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The Seducers #5
The Romantic
A passionate new historical romance in Madeline Hunter's nationally bestselling Seducer series. This one features a fifth member of the London Dueling Society, the reserved, enigmatic lawyer to the Laclere family: Julian Hampton. All his life, it seemed, Julian had been in love with Penelope, now Countess of Glasbury. And when he learned the horrors she had endured at the hands of her vicious husband, Julian was instrumental in arranging for her escape to Italy. But he has never forgotten the love of his childhood, the woman he had rescued first as a "damsel in distress" when she was a girl, and then for real once she had blossomed into woman. When Penelope returns secretly to London, Julian is the one she turns to, even though her trust in him puts both their reputations, and ultimately their lives, in peril.
416 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2004
126 people are currently reading
1075 people want to read
About the author
Madeline Hunter
102 books2,105 followersMadeline Hunter is a nationally bestselling author of historical romances who lives in Pennsylvania with her husband and two sons. Her books have won two RITA awards and seven nominations, and have had three starred reviews in Publishers Weekly. In a parallel existence to the one she enjoys as a novelist, Madeline has a Ph.D. in art history and teaches at an East Coast university.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 89 reviews
December 4, 2025
✅When he’s her lawyer that’s been in love with her since childhood and pours his heart out in unrequited longing via unsent poems/letters
✅When he drops everything to help her gain freedom from her abusive husband.
✅✅✅When he’s in anguish and despair over loving her
STORYLINE - Penelope aka Pen’s abusive estranged husband is suddenly demanding ”his rights” to an heir and orders she return. Fearful of his abuse, she runs to her childhood friend/lawyer, Julian, to help her get free. They go incognito and devise a plan all while Julian continues writing sonnets in his head for her. This leads us to:
-forced proximity
-fake (not) relationship
-fwb (not)
Aghhh! Loved it. Idk if there’s anything more to say. Just look at this:
💔💔😭❤️🩹🥹
———•••BOOK INFO•••———
4.5⭐️
2.5-3🌶️
interconnected standalone, dual pov, on-the-run, crime subplot, forced proximity,
—TROPES—
-HR
-he’s loved her for yrs
-he’s her lawyer/family friend
-she’s oblivious to his affections
spice - passionate, mostly open door, lovemaking
—SAFETY—
CW: mentions of sexual abuse (not by either MC), death, slavery (villain is pro slavery, has slaves)
Cheating - technically h is married. (but trust, once u get the details it makes sense)
No virgins
No separation/breakup
No cheating between MCs
OPD - minor, insignificant, 1 sided
HEA
🚫FULL DETAILS - OPD (if ur crazy like me)
•
•
•
•
•
•
OMD - a past lover of h’s is mentioned & H was jealous of this. super minor & only in past
OWD - there’s a few OW interested in H. he wasn’t but at the very beginning of story (before h returned) he was in despair over her and thought maybe he should get w someone to move on (since h married and might never return). h returns that night (i.e., moving on goes out the window). one of these OW is present later & h wonders if she was a past lover of H’s (she was not; but in verrrry start of book H does note this OW’s particular attractiveness when deciding he should move on👎.) [this OW ends up being a great character & ONLY a friend to H]
↓ SPOILERS ↓
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•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
🚫full book spoilers below
────────THOUGHTS──────────
Cleo - they never said her age but always referred to her as a “girl” or “child”. not that it matters but I kept wanting to picture exactly how old she was. also I feel like her death was brushed off way to quick. the way she was brought up by FMC the whole book I expected her to be devastated. they just kinda moved on to solving the crime (bc of her safety) afterwards ??
Abuse - I wish it was a tad more clarified. From how Pen spoke I felt like there was more to the story than the whips/bondage & 1 scene. NOT that I wanted scenes but just some clarification. Idk, it gave me the chills.
✅When he drops everything to help her gain freedom from her abusive husband.
✅✅✅When he’s in anguish and despair over loving her
STORYLINE - Penelope aka Pen’s abusive estranged husband is suddenly demanding ”his rights” to an heir and orders she return. Fearful of his abuse, she runs to her childhood friend/lawyer, Julian, to help her get free. They go incognito and devise a plan all while Julian continues writing sonnets in his head for her. This leads us to:
-forced proximity
-fake (not) relationship
-fwb (not)
Aghhh! Loved it. Idk if there’s anything more to say. Just look at this:
”My incomparable beloved,
I await your brief, infrequent letters like a boy, desperate for any small indication that you remember I exist…One word, my love, just one word; that is all I seek.”
💔💔😭❤️🩹🥹
———•••BOOK INFO•••———
4.5⭐️
2.5-3🌶️
interconnected standalone, dual pov, on-the-run, crime subplot, forced proximity,
—TROPES—
-HR
-he’s loved her for yrs
-he’s her lawyer/family friend
-she’s oblivious to his affections
spice - passionate, mostly open door, lovemaking
—SAFETY—
CW: mentions of sexual abuse (not by either MC), death, slavery (villain is pro slavery, has slaves)
Cheating - technically h is married. (but trust, once u get the details it makes sense)
No virgins
No separation/breakup
No cheating between MCs
OPD - minor, insignificant, 1 sided
HEA
🚫FULL DETAILS - OPD (if ur crazy like me)
•
•
•
•
•
•
OMD - a past lover of h’s is mentioned & H was jealous of this. super minor & only in past
OWD - there’s a few OW interested in H. he wasn’t but at the very beginning of story (before h returned) he was in despair over her and thought maybe he should get w someone to move on (since h married and might never return). h returns that night (i.e., moving on goes out the window). one of these OW is present later & h wonders if she was a past lover of H’s (she was not; but in verrrry start of book H does note this OW’s particular attractiveness when deciding he should move on👎.) [this OW ends up being a great character & ONLY a friend to H]
↓ SPOILERS ↓
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
🚫full book spoilers below
────────THOUGHTS──────────
Cleo - they never said her age but always referred to her as a “girl” or “child”. not that it matters but I kept wanting to picture exactly how old she was. also I feel like her death was brushed off way to quick. the way she was brought up by FMC the whole book I expected her to be devastated. they just kinda moved on to solving the crime (bc of her safety) afterwards ??
Abuse - I wish it was a tad more clarified. From how Pen spoke I felt like there was more to the story than the whips/bondage & 1 scene. NOT that I wanted scenes but just some clarification. Idk, it gave me the chills.
February 23, 2013
This wasn't my favorite in this series, but it was still pretty darn good. Julian was a super romantic hero (thus the title, obviously ;-) ), having been secretly in love with Penelope since they were teenagers, writing love stories and poems and never-sent-letters to her over the years. The book didn't seem to adequately explain why he didn't let her know before she was married, or if it did, I missed it. Which brings me to a certain point, the heroine was married for the vast majority of the book. Now, she has been separated from her husband for the length of the series, and in The Romantic we finally find out why (and it's pretty horrific), but this may or may not be a deal breaker for some readers.
The first 1/2 of the book was spent following our hero and heroine around England, trying to escape the clutches of her husband who was finally demanding she give him an heir. (Our hero, Julian, is Penelope's solicitor, and as such, he was the only one who knew why she left her husband, was the one who arranged their separation in the first place, and was who she turned to when her husband commanded her to return. That's why they were on the run together.) Unfortunately, Julian kept leaving her at "safe" places and the Earl (her husband) kept finding her, forcing a last minute/extremely lucky rescue. When this kept happening I got concerned that I was going to end up throwing the book in disgust, but luckily it only happened twice. Finally Penelope decides to force the Earl to divorce her by having an extremely public affair with Julian. Our hero and heroine finally start to fall completely in love, or technically, Pen starts to fall for Julian, since he was already in love with her.
Julian was probably the sweetest, most romantic hero I've met. His demeanor was so stoic and calm. His "manliness" was less obvious than other, more alpha heroes. I don't really know how to describe it, perhaps it will come to me later, but I did like it. It was nice for a change. Penelope was a bit of a bluestocking, but we hardly got to see that at all.
There was one scene at the beginning of the book with Julian remembering back to when he and Pen were young teens and he first saw her in a light other than friends. I would have really loved to see more of these scenes. Of him falling more in love with her, of him finding out she was marrying someone else, etc. More of this could have raised the book to 5 stars for me.
The first 1/2 of the book was spent following our hero and heroine around England, trying to escape the clutches of her husband who was finally demanding she give him an heir. (Our hero, Julian, is Penelope's solicitor, and as such, he was the only one who knew why she left her husband, was the one who arranged their separation in the first place, and was who she turned to when her husband commanded her to return. That's why they were on the run together.) Unfortunately, Julian kept leaving her at "safe" places and the Earl (her husband) kept finding her, forcing a last minute/extremely lucky rescue. When this kept happening I got concerned that I was going to end up throwing the book in disgust, but luckily it only happened twice. Finally Penelope decides to force the Earl to divorce her by having an extremely public affair with Julian. Our hero and heroine finally start to fall completely in love, or technically, Pen starts to fall for Julian, since he was already in love with her.
Julian was probably the sweetest, most romantic hero I've met. His demeanor was so stoic and calm. His "manliness" was less obvious than other, more alpha heroes. I don't really know how to describe it, perhaps it will come to me later, but I did like it. It was nice for a change. Penelope was a bit of a bluestocking, but we hardly got to see that at all.
There was one scene at the beginning of the book with Julian remembering back to when he and Pen were young teens and he first saw her in a light other than friends. I would have really loved to see more of these scenes. Of him falling more in love with her, of him finding out she was marrying someone else, etc. More of this could have raised the book to 5 stars for me.
May 11, 2014
Visit here to read this review with spoilers.
I wanted to put it off, to take it up at another time when I wouldn’t be as busy as I am now. To no avail. Rereading the love scenes and my favorite passages didn’t help. The book basically sang to me, caught my eye even with that dull purple cover no matter where I hid it in my room, as if it was luring me to lose myself in it again. I couldn’t have been more glad that I did.
Dear readers, it is my great pleasure to present you my review of my absolute favorite historical romance novel: The Romantic by Madeline Hunter.
This already sounds like my favorite kind of tragedy. However, it’s only the background story that is expertly revealed as the main storyline unfolds. That’s another thing that Madeline Hunter handled excellently. Through hints, and passages of memories written in italics, she gives you a whole life story to fill the gaps with your imagination as the characters grow on you. So here, Glasbury wants Penelope back to give him an heir. And Julian, to save his ‘incomparable beloved’, dons his armor once again and swears to slay this sleeping dragon for once and for all. Oh, my… I must have really gotten carried away this time.
As for Penelope, she is a lovable damsel in distress. At first I didn’t like her much. Perhaps because she is obscured by Julian as he clearly owns the book. But on second read, I found her to be a flesh and bone woman. She is very real, similar to Gigi from Sherry Thomas’ Private Arrangements. Maybe I got that impression because they are both mature women.
On the second read, the love scenes seemed kind of bland. I like detail when it’s nice, and, as far as ratings go, I’m into Hot rather than Warm, as I point out often. But (of course there is a but) the beauty of the love scenes in this book is of a different kind. It’s not bland, it’s deep with rich and sizzling insinuations that reveal the wit of Ms. Hunter’s writing.
The Romantic defies the “rules” of historical romance novels in many ways. For one thing, neither of the characters describe each other’s perfection for pages at end, for which I am glad. Something I am much more glad about is that there are no ugly comparisons with past loves or whatnot. Being the most beautiful/handsome, most irresistible or the first at everything is not of significance in this book. Yet, this story is more moving than any mosts or firsts story I have read, and I believe that’s the real beauty of it.
As I read on, I discovered that the book has many layers that requires the reader’s attention and love of the characters to truly enjoy both. So not everything is out in the open. And I really don’t like open-ended plots or untied storylines. But actually nothing is open-ended in this book. It’s just implied rather than told in the most detailed manner. And I guess most people will agree with me when I say that the latter spoils the fun sometimes. In The Romantic, this implicit quality really makes the story beautiful. I don’t think this story would be as good if it were written by Lisa Kleypas (no offense, she is a great historical romance author. Just on a different light). I would still love it to pieces probably, but not as much.
In short, The Romantic is more than your average historical romance novel. It has a solid, relevant plot, a down-to-earth heroine, an amazing hero and a love story so beautiful that it redefined romance in my eyes. I recommend it to romance fans who are looking for something deeper.
I wanted to put it off, to take it up at another time when I wouldn’t be as busy as I am now. To no avail. Rereading the love scenes and my favorite passages didn’t help. The book basically sang to me, caught my eye even with that dull purple cover no matter where I hid it in my room, as if it was luring me to lose myself in it again. I couldn’t have been more glad that I did.
Dear readers, it is my great pleasure to present you my review of my absolute favorite historical romance novel: The Romantic by Madeline Hunter.
“I never hated you. My anger was never with you, but with the little hell my heart had put me in. The anger always passed. I never regretted loving you. If I had gone to my grave never kissing you or touching you, I still would not have thought it a wasted love.”So what can possibly be so great about it? Well, first of all, it has a good storyline with a strong plot. Madeline Hunter’s novels are usually too plot-intensive that I forget I’m reading a romance novel. There’s always a mystery to be solved or some sort of mission that the heroine sets about accomplishing. But in The Romantic, the plot didn’t bother me because this time it involved the main characters. But more than that, it set the scene for a great tragedy. Penelope, Countess of Glasbury, has been separated from her husband for more than a decade. The person who negotiated the separation, and the only one who knows the reason for it, is the Laclere family solicitor, Julian Hampton. He has known Penelope and her brothers since they were teenagers and needless to say he has been in love with Penelope since forever. Now isn’t that just perfect?
This already sounds like my favorite kind of tragedy. However, it’s only the background story that is expertly revealed as the main storyline unfolds. That’s another thing that Madeline Hunter handled excellently. Through hints, and passages of memories written in italics, she gives you a whole life story to fill the gaps with your imagination as the characters grow on you. So here, Glasbury wants Penelope back to give him an heir. And Julian, to save his ‘incomparable beloved’, dons his armor once again and swears to slay this sleeping dragon for once and for all. Oh, my… I must have really gotten carried away this time.
“My love is with you, even when I am not.”There is nothing special about this quote you might say. Well, not if Julian Hampton is the one who spoke it. Its meaning has so many layers that I cannot begin to describe them all. This man is something else all together. An enigma even to those who know him well. His quiet reserve is often mistaken for a cold nature. The first chapter does an excellent job in introducing this very private hero. And later on you begin to view him as the embodiment of a safe harbor whose only confidant is his pen. He is a calm, taciturn man who leads a quiet, steady life giving no hint of the storm of unrequited love churning inside. I suppose it is fitting that he likes watching thunderstorms *winks*
As for Penelope, she is a lovable damsel in distress. At first I didn’t like her much. Perhaps because she is obscured by Julian as he clearly owns the book. But on second read, I found her to be a flesh and bone woman. She is very real, similar to Gigi from Sherry Thomas’ Private Arrangements. Maybe I got that impression because they are both mature women.
“There was no friend whom you mourned leaving?”Penelope is a courageous, self-sacrifing woman, as Julian describes her. She feels that she must marry the earl because her family’s finances have taken a wrong turn. When she discovers the monster that Glasbury is, she does not seek to divorce him because she doesn’t want her family to be tainted with scandal. So besides the hell she wasted youth and innocence in, she has to carry another burden, which is keeping this awful truth a secret. She only shares it with her childhood friend and the one person who she believes will act in a sensible manner with that knowledge. So she reveals the particulars of her marriage to Julian. She asks for help from him alone. Only she has no idea how much he suffers over her revelations and how much she burdens him with them.
She tried to assume a worldly, bored expression, but could not successfully hide a deeper sadness. “I will never mourn a man again, Mr. Hampton.”
On the second read, the love scenes seemed kind of bland. I like detail when it’s nice, and, as far as ratings go, I’m into Hot rather than Warm, as I point out often. But (of course there is a but) the beauty of the love scenes in this book is of a different kind. It’s not bland, it’s deep with rich and sizzling insinuations that reveal the wit of Ms. Hunter’s writing.
The Romantic defies the “rules” of historical romance novels in many ways. For one thing, neither of the characters describe each other’s perfection for pages at end, for which I am glad. Something I am much more glad about is that there are no ugly comparisons with past loves or whatnot. Being the most beautiful/handsome, most irresistible or the first at everything is not of significance in this book. Yet, this story is more moving than any mosts or firsts story I have read, and I believe that’s the real beauty of it.
As I read on, I discovered that the book has many layers that requires the reader’s attention and love of the characters to truly enjoy both. So not everything is out in the open. And I really don’t like open-ended plots or untied storylines. But actually nothing is open-ended in this book. It’s just implied rather than told in the most detailed manner. And I guess most people will agree with me when I say that the latter spoils the fun sometimes. In The Romantic, this implicit quality really makes the story beautiful. I don’t think this story would be as good if it were written by Lisa Kleypas (no offense, she is a great historical romance author. Just on a different light). I would still love it to pieces probably, but not as much.
In short, The Romantic is more than your average historical romance novel. It has a solid, relevant plot, a down-to-earth heroine, an amazing hero and a love story so beautiful that it redefined romance in my eyes. I recommend it to romance fans who are looking for something deeper.
August 27, 2008
God, oh GOD! One of the most romantic stories on unrequited love. Its rare for me to re-read passages over and over again even before I've finished the novel, but the prose and poetry is so delicious and lovely. It gives me such shivers reading the declarations of love and reminds me of fairy tales with knights in shining armor.
*sigh*
*sigh*
October 12, 2020
Okay, so. I LOVED the romance. This was basically perfect - lovely, romantic, gorgeous.
BUT. The whole stuff with the ex-enslaved people and Pen declaring that women were the last chattel slaves in England...was...icky at best, outright racist at worst. And I'm not sure where it stands. I'd love to see what Black people thought of this, but (a testament to how bad this could be) I'd hesitate to give this to any Black person. The way the ex-enslaved people's trauma was just brushed under the rug in favour of drama about White people and the anger those White people had at them, then just, the hea? Left a bad taste in my mouth.
I don't know. I'm sticking with five stars, but...a very hesitant five stars.
BUT. The whole stuff with the ex-enslaved people and Pen declaring that women were the last chattel slaves in England...was...icky at best, outright racist at worst. And I'm not sure where it stands. I'd love to see what Black people thought of this, but (a testament to how bad this could be) I'd hesitate to give this to any Black person. The way the ex-enslaved people's trauma was just brushed under the rug in favour of drama about White people and the anger those White people had at them, then just, the hea? Left a bad taste in my mouth.
I don't know. I'm sticking with five stars, but...a very hesitant five stars.
April 28, 2013
I liked the idea of the hero as a lawyer helping the heroine work around the awful, restrictive marriage laws of the time. It seems like a potentially rich subject area to me - yes, we like to read about perfect, happy-ever-after marriages, but what about women who were trapped in bad marriages? They didn't have much recourse at the time. So I was curious to see how that played out.
Unfortunately, this was just OK for me. Julian and Penelope never really grew on me. I didn't find them romantic. They were both so terribly noble and self-sacrificing. Julian commented that Penelope spent too much time arranging her life to keep other people happy, rather than herself. Well, that is a classic case of the pot calling the kettle black, because he was just as bad. The combination of two such people just got to be kind of ridiculous and didn't feel real to me. It felt like they were competing to be the person who sacrificed the most for love at a couple points. "I'll leave the country!" "Well, I'll get myself sent to jail!"
Perhaps I would have enjoyed the book more if I had read the rest of the series first, but I doubt it.
Unfortunately, this was just OK for me. Julian and Penelope never really grew on me. I didn't find them romantic. They were both so terribly noble and self-sacrificing. Julian commented that Penelope spent too much time arranging her life to keep other people happy, rather than herself. Well, that is a classic case of the pot calling the kettle black, because he was just as bad. The combination of two such people just got to be kind of ridiculous and didn't feel real to me. It felt like they were competing to be the person who sacrificed the most for love at a couple points. "I'll leave the country!" "Well, I'll get myself sent to jail!"
Perhaps I would have enjoyed the book more if I had read the rest of the series first, but I doubt it.
April 12, 2022
En esta novela conocemos la historia del reservado y enigmático abogado de la familia Laclere: Julian Hampton.
Al parecer, toda su vida Julian había estado enamorado de Penélope, la hermana del vizconde de Leclere, ahora condesa de Glasbury. Y cuando se enteró de los horrores que ella había soportado a manos de su perverso esposo, Julian jugó un papel decisivo en los arreglos para su escape a Italia. Pero nunca ha olvidado al amor de su infancia a pesar de ser totalmente platónico. Cuando Penélope regresa en secreto a Londres debido a que su esposo intenta recuperar sus derechos conyugales para que le dé un heredero, recurre a Julian quien será capaz de arriesgar su vida para salvarla.
La trama nos lleva a las dificultades que tenían en esa época las mujeres para divorciarse, siquiera separarse, debido a que eran consideradas propiedad del esposo, tanto en las decisiones personales como en lo económico. Incluso si hay agresiones, secuestro o violación por parte del marido.
Ambos tratarán de encontrar la solución mientras comienzan a surgir el deseo y los sentimientos en esta pareja que se conocen de niños.
Hasta el capítulo 22 (son 31) la historia iba para cuatro estrellas. Pero la forma (no los hechos) en que se desarrollaron los acontecimientos me parecieron de folletín y telenovela de cuarta categoría. Decisiones absurdas, manejo de la justicia ridículos y desenlaces sacados de la galera. De ahí mi puntaje (1 estrella y media).
Eso sí, las escenas sensuales muy buenas y bastantes.
Al parecer, toda su vida Julian había estado enamorado de Penélope, la hermana del vizconde de Leclere, ahora condesa de Glasbury. Y cuando se enteró de los horrores que ella había soportado a manos de su perverso esposo, Julian jugó un papel decisivo en los arreglos para su escape a Italia. Pero nunca ha olvidado al amor de su infancia a pesar de ser totalmente platónico. Cuando Penélope regresa en secreto a Londres debido a que su esposo intenta recuperar sus derechos conyugales para que le dé un heredero, recurre a Julian quien será capaz de arriesgar su vida para salvarla.
La trama nos lleva a las dificultades que tenían en esa época las mujeres para divorciarse, siquiera separarse, debido a que eran consideradas propiedad del esposo, tanto en las decisiones personales como en lo económico. Incluso si hay agresiones, secuestro o violación por parte del marido.
Ambos tratarán de encontrar la solución mientras comienzan a surgir el deseo y los sentimientos en esta pareja que se conocen de niños.
Hasta el capítulo 22 (son 31) la historia iba para cuatro estrellas. Pero la forma (no los hechos) en que se desarrollaron los acontecimientos me parecieron de folletín y telenovela de cuarta categoría. Decisiones absurdas, manejo de la justicia ridículos y desenlaces sacados de la galera. De ahí mi puntaje (1 estrella y media).
Eso sí, las escenas sensuales muy buenas y bastantes.
March 12, 2025
A whole lot of plot for nothing to happen!! The gap between Hunter's Medievals (incredible) and her Regencies (never reaching heights higher the compelling side of mediocre) is astounding.
To her credit, she does integrate the political reality of Regency aristocrats earning their money from slavery (this is also a theme of The Saint). And I think Hunter is always okay with her characters, even main characters, demonstrating historically accurate bad politics, that she manages to announce in the narrative as regressive. She's not having Good Dukes Do Speeches. However, I do think that method was clunkier here than her other attempts at it, due largely in part to the murder plot that just extended everything for so long.
To her credit, she does integrate the political reality of Regency aristocrats earning their money from slavery (this is also a theme of The Saint). And I think Hunter is always okay with her characters, even main characters, demonstrating historically accurate bad politics, that she manages to announce in the narrative as regressive. She's not having Good Dukes Do Speeches. However, I do think that method was clunkier here than her other attempts at it, due largely in part to the murder plot that just extended everything for so long.
June 8, 2021
This was a series I read YEARS ago and I vividly remembered loving this book in particular. Did I this time? Uhhhhh...
I loved the hero - Julian is SBD potential, pines HARD for decades (literally), and always lets Penelope make her own choices and will do anything to support her. I struggled more with Penelope - she was so self-sacrificing that she actually caused more problems than she solved and that annoyed me. I wanted more of the BEFORE of their relationship which we only got in fits and starts but I feel like I wanted to see how they got to the point they were at. I also feel like we were robbed of a duel - there was all the setup for it and none of the follow-through (plus this series is heavy into duels so that was the tone I was going for.) The villain was very two-dimensional and I wanted to know the details - 'cause I am a swamp goblin like that - and I also felt like he barely got his comeuppance and when he did it was off-page.
Stars: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Steam: 🔥🔥
Tropes: best friend's sister, pining hero, everyone is over thirty, second shot at intimacy, friends to lovers
For Fans Of: Kerrigan Byrne style romance
Subgenre: historic romance
CW/ TW: mentions of spousal abuse, emotional and psychological trauma, mentions of murder and suicide, racism and homophobia references
I loved the hero - Julian is SBD potential, pines HARD for decades (literally), and always lets Penelope make her own choices and will do anything to support her. I struggled more with Penelope - she was so self-sacrificing that she actually caused more problems than she solved and that annoyed me. I wanted more of the BEFORE of their relationship which we only got in fits and starts but I feel like I wanted to see how they got to the point they were at. I also feel like we were robbed of a duel - there was all the setup for it and none of the follow-through (plus this series is heavy into duels so that was the tone I was going for.) The villain was very two-dimensional and I wanted to know the details - 'cause I am a swamp goblin like that - and I also felt like he barely got his comeuppance and when he did it was off-page.
Stars: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Steam: 🔥🔥
Tropes: best friend's sister, pining hero, everyone is over thirty, second shot at intimacy, friends to lovers
For Fans Of: Kerrigan Byrne style romance
Subgenre: historic romance
CW/ TW: mentions of spousal abuse, emotional and psychological trauma, mentions of murder and suicide, racism and homophobia references
September 15, 2010
What a great hero. I just loved this book.
Julian has been in love with Penelope since he was a teenager. He's tried to forget her and move on time and time again but he just can't. He never told her because she married very young and it seemed a moot point. Penelope married an evil man because she was young and impressed by a title. She also had no idea about Julian.
In a time when divorce in unthinkable Penelope turns to Julian for help after being terrorized by her husband. (He's a lawyer) and they develop a plan to force the earl's hand into a divorce.
The draw of this book is Julian. He's a very introverted, decent, Mr. Darcyesque without the estate type of hero.
The writing is very good. This is my first Madeline Hunter book and I'm looking forward to reading more. The only reason I didn't give this book four stars is the end turns into a murder mystery and trial, and I'm not crazy about my mystery and romance genres mixing.
Julian has been in love with Penelope since he was a teenager. He's tried to forget her and move on time and time again but he just can't. He never told her because she married very young and it seemed a moot point. Penelope married an evil man because she was young and impressed by a title. She also had no idea about Julian.
In a time when divorce in unthinkable Penelope turns to Julian for help after being terrorized by her husband. (He's a lawyer) and they develop a plan to force the earl's hand into a divorce.
The draw of this book is Julian. He's a very introverted, decent, Mr. Darcyesque without the estate type of hero.
The writing is very good. This is my first Madeline Hunter book and I'm looking forward to reading more. The only reason I didn't give this book four stars is the end turns into a murder mystery and trial, and I'm not crazy about my mystery and romance genres mixing.
August 9, 2016
I love Madeline Hunter, and have been trying to make time to read some of her older books. And "The Seducers" series has some great ones!
It's a interesting story, and highlights the horror of women trapped by a male-dominated society in abusive marriages from which they could not legally escape.
Julian...(sigh)...everyone should have a Julian in their life! He's been steadfast in his love for Penelope since childhood, and is devoted to ensuring her happiness. Unaware of Julian's love, she's turned to him for help in escaping from her awful marriage. She has sacrificed for years so she can protect herself and her family from her vicious husband.
Yes..they're both a little too-good-to-be-true. Pen's a little too much of a martyr and Julian's years alone are extreme, but they're so sweet and hot when they finally get together! And...there's some nice mystery and suspense as well.
It's a interesting story, and highlights the horror of women trapped by a male-dominated society in abusive marriages from which they could not legally escape.
Julian...(sigh)...everyone should have a Julian in their life! He's been steadfast in his love for Penelope since childhood, and is devoted to ensuring her happiness. Unaware of Julian's love, she's turned to him for help in escaping from her awful marriage. She has sacrificed for years so she can protect herself and her family from her vicious husband.
Yes..they're both a little too-good-to-be-true. Pen's a little too much of a martyr and Julian's years alone are extreme, but they're so sweet and hot when they finally get together! And...there's some nice mystery and suspense as well.
April 25, 2017
Finalmente Julian!!! Libro dolcissimo e intenso.
Aveva sempre sospettato che per Julian Hampton le acque scorressero molto profonde, e che trasportassero anche invisibili correnti.
Ma nessuno come me è rimasto curioso per la storia di Milton, il fratello maggiore, bellissimo e tormentato, suicida per la vergogna di amare un altro uomo? La Hunter lascia cadere accenni qua e là nei vari episodi, ma davvero è un personaggio struggente.
Aveva sempre sospettato che per Julian Hampton le acque scorressero molto profonde, e che trasportassero anche invisibili correnti.
Ma nessuno come me è rimasto curioso per la storia di Milton, il fratello maggiore, bellissimo e tormentato, suicida per la vergogna di amare un altro uomo? La Hunter lascia cadere accenni qua e là nei vari episodi, ma davvero è un personaggio struggente.
September 10, 2021
Re read 2021
December 21, 2020
When I think romance, this is the type of novel that comes to mind. A noble hero. A compassionate heroine. Elevated emotions. And since it’s Hunter, great plot, great use of historical events, interesting use of previous characters, and of course, beautiful, well-written love scenes.
4.5 stars for this beauty of a book.
4.5 stars for this beauty of a book.
August 14, 2021
Excellent book, and a lovely conclusion to the 5 book series. This entire series will remain on my keeper shelf. There are two books loosely related to this series that I will read next but I need to find others by this author. She weaves an excellent story, I love her writing style, and I have loved her cast of characters. I thoroughly enjoy this author and bestow "a favorite" title upon her.
May 10, 2019
Nothing wrong with this book, I just wasn't as awed as I expected I would be after reading the reviews. And I was a little bit bored. Overall, a nice read.
May 21, 2015
This may be the second book I read but Miss Hunter, and I'm telling you. She writes like an angel. Every moment of the book, flipping the pages had me holding my breath. First off, I have read many, many, great sexy heroes, but I think Julian tops them all (just kidding), but seriously, the dude literally went through hell for her. And that jackass husband of hers. I swear I was rather glad that he died in the end. This book really did have the feels of where justice stands. Why in the Regency men had the upper hand and I think Miss Hunter brought that issues to a head. Great read, loved that Penelope and Julian had their HEA in the end
November 17, 2007
I like Madeline Hunter quite a bit and this is one of my favorite of her books. Julian has loved Penelope since he was a child, but she was always out of his reach. Now she needs his help and he will do anything he can to get her safe. This was a very sensitive novel and Hunter does a fabulous job with the deep passion a very quiet and private man can feel.
September 18, 2011
Gripping and beautiful. I have always found Julian Hampton intriguing in the other novels of this series so I am more than pleased to read his story (as well as Penelope's). In many ways, this story was hard to read as some details were unpleasant, but in others, it definitely lived up to its title. Truly a romantic and sweeping love story. Lovely.
June 8, 2018
Lucia63 - per RFS
4 - Voto
"Aveva contrattato duramente quando era andato da Glasbury. Aveva spinto quell’uomo fino a dove aveva potuto osare, poi aveva spinto ancora oltre. Quando l’incontro era terminato, aveva consegnato a Pen la mezza vittoria che lei aveva desiderato. Non la libertà, ma una protezione. Una protezione ormai minacciata. Lasciò la stalla, si ripulì gli stivali e si lavò le mani, quindi si diresse in casa. Fuori sulla terrazza si fermò a contemplare la spiaggia: un puntino blu stava sulla striscia di sabbia. La sua collera non era interamente altruistica. Era in parte, forse in gran parte, la frustrazione di un uomo che voleva una donna così tanto che l’avrebbe avuta in qualsiasi modo avrebbe potuto. Pen aveva vissuto per un lungo tempo nel rifugio che loro due avevano costruito molti anni prima. Aveva funzionato bene, e lui non poteva farle una colpa del fatto che volesse cercare di ripararne le mura, anziché uscire fuori ad affrontare il nemico. Rispetto alla sicurezza che aveva trovato in quella fortezza, la possibilità di avere una relazione di convenienza con il suo amico e avvocato non avrebbe avuto molta attrattiva."
Julian non è nobile, ma è molto amato dal ton per la sua ricchezza e per la sua bravura come avvocato; essendo scapolo, ha molte donne attorno a sé, attirate dal suo fisico prestante, e alcune nobili matrone che stanno tentando invano di accasarlo. Ma nessuno sa che Julian ha impegnato il suo cuore tanti anni prima, innamorandosi di Penelope, la sorella del suo amico più caro, una donna che è diventata contessa, ma che da ben dieci anni vive lontana dal marito. Spinta dalla famiglia, infatti, Penelope ha sposato il conte di Glasbury, che ben presto si è rivelato prevaricatore e sadico; inoltre, nonostante in Inghilterra non sia consentito, è anche un uomo che possiede schiavi a cui riserva trattamenti orribili. Quando la giovane donna si è rivolta a lui in cerca di aiuto anni prima, Julian è riuscito, grazie ad informazioni e ricatti, a convincere il Conte a lasciare andare la moglie, che si è rifugiata a Napoli. Ora tuttavia è stata costretta a tornare: il marito pretende che faccia rientro a casa e, dopo anni in cui credeva di essere al sicuro, la donna si accorge di essere seguita e osservata e teme un rapimento da parte del marito; il terrore che costui le ispira, la spinge ancora una volta a cercare l’aiuto dell’uomo che in passato le ha salvato la vita. Julian ancora una volta è pronto a lottare per lei, e questa volta intende fare in modo che il Conte si decida a chiedere il divorzio, e ad uscire per sempre dalla vita della moglie; tuttavia ben presto è costretto a rendersi conto che ciò che impediva al Conte di chiedere il ritorno di Penelope non esiste più, e che la loro strategia deve cambiare completamente.
Julian ha amato Penelope fin da ragazzino eppure mai una volta le ha accennato i suoi sentimenti: nei lunghi anni in cui lei è stata lontana le ha scritto bellissime lettere d’amore, romantiche e dolci, che non ha mai spedito e che conserva in un cassetto. Neppure quando il suo matrimonio si è rivelato un orribile errore, le ha mai fatto capire qualcosa, l’ha anzi aiutata senza pretendere nulla in cambio, e nonostante a volte si senta solo, non intende sposarsi, essendo ben cosciente che nessuna donna potrà mai prendere il suo posto. Si è accontentato di saperla al sicuro, felice anche se ancora sposata, e attorniata da corteggiatori e, quando se la ritrova davanti, non ha un attimo di esitazione: le offre la sua protezione e anche il suo denaro, convinto di poter, ancora una volta, convincere il marito a desistere dalla sue pretese. E quando capisce che i fatti con cui teneva in pugno il Conte non sono più in grado di fermarlo, decide di rischiare anche la sua carriere e la sua reputazione. È un personaggio estremante romantico, a volte persino eccessivo nel suo desiderio di mettere al sicuro la donna che ama, e questo nonostante sia convinto che, dopo un simile matrimonio, Penelope non intenda amare un uomo mai più. Penelope ha pagato caro l’aver seguito i desideri della madre e si è trovata alle prese con un marito che adorava farle del male, incapace per molto tempo di capire che in quel matrimonio c’era qualcosa di sbagliato e che non tutti i mariti si comportavano così. Ma nonostante gli abusi subiti, non può fare a meno di fidarsi di Julian, il suo amico, il suo protettore; con lui scopre per la prima volta i piaceri dei sensi, e quando finalmente si rende conto di quanto Julian l’abbia amata, lui la sorprende ancora una volta, disposto a sacrificarsi fino in fondo pur di salvarla.
Una donna da salvare, un personaggio maschile assolutamente indimenticabile, una storia piena di colpi di scena, un essere crudele che ha dalla sua parte leggi ingiuste, rendono questo libro estremamente interessante anche se a tratti un po’ cupo. È una storia che parla di abusi, che racconta di donne che la legge di quei tempi lascia così indifese che neppure i famigliari possono aiutarle, ma anche di un amore che ha superato ogni difficoltà e di un uomo che ha amato così tanto da meritare un meraviglioso e sofferto lieto fine. Sicuramente il capitolo migliore di una serie che tutto sommato non mi ha particolarmente entusiasmato, ma che gode della piacevole scrittura di Madeline Hunter un’autrice di tutto rispetto.
4 - Voto
"Aveva contrattato duramente quando era andato da Glasbury. Aveva spinto quell’uomo fino a dove aveva potuto osare, poi aveva spinto ancora oltre. Quando l’incontro era terminato, aveva consegnato a Pen la mezza vittoria che lei aveva desiderato. Non la libertà, ma una protezione. Una protezione ormai minacciata. Lasciò la stalla, si ripulì gli stivali e si lavò le mani, quindi si diresse in casa. Fuori sulla terrazza si fermò a contemplare la spiaggia: un puntino blu stava sulla striscia di sabbia. La sua collera non era interamente altruistica. Era in parte, forse in gran parte, la frustrazione di un uomo che voleva una donna così tanto che l’avrebbe avuta in qualsiasi modo avrebbe potuto. Pen aveva vissuto per un lungo tempo nel rifugio che loro due avevano costruito molti anni prima. Aveva funzionato bene, e lui non poteva farle una colpa del fatto che volesse cercare di ripararne le mura, anziché uscire fuori ad affrontare il nemico. Rispetto alla sicurezza che aveva trovato in quella fortezza, la possibilità di avere una relazione di convenienza con il suo amico e avvocato non avrebbe avuto molta attrattiva."
Julian non è nobile, ma è molto amato dal ton per la sua ricchezza e per la sua bravura come avvocato; essendo scapolo, ha molte donne attorno a sé, attirate dal suo fisico prestante, e alcune nobili matrone che stanno tentando invano di accasarlo. Ma nessuno sa che Julian ha impegnato il suo cuore tanti anni prima, innamorandosi di Penelope, la sorella del suo amico più caro, una donna che è diventata contessa, ma che da ben dieci anni vive lontana dal marito. Spinta dalla famiglia, infatti, Penelope ha sposato il conte di Glasbury, che ben presto si è rivelato prevaricatore e sadico; inoltre, nonostante in Inghilterra non sia consentito, è anche un uomo che possiede schiavi a cui riserva trattamenti orribili. Quando la giovane donna si è rivolta a lui in cerca di aiuto anni prima, Julian è riuscito, grazie ad informazioni e ricatti, a convincere il Conte a lasciare andare la moglie, che si è rifugiata a Napoli. Ora tuttavia è stata costretta a tornare: il marito pretende che faccia rientro a casa e, dopo anni in cui credeva di essere al sicuro, la donna si accorge di essere seguita e osservata e teme un rapimento da parte del marito; il terrore che costui le ispira, la spinge ancora una volta a cercare l’aiuto dell’uomo che in passato le ha salvato la vita. Julian ancora una volta è pronto a lottare per lei, e questa volta intende fare in modo che il Conte si decida a chiedere il divorzio, e ad uscire per sempre dalla vita della moglie; tuttavia ben presto è costretto a rendersi conto che ciò che impediva al Conte di chiedere il ritorno di Penelope non esiste più, e che la loro strategia deve cambiare completamente.
Julian ha amato Penelope fin da ragazzino eppure mai una volta le ha accennato i suoi sentimenti: nei lunghi anni in cui lei è stata lontana le ha scritto bellissime lettere d’amore, romantiche e dolci, che non ha mai spedito e che conserva in un cassetto. Neppure quando il suo matrimonio si è rivelato un orribile errore, le ha mai fatto capire qualcosa, l’ha anzi aiutata senza pretendere nulla in cambio, e nonostante a volte si senta solo, non intende sposarsi, essendo ben cosciente che nessuna donna potrà mai prendere il suo posto. Si è accontentato di saperla al sicuro, felice anche se ancora sposata, e attorniata da corteggiatori e, quando se la ritrova davanti, non ha un attimo di esitazione: le offre la sua protezione e anche il suo denaro, convinto di poter, ancora una volta, convincere il marito a desistere dalla sue pretese. E quando capisce che i fatti con cui teneva in pugno il Conte non sono più in grado di fermarlo, decide di rischiare anche la sua carriere e la sua reputazione. È un personaggio estremante romantico, a volte persino eccessivo nel suo desiderio di mettere al sicuro la donna che ama, e questo nonostante sia convinto che, dopo un simile matrimonio, Penelope non intenda amare un uomo mai più. Penelope ha pagato caro l’aver seguito i desideri della madre e si è trovata alle prese con un marito che adorava farle del male, incapace per molto tempo di capire che in quel matrimonio c’era qualcosa di sbagliato e che non tutti i mariti si comportavano così. Ma nonostante gli abusi subiti, non può fare a meno di fidarsi di Julian, il suo amico, il suo protettore; con lui scopre per la prima volta i piaceri dei sensi, e quando finalmente si rende conto di quanto Julian l’abbia amata, lui la sorprende ancora una volta, disposto a sacrificarsi fino in fondo pur di salvarla.
Una donna da salvare, un personaggio maschile assolutamente indimenticabile, una storia piena di colpi di scena, un essere crudele che ha dalla sua parte leggi ingiuste, rendono questo libro estremamente interessante anche se a tratti un po’ cupo. È una storia che parla di abusi, che racconta di donne che la legge di quei tempi lascia così indifese che neppure i famigliari possono aiutarle, ma anche di un amore che ha superato ogni difficoltà e di un uomo che ha amato così tanto da meritare un meraviglioso e sofferto lieto fine. Sicuramente il capitolo migliore di una serie che tutto sommato non mi ha particolarmente entusiasmato, ma che gode della piacevole scrittura di Madeline Hunter un’autrice di tutto rispetto.
February 9, 2023
This is the fifth book of the Seducers but it was the first one I’ve read from this series (and in fact from Madeline Hunter). I didn’t feel like I missed much, but then I went back and read the previous books in order and I just had to read the Romantic again, only about a month after my first read. I am glad I did, because I enjoyed it even more and my infatuation with the hero turned into a full-blown obsession. And on my second read, I realized that I indeed missed some small but important details (for instance, I didn’t get that
Julian Hampton appears throughout the series, but he is more like a background character. His quiet and reserved nature is emphasized constantly; some people find him dull, some people mysterious and potentially exciting; everyone is curious whether he has boiling or freezing depths. In his book, we discover that he hides a churning sea of deep emotions and contemplation inside. And he also enjoys storms and ocean for the sense of sublimity they inspire, which adds to his allure and hints at unseen undercurrents of his personality (And look how beautiful Hunter's writing is when she describes his feeling of awe: His calm and aloof facade successfully hides his undying devotion and unrequited love for the heroine for about 20 years. He is an unwavering rock and a haven for her all through her troubles. The heroine doesn’t know about his feelings, so she inadvertently puts him through emotional torment in her need for help and support, but he is always glad and proud to be her confidante and lifeline without feeling any resentment or like he is owed a debt of gratitude. I’ve read many impressive and steadfast heroes who pined for the heroine for years, but no one can beat Julian with his dark and enigmatic charm, quiet but attractive aura and sizzling sensuality. He might be the sexiest HR hero I’ve ever read (without being characterized or described as an overly and explicitly sexy/irresistible womanizer). And did I mention that he rows, half-naked? A wet-dream for an HR hoe like me, to be sure.
And I also think that Madeline Hunter’s talent shines through this book. She is very talented at giving distinct voices to her MCs, especially the heroes. Julian was fundamentally different from all other Seducers heroes and she managed to convey this difference with the voice she gave to this romantic, private and complex character. His thoughts and inner monologues were articulate, nuanced and poetic as you can see in the above quote (and this is something that was hinted at in the first book through a heroine: “He was a dramatically handsome man who possessed a crystalline reserve. She had spent the evening expecting him to speak in poetry, should he ever deign to speak at all.”) This is also true for the love-making scenes. She always crafts intimate scenes that fit to the couple at hand, but in this book, she outdid herself. I especially loved their first time. She described the tenderness, enchantment and sense of long-awaited fulfillment Julian felt so well that I was overjoyed (and definitely overheated). And the feelings of love and affection were prominent in all love-making scenes. I think they are the most romantic and sensual ones I’ve ever read. And these scenes give a glimpse into Julian’s inner world as well: for the other Seducers heroes (much like most HR heroes), the intimacy was more about possession and power, whereas for Julian it was more like a blessing and about a feeling of completeness; it had the echoes of the joy of fulfilling a long-thwarted desire that he had hardly allowed himself to even dream of fulfilling (let me quote a couple of passages despite the danger of making myself swoon. This is from his inner monologue after their first intimacy:
And after the heroine realized the depth of his love, he says:
I should add that I wasn’t thrilled about the heroine; I am not sure whether she was really lacking something or she was bound to be outshined by a magnificent hero like Julian. A little bit of both I guess, since I feel like nobody can deserve Julian (maybe except for me? lol).
Another plus was that both MCs were about 35 years old (and I think the heroine was older). It’s rare in HR; I liked the equality and maturity of their relationship.
Good and engaging plot, beautiful prose, an elevated love story, and a sexy-as-hell hero that makes you weak at the knees. It’s everything I look for in a romance book and Julian is like tailor-made for me with my tastes in romance heroes in mind: a clever, caring, protective and characteristically cool-headed man who can turn into a calculating, determined and badass savior when his loved ones are threatened. It is certainly a great mystery how I’ve lived to this age without my own Julian.
Julian Hampton appears throughout the series, but he is more like a background character. His quiet and reserved nature is emphasized constantly; some people find him dull, some people mysterious and potentially exciting; everyone is curious whether he has boiling or freezing depths. In his book, we discover that he hides a churning sea of deep emotions and contemplation inside. And he also enjoys storms and ocean for the sense of sublimity they inspire, which adds to his allure and hints at unseen undercurrents of his personality (And look how beautiful Hunter's writing is when she describes his feeling of awe: His calm and aloof facade successfully hides his undying devotion and unrequited love for the heroine for about 20 years. He is an unwavering rock and a haven for her all through her troubles. The heroine doesn’t know about his feelings, so she inadvertently puts him through emotional torment in her need for help and support, but he is always glad and proud to be her confidante and lifeline without feeling any resentment or like he is owed a debt of gratitude. I’ve read many impressive and steadfast heroes who pined for the heroine for years, but no one can beat Julian with his dark and enigmatic charm, quiet but attractive aura and sizzling sensuality. He might be the sexiest HR hero I’ve ever read (without being characterized or described as an overly and explicitly sexy/irresistible womanizer). And did I mention that he rows, half-naked? A wet-dream for an HR hoe like me, to be sure.
And I also think that Madeline Hunter’s talent shines through this book. She is very talented at giving distinct voices to her MCs, especially the heroes. Julian was fundamentally different from all other Seducers heroes and she managed to convey this difference with the voice she gave to this romantic, private and complex character. His thoughts and inner monologues were articulate, nuanced and poetic as you can see in the above quote (and this is something that was hinted at in the first book through a heroine: “He was a dramatically handsome man who possessed a crystalline reserve. She had spent the evening expecting him to speak in poetry, should he ever deign to speak at all.”) This is also true for the love-making scenes. She always crafts intimate scenes that fit to the couple at hand, but in this book, she outdid herself. I especially loved their first time. She described the tenderness, enchantment and sense of long-awaited fulfillment Julian felt so well that I was overjoyed (and definitely overheated). And the feelings of love and affection were prominent in all love-making scenes. I think they are the most romantic and sensual ones I’ve ever read. And these scenes give a glimpse into Julian’s inner world as well: for the other Seducers heroes (much like most HR heroes), the intimacy was more about possession and power, whereas for Julian it was more like a blessing and about a feeling of completeness; it had the echoes of the joy of fulfilling a long-thwarted desire that he had hardly allowed himself to even dream of fulfilling (let me quote a couple of passages despite the danger of making myself swoon. This is from his inner monologue after their first intimacy:
And after the heroine realized the depth of his love, he says:
I should add that I wasn’t thrilled about the heroine; I am not sure whether she was really lacking something or she was bound to be outshined by a magnificent hero like Julian. A little bit of both I guess, since I feel like nobody can deserve Julian (maybe except for me? lol).
Another plus was that both MCs were about 35 years old (and I think the heroine was older). It’s rare in HR; I liked the equality and maturity of their relationship.
Good and engaging plot, beautiful prose, an elevated love story, and a sexy-as-hell hero that makes you weak at the knees. It’s everything I look for in a romance book and Julian is like tailor-made for me with my tastes in romance heroes in mind: a clever, caring, protective and characteristically cool-headed man who can turn into a calculating, determined and badass savior when his loved ones are threatened. It is certainly a great mystery how I’ve lived to this age without my own Julian.
November 18, 2024
This book was so ... sigh.
Heavily disappointed in Madeline with this one. Not always a fan of the writing but this particular book was so randomly racist and lacked understanding of the time period.
- There was no need to randomly describe the servants as negro, just say black person. It's weirder because only the male lead ever did this, so clearly it wasn't necessary.
- The Hero of the book calling senora perez primitive/savage (cant remember which it was) because of her skin?? Deeply gross
In this time period as far as South America and the Islands where concerned race is a completely different phenomenon. This is truly such an American (one drop rule) view of what race was/ is like, which is crazy since it isn't based on that.
- At this time in England there were black influential people, there would be nothing shocking/novel to an english person about meeting a tan skinned woman.
- The Caribbean and South American countries while not completely monolithic in their racial hierarchy had one thing in common that set them apart from the US; children of enslaved people and their masters were not automatically indentured- this was not at all dependent on the shade of their skin but entirely on the quantum of whiteness in their blood. I.e Senora Perez didn't necessarily have to be a slave and could very well have been his legal wife as she would be considered part white regardless of how tan she was.
Lastly, I hate what she did with the ML in the last chapter. How deeply hypocritical to judge her like he didn't stage an elaborate ruse to accomplish the same thing she did far more effectively. Big yikes.
Still a very compelling story if you take out the misguided racism and last minute male chauvinism (all of which was not needed.)
Heavily disappointed in Madeline with this one. Not always a fan of the writing but this particular book was so randomly racist and lacked understanding of the time period.
- There was no need to randomly describe the servants as negro, just say black person. It's weirder because only the male lead ever did this, so clearly it wasn't necessary.
- The Hero of the book calling senora perez primitive/savage (cant remember which it was) because of her skin?? Deeply gross
In this time period as far as South America and the Islands where concerned race is a completely different phenomenon. This is truly such an American (one drop rule) view of what race was/ is like, which is crazy since it isn't based on that.
- At this time in England there were black influential people, there would be nothing shocking/novel to an english person about meeting a tan skinned woman.
- The Caribbean and South American countries while not completely monolithic in their racial hierarchy had one thing in common that set them apart from the US; children of enslaved people and their masters were not automatically indentured- this was not at all dependent on the shade of their skin but entirely on the quantum of whiteness in their blood. I.e Senora Perez didn't necessarily have to be a slave and could very well have been his legal wife as she would be considered part white regardless of how tan she was.
Lastly, I hate what she did with the ML in the last chapter. How deeply hypocritical to judge her like he didn't stage an elaborate ruse to accomplish the same thing she did far more effectively. Big yikes.
Still a very compelling story if you take out the misguided racism and last minute male chauvinism (all of which was not needed.)
December 27, 2025
3.5 stars.
First, I should start saying that that narration was really good. The narrator that an excellent job portrayed the male and female characters.
The story was a little irritating with all the potential kidnapping and not kidnapping and constant having to run away and then the guy leaving her alone to try to find this and that. But I did like that he was willing to even die to save the girl that that was kind of cute.
I don’t know if I’m interested in reading other books aside from this one
I thought that the romance was a little one-sided at the beginning. I think the girl just kind of wanted to get laid, and it was good to do it with someone who she trusted that would not finish inside. I think she kind of started loving him after you know, sleeping with him and the way he protected her. Julian was very fairytale like character. I like that. He wasn’t a rake or anything like that and he stayed truthful to himself, and he was very honorable and very knight shining armor type of guy. Actually read this book because I was in the mood for that type of vibe so it really served that purpose.
I haven’t read the other books in the story so I think this one was sort of a standalone and they were like a bunch of other characters that they spoke about that you might want to know the history, but I don’t think it hurt too much from the story
PS – review using a microphone excuse the typos.
First, I should start saying that that narration was really good. The narrator that an excellent job portrayed the male and female characters.
The story was a little irritating with all the potential kidnapping and not kidnapping and constant having to run away and then the guy leaving her alone to try to find this and that. But I did like that he was willing to even die to save the girl that that was kind of cute.
I don’t know if I’m interested in reading other books aside from this one
I thought that the romance was a little one-sided at the beginning. I think the girl just kind of wanted to get laid, and it was good to do it with someone who she trusted that would not finish inside. I think she kind of started loving him after you know, sleeping with him and the way he protected her. Julian was very fairytale like character. I like that. He wasn’t a rake or anything like that and he stayed truthful to himself, and he was very honorable and very knight shining armor type of guy. Actually read this book because I was in the mood for that type of vibe so it really served that purpose.
I haven’t read the other books in the story so I think this one was sort of a standalone and they were like a bunch of other characters that they spoke about that you might want to know the history, but I don’t think it hurt too much from the story
PS – review using a microphone excuse the typos.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 29, 2017
Julian Hampton è il classico uomo che nella vita reale non esiste. Non che gli altri uomini della serie popolino realmente il nostro meraviglioso pianeta, ma qui siamo oltre la fantasia. Egli è infatti innamorato della nostra sfigatissima Penelope da una vita. Da quando giocavano da ragazzini nella smisurata tenuta dei Duclairc e lui inventava mirabolanti avventure che si concludevano sempre e inevitabilmente con il salvataggio di Penelope dalla torre diroccata in un tripudio di lotte con spade di legno.
Julian si innamora, scrive migliaia di lettere e poesie che non spedisce e non rende pubbliche e aspetta nell’ombra che qualcosa cambi, con il passare degli anni diventa il punto di riferimento della nostra eroina per ogni suo fottutissimo problema.
Lui c’è.
Sempre.
Il marito di Pen è una merda? Lui la aiuta a fuggire.
Il nuovo amante di Pen è un traditore merdosissimo? Lui la protegge.
continua su https://laleggivora.wordpress.com/201...
Julian si innamora, scrive migliaia di lettere e poesie che non spedisce e non rende pubbliche e aspetta nell’ombra che qualcosa cambi, con il passare degli anni diventa il punto di riferimento della nostra eroina per ogni suo fottutissimo problema.
Lui c’è.
Sempre.
Il marito di Pen è una merda? Lui la aiuta a fuggire.
Il nuovo amante di Pen è un traditore merdosissimo? Lui la protegge.
continua su https://laleggivora.wordpress.com/201...
July 18, 2024
Julian is a stalwart romantic. In a kind, commanding, and overly serious way that's supposed to be sexy (for a Regency Romance written in 2004), but just reads pushy to me. Which makes sense as he's trying to protect Penelope from her evil husband...
Penelope herself is stubborn and a bit characterless, IMO.
Their romance is sustained on Julian's longstanding crush for her and her lusting after his handsome face and hot bod. One they made their deal (of sexual convenience) I lost all interest. I generally love a contrived romance & I love a friends-to-lovers, but Julian and Penelope as characters just didn't do it for me.
Not bad per se, but not good either.
2.5 stars.
Penelope herself is stubborn and a bit characterless, IMO.
Their romance is sustained on Julian's longstanding crush for her and her lusting after his handsome face and hot bod. One they made their deal (of sexual convenience) I lost all interest. I generally love a contrived romance & I love a friends-to-lovers, but Julian and Penelope as characters just didn't do it for me.
Not bad per se, but not good either.
2.5 stars.
December 7, 2024
This was truly romantic! I immediately fell in love with Hunter's writing. The depth with which she crafted this love story was breath taking and stunning. I'm in awe. This is what I have been searching for in HR novels. A slow burning love built on connection and not just lust. The devotion Julian displayed to the heroine was just ugh... I don't have the words. Pen was a great heroine. This story has everything I was looking for. Hunter has been added to my list of authors that I'll treasure to read. Can't wait to buy more of her books and read the rest of this series.
July 22, 2017
The was the third of this series I've read. I enjoyed it, but it was not the page turner that the others were....somewhat slow moving and a serious background story. One learns some history in each of Hunter's books and this one had the abolition of slavery in England and its dependencies in the background. Penelope and Julian were interesting characters....but Julian and his lifetime of unrequited love for Pen was almost too much to believe.
June 10, 2019
For those who need it the heroine’s husband is abusive, sexually, physically, emotionally and mentally. There is also lots of mistreatment of women of color, sexually abused and murdered.
there is also revenge (huzzah) and a happy ending for the main heroine.
But it takes a lot of pain to get through. So take care of yourself I’m reading this book. It’s has lovely highs and some devastating lows.
there is also revenge (huzzah) and a happy ending for the main heroine.
But it takes a lot of pain to get through. So take care of yourself I’m reading this book. It’s has lovely highs and some devastating lows.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 22, 2022
least favorite in series.
This was just ok. It’s my least favorite in series. Julian is a likable hero. I didn’t care for Pen. She was emotionally immature, unaware and just stupid. I don’t see a 30-year old woman behaving like she did… so fragile, needy and insecure. Life experience breeds confidence, and Pen was weak and annoying, and passive at times… when she should have been brave.
This was just ok. It’s my least favorite in series. Julian is a likable hero. I didn’t care for Pen. She was emotionally immature, unaware and just stupid. I don’t see a 30-year old woman behaving like she did… so fragile, needy and insecure. Life experience breeds confidence, and Pen was weak and annoying, and passive at times… when she should have been brave.
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