was happy or sad about her parents. I also don't think she should have forgiven them so easily. I'm looking forward to more by this author.
December 29, 2018
4.6
I thought it was really cute; I don't understand why it got such a low rating
As a lover of regency romance, her grandma's delusion of thinking life was in the Regency period and how her grandma made life to fit the Regency period, fit the best of both worlds for me, contemporary and regency. I thought how her grandma's delusion was written by the author as hilarious and adorable.
I thought it was really cute; I don't understand why it got such a low rating
As a lover of regency romance, her grandma's delusion of thinking life was in the Regency period and how her grandma made life to fit the Regency period, fit the best of both worlds for me, contemporary and regency. I thought how her grandma's delusion was written by the author as hilarious and adorable.
January 25, 2010
I loved the premise of this book with Granny thinking she’s living in regency England. It’s far fetched but I knew it was going to be very funny. I would’ve like to know more about Sam what history and how became to be a womanizer. This was a cute and light romantic read.
April 14, 2012
If I hadn't been stuck on a plane with no other form of entertainment I never would have finished this book. There was no character development, no chemistry between the main characters and a very silly plot.
September 6, 2009
This book had the potential to be really horrible but it wasn't. The plot is absolutely zany, but the book was written in such a way that it seemed almost plausible. I really enjoyed it.
July 28, 2014
I found this to be refreshingly enchanting. A nice, cute and fun read. The grandmother was a hoot!
October 15, 2009
This was fun. There is a crazy grandmother who thinks she's from the Regency era, a sexy rich guy, a confused young woman, and a mysterious coachman all on a carriage trip through modern New York.
July 11, 2017
Just got this back from a friend to whom I lent it. I read it earlier this year, I think.
This is an adorable book, and I recommend it to anyone who likes both historical and modern romances.
This is an adorable book, and I recommend it to anyone who likes both historical and modern romances.
April 27, 2011
i loved the story however at the end it got too long and complicated, other than that i loved the story it had a little love/hate which i love and it had sexy chemistry
July 3, 2011
3.5 stars
January 6, 2025
When I came across How to Tame a Modern Rogue by Diana Holquist in a thrift store, I had some concern because it was published in 2009, and a lot of romance novels don't age well. Its blurb caught my eye as a crossover between a modern and historical romance, with the contemporary characters pretending to live in a Regency romance novel, or some such.
I got lucky, because this book was utterly charming. From the dotty grandmother who may or may not be pretending to have had a stroke that makes her think she is a character in a novel, to a man masquerading as a Central Park carriage driver when he is actually -- well, that, but much more, to a run-in with a punk band, this book had great energy.
And the love interests rocked. Ally is a mousy schoolteacher who keeps herself under tight control at all times to avoid being like her irresponsible parents who abandoned her. Sam is -- need I say it? -- impossibly rich, impossibly handsome, irascible, blah blah blah romance hero blah blah blah.
But what I loved about this book is that Ally and Sam seem like grownups. The sex isn't the hottest, but it is very fun and very consensual. They have actual conversations about things that really matter. The conflict in the book isn't that they don't communicate with each other. To the contrary, they show up for each other. That's romance.
The book has some issues. Ally blames her mother for running off with her father, but never really blames her father for running off. And then she sort of forgives her mother because true love is somehow more important than not abandoning your child. Naw. Along the same lines, there is one scene that really needed a good editing in which no one is concerned about a toddler wandering around Central Park with no caretaker in sight.
Those are minor complaints, though. May all your thrift shop finds be as good as How to Tame a Modern Rogue.
This review was first published on A Middle-Aged Divorcee Writes Smut. Blog is 18+. https://m-adws.blogspot.com/2021/07/r...
I got lucky, because this book was utterly charming. From the dotty grandmother who may or may not be pretending to have had a stroke that makes her think she is a character in a novel, to a man masquerading as a Central Park carriage driver when he is actually -- well, that, but much more, to a run-in with a punk band, this book had great energy.
And the love interests rocked. Ally is a mousy schoolteacher who keeps herself under tight control at all times to avoid being like her irresponsible parents who abandoned her. Sam is -- need I say it? -- impossibly rich, impossibly handsome, irascible, blah blah blah romance hero blah blah blah.
But what I loved about this book is that Ally and Sam seem like grownups. The sex isn't the hottest, but it is very fun and very consensual. They have actual conversations about things that really matter. The conflict in the book isn't that they don't communicate with each other. To the contrary, they show up for each other. That's romance.
The book has some issues. Ally blames her mother for running off with her father, but never really blames her father for running off. And then she sort of forgives her mother because true love is somehow more important than not abandoning your child. Naw. Along the same lines, there is one scene that really needed a good editing in which no one is concerned about a toddler wandering around Central Park with no caretaker in sight.
Those are minor complaints, though. May all your thrift shop finds be as good as How to Tame a Modern Rogue.
This review was first published on A Middle-Aged Divorcee Writes Smut. Blog is 18+. https://m-adws.blogspot.com/2021/07/r...
April 10, 2020
This book is fast. Sam immediately falls in list, then just as quickly falls in love, without any sort of interaction in between. Ally doesn't change till she absolutely has to, and somehow forgives her parents for abandoning her? Idk. I started off liking it, but by the end was severely disappointed. There are ways to make characters come to terms with their feelings and disappointments but Holquist decided to take the easy way out and just tell us it happened.
August 22, 2015
I won a copy of this book in a competition a while ago. Due to my large reading list, I wasn't able to read it until recently. I loved it!
Ally Giordano is a wonderful character. I admit that she comes across as a little straight laced and severe at times. It's like she has a rod placed down her spine and is unwilling to bend a little in case she has fun. In a way, I can understand her wanting to control things around her when things are unraveling into chaos. Meeting the charming Sam Carson throws a spanner in the works and sparks fly.
Sam Carson is most definitely a charming rogue. I fell a little in love with him myself. He has an easygoing manner that I liked, along with a wonderfully warm heart. Meeting an elderly lady in distress, he takes it upon himself to rescue her, but her stuffy granddaughter is another matter altogether. He realises that, just maybe, she's a worthy risk to his heart.
This is a sweet contemporary romance that completely charmed me. The story combined two of my favourite genres - historical and contemporary romance. It took me on a roller coaster ride of emotion. I started to read it and didn't put it down until I had finished it.
I fell in love with Ally's grandmother. She may be a little confused about which era she is living in, but she is still sharp as a tack when it comes to the important things - mainly her granddaughter and her happiness. The story is told in such a way that I felt I was actually there. I could picture all the scenes clearly and I fell in love with all of the characters. The story is told mostly through the eyes of Sam and Ally, but Mateo (the coach driver) and Ally's grandmother also have something to share. I loved the soccer scene, though I'm not a fan of the sport myself. The game can be brutal and the author didn't pull any punches with the description. I also loved the scene where Sam reads the historical romance novel that started the whole debacle. His reaction to it made me giggle. There are some incredibly touching moments in this book and I found myself shedding a tear or two, as well as laugh out loud moments; I'm glad I was at home alone and not out embarrassing myself with my sniggers. The chemistry between Sam and Ally is palpable and it is fun watching them bicker and banter. I also love how Sam persisted in breaking down Ally's walls and making her see that a little fun doesn't hurt once and a while. There are some scenes of a sensual nature that are not as explicit as some of the books I have read in the past, but are a little on the hot side. I reached the end of the book and felt sad. Not because it had a sad ending (it doesn't), but because the book had finished. I wanted the story to keep going!
Diana Holquist has written a charmingly sweet contemporary romance. I love her fast paced writing style and the flow was wonderful. Her characters come alive on the page. I have never read any of this author's books before, but I would most definitely read them now. She's found a fan in me.
Due to scenes of a sensual nature, I do not recommend this book to younger readers. However, I highly recommend this book to readers over the age of 15 who love contemporary romances with a little heat. - Lynn Worton
Ally Giordano is a wonderful character. I admit that she comes across as a little straight laced and severe at times. It's like she has a rod placed down her spine and is unwilling to bend a little in case she has fun. In a way, I can understand her wanting to control things around her when things are unraveling into chaos. Meeting the charming Sam Carson throws a spanner in the works and sparks fly.
Sam Carson is most definitely a charming rogue. I fell a little in love with him myself. He has an easygoing manner that I liked, along with a wonderfully warm heart. Meeting an elderly lady in distress, he takes it upon himself to rescue her, but her stuffy granddaughter is another matter altogether. He realises that, just maybe, she's a worthy risk to his heart.
This is a sweet contemporary romance that completely charmed me. The story combined two of my favourite genres - historical and contemporary romance. It took me on a roller coaster ride of emotion. I started to read it and didn't put it down until I had finished it.
I fell in love with Ally's grandmother. She may be a little confused about which era she is living in, but she is still sharp as a tack when it comes to the important things - mainly her granddaughter and her happiness. The story is told in such a way that I felt I was actually there. I could picture all the scenes clearly and I fell in love with all of the characters. The story is told mostly through the eyes of Sam and Ally, but Mateo (the coach driver) and Ally's grandmother also have something to share. I loved the soccer scene, though I'm not a fan of the sport myself. The game can be brutal and the author didn't pull any punches with the description. I also loved the scene where Sam reads the historical romance novel that started the whole debacle. His reaction to it made me giggle. There are some incredibly touching moments in this book and I found myself shedding a tear or two, as well as laugh out loud moments; I'm glad I was at home alone and not out embarrassing myself with my sniggers. The chemistry between Sam and Ally is palpable and it is fun watching them bicker and banter. I also love how Sam persisted in breaking down Ally's walls and making her see that a little fun doesn't hurt once and a while. There are some scenes of a sensual nature that are not as explicit as some of the books I have read in the past, but are a little on the hot side. I reached the end of the book and felt sad. Not because it had a sad ending (it doesn't), but because the book had finished. I wanted the story to keep going!
Diana Holquist has written a charmingly sweet contemporary romance. I love her fast paced writing style and the flow was wonderful. Her characters come alive on the page. I have never read any of this author's books before, but I would most definitely read them now. She's found a fan in me.
Due to scenes of a sensual nature, I do not recommend this book to younger readers. However, I highly recommend this book to readers over the age of 15 who love contemporary romances with a little heat. - Lynn Worton
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