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MacCarrick Brothers #2
If You Desire
He tried to run....In his youth, Hugh MacCarrick foolishly fell in love with a beautiful English lass who delighted in teasing him with her flirtatious ways. Yet he knew he could never marry her because he was shadowed by an accursed family legacy. To avoid temptation, Hugh left home, ultimately becoming an assassin.She tried to forget him....Jane Weyland was devastated when the Highlander she believed would marry her abandoned her instead. Years later, when Hugh MacCarrick is summoned to protect her from her father's enemies, her heartache has turned to fury -- but her desire for him has not waned.Will passion overwhelm them?In hiding, Jane torments Hugh with seductive play. He struggles to resist her because of deadly secrets that could endanger her further. But Hugh is no longer a gentle young man -- and toying with the fever-pitched desires of a hardened warrior will either get Jane burned...or enflame a love that never died.
388 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 24, 2007
254 people are currently reading
4998 people want to read
About the author
Kresley Cole
66 books27.4k followersKresley Cole is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of the electrifying Immortals After Dark paranormal series, the young adult Arcana Chronicles series, the erotic Gamemakers series, and five award-winning historical romances.
A master’s grad and former athlete, she has traveled over much of the world and draws from those experiences to create her memorable characters and settings.
Her IAD books have been translated into 23 foreign languages, garnered three RITA awards, a RWA Hall of Fame induction, and consistently appear on the bestseller lists, in the U.S. and abroad.
Cole lives in Florida with her family. Learn more about Kresley at: www.kresleycole.com & www.thearcanachronicles.com
A master’s grad and former athlete, she has traveled over much of the world and draws from those experiences to create her memorable characters and settings.
Her IAD books have been translated into 23 foreign languages, garnered three RITA awards, a RWA Hall of Fame induction, and consistently appear on the bestseller lists, in the U.S. and abroad.
Cole lives in Florida with her family. Learn more about Kresley at: www.kresleycole.com & www.thearcanachronicles.com
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 394 reviews
October 22, 2013
I'm going to have a rant. BEWARE: This review may contain my own opinions that could be controversial, but are not intended to offend. In fact, I'd love to hear from you if you disagree with anything I'm going to say.
This book was one of the very few ventures I've made into the realm of erotica and it book epitomised exactly why.
Who doesn't enjoy a good sex scene? Certainly not me. In fact I can't stand it when there is no sexual intimacy in a book.
But do you know what? Sex is not the only thing that makes a book. Reading is not for getting off - it's about the emotional connection with the characters and the intrigue of a good plot. This book had absolutely no plot development, a disaster of a heroine and a mediocre hero.
Do you know why? Because everyone was too busy having sex.
Jane was the most despicable heroine of any book I have ever read. I cannot think of a single redeeming characteristic. At all. The only purpose of even having her in the book seems to be so that Hugh can have an object of lust. Forget about us having any emotional empathy or connection with her even Hugh seemed to unable to see anything past her breasts.
His eyes followed her everywhere. When she worked, she’d taken to wearing a bandanna over her hair, and she’d begun unbuttoning her blouses to beat the heat of the kitchen or whatever chore she’d undertaken. It seemed to Hugh that her dampened breasts were always on the verge of spilling out. Jane, usually so elegant, looked like a lusty barmaid, and he loved it.
That's pretty much the summary of the entire book. Even bad books have those moments where you think things are going to get interesting. All Jane cared about was teasing Hugh (and of course I mean sexually) and all High cared about was getting into her panties. I don't even understand why Kresley Cole even bothered with conversation or a plot. Might as well get rid of those too at least then I wouldn't be put through the pain of reading a plot that flimsy and shallow.
Even then I might have been able to tolerate this book if Jane hadn't been such a superficial, shallow, boring tease. I just HATED her. She definitely takes the cake for 'Worst Heroine Ever'.
Unfortunately this book might just might've sent me off into a 'Never Going back to Erotica' land. I'm just done, to be honest.
This book was one of the very few ventures I've made into the realm of erotica and it book epitomised exactly why.
Who doesn't enjoy a good sex scene? Certainly not me. In fact I can't stand it when there is no sexual intimacy in a book.
But do you know what? Sex is not the only thing that makes a book. Reading is not for getting off - it's about the emotional connection with the characters and the intrigue of a good plot. This book had absolutely no plot development, a disaster of a heroine and a mediocre hero.
Do you know why? Because everyone was too busy having sex.
Jane was the most despicable heroine of any book I have ever read. I cannot think of a single redeeming characteristic. At all. The only purpose of even having her in the book seems to be so that Hugh can have an object of lust. Forget about us having any emotional empathy or connection with her even Hugh seemed to unable to see anything past her breasts.
His eyes followed her everywhere. When she worked, she’d taken to wearing a bandanna over her hair, and she’d begun unbuttoning her blouses to beat the heat of the kitchen or whatever chore she’d undertaken. It seemed to Hugh that her dampened breasts were always on the verge of spilling out. Jane, usually so elegant, looked like a lusty barmaid, and he loved it.
That's pretty much the summary of the entire book. Even bad books have those moments where you think things are going to get interesting. All Jane cared about was teasing Hugh (and of course I mean sexually) and all High cared about was getting into her panties. I don't even understand why Kresley Cole even bothered with conversation or a plot. Might as well get rid of those too at least then I wouldn't be put through the pain of reading a plot that flimsy and shallow.
Even then I might have been able to tolerate this book if Jane hadn't been such a superficial, shallow, boring tease. I just HATED her. She definitely takes the cake for 'Worst Heroine Ever'.
Unfortunately this book might just might've sent me off into a 'Never Going back to Erotica' land. I'm just done, to be honest.
January 7, 2022
"If you Desire" is the second book in the "MacCarick Brothers" trilogy about the middle brother Hugh MacCarrick who had been forced to leave the love of his life in his youth. A neat but fierce assassin he gets the irresistible mission to wed the woman he has always loved, the impulsive and reckless Jane Weyland.
I have simply come to love this trilogy to the bits, and the feverish Romance between Hugh and Jane was simply burning with unleashed deire, and WOW how Kresley Cole made the wait worth it. Secretly loving each other all these years, i so sympathize with these two and their adventurous journey made it all better with the temptation, seduction, and simply the wonder of love neither of them could resist. Jane Wayland is a damn great of a heroine. She never let herself get withered away and refused to be bitter when Hugh left her all these years ago. She is a wild creature who longs for adventure and with her crazy eight cousins she did have just that which earned her a notorious reputation in London. I love that she decides to fight for her man, yeah Hugh had always been "her Scot" and she have always loved him for the man he is. Even being so different, they were the perfect combination together. Alas, they never could be happy without each other. Hugh is a very stern man and have a great deal of discipline - except when it comes to his beloved Jane. God how she shakes him to the core every time she uses her seduction skills on him, and how he never could resist her, Ahhh my heart! How he loves her, ruthlessly, unselfishly and mindlessly...she is and have always been in his blood, mind, heart and his very soul. Being very vulnerable also when it comes to her-it tore me apart, because her love was all he had never dared to wish for. He is a very extremely jealous and possessive hero, and would kill anyone who dared to touch or hurt his Jane. A man that madly and irrevocably in love with his woman is a hero to die for, and i just LOVE him so much that i wish him for myself.!
A very Stunning Adventure that delivers strong and unforgettable characters, Mindless Danger and Passion and a Love so Vigorous that it could overcome everything. This book stole my breath away and captured my heart, it is such a amazing story that it deserves more than 5-STARS!
I have simply come to love this trilogy to the bits, and the feverish Romance between Hugh and Jane was simply burning with unleashed deire, and WOW how Kresley Cole made the wait worth it. Secretly loving each other all these years, i so sympathize with these two and their adventurous journey made it all better with the temptation, seduction, and simply the wonder of love neither of them could resist. Jane Wayland is a damn great of a heroine. She never let herself get withered away and refused to be bitter when Hugh left her all these years ago. She is a wild creature who longs for adventure and with her crazy eight cousins she did have just that which earned her a notorious reputation in London. I love that she decides to fight for her man, yeah Hugh had always been "her Scot" and she have always loved him for the man he is. Even being so different, they were the perfect combination together. Alas, they never could be happy without each other. Hugh is a very stern man and have a great deal of discipline - except when it comes to his beloved Jane. God how she shakes him to the core every time she uses her seduction skills on him, and how he never could resist her, Ahhh my heart! How he loves her, ruthlessly, unselfishly and mindlessly...she is and have always been in his blood, mind, heart and his very soul. Being very vulnerable also when it comes to her-it tore me apart, because her love was all he had never dared to wish for. He is a very extremely jealous and possessive hero, and would kill anyone who dared to touch or hurt his Jane. A man that madly and irrevocably in love with his woman is a hero to die for, and i just LOVE him so much that i wish him for myself.!
A very Stunning Adventure that delivers strong and unforgettable characters, Mindless Danger and Passion and a Love so Vigorous that it could overcome everything. This book stole my breath away and captured my heart, it is such a amazing story that it deserves more than 5-STARS!
July 12, 2016
OMG! This series ... GAH! It is SOOOO GOOD! Kresley Cole's writing is ABSOLUTELY FABULOUS and her characters are BEYOND LOVABLE! I don't think she can write a bad book even if she tried. From the story to the banter to the supporting cast ... I can't rave enough about this author's work!
I loved book one. I mean LOVED! Courtland MacCarrick & Lady Annalía Tristán stole my heart from the minute I met them and, just when I thought I couldn't love a couple any more, we got introduced to Hugh MacCarrick & Jane Weyland!! Sweet baby Jesus ... These two!! They are funny. They are naughty. The chemistry between the two is OFF THE CHARTS! With very little actual act happening in this book, it's very erotic and just goes to show you that, most of the time, less IS more!
I can NOT recommend this series/author enough. Truly. Such a refreshing change [for me, anyhow] since period pieces/historicals isn't something I read normally.
Cheers!
P.S. I can NOT wait to get to book 3 because, even though I am already head over heels in love with this series, everyone keeps telling me 'wait till you get to book 3' ... methinks I may actually combust reading that one!
June 8, 2022
Phew. You know, sometimes I fixate in a specific book but to really get the full understanding of it I like reading the whole series. In this case my fixation is on the third book of this series and it better be worth it for it was torture reading this second one.
I absolutely despised the heroine. Oh my, I couldn't stand her right from the beginning. The plot was alright but the hero could have been the worst of the worst and I would NOT see it because I simply couldn't get over my dislike of her. (The hero was mediocre btw).
Is it petty to give a lower rate because of one character? Maybe. But I will do it anyway. She is definitely not my kind of person. She and her cousins made me think of the Talbot sister's in Sarah Maclean books... too much. *Shudders*
I will not go over why I disliked her. Because every single word and action coming from her was not okay in my opinion. Ridiculous, selfish and arrogant heroine.
Book #3 you better be good!!!
I absolutely despised the heroine. Oh my, I couldn't stand her right from the beginning. The plot was alright but the hero could have been the worst of the worst and I would NOT see it because I simply couldn't get over my dislike of her. (The hero was mediocre btw).
Is it petty to give a lower rate because of one character? Maybe. But I will do it anyway. She is definitely not my kind of person. She and her cousins made me think of the Talbot sister's in Sarah Maclean books... too much. *Shudders*
I will not go over why I disliked her. Because every single word and action coming from her was not okay in my opinion. Ridiculous, selfish and arrogant heroine.
Book #3 you better be good!!!
September 8, 2019
This book was better than the first one, but I wasn't impressed that the curse was still an issue for the couple, when it already had a solution previously in If You Dare...
Otherwise than Hugh's and Jane's story was enjoyable, I liked it. Looking forward to Ethan's book.
Otherwise than Hugh's and Jane's story was enjoyable, I liked it. Looking forward to Ethan's book.
December 22, 2010
From a young age, Hugh MacCarrick and Jane Weyland have secretly yearned for each other of years. But with the MacCarrick curse riding on him, Hugh doesn’t want to take the chance with Jane’s life.
Then he finds out that her life is in danger anyways when his former assassin partner, Grey seeks revenge on Jane’s father and Hugh for betraying him. The deranged and psychotic Grey aims to kill two birds with one stone. His target? Jane.
Now Hugh must protect Jane from his former friend and resist her temptation at the same time. Hugh knows both tasks will be difficult to say the least.
I really enjoyed Hugh’s book. I preferred Hugh over Courtland, but both brothers seem pretty irresistible to me. Hugh is a little more polished than his brother, Court and he definitely has a better sense of control over his feelings. What I loved most about Hugh was his overall effort in everything he does. Like Jane’s father said, Hugh tries...
I liked the difference in characters between Jane and Hugh. Hugh is an outsider, always looking in. He’s never a willing participant in gatherings and rarely speaks more than two words when spoken to. Jane, on the other hand, embraces company and isn’t afraid to speak her mind and taunt her friends and family. Cole has always been great at building relationships between her characters. Jane and Hugh are no exception!
I am dying to read Ethan’s book! I really want to know what happened to him with the way his storyline cut off. Gotta get my hands on that last MacCarrick brother!
Then he finds out that her life is in danger anyways when his former assassin partner, Grey seeks revenge on Jane’s father and Hugh for betraying him. The deranged and psychotic Grey aims to kill two birds with one stone. His target? Jane.
Now Hugh must protect Jane from his former friend and resist her temptation at the same time. Hugh knows both tasks will be difficult to say the least.
I really enjoyed Hugh’s book. I preferred Hugh over Courtland, but both brothers seem pretty irresistible to me. Hugh is a little more polished than his brother, Court and he definitely has a better sense of control over his feelings. What I loved most about Hugh was his overall effort in everything he does. Like Jane’s father said, Hugh tries...
I liked the difference in characters between Jane and Hugh. Hugh is an outsider, always looking in. He’s never a willing participant in gatherings and rarely speaks more than two words when spoken to. Jane, on the other hand, embraces company and isn’t afraid to speak her mind and taunt her friends and family. Cole has always been great at building relationships between her characters. Jane and Hugh are no exception!
I am dying to read Ethan’s book! I really want to know what happened to him with the way his storyline cut off. Gotta get my hands on that last MacCarrick brother!
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June 17, 2019I've read every book from this author except the arcana Chronicles but for some reason I skipped this one. I've paused it because Hugh wanted Jane so much that finding out he'd been with women in between disappointed me. I read book 1 and 3 a couple of years ago and had always planned to read this one but never did, maybe it's that long build up but I found myself unable to continue. Sigh........
July 10, 2017
First time rereading this book
I am downgrading my original 5 stars rating. I like Jane and Hugh but their story isn't as emotionally charged as I would like for 5 stars ratings.
Original review:
This is a highly entertaining book which requires minimal emotional investment. I enjoyed the read immensely for its tension and fast pace. I also enjoy Ms. Cole's writing a lot. She is not that kind of writers who show and tell you everything about the characters. She is on the other side of the spectrum. I find myself wondering what she meant at times because she implies and hints quite a bit. But she leaves you wondering and imagining. Isn't that what fictions are supposed to do?
This is the story of the 2nd brother of the MacCarrick brothers. I read the the story of the youngest brother, Courland first, like it well enough but didn't "enjoy" it as much. But I like Ms. Cole's style so I went on to this book and came across Hugh and Jane in this book.
Ms. Cole does a rough Scot hero justice. Hugh MacCarrick is THE quintessential Highlander. Whatever that makes these Highlanders so hot, he's got it. But what really made the book for me, is Jane Weyland. Very often these "wild" heroines make me flinch at their "boldness". The writers make these "independent" and "forward-thinking" women throw themselves at the men, do really shameless things and call that "being modern" and "having a spine". In my dictionary, that is called being cheap and eager. Some of the Amanda Quick's heroines are prime examples.
But not Jane. Jane is the first and only "wild and liberate" heroine who I actually respect. She is portrayed as wild and daring but never cheap or eager. There is a graceful air about her, about the way she is written in this book. I would fall in love with her, if I was a man. A woman who is confident but reserved, bold but graceful, knows what she wants and goes for it, but never in the process shows that she is insecure. That is the problem with a lot of heroines in the romance novels for me. So very often these heroines' "wild ways" are just the other side of insecurity. They are somehow "outcasts" of the society and resolve to being spinsters. They claim they do not want marriage or love or pretty clothes or male attention, they chase after adventures after adventures because they want their "independence". All of which are frequently just acts rooted in a sense of insecurity and unworthiness. Not Jane Weyland. Here is a heroine, who knows she is attractive and loved but feels rejected by the only man she has loved. She is amazing. I rarely gush so much about a heroine. Jane has truly captured my heart.
The entire story is about how Hugh could not be with Jane but has been in love with her for over 10 years. He refused to see her for his own reasons and firmly believed that he is doing it for her own good. Jane had loved Hugh for as long as Hugh had loved her. Neither had ever said as much to each other. So they spent their youth pining for and apart from each other. Circumstances made Hugh return to Jane and marry her temporarily. Then they started running away from dangers. Hugh continued to refuse to surrender to desires and wants. Jane continued to despair because she could not understand why Hugh seemed to like her a lot but refused to be close to her.
The plot is straight forward and rather simple. This means the entire story is about the romance and how they struggled with fate, lust and longing. I would not call this a love story. But it is very much an intense romance that will make you hold your breath for the next page.
I am downgrading my original 5 stars rating. I like Jane and Hugh but their story isn't as emotionally charged as I would like for 5 stars ratings.
Original review:
This is a highly entertaining book which requires minimal emotional investment. I enjoyed the read immensely for its tension and fast pace. I also enjoy Ms. Cole's writing a lot. She is not that kind of writers who show and tell you everything about the characters. She is on the other side of the spectrum. I find myself wondering what she meant at times because she implies and hints quite a bit. But she leaves you wondering and imagining. Isn't that what fictions are supposed to do?
This is the story of the 2nd brother of the MacCarrick brothers. I read the the story of the youngest brother, Courland first, like it well enough but didn't "enjoy" it as much. But I like Ms. Cole's style so I went on to this book and came across Hugh and Jane in this book.
Ms. Cole does a rough Scot hero justice. Hugh MacCarrick is THE quintessential Highlander. Whatever that makes these Highlanders so hot, he's got it. But what really made the book for me, is Jane Weyland. Very often these "wild" heroines make me flinch at their "boldness". The writers make these "independent" and "forward-thinking" women throw themselves at the men, do really shameless things and call that "being modern" and "having a spine". In my dictionary, that is called being cheap and eager. Some of the Amanda Quick's heroines are prime examples.
But not Jane. Jane is the first and only "wild and liberate" heroine who I actually respect. She is portrayed as wild and daring but never cheap or eager. There is a graceful air about her, about the way she is written in this book. I would fall in love with her, if I was a man. A woman who is confident but reserved, bold but graceful, knows what she wants and goes for it, but never in the process shows that she is insecure. That is the problem with a lot of heroines in the romance novels for me. So very often these heroines' "wild ways" are just the other side of insecurity. They are somehow "outcasts" of the society and resolve to being spinsters. They claim they do not want marriage or love or pretty clothes or male attention, they chase after adventures after adventures because they want their "independence". All of which are frequently just acts rooted in a sense of insecurity and unworthiness. Not Jane Weyland. Here is a heroine, who knows she is attractive and loved but feels rejected by the only man she has loved. She is amazing. I rarely gush so much about a heroine. Jane has truly captured my heart.
The entire story is about how Hugh could not be with Jane but has been in love with her for over 10 years. He refused to see her for his own reasons and firmly believed that he is doing it for her own good. Jane had loved Hugh for as long as Hugh had loved her. Neither had ever said as much to each other. So they spent their youth pining for and apart from each other. Circumstances made Hugh return to Jane and marry her temporarily. Then they started running away from dangers. Hugh continued to refuse to surrender to desires and wants. Jane continued to despair because she could not understand why Hugh seemed to like her a lot but refused to be close to her.
The plot is straight forward and rather simple. This means the entire story is about the romance and how they struggled with fate, lust and longing. I would not call this a love story. But it is very much an intense romance that will make you hold your breath for the next page.
March 3, 2012
If You Desire is the sequel to If You Dare, one of my all time favorite romance novels. This is Hugh's story, one of Courtland's brothers who we met in If You Dare. (Ethan will get his own story in If You Deceive.) The background to this series is a Scottish family curse that prevents these three yummy alpha-male brothers from ultimately finding true love. Or does it?
Hugh is summonsed to London to ultimately protect Jane, a woman who he aches for but hasn't seen in ten years, from a man who wants revenge from her father. Hugh and Jane were once quite close, and Jane thought they were to marry. Then Hugh disappears breaking her heart. She is frustrated to no end when she finally sees him again. After a brief re-introduction with unexpected results (I wont spoil this, but will say it sets the tone for the rest of the book) Hugh whisks Jane away to safety, or so they believe.
This was a fun, sexy read. Jane made a great heroine, and no doubt fans will love her. She is a smart, warm-hearted woman that knows how to have fun. She was such a fun tease to Hugh too! I would have to say she was the best part of this book, hands down.
My problem with the book lies more with Hugh. I felt he was too much of an opposite for Jane. He spent much of his time rejecting Jane and brooding. It got old, and I never felt his passion for Jane to the same level she desired him. I felt his desperation and his angst, but not his passion. I love the alpha-male hero, but Hugh was too serious and lacked that naughty humor which most romance novel alpha-males have. In the end, this book just didn't have the same level of steam I am used to from Kresley Cole. Oh, there is plenty of hot scenes but they just were not as steamy as I have come to know from her books. But overall, this is a very enjoyable romance with a fun and sexy adventure story.
Here is a fun tidbit (and NO spoilers): After reading If You Desire, I realized that all three of these stories happen much along the same time line. If you read If You Dare and the teaser chapter for If You Deceive, you can see some parallels in the stories that happen at the same place and time - just from a different vantage point. I loved this writing style, and now I can't wait for Ethan's book as you can really see where his story begins. Kresley Cole uses this writing style in her After Dark series too. Her books are all stand alone, but it does make it fun to see a familiar scene unfold from a different angle.
Hugh is summonsed to London to ultimately protect Jane, a woman who he aches for but hasn't seen in ten years, from a man who wants revenge from her father. Hugh and Jane were once quite close, and Jane thought they were to marry. Then Hugh disappears breaking her heart. She is frustrated to no end when she finally sees him again. After a brief re-introduction with unexpected results (I wont spoil this, but will say it sets the tone for the rest of the book) Hugh whisks Jane away to safety, or so they believe.
This was a fun, sexy read. Jane made a great heroine, and no doubt fans will love her. She is a smart, warm-hearted woman that knows how to have fun. She was such a fun tease to Hugh too! I would have to say she was the best part of this book, hands down.
My problem with the book lies more with Hugh. I felt he was too much of an opposite for Jane. He spent much of his time rejecting Jane and brooding. It got old, and I never felt his passion for Jane to the same level she desired him. I felt his desperation and his angst, but not his passion. I love the alpha-male hero, but Hugh was too serious and lacked that naughty humor which most romance novel alpha-males have. In the end, this book just didn't have the same level of steam I am used to from Kresley Cole. Oh, there is plenty of hot scenes but they just were not as steamy as I have come to know from her books. But overall, this is a very enjoyable romance with a fun and sexy adventure story.
Here is a fun tidbit (and NO spoilers): After reading If You Desire, I realized that all three of these stories happen much along the same time line. If you read If You Dare and the teaser chapter for If You Deceive, you can see some parallels in the stories that happen at the same place and time - just from a different vantage point. I loved this writing style, and now I can't wait for Ethan's book as you can really see where his story begins. Kresley Cole uses this writing style in her After Dark series too. Her books are all stand alone, but it does make it fun to see a familiar scene unfold from a different angle.
August 16, 2011
This is the second book in the MacCarrick Brothers Trilogy and I'm sorry to say I still don't get how easily those brothers dismiss their curse after letting it dictate all their lives before "surrendering" to the heroine. I mean, I'm all for the HEA, but I thought things were wrapped too quickly. Not only in this book, but in the first book in the series too. I guess the saying "love conquers all" is really true...
I really liked both Hugh and Jane, the hero and the heroine in this book, even though I was less than thrilled with her at the beginning. Her "escapades" were not something I expected to see from a 27-year-old woman, they looked more like something a teenager would do. Anyway, she stopped that nonsense soon enough and eventually tried to work things out with him. Her reaction to Hugh's finally explaining why they couldn't be together was just right and, rational being that I am, I think I would have done the same thing.
Now, I need to read the last book in the series, just to know what happened to Ethan. Obviously, he's alive - after all, he's the hero! - but I wonder how he's managed to survive Grey's attack.
I really liked both Hugh and Jane, the hero and the heroine in this book, even though I was less than thrilled with her at the beginning. Her "escapades" were not something I expected to see from a 27-year-old woman, they looked more like something a teenager would do. Anyway, she stopped that nonsense soon enough and eventually tried to work things out with him. Her reaction to Hugh's finally explaining why they couldn't be together was just right and, rational being that I am, I think I would have done the same thing.
Now, I need to read the last book in the series, just to know what happened to Ethan. Obviously, he's alive - after all, he's the hero! - but I wonder how he's managed to survive Grey's attack.
September 6, 2010
I read this book a while back, but thought it was only "good" so I never went for the other 2 books. Well, I just adore Kresley Cole, so figured I'd better suck it up and read the other two. I read the first(meh) and third (loved it!) books and it really didn't change my opinion of this book. I really honestly believe that Jane ruined the book for me-she was spoiled and selfish and I couldn't stand her. I loved Hugh and felt so sorry for him for loving her from afar for so long. I've read other reviews and most people really loved this series, but I think identifying with the heroine in a story can make or break the book for me. In this case, I couldn't identify with Jane, but I actually just didn't like her. So, the story was good, the writing great, but I just couldn't get into Jane's mind frame.
July 15, 2021
I enjoyed this story. Going to read the other books in this series. Just hoping they are also a good read.
April 18, 2009
I must say I found this book a vast improvement from the first in this series. It's still not a masterpiece of fiction, and it would've been much better without the slightly too tramp-y heroine and the rather obtuse "yeah, yeah, you're cursed" hero, but we can't have everything.
The suspense subplot is the saving grace of this one, with the villain much more interesting than the leading couple. I wished there'd be more of him throughout the story and his demise was a bit too abrupt and swift, providing quite an anti-climatic resolution to the main reason the two idiots (read: hero and heroine) got together in the first place.
And here's the major bone I have to pick about this book. Once again the hero and heroine were too bland to elicit much enthusiasm in me to even bother to care for them.
Jane was a hussy and a tramp even before she turned eighteen...And she wondered why the guy split. He saw a nutjob in the making and decided to cut his losses. Tell me again, what was with the plan of getting to marry her by teasing him mercilessly? The only thing such a plan ever accomplishes is for the heroine to end with her skirt around her waist and ruined, while the hero merrily moves on.
Unfortunately that wasn't the case with Hugh. He was as much in love with her as she was with him, but he was cursed. Remember that nasty little curse that's supposed to be the main story-arc of the series? Once again, it only appeared when convenient and to make the hero even more of a jackass as he already was.
Of course, now I have to read the final book. The little cliffy about Ethan getting shot and disappearing from the face of the earth (Is he dead? Is he alive? Do we even care?) had me flying through the rest of Hugh's story so I could see what really happened.
And speaking of the rather anti-climatic end of the villain and the untimely death of the suspense subplot...I skimmed through the remaining pages, barely stiffening yawns, because the two idiots of the leading couple reverted back to the beginning of the story when the villain met his deserved death...And it was boring...Even the requisite happy ending was boring...Not to mention Court and Annalia's (from the first book) cameo...Yawn! But a great plot devise to get the hero thinking and finally forgoing the blasted curse.
Not good, but not as bad as the first book. I truly hope Ethan will make up for it...He better.
The suspense subplot is the saving grace of this one, with the villain much more interesting than the leading couple. I wished there'd be more of him throughout the story and his demise was a bit too abrupt and swift, providing quite an anti-climatic resolution to the main reason the two idiots (read: hero and heroine) got together in the first place.
And here's the major bone I have to pick about this book. Once again the hero and heroine were too bland to elicit much enthusiasm in me to even bother to care for them.
Jane was a hussy and a tramp even before she turned eighteen...And she wondered why the guy split. He saw a nutjob in the making and decided to cut his losses. Tell me again, what was with the plan of getting to marry her by teasing him mercilessly? The only thing such a plan ever accomplishes is for the heroine to end with her skirt around her waist and ruined, while the hero merrily moves on.
Unfortunately that wasn't the case with Hugh. He was as much in love with her as she was with him, but he was cursed. Remember that nasty little curse that's supposed to be the main story-arc of the series? Once again, it only appeared when convenient and to make the hero even more of a jackass as he already was.
Of course, now I have to read the final book. The little cliffy about Ethan getting shot and disappearing from the face of the earth (Is he dead? Is he alive? Do we even care?) had me flying through the rest of Hugh's story so I could see what really happened.
And speaking of the rather anti-climatic end of the villain and the untimely death of the suspense subplot...I skimmed through the remaining pages, barely stiffening yawns, because the two idiots of the leading couple reverted back to the beginning of the story when the villain met his deserved death...And it was boring...Even the requisite happy ending was boring...Not to mention Court and Annalia's (from the first book) cameo...Yawn! But a great plot devise to get the hero thinking and finally forgoing the blasted curse.
Not good, but not as bad as the first book. I truly hope Ethan will make up for it...He better.
April 2, 2010
Second in Cole's MacCarrick Brothers series, once again I was blown away by the author's grasp on what women want in their romance novels- especially as far what the hero gives the heroine in the sack!
Hugh has loved Jane since he got to know her as young girl, while working for her father. A little later, on the brink of womanhood, she offers herself to him. As much as Hugh longs to have her, he doesn't take her. Rather, he walks away and takes a job ensuring he will never be tempted to keep her- ever. He signs on as an assassin for a secret government agency directed by Jane's father, certain that if she ever found out what he's done, she'll never want him.
But then he receives a missive stating that Jane is in grave danger. He kills himself getting back to her, leaving his brother Courtland (If You Dare), wounded, but alive. And Jane certainly is in danger- a man who once worked aside Hugh wants revenge for all Jane's father put him through and if he harms Hugh in the process? All the better.
Jane of course is excited to see the man she's never forgotten, and the man whom all other men in her life never measure up to, but she's still angry with him for leaving her so heart broken without even a goodbye between them.
Hugh wants to see Jane protected and then get out, for he truly believes the curse his family labors under is active and harmful to any woman he might fall for, but then Jane's father comes up with a plan to marry them off so the hardened Scot can get her out of Dodge. Hugh sees no other alternative and agrees. Will he be able to protect her AND keep his distance- or will the love that never left his heart be the ultimate deciding factor in both their lives.
LOVED this one as much as the first, although I do find it difficult to get through the two h/h's fighting their attraction til they get together. Cole does the hottest sex scenes I've read in a long time and that more than makes up for the cliched plot devices to keep them apart.
Still, the whole unfulfilled forever love thing is very irresistible as well- and Hugh was so deliciously jealous in love with her, and she just the same, that I can't help but give If You Desire a 4 out of 5!
Good stuff people, good stuff!
Hugh has loved Jane since he got to know her as young girl, while working for her father. A little later, on the brink of womanhood, she offers herself to him. As much as Hugh longs to have her, he doesn't take her. Rather, he walks away and takes a job ensuring he will never be tempted to keep her- ever. He signs on as an assassin for a secret government agency directed by Jane's father, certain that if she ever found out what he's done, she'll never want him.
But then he receives a missive stating that Jane is in grave danger. He kills himself getting back to her, leaving his brother Courtland (If You Dare), wounded, but alive. And Jane certainly is in danger- a man who once worked aside Hugh wants revenge for all Jane's father put him through and if he harms Hugh in the process? All the better.
Jane of course is excited to see the man she's never forgotten, and the man whom all other men in her life never measure up to, but she's still angry with him for leaving her so heart broken without even a goodbye between them.
Hugh wants to see Jane protected and then get out, for he truly believes the curse his family labors under is active and harmful to any woman he might fall for, but then Jane's father comes up with a plan to marry them off so the hardened Scot can get her out of Dodge. Hugh sees no other alternative and agrees. Will he be able to protect her AND keep his distance- or will the love that never left his heart be the ultimate deciding factor in both their lives.
LOVED this one as much as the first, although I do find it difficult to get through the two h/h's fighting their attraction til they get together. Cole does the hottest sex scenes I've read in a long time and that more than makes up for the cliched plot devices to keep them apart.
Still, the whole unfulfilled forever love thing is very irresistible as well- and Hugh was so deliciously jealous in love with her, and she just the same, that I can't help but give If You Desire a 4 out of 5!
Good stuff people, good stuff!
October 14, 2017
Hugh MacCarrick terpaksa harus menikahi Jane Weyland demi keselamatan gadis itu. Walau sudah memendam perasaan selama hampir satu dekade lebih terhadap Jane, Hugh tetap gamang. Hugh punya 1001 alasan dan rahasia utk tidak memiliki Jane selamanya.
Walau pernikahan ini "resmi" tapi masih bisa dibatalkan, Jane toh bersukaria utk menggoda habis2an diri Hugh. Hugh harus mengontrol dirinya habis2an melawan godaan yg terus menerus datang scr bergelombang dr Jane. Pd akhirnya Hugh tidak tahan juga.
Sayangnya kutukan terhadap keturunan MacCarrick masih menghantui lubuk terdalam hati Hugh. Jane lelah menghadapi kegalauan dan ketidakniatan Hugh mempertahankan pernikahan mereka setelah "masalah utama" diselesaikan. Jane meninggalkan Hugh di tanah milik Court.
Untunglah Court dan Annalia datang ke tanah tsb. Hugh tidak percaya oleh "keajaiban" pasangan ini yg tlh mematahkan kutukan tsb. Dapatkah Hugh kembali kepada Jane yg sudah sangat sakit hati terhadap Hugh?
Saya tidak bisa memberikan rating lebih tinggi drpd buku sblmnya. Bukan krn alurnya membosankan melainkan krn saya melihat sebagian besar jalan ceritanya merupakan repetisi dari buku sblmnya. Selain itu karakter kedua pasangan ini tidak sekuat pasangan di buku pertama. Kharisma Court & Annalia jauh lebih kuat drpd pasangan Hugh & Jane. Lagipula saya merasa Jane over manja, not my typical heroine.
Utk terjemahan, walau masih BURUK tetapi lebih baik drpd buku pertamanya. Cuma saya agak heran, sepertinya adegan2 "krusial" berkurang jauh dibandingkan buku pertama. Entah sensor atau memang sudah versi aslinya tidak sebanyak buku pertama. Saya harus mengecek dulu tapi saya malas hahaha.... ahhh sudahlah, tidak penting juga.
Walau pernikahan ini "resmi" tapi masih bisa dibatalkan, Jane toh bersukaria utk menggoda habis2an diri Hugh. Hugh harus mengontrol dirinya habis2an melawan godaan yg terus menerus datang scr bergelombang dr Jane. Pd akhirnya Hugh tidak tahan juga.
Sayangnya kutukan terhadap keturunan MacCarrick masih menghantui lubuk terdalam hati Hugh. Jane lelah menghadapi kegalauan dan ketidakniatan Hugh mempertahankan pernikahan mereka setelah "masalah utama" diselesaikan. Jane meninggalkan Hugh di tanah milik Court.
Untunglah Court dan Annalia datang ke tanah tsb. Hugh tidak percaya oleh "keajaiban" pasangan ini yg tlh mematahkan kutukan tsb. Dapatkah Hugh kembali kepada Jane yg sudah sangat sakit hati terhadap Hugh?
Saya tidak bisa memberikan rating lebih tinggi drpd buku sblmnya. Bukan krn alurnya membosankan melainkan krn saya melihat sebagian besar jalan ceritanya merupakan repetisi dari buku sblmnya. Selain itu karakter kedua pasangan ini tidak sekuat pasangan di buku pertama. Kharisma Court & Annalia jauh lebih kuat drpd pasangan Hugh & Jane. Lagipula saya merasa Jane over manja, not my typical heroine.
Utk terjemahan, walau masih BURUK tetapi lebih baik drpd buku pertamanya. Cuma saya agak heran, sepertinya adegan2 "krusial" berkurang jauh dibandingkan buku pertama. Entah sensor atau memang sudah versi aslinya tidak sebanyak buku pertama. Saya harus mengecek dulu tapi saya malas hahaha.... ahhh sudahlah, tidak penting juga.
July 7, 2019
4.5 Down with the curse stars!
The three brothers all walked with death, just as had been predicted.
The Carrick curse is alive and well, rearing its ugly head in "If You Desire" the second book in the MacCarrick Brothers series
Dang! This book was better than the first!
Finished this in about 24 hours because seriously, could not put this down! I loved it all from start to finish.
This tale about middle brother Hugh and his lady Jane Weyland was absolutely swoon worthy and much more emotionally intense and electrically charged in comparison to book #1! Both Hugh and Jane were such well written characters that I loved them both & couldn't help myself but to will them together despite Hugh's stubbornness throughout!
Refraining from spoilers I won't do much yacking regarding the story line but it was extremely entertaining! I was absorbed with every step forward this pair took only to be pushed two back! It was sweet torture!
This book was woven together so beautifully it might just have made me at least consider reading more Highlander series in the future.
Although not as sexy IMO as his younger brother, Court MacCarrick, Hugh holds his own as a brooding, gruff, MacCarrick, a Highlander whose occupation is an assassin for the crown. He has his unique brand of charm and when his tenderness comes out, it only makes him that much more lovable. But, good gwad is he as tough and stubborn as much as Scots can be!
Jane was such a marvelous woman and a formidable match for the likes of Hugh. I loved her confidence, her feisty, fired spirit and her tenacity. Her quick wit made me laugh but it was also her vulnerability that made her so relatable and likable.
Hugh ❤ Jane ... Yaaaaaassss!!!
This romance had been shelved for 10 very long years and darn was it overdue to finally be given a chance to explore the possibilities even if the circumstances were less than ideal. I salivated over the raw emotions Kresley packed into this romance.
She’d been so convinced Hugh would marry her—it had been a foregone conclusion for her—that she’d only been counting the days until Hugh deemed her not too young. She’d believed in him so much, certain they would be together. Yet he’d known he was going to work abroad for years, had known he was leaving her behind. It had been a conscious decision on his part, and he hadn’t even told her why.
For every hopeless day and night filled with tears, for every man she’d compared to him and found lacking, for his decision to leave her…
For all her pain, she would make him pay.
I did bump this up 1/2 star from my initial 4.0 star rating. I think it would've been higher had there been just a bit more sexy scenes. What sexy there is it is hot nonetheless.
Besides the romance Kresley does a much better job at keeping the villain's role relevant and weaved throughout the story which had been a fault I'm glad she corrected from the previous book.
If you're looking for a story with two souls destined for each other separated by not only distance and secrets but a bloody 500 year curse and a villain seeking to destroy them both...
Read this!
It was FANTASTIC!
Next up is Ethan's story!
If You Deceive
The three brothers all walked with death, just as had been predicted.
The Carrick curse is alive and well, rearing its ugly head in "If You Desire" the second book in the MacCarrick Brothers series
Dang! This book was better than the first!
Finished this in about 24 hours because seriously, could not put this down! I loved it all from start to finish.
This tale about middle brother Hugh and his lady Jane Weyland was absolutely swoon worthy and much more emotionally intense and electrically charged in comparison to book #1! Both Hugh and Jane were such well written characters that I loved them both & couldn't help myself but to will them together despite Hugh's stubbornness throughout!
Refraining from spoilers I won't do much yacking regarding the story line but it was extremely entertaining! I was absorbed with every step forward this pair took only to be pushed two back! It was sweet torture!
This book was woven together so beautifully it might just have made me at least consider reading more Highlander series in the future.
Although not as sexy IMO as his younger brother, Court MacCarrick, Hugh holds his own as a brooding, gruff, MacCarrick, a Highlander whose occupation is an assassin for the crown. He has his unique brand of charm and when his tenderness comes out, it only makes him that much more lovable. But, good gwad is he as tough and stubborn as much as Scots can be!
Jane was such a marvelous woman and a formidable match for the likes of Hugh. I loved her confidence, her feisty, fired spirit and her tenacity. Her quick wit made me laugh but it was also her vulnerability that made her so relatable and likable.
Hugh ❤ Jane ... Yaaaaaassss!!!
This romance had been shelved for 10 very long years and darn was it overdue to finally be given a chance to explore the possibilities even if the circumstances were less than ideal. I salivated over the raw emotions Kresley packed into this romance.
She’d been so convinced Hugh would marry her—it had been a foregone conclusion for her—that she’d only been counting the days until Hugh deemed her not too young. She’d believed in him so much, certain they would be together. Yet he’d known he was going to work abroad for years, had known he was leaving her behind. It had been a conscious decision on his part, and he hadn’t even told her why.
For every hopeless day and night filled with tears, for every man she’d compared to him and found lacking, for his decision to leave her…
For all her pain, she would make him pay.
I did bump this up 1/2 star from my initial 4.0 star rating. I think it would've been higher had there been just a bit more sexy scenes. What sexy there is it is hot nonetheless.
Besides the romance Kresley does a much better job at keeping the villain's role relevant and weaved throughout the story which had been a fault I'm glad she corrected from the previous book.
If you're looking for a story with two souls destined for each other separated by not only distance and secrets but a bloody 500 year curse and a villain seeking to destroy them both...
Read this!
It was FANTASTIC!
Next up is Ethan's story!
If You Deceive
July 10, 2018
Diiivna! 😍❤
September 3, 2017
Not too bad, just the stupid h was grating on my nerves. The chemistry was still bearable, nothing to write home about. Plot was predictable but then again it is a historical book so I have no expectations to say..
The thing that just put a nail in the coffin was the damn h running after the H to convince his minuscule brain to go the logical way.
The thing that just put a nail in the coffin was the damn h running after the H to convince his minuscule brain to go the logical way.
August 4, 2010
In contrast with almost everyone else, I didn't like this one as much as the first, If You Dare.
The plot of If You Dare was rather silly and so I was pleasantly surprised by the villain plot in the beginning of this book. But Cole didn’t really do anything with it and the subplots and devices she came up with felt rather random to me. Plus the villain’s demise was rather anticlimactic.
I like Cole’s overbearing and gruffy men but Hugh was almost too much. There’s one thing being quiet and brooding and …uhm.. non-verbally expressive…, but there’s another thing being a Neanderthal, what with all the growling and three-word sentences and all.
Jane started to get on my nerves towards the ending of the book, which seemed to drag on and on. While the saccharine level went up and up. Blah.
That being said: I am going to read Ethan’s book. Partly because I’ve heard it’s the best of the series and partly because I bought it anyway.
All in all: not so bad, but not so great either.
The plot of If You Dare was rather silly and so I was pleasantly surprised by the villain plot in the beginning of this book. But Cole didn’t really do anything with it and the subplots and devices she came up with felt rather random to me. Plus the villain’s demise was rather anticlimactic.
I like Cole’s overbearing and gruffy men but Hugh was almost too much. There’s one thing being quiet and brooding and …uhm.. non-verbally expressive…, but there’s another thing being a Neanderthal, what with all the growling and three-word sentences and all.
Jane started to get on my nerves towards the ending of the book, which seemed to drag on and on. While the saccharine level went up and up. Blah.
That being said: I am going to read Ethan’s book. Partly because I’ve heard it’s the best of the series and partly because I bought it anyway.
All in all: not so bad, but not so great either.
November 5, 2016
ITS NOT THAT SATTISFYING
Thought the prequel was a little bit better, a little more mysterious. This one was full of anticipation of things that were clearly known as having read the first novel. Least, the story was sweet. Not to mention, how the erotica wasn't told almost more than three forth of the book despite so many erotics scene in the first book.
February 8, 2022
Absolutely adored this book.
We've got a second-change romance meets marriage of convenience, complete with a rogue assassin out to murder the heroine, forcing her and the hero on the run up into the highlands of Scotland to escape the threat... but it also forces the pair into close quarters (helloooo forced proximity trope), and old feelings that never truly died aren't just rekindling. They're coming back with a vengeance.
The middle MacCarrick brother - Hugh - is a complicated man. He's withdrawn, broody like his brothers, socially awkward - but his love for Jane is so fierce and so deep, the depths he'll go to sacrifice his own happiness (and in some instances her own) for what he believes is for her safety and future... it simultaneously makes my inner hopeless romantic swoon and my more practical feminist side want to shake him, especially with all the secret keeping, lack of open communication, etc. But oh! It makes for some glorious reading.
The chemistry between Jane and Hugh is delicious, and that woman can be so vicious in the way she teases and tempts, but of course, turnabout is fair play with Hugh - and that makes for some absolutely spicy scenes. These two (Hugh especially) are trying so hard to resist the gravitation pull one feels toward the other, but it's clear these two have been destined for each other from the very start.
And that's what makes the ending so satisfying.
My one and only gripe was that I wanted a bit more groveling on Hugh's side when he rushed to London to get Jane back after Court told him the truth about the MacCarrick curse. But I was also just so eager for those two to get their long overdue HEA, I was willing to let it slide.
Oh, and Jane's father? Love that meddlesome man.
Absolutely adored this book. Kresley can do no wrong (I know I keep saying that, but it's the truth).
We've got a second-change romance meets marriage of convenience, complete with a rogue assassin out to murder the heroine, forcing her and the hero on the run up into the highlands of Scotland to escape the threat... but it also forces the pair into close quarters (helloooo forced proximity trope), and old feelings that never truly died aren't just rekindling. They're coming back with a vengeance.
The middle MacCarrick brother - Hugh - is a complicated man. He's withdrawn, broody like his brothers, socially awkward - but his love for Jane is so fierce and so deep, the depths he'll go to sacrifice his own happiness (and in some instances her own) for what he believes is for her safety and future... it simultaneously makes my inner hopeless romantic swoon and my more practical feminist side want to shake him, especially with all the secret keeping, lack of open communication, etc. But oh! It makes for some glorious reading.
The chemistry between Jane and Hugh is delicious, and that woman can be so vicious in the way she teases and tempts, but of course, turnabout is fair play with Hugh - and that makes for some absolutely spicy scenes. These two (Hugh especially) are trying so hard to resist the gravitation pull one feels toward the other, but it's clear these two have been destined for each other from the very start.
And that's what makes the ending so satisfying.
My one and only gripe was that I wanted a bit more groveling on Hugh's side when he rushed to London to get Jane back after Court told him the truth about the MacCarrick curse. But I was also just so eager for those two to get their long overdue HEA, I was willing to let it slide.
Oh, and Jane's father? Love that meddlesome man.
Absolutely adored this book. Kresley can do no wrong (I know I keep saying that, but it's the truth).
March 24, 2022
I think Kerrigan Byrne fans will like Kresley Cole's historicals. Lots of murder, tortured hero who does war crimes and the woman that he thinks is too good for him.
December 27, 2011
This Books was just...Beautiful. Kresley Cole, as always, out does her self with 'If You Desire'. She got the emotions of a undeniable yearning and love across brilliantly.
From The first day Jane Weyland say Hugh MacCarrick she believed she would marry him. Hugh the middle child of the MacCarrick brothers, and the most reasonable, foolishly falls in love with Jane and wanton and flirtatious ways. Desperate to be with her yet unable because of a family curse- he leaves, leaving Jane heartbroken and for the next 10 years she compaired every man she met to him. None Ever messured up to her highlander.
Hugh is summoned by Edward Weyland, Jane's father, to protected her from an vengeful employee, who is known well to Hugh. Hugh agrees, wanting to protect the woman he loves, planing to take her away from the dangourous location of London. Edward agrees, but under a condition- Hugh must marry Jane to prevent any scandal- Hugh relatantly agrees-in fear of the curse bring any harm to Jane- from there on out the story follows the witty and flirtatious Jane's desperate struggle to make the man she has loved for nearly over a decade to keep her as a wife.
I really loved the way Jane tired to be a wife to Hugh, trying to clean when she didn't have a clue how to. Hugh is honorable and loves Jane beyond all else- pineing for her aswell and it comes as a shock to him to find the Jane returns those feelings.
This is so different to the First MacCarrick Novel, in the first book, it was the beginning of a relationship and in this one it was the continuance of to heart broken people. Yet, Jane isn't some broken down car crash- no, she has tried to get on with her life- but finds it hard, ten years on, to get over her first and only love. Hugh is the same- unable to think of anything but her for the past ten years, has been hard on him, and he isnt the same as he used to be when he was a 22 year old lad, newly in love with Jane.
This Story is of an equal calibre to 'If You Dare' just the heroine, Jane, had more punch in this one then Anna had in If you dare- both are beautifully written.
I also Love How Hugh basicly gets his ass handed to him a couple of times by Jane- and i loved seeing that. Also, i have no idea how she could so calmly forgive him for leaving her the second time around, i would have been tying him to a chair so he could never ever leave again :P
From The first day Jane Weyland say Hugh MacCarrick she believed she would marry him. Hugh the middle child of the MacCarrick brothers, and the most reasonable, foolishly falls in love with Jane and wanton and flirtatious ways. Desperate to be with her yet unable because of a family curse- he leaves, leaving Jane heartbroken and for the next 10 years she compaired every man she met to him. None Ever messured up to her highlander.
Hugh is summoned by Edward Weyland, Jane's father, to protected her from an vengeful employee, who is known well to Hugh. Hugh agrees, wanting to protect the woman he loves, planing to take her away from the dangourous location of London. Edward agrees, but under a condition- Hugh must marry Jane to prevent any scandal- Hugh relatantly agrees-in fear of the curse bring any harm to Jane- from there on out the story follows the witty and flirtatious Jane's desperate struggle to make the man she has loved for nearly over a decade to keep her as a wife.
I really loved the way Jane tired to be a wife to Hugh, trying to clean when she didn't have a clue how to. Hugh is honorable and loves Jane beyond all else- pineing for her aswell and it comes as a shock to him to find the Jane returns those feelings.
This is so different to the First MacCarrick Novel, in the first book, it was the beginning of a relationship and in this one it was the continuance of to heart broken people. Yet, Jane isn't some broken down car crash- no, she has tried to get on with her life- but finds it hard, ten years on, to get over her first and only love. Hugh is the same- unable to think of anything but her for the past ten years, has been hard on him, and he isnt the same as he used to be when he was a 22 year old lad, newly in love with Jane.
This Story is of an equal calibre to 'If You Dare' just the heroine, Jane, had more punch in this one then Anna had in If you dare- both are beautifully written.
I also Love How Hugh basicly gets his ass handed to him a couple of times by Jane- and i loved seeing that. Also, i have no idea how she could so calmly forgive him for leaving her the second time around, i would have been tying him to a chair so he could never ever leave again :P
December 11, 2023
2.5 stars
Uneven fluff that breezily skims across a plot that stretches credulity featuring characters who combine stubbornness and stupidity and churn the same ridiculous barriers to their HEA from the beginning to practically the end. There were a few entertaining moments to be sure, and I like this author’s light and lively style of writing, but if the characters had only thought the same thing ten times instead of, oh, a thousand, this would have been a novella. Or a short story. As a novel, it was tedious.
Uneven fluff that breezily skims across a plot that stretches credulity featuring characters who combine stubbornness and stupidity and churn the same ridiculous barriers to their HEA from the beginning to practically the end. There were a few entertaining moments to be sure, and I like this author’s light and lively style of writing, but if the characters had only thought the same thing ten times instead of, oh, a thousand, this would have been a novella. Or a short story. As a novel, it was tedious.
December 22, 2010
It took me awhile to warm up to Jane, but eventually I did. Then I got sort of impatient of all the teasing that went on. While it wasn't my favorite of the series, it wasn't bad. I just wished we would have had a bit more of an ending then we got, I would have liked it more.
January 1, 2014
Better than some, not so good as others :)
July 9, 2021
3.5 stars - overall a nice story, very enjoyable. I liked the couple and the romance. The couple are both in love with eachother since childhood but the mmc is convinced he is cursed to hurt the ones he loves to he tries to stay away and keep her out. Lots of romantic angst thus. There could have been a bit more groveling in my opinion.
Tropes: marriage of convenience, mmc protecting mc from danger, childhood love, both are in love with the other but one is keeping them apart
Tropes: marriage of convenience, mmc protecting mc from danger, childhood love, both are in love with the other but one is keeping them apart
September 25, 2017
3.5 stars
March 27, 2022
Rating: 4.25 stars
I liked Hugh A LOT better than Court from the first book in the series.
I liked Hugh A LOT better than Court from the first book in the series.
January 17, 2009
This is the second book in this series. Hugh Maccarrick is a hired killer, and he is cursed. Both he had and his two other brothers have believed that any woman they will love will end up being harmed. Jane Weyland is the daughter of Hugh's boss and she has been in love with Hugh since she first met him as a child.
Jane thought that she would never see Hugh again, and she couldn't stand the thought that she compared every man to him. She goes out to a party one night and she sees a man who looks like Hugh. And of course it is. Now she wants to know why he left her 10 years ago without a word, and why he's back.
Hugh has returned because Jane's father has gotten in touch with him. His daughter's life is in danger and the only way for her father to protect her is for Hugh to take her away. Being the 19th century, it isn't proper for a lady to travel with a man that she isn't married to. So he asks Hugh to marry his daughter so he can protect her. Hugh has always loved Jane, but he fears that this will end up killing her. But he can't let her die... so he marries her and promises he will one day leave her again. But for now he has to do everything to stay away from her so he doesn't consummate the marriage, but protect her at the same time.
I thought this book was good. I felt for the characters and was frustrated when they kept skirting around the fact that they loved each other. But I couldn't help rooting for Hugh and wishing everything worked out. The plot was also interesting and unique, and exciting enough to keep me interested. I usually don't like historicals, but this one didn't bother me. I think it was because of Hugh's personality. Overall, it was a good book, and I would definitely recommend it to others.
Jane thought that she would never see Hugh again, and she couldn't stand the thought that she compared every man to him. She goes out to a party one night and she sees a man who looks like Hugh. And of course it is. Now she wants to know why he left her 10 years ago without a word, and why he's back.
Hugh has returned because Jane's father has gotten in touch with him. His daughter's life is in danger and the only way for her father to protect her is for Hugh to take her away. Being the 19th century, it isn't proper for a lady to travel with a man that she isn't married to. So he asks Hugh to marry his daughter so he can protect her. Hugh has always loved Jane, but he fears that this will end up killing her. But he can't let her die... so he marries her and promises he will one day leave her again. But for now he has to do everything to stay away from her so he doesn't consummate the marriage, but protect her at the same time.
I thought this book was good. I felt for the characters and was frustrated when they kept skirting around the fact that they loved each other. But I couldn't help rooting for Hugh and wishing everything worked out. The plot was also interesting and unique, and exciting enough to keep me interested. I usually don't like historicals, but this one didn't bother me. I think it was because of Hugh's personality. Overall, it was a good book, and I would definitely recommend it to others.
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