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Last Man Standing #4
Seduction of a Proper Gentleman
To break a centuries-old curse, beautiful, headstrong Lady Kathleen MacDavid knows she must ignore every rule of propriety by seducing-and marrying-the Earl of Norcroft. So she sets off for London, braving scandal and ruin to achieve her goal . . . until a crazy bump on the head makes her forget nearly everything. The thrill of winning a bet-that he'd be the last of his set to wed-hasn't eased the earl's pain of losing his friends to marriage. Still, he'd be willing to settle down if he could meet someone worthy of his love-and desire. But he has met no such woman, until Kathleen is brought to him. Suspicious of her motives, he's determined to resist her seductive ways. But sometimes even the most proper gentleman finds it expedient to act improperly . . .
384 pages, ebook
First published August 26, 2008
79 people are currently reading
1120 people want to read
About the author
Victoria Alexander
62 books1,319 followersLibrarian Note: There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name. See this thread for more information.
New York Times bestselling author Victoria Alexander was an award winning television reporter until she discovered fiction was much more fun than real life. She turned to writing full time and is still shocked it worked out.
Since the publication of her first book in 1995, she has written thirty-one full length novels and six novellas. The Perfect Wife—originally published in 1996 and reissued in March 2008—hit #1 on the New York Times list. Sixteen of her books are bestsellers hitting the New York Times, USA Today and/or Publishers Weekly bestseller lists. With books translated into more than a dozen different languages she has readers around the world and has twice been nominated for Romance's Writers of America prestigious RITA award. In 2009 she was given a Career Achievement Award from RT Bookclub and was named Historical Storyteller of the year in 2003. In 2008 she was the keynote speaker for the Romance Writers of American annual conference in San Francisco. Victoria credits much of her writing success to her experiences as a reporter.
Her years as a broadcast journalist were spent in two radically different areas of the country: Nebraska and West Virginia. In West Virginia, she covered both natural and manmade disasters. She was on the scene when a power plant construction accident in a small town left 52 men dead. She once spent the night on a mountain waiting to learn of the fate of coal miners trapped in a mine collapse. Victoria was producing a newscast when her husband (who worked at the same television station) and several other journalists were held hostage by a disturbed Vietnam veteran. In Nebraska, she reported on the farm crisis and watched people lose land that had been in their families for generations. She covered the story that was the basis of the movie BOYS DON’T CRY and once acted as the link between police and a gunman who had barricaded himself in his home. Her investigative work exposed the trucking of New York City garbage to a small town dump in rural Nebraska.
During her journalism career, Victoria covered every president from Ford to Clinton. She knows firsthand what it feels like to be surrounded by rising floodwaters and inside a burning building. She’s interviewed movie stars including Kevin Costner, ridden an elephant and flown in a governor’s helicopter. She’s covered a national political convention and Pope John Paul II’s historic visit to Denver as well as small town festivals celebrating everything from walnuts to Glen Miller. Her work was honored by numerous organizations including the Associated Press who called a feature about a firefighter’s school "story telling genius". It was the encouragement she needed to turn from news to fiction. She’s never looked back.
Victoria claims her love of romance and journalism is to due to the influence of her favorite comic book character: Lois Lane, a terrific reporter and a great heroine who pursued Superman with an unwavering determination. And why not? He was extremely well drawn.
Victoria grew up traveling the world as an Air Force brat. Today, she lives in Omaha, Nebraska with her husband and her dogs. Victoria had two bearded collies, Sam and Louie (named from characters in one of her books). Sam (on the left), the best dog in the world for 13 ½ years, passed away in September 2010. Louie took on the position of loyal companion and did a fine job even though he doesn't understand that kitchen counter surfing is not allowed!
Now he's been joined by Reggie, also a faithful companion.
They all live happily ever after in a house under constant renovation and the accompanying parade of men in tool belts. And never ending chaos. Victoria laughs a great deal—she has to.
New York Times bestselling author Victoria Alexander was an award winning television reporter until she discovered fiction was much more fun than real life. She turned to writing full time and is still shocked it worked out.
Since the publication of her first book in 1995, she has written thirty-one full length novels and six novellas. The Perfect Wife—originally published in 1996 and reissued in March 2008—hit #1 on the New York Times list. Sixteen of her books are bestsellers hitting the New York Times, USA Today and/or Publishers Weekly bestseller lists. With books translated into more than a dozen different languages she has readers around the world and has twice been nominated for Romance's Writers of America prestigious RITA award. In 2009 she was given a Career Achievement Award from RT Bookclub and was named Historical Storyteller of the year in 2003. In 2008 she was the keynote speaker for the Romance Writers of American annual conference in San Francisco. Victoria credits much of her writing success to her experiences as a reporter.
Her years as a broadcast journalist were spent in two radically different areas of the country: Nebraska and West Virginia. In West Virginia, she covered both natural and manmade disasters. She was on the scene when a power plant construction accident in a small town left 52 men dead. She once spent the night on a mountain waiting to learn of the fate of coal miners trapped in a mine collapse. Victoria was producing a newscast when her husband (who worked at the same television station) and several other journalists were held hostage by a disturbed Vietnam veteran. In Nebraska, she reported on the farm crisis and watched people lose land that had been in their families for generations. She covered the story that was the basis of the movie BOYS DON’T CRY and once acted as the link between police and a gunman who had barricaded himself in his home. Her investigative work exposed the trucking of New York City garbage to a small town dump in rural Nebraska.
During her journalism career, Victoria covered every president from Ford to Clinton. She knows firsthand what it feels like to be surrounded by rising floodwaters and inside a burning building. She’s interviewed movie stars including Kevin Costner, ridden an elephant and flown in a governor’s helicopter. She’s covered a national political convention and Pope John Paul II’s historic visit to Denver as well as small town festivals celebrating everything from walnuts to Glen Miller. Her work was honored by numerous organizations including the Associated Press who called a feature about a firefighter’s school "story telling genius". It was the encouragement she needed to turn from news to fiction. She’s never looked back.
Victoria claims her love of romance and journalism is to due to the influence of her favorite comic book character: Lois Lane, a terrific reporter and a great heroine who pursued Superman with an unwavering determination. And why not? He was extremely well drawn.
Victoria grew up traveling the world as an Air Force brat. Today, she lives in Omaha, Nebraska with her husband and her dogs. Victoria had two bearded collies, Sam and Louie (named from characters in one of her books). Sam (on the left), the best dog in the world for 13 ½ years, passed away in September 2010. Louie took on the position of loyal companion and did a fine job even though he doesn't understand that kitchen counter surfing is not allowed!
Now he's been joined by Reggie, also a faithful companion.
They all live happily ever after in a house under constant renovation and the accompanying parade of men in tool belts. And never ending chaos. Victoria laughs a great deal—she has to.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 109 reviews
March 10, 2019
This book was like a long drawn out conversation of supposedly witty repartee that somehow fell a bit flat.
The amnesia bit was annoying, the magic aspect was nonsensical (and I usually don’t mind a touch of whimsy). Simply put, all the characters felt like they were doing a read-through.
Yah know, still practicing their lines and hadn't nailed down delivery or how to emote yet.
The amnesia bit was annoying, the magic aspect was nonsensical (and I usually don’t mind a touch of whimsy). Simply put, all the characters felt like they were doing a read-through.
Yah know, still practicing their lines and hadn't nailed down delivery or how to emote yet.
December 30, 2017
İki gündür bu seri sonlarından muzdaripim. Hayrolsun.
October 31, 2021
Ik heb de Nederlands talige uitgave gelezen : De laatste vrijgezel - Candlelight Historische roman 831 .
De titel zegt het al , de laatst overgebleven vrijgezel van de vier vrienden - Oliver Leighton , graaf Norcroft - is in dit verhaal aan de beurt om zijn levensgezellin te vinden . Hij was eigenlijk best verrast dat hij de weddenschap gewonnen had want hij was helemaal niet zo afkerig van het vinden van een echtgenote . Gelukkig voor hem wordt er een zeer aantrekkelijke kandidate bewusteloos zijn huis binnengedragen . Wanneer zij bijkomt lijdt zij helaas aan geheugen verlies , lastig .. maar nu kunnen zij wel door veel samen te praten en dingen te doen erachter proberen te komen wie zij is . En van het een komt natuurlijk het ander .
En dan is er ook nog sprake van een eeuwenoude vloek .
De titel zegt het al , de laatst overgebleven vrijgezel van de vier vrienden - Oliver Leighton , graaf Norcroft - is in dit verhaal aan de beurt om zijn levensgezellin te vinden . Hij was eigenlijk best verrast dat hij de weddenschap gewonnen had want hij was helemaal niet zo afkerig van het vinden van een echtgenote . Gelukkig voor hem wordt er een zeer aantrekkelijke kandidate bewusteloos zijn huis binnengedragen . Wanneer zij bijkomt lijdt zij helaas aan geheugen verlies , lastig .. maar nu kunnen zij wel door veel samen te praten en dingen te doen erachter proberen te komen wie zij is . En van het een komt natuurlijk het ander .
En dan is er ook nog sprake van een eeuwenoude vloek .
September 2, 2008
Reviewed for queuemyreview.com; book release Sep08
Tart and spicy with a heavy seasoning of humor. When I read the blurb on the back cover of “Seduction of a Proper Gentleman” by Victoria Alexander, I was a bit disappointed. All I could think of was…oh, amnesia as a plot device. But I actually found this story very intriguing and different. This is the final book in her ‘Last Man Standing’ series about four Regency gentlemen who make a wager as to who will be the last one to wed. And, as often happens in fiction, the winner is the only one who wasn’t anti-marriage to begin with!
Oliver has won, so he sits alone. It’s not as if he hasn’t been looking and there’s certainly nothing ‘wrong’ with him…why any woman would be thrilled to be his bride. Probably the best thing for him to do is retreat to his estate and ponder his future while enjoying the tranquility of the country. And tranquil it is, until a strange woman lands on his doorstep. She’s beautiful, well bred, and apparently can’t remember anything about her life. Nothing! Not even little things; like her name, where she’s from, if she’s married…Wait! Why would that be important to Oliver?
Lady Kathleen is a sensible woman. But even sensible women can be driven to believe the unbelievable. She and her family are cursed. And so is Oliver’s family, they just don’t know it. So she sets off for London determined to marry Oliver and break the curse. There are, of course, a few problems. She’s never met Oliver, she doesn’t have a plan, and her Aunt appears to be dabbling in witchcraft. Not that it would ever work, and Kathleen certainly WILL NOT fake amnesia to spend some time getting to know Oliver at his country estate. Unthinkable…until Kathleen wakes up in a strange house and can’t remember a thing.
I laughed through most of this book. Ms. Alexander’s way with wit and words comes through loud and clear via her characters’ sizzling dialogues. Almost all the story takes place in the country so readers get a break from London and ton balls and carriage rides through the park. But the beauty (and occasional gloom) of the English countryside is evident as is the author’s knowledge of regency customs. Her love scenes are exquisite and will have your heart racing and palms sweating.
I’ve read many of Victoria Alexander’s novels. I tend to savor them like a treat when I am looking for crisp writing and heavy doses of humor embodied in characters I would enjoy getting to know. I especially enjoyed “Seduction of a Proper Gentleman” as Oliver gets the woman he needs and deserves at last…along with a bit of adventure for the most staid of the four bachelors from this series. Grab a copy of the book, settle back in your comfy chair, and enjoy!
Tart and spicy with a heavy seasoning of humor. When I read the blurb on the back cover of “Seduction of a Proper Gentleman” by Victoria Alexander, I was a bit disappointed. All I could think of was…oh, amnesia as a plot device. But I actually found this story very intriguing and different. This is the final book in her ‘Last Man Standing’ series about four Regency gentlemen who make a wager as to who will be the last one to wed. And, as often happens in fiction, the winner is the only one who wasn’t anti-marriage to begin with!
Oliver has won, so he sits alone. It’s not as if he hasn’t been looking and there’s certainly nothing ‘wrong’ with him…why any woman would be thrilled to be his bride. Probably the best thing for him to do is retreat to his estate and ponder his future while enjoying the tranquility of the country. And tranquil it is, until a strange woman lands on his doorstep. She’s beautiful, well bred, and apparently can’t remember anything about her life. Nothing! Not even little things; like her name, where she’s from, if she’s married…Wait! Why would that be important to Oliver?
Lady Kathleen is a sensible woman. But even sensible women can be driven to believe the unbelievable. She and her family are cursed. And so is Oliver’s family, they just don’t know it. So she sets off for London determined to marry Oliver and break the curse. There are, of course, a few problems. She’s never met Oliver, she doesn’t have a plan, and her Aunt appears to be dabbling in witchcraft. Not that it would ever work, and Kathleen certainly WILL NOT fake amnesia to spend some time getting to know Oliver at his country estate. Unthinkable…until Kathleen wakes up in a strange house and can’t remember a thing.
I laughed through most of this book. Ms. Alexander’s way with wit and words comes through loud and clear via her characters’ sizzling dialogues. Almost all the story takes place in the country so readers get a break from London and ton balls and carriage rides through the park. But the beauty (and occasional gloom) of the English countryside is evident as is the author’s knowledge of regency customs. Her love scenes are exquisite and will have your heart racing and palms sweating.
I’ve read many of Victoria Alexander’s novels. I tend to savor them like a treat when I am looking for crisp writing and heavy doses of humor embodied in characters I would enjoy getting to know. I especially enjoyed “Seduction of a Proper Gentleman” as Oliver gets the woman he needs and deserves at last…along with a bit of adventure for the most staid of the four bachelors from this series. Grab a copy of the book, settle back in your comfy chair, and enjoy!
October 4, 2018
Sonunda Ben de Sevdim (Last Man Standing Serisi 4)
Victoria Alexander
SIKILDIM
kitabı okurken nedense çok sıkıldım. Tatmin edici bir aşk hikayesi beklerken hiç alakasız bir şey çıktı karşıma. Büyüler efsaneler ve nedense aşklarına hiç inanmadım. Duygusuz geldi özelikle Oliver aşkını bekliyordum en çok evlilik isteyen oydu ve sonuca bak
Kısacası benim için saçma bir kitap olmuş. Ama okunamayacak kadar değil. Seride benim favorim ikinci kitap oldu harikaydı. Bu kitap fiyasko
Victoria Alexander
SIKILDIM
kitabı okurken nedense çok sıkıldım. Tatmin edici bir aşk hikayesi beklerken hiç alakasız bir şey çıktı karşıma. Büyüler efsaneler ve nedense aşklarına hiç inanmadım. Duygusuz geldi özelikle Oliver aşkını bekliyordum en çok evlilik isteyen oydu ve sonuca bak
Kısacası benim için saçma bir kitap olmuş. Ama okunamayacak kadar değil. Seride benim favorim ikinci kitap oldu harikaydı. Bu kitap fiyasko
April 22, 2011
Post Listen Review: This is just yet another in the seemingly endless stream of formula romance books I will end up subjecting my ears to. Here is the summary of the plot-- Two families are cursed and unless one marries the other they will die off. So the woman inevitably goes to try to marry the guy and she inevitably hits her head and forgets who she is so she can actually fall in love with him. The guy suspects she is acting just to marry for his money but then decides he loves her. She inevitably remembers who she is and the gentleman is suitably pissed thinking it was all an act. But he forgives her, she forgives him, yadda, yadda, yadda the end. I am listing the plus and minuses for this one.
+ There is no shopping.
- Everyone "smiles wryly" all the time
+ There are old people
- The old people are not funny.
- They constantly refer to Romeo and Juliet
+ When referring to Romeo and Juliet they are smart enough to realize, "they didn't end well did they?"
- There is an ancient curse that can only be overcome by love
+ Most of the people don't really believe in it.
- Everyone refers to love as "magic".
+ It takes place in England so people act and sound intelligent
- There is a ball.
+ This could have been longer.
- It wasn't shorter.
Winner? Not me.
Pre-listen guess: I would realy rather have skipped over this but since I said I would listen to all of the audiobooks at the library I have to listen to this. I am guessing I am not going to be impressed.
+ There is no shopping.
- Everyone "smiles wryly" all the time
+ There are old people
- The old people are not funny.
- They constantly refer to Romeo and Juliet
+ When referring to Romeo and Juliet they are smart enough to realize, "they didn't end well did they?"
- There is an ancient curse that can only be overcome by love
+ Most of the people don't really believe in it.
- Everyone refers to love as "magic".
+ It takes place in England so people act and sound intelligent
- There is a ball.
+ This could have been longer.
- It wasn't shorter.
Winner? Not me.
Pre-listen guess: I would realy rather have skipped over this but since I said I would listen to all of the audiobooks at the library I have to listen to this. I am guessing I am not going to be impressed.
January 30, 2015
Goodness, yes, I had to read this for one of my book clubs. We were given were books wrapped in pink or red wrapping paper all of which revealed themselves to be of the genre I lovingly call "bodice rippers", the idea being that the book club crowd would read these and report back in February.
So, what I expected:
a Regency romance with lots of hidden kisses, sex, and some sort of historical lesson about Scotland or England.
What I got:
an absurdly clean romcom with two unrealistic characters who say one thing and do the complete opposite (I shall preserve my dignity! as she shows up to his bedroom in the middle of the night). Add in a curse that makes NO sense, a bout of amnesia, and a bunch of cracks about how old the main characters are (28 and 33) and the result is BORED TO DEATH. Therein lies the real curse.
There's a bit of an attempt at girl power here, but what's the point when the main character is basically there to trap a guy into marriage? Oliver is no Mr. Darcy. And his lovemaking skills seem to be on par with a Hallmark channel movie. Poor Kate.
Sigh, I stopped reading books like this when I was in 8th grade and can't really say why. The stuff I read in 8th grade was waaaaaaay better (think pirates on the high seas- with stowaway wenches or historical epics that actually examined history with some forbidden romance thrown in).
So, what I expected:
a Regency romance with lots of hidden kisses, sex, and some sort of historical lesson about Scotland or England.
What I got:
an absurdly clean romcom with two unrealistic characters who say one thing and do the complete opposite (I shall preserve my dignity! as she shows up to his bedroom in the middle of the night). Add in a curse that makes NO sense, a bout of amnesia, and a bunch of cracks about how old the main characters are (28 and 33) and the result is BORED TO DEATH. Therein lies the real curse.
There's a bit of an attempt at girl power here, but what's the point when the main character is basically there to trap a guy into marriage? Oliver is no Mr. Darcy. And his lovemaking skills seem to be on par with a Hallmark channel movie. Poor Kate.
Sigh, I stopped reading books like this when I was in 8th grade and can't really say why. The stuff I read in 8th grade was waaaaaaay better (think pirates on the high seas- with stowaway wenches or historical epics that actually examined history with some forbidden romance thrown in).
May 24, 2010
A great ending to the series! A curse was put on both Kate and Oliver's family decades ago and the only way to end the curse is for them to get married! Kate and her aunt travel to Oliver's home and think of a plan to convince Oliver, a man she's never met, to marry her. Kate is not too thrilled with this plan so her aunt takes matters into her own hands! Next thing Kate remembers is waking up on Oliver's couch with no idea who she is or what she's doing there! Oliver has never been opposed to marriage as long it was for love. He is captivated by "Kate" the first moment he sees her red hair and green eyes! He is determined to help Kate remember who she is. When the truth comes out it get's pretty exciting especially when his sisters, mother, Kate's uncle, aunt and grandmother all enter the mix! The epilogue was a great ending to the series! Thirty years later all four men are gathered at their old table, at their old club while they share the bottle of Cognac, which was one the prize to their wager.
March 18, 2024
This was my least favorite of the series still upon trying again although at least this time I finished it! I really wanted to like this bc I liked Oliver but he was never really fleshed out in this story. He just came across as a flat stick in the mud. Kathleen was no better. I liked her in the beginning but once she was with Oliver, I didn’t see why he liked her except that she was beautiful bc otherwise she just came across as a bit of a loose cannon.
The “curse” and “magic” just took up waaaay too much page time. I sometimes enjoy a touch of this but not here. It took away from the romance and drove the story instead of their relationship. And just wasn’t really resolved in a way that made it feel like anything meaningful.
Definitely a letdown, unfortunately. The epilogue at the end of the four men meeting up again was fun but short and not enough for me to recommend this one. I like Victoria Alexander’s style but this one just wasn’t enjoyable.
The “curse” and “magic” just took up waaaay too much page time. I sometimes enjoy a touch of this but not here. It took away from the romance and drove the story instead of their relationship. And just wasn’t really resolved in a way that made it feel like anything meaningful.
Definitely a letdown, unfortunately. The epilogue at the end of the four men meeting up again was fun but short and not enough for me to recommend this one. I like Victoria Alexander’s style but this one just wasn’t enjoyable.
December 28, 2014
Emphasis on magic is boring. We are supposed to believe 500-year curse because many fiancés die mysteriously easily, husband passes on after less than a year, and Oliver has close calls. Passion is x-rated. Repartée while Kate recovers memories is humorous.
"Good Lord, I'm an orphan!"
"But are you a widow?" he said without thinking.
"For heaven's sakes, Oliver, now is not the time to concern yourself with my marital status ..
"I can't think of anything more important .." he said under his breath
"Oliver huffed. "I'm not as much of an idiot as I appear!"
"No one possibly could be" Kathleen said coolly" p 270.
"I've waited for you forever."
"Five hundred years?" she murmured p 229.
"You've come back."
He nodded.
"Why?"
"I couldn't leave."
A slow smile spread across her face" until
"No. I mean it was impossible .. no horses, no carriages, the bridge is impassable" p 315. Her uncle Lord Malcom Dumleavy and his Mother Aunt Edwina conspire to ensure Oliver stays.
Aug 1854 London. To break a centuries-old magic curse, beautiful, headstrong Lady Kathleen MacDavid leaves Scotland to wed Oliver Leighton, Earl of Norcroft, who wins bet, cognac bottle for last of set to marry. But she lands on his doorstep with amnesia, as Lady Kate, her identity and life forgotten. Passion develops. Oliver forgets his suspicions.
"Good Lord, I'm an orphan!"
"But are you a widow?" he said without thinking.
"For heaven's sakes, Oliver, now is not the time to concern yourself with my marital status ..
"I can't think of anything more important .." he said under his breath
"Oliver huffed. "I'm not as much of an idiot as I appear!"
"No one possibly could be" Kathleen said coolly" p 270.
"I've waited for you forever."
"Five hundred years?" she murmured p 229.
"You've come back."
He nodded.
"Why?"
"I couldn't leave."
A slow smile spread across her face" until
"No. I mean it was impossible .. no horses, no carriages, the bridge is impassable" p 315. Her uncle Lord Malcom Dumleavy and his Mother Aunt Edwina conspire to ensure Oliver stays.
Aug 1854 London. To break a centuries-old magic curse, beautiful, headstrong Lady Kathleen MacDavid leaves Scotland to wed Oliver Leighton, Earl of Norcroft, who wins bet, cognac bottle for last of set to marry. But she lands on his doorstep with amnesia, as Lady Kate, her identity and life forgotten. Passion develops. Oliver forgets his suspicions.
August 29, 2011
Oliver Leighton, Earl of Norcroft has won. As he sits alone in the club where he use to enjoy his friends before they all married, he don't feel like much of a winner.
Kathleen MacDavid has come to London from Scotland to marry Oliver and break a 500 year curse on her family.
Her Aunt Hannah and Kathleen follow Oliver to his country home. Kathleen does not realize her Aunt has planned how to put Kate into his path.
Kathleen wakes up in a strange place and don't know who she is or how she got there. She supposedly fell down and now has amnesia.
Oliver does not believe her at first but once he gets to know the red haired green eyed girl, he favors green eyes, he sees the truth in her eyes that she is lost. If only she knew if she was married or not.
Victoria's humor and incidents from holding back the truth continue in this final book of the Last Man Standing series.
*sexual situations
Kathleen MacDavid has come to London from Scotland to marry Oliver and break a 500 year curse on her family.
Her Aunt Hannah and Kathleen follow Oliver to his country home. Kathleen does not realize her Aunt has planned how to put Kate into his path.
Kathleen wakes up in a strange place and don't know who she is or how she got there. She supposedly fell down and now has amnesia.
Oliver does not believe her at first but once he gets to know the red haired green eyed girl, he favors green eyes, he sees the truth in her eyes that she is lost. If only she knew if she was married or not.
Victoria's humor and incidents from holding back the truth continue in this final book of the Last Man Standing series.
*sexual situations
September 6, 2019
DNF @ 40%
I actually really loved the previous book, but this one was downright horrible. The two leads had zero chemistry and the writing in general was so dull. Aside from Oliver’s mother in some of the earlier scenes, I wasn’t entertained in the least. There was just none of the sense of humor that I had been expecting going in. I tried to power through until it literally started to feel like pulling teeth and I couldn’t do it anymore.
The conversations between the characters felt overly wordy as well, like the author was trying too hard to make them sound proper and witty but fell flat instead. The worst was that info-dump of a scene where Oliver was pondering over his whole life in the most boring manner of all time. It went on way too long! He kept talking in circles and it seemed like the important information could have been delivered in half the amount of pages than the book ultimately made you suffer through.
I actually really loved the previous book, but this one was downright horrible. The two leads had zero chemistry and the writing in general was so dull. Aside from Oliver’s mother in some of the earlier scenes, I wasn’t entertained in the least. There was just none of the sense of humor that I had been expecting going in. I tried to power through until it literally started to feel like pulling teeth and I couldn’t do it anymore.
The conversations between the characters felt overly wordy as well, like the author was trying too hard to make them sound proper and witty but fell flat instead. The worst was that info-dump of a scene where Oliver was pondering over his whole life in the most boring manner of all time. It went on way too long! He kept talking in circles and it seemed like the important information could have been delivered in half the amount of pages than the book ultimately made you suffer through.
August 15, 2015
Good ending to the series. Oliver is the last man standing and has won the wager that 4 friends placed on who would marry last. Oliver thought he would be the 1st, yet there he is alone with the 4 shillings and the cognac. His story involves a curse and magic and finally love. But what I liked best was the epiloge that took place 30 years later when thew men finally drink the cognac together and reminisce. I do like to know what happens to these fictional characters. In addition, each book ends with a cute tea party with the author talking with some of her characters from other books. In this, the men show up and talk with her and it is quite adorable. Now I can give away 3 of the "A" books on my shelf!! On to the next series!!
May 9, 2021
Kathleen has specifically come to town to marry Oliver, the last man standing, to end a curse upon both of their families. She's a sceptic but enough bad things have happened to convince even her that the curse exists.
Oliver is a bit lonely now that his friends are all married and off on their adventures. He decides it's time to seriously start looking for a wife. Magically Kate turns up unconscious, then with no memories at his country estate, he spends time trying to help her remember and slowly starts to fall for her.
I thought this was a bit of a silly note to end this series on but it was still mostly entertaining.
Not sure I'd reread the series but it was good fun once for sure.
Oliver is a bit lonely now that his friends are all married and off on their adventures. He decides it's time to seriously start looking for a wife. Magically Kate turns up unconscious, then with no memories at his country estate, he spends time trying to help her remember and slowly starts to fall for her.
I thought this was a bit of a silly note to end this series on but it was still mostly entertaining.
Not sure I'd reread the series but it was good fun once for sure.
July 6, 2010
This is a wonderfully written novel of magic, spells and curses; all in the name of love. I thought that the main female Kathleen was a curse at first and the male main character Oliver, a typical English Lord. The story goes very fast once you start and find out that Kathleen's mission is to marry a man she has never even seen in person. An Aunt puts a spell on her and she ends up at the Lord's estate where she has no memory. It's a fasinating tale of two people destined to be together to ease a five hundred year family curse. This was an enchanting romance novel and I believe a must read.
June 3, 2015
The end of a series, and another good read. Not as engaging as the others, but still good.
A curse was placed on Kathleen's and Oliver's families 500 years ago and now they must marry to break it. They have never met, so how will Kathleen get Oliver to marry her? With a little help from family, some spells, and this curse, their lives are about to get interesting. I hope you enjoy it.
A curse was placed on Kathleen's and Oliver's families 500 years ago and now they must marry to break it. They have never met, so how will Kathleen get Oliver to marry her? With a little help from family, some spells, and this curse, their lives are about to get interesting. I hope you enjoy it.
March 30, 2011
I didn't like this one as much as Alexanders other books. I think because I read it out of order. *smacks head* Ooops! I did it again. About a women who must marry in order to break a family curse. Her intended husband just won a bet that he would be the last of a group of men to get married.
October 22, 2008
Girl needs to marry boy. Girl loses memory. Girl hooks up with boy. Girl and boy get married. Throw in a curse, some witchcraft, and a little male pride and you have this plot.
October 12, 2008
Probably closer to a 2and a half. But I just wasn't that into this book - a big let down as I GENERALLY enjoy her reads.
January 22, 2014
i am still unsure about how the curse was broken at the end but it was a cute story.
February 25, 2021
this book reminded me of What A Lady Wants where i found it really easy to fall in love with the hero and heroine.
the reason why i did not like Secrets of a Proper Lady was because that book had intentional deception. this book, Seduction of a Proper Gentleman, had unintentional deception which is completely different. i dislike lies between the hero and heroines in books and even though this book had lies, it was not on purpose because Kate had amnesia and was unaware of the curse and everything.
as for chemistry, i felt Kate and Oliver had great chemistry. their conversations are interesting to read about and i always look forward to seeing them banter and spar with one another. i liked the archery scene where Kate challenged Oliver as it was really amusing. the part Kate where slapped Oliver and Oliver's constant AH-HAH had me laughing out loud. i really liked the humor the author inserted in the book.
as for the plot, i'm alright with the curse thing but when it 'ended' at the back of the book, i was skeptical. it felt unreal, too sudden and unbelievable. after everything that happened between Kate and Oliver, it felt as if the author just decided to do away or dismiss the curse because of a 'sign' which doesn't sit well with me. it would have been much more satisfying if the author went on with the curse and made it end because they got married. Also I felt they fell in love too quickly.
the reason why i did not like Secrets of a Proper Lady was because that book had intentional deception. this book, Seduction of a Proper Gentleman, had unintentional deception which is completely different. i dislike lies between the hero and heroines in books and even though this book had lies, it was not on purpose because Kate had amnesia and was unaware of the curse and everything.
as for chemistry, i felt Kate and Oliver had great chemistry. their conversations are interesting to read about and i always look forward to seeing them banter and spar with one another. i liked the archery scene where Kate challenged Oliver as it was really amusing. the part Kate where slapped Oliver and Oliver's constant AH-HAH had me laughing out loud. i really liked the humor the author inserted in the book.
as for the plot, i'm alright with the curse thing but when it 'ended' at the back of the book, i was skeptical. it felt unreal, too sudden and unbelievable. after everything that happened between Kate and Oliver, it felt as if the author just decided to do away or dismiss the curse because of a 'sign' which doesn't sit well with me. it would have been much more satisfying if the author went on with the curse and made it end because they got married. Also I felt they fell in love too quickly.
February 22, 2020
Rating 3,5*
Buku ini bercerita tentang si bujangan terakhir yang memenangi taruhan siapa di antara empat orang sahabat yang terakhir bertahan dari pernikahan. Oliver Leighton, Earl of Norcroft, pria beruntung yang menang dalam taruhan tersebut, namun hal itu tidak membuatnya senang. Sang earl tidak menghindari pernikahan namun tidak mudah menemukan wanita yang bisa dicintai dan diajaknya menikah sampai seorang wanita amnesia menjungkirbalikkan dunianya yang tenang dan teratur. Di antara semua kebingungan dengan sang lady amnesia yang ternyata adalah Lady Kathleen McDavid, ada juga kisah tentang kutukan keluarga dan perjodohan yang telah diatur 500 tahun yang lalu.
Pada dasarnya cerita ini mudah diikuti dan mengandung banyak dialog yang cukup seru. Di luar ketidakmasuk-akalan soal sihir dan kutukan yang menurutku aneh, ceritanya tidak bertele-tele. Tidak banyak adegan yang menguras emosi memang sehingga menjadikan cerita ini jenis cerita ringan yang menghibur.
Jika ada yang saya rasa kurang pas adalah penokohan karakter Oliver yang seolah membuat saya deja vu dengan tokoh Nigel Cavendish di series kedua, mereka layaknya satu orang yang dibelah dalam dua jiwa. Seolah mereka manusia yang sama hanya memainkan peran yang berbeda. Entah itu sebuah kesengajaan atau memang penulis hanya terlalu suka dengan karakter Nigel sehingga menghidupkannya lagi di series terakhir ini. Cerita ini ditulis cukup baik namun kurang berkesan bagiku. Seolah saya diiming-imingi sesuatu yang baru dan berbeda namun ujungnya sama saja rasanya dengan yang sebelum-sebelumnya.
Buku ini bercerita tentang si bujangan terakhir yang memenangi taruhan siapa di antara empat orang sahabat yang terakhir bertahan dari pernikahan. Oliver Leighton, Earl of Norcroft, pria beruntung yang menang dalam taruhan tersebut, namun hal itu tidak membuatnya senang. Sang earl tidak menghindari pernikahan namun tidak mudah menemukan wanita yang bisa dicintai dan diajaknya menikah sampai seorang wanita amnesia menjungkirbalikkan dunianya yang tenang dan teratur. Di antara semua kebingungan dengan sang lady amnesia yang ternyata adalah Lady Kathleen McDavid, ada juga kisah tentang kutukan keluarga dan perjodohan yang telah diatur 500 tahun yang lalu.
Pada dasarnya cerita ini mudah diikuti dan mengandung banyak dialog yang cukup seru. Di luar ketidakmasuk-akalan soal sihir dan kutukan yang menurutku aneh, ceritanya tidak bertele-tele. Tidak banyak adegan yang menguras emosi memang sehingga menjadikan cerita ini jenis cerita ringan yang menghibur.
Jika ada yang saya rasa kurang pas adalah penokohan karakter Oliver yang seolah membuat saya deja vu dengan tokoh Nigel Cavendish di series kedua, mereka layaknya satu orang yang dibelah dalam dua jiwa. Seolah mereka manusia yang sama hanya memainkan peran yang berbeda. Entah itu sebuah kesengajaan atau memang penulis hanya terlalu suka dengan karakter Nigel sehingga menghidupkannya lagi di series terakhir ini. Cerita ini ditulis cukup baik namun kurang berkesan bagiku. Seolah saya diiming-imingi sesuatu yang baru dan berbeda namun ujungnya sama saja rasanya dengan yang sebelum-sebelumnya.
July 1, 2024
Seduction of a Proper Gentleman by Victoria Alexander, book four of the Last Man Standing series
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Cover (stepback): 5/5
Story: 3/5
Steam: 🔥 (+kissing)
Ending: HEA
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Stand Alone or Series: Can be read as a stand alone. I think it is best to read as a series as there is an ongoing bet between the gentlemen.
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England, Victorian Era (1854)
Skeptical Rakish Earl
Quick Witted Lady
Amnesia
English/Scottish
Loathe to Love
Family Curse
Magical Spells
Meddling Family
English Countryside
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Whomp whomp. What a letdown ending for a, honestly, letdown of a series. Aside from book two, this series just didn't do it for me.
I had high hopes, I did. I'm not one to read HRs that involve curses and magic, but I was ready to deep dive into it. However, aside from the potential (?) curse and magical elements, this story flatloned at about 75%. It could have ended at least three times. But it wouldn't. The HEA just wouldn't come. And when it did, it was kind of just... meh. I did enjoy the MCs banter and found them to be likable characters. However, they became a touch annoying near the end. I was over it and started to skim the last 20% of the book.
Two minor secondary romances don't really add much to the plot but also don't distract. They are both pretty cute!
As for steam, Alexander uses alluded-to terms. Very low steam title.
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Read as a physical copy and ebook.
Honest review left voluntarily.
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Content Warning (may contain spoilers):
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.
.
.
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Many mentions of spouses who have passed away
Many mentions of family members who have passed away
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Cover (stepback): 5/5
Story: 3/5
Steam: 🔥 (+kissing)
Ending: HEA
.
Stand Alone or Series: Can be read as a stand alone. I think it is best to read as a series as there is an ongoing bet between the gentlemen.
.
England, Victorian Era (1854)
Skeptical Rakish Earl
Quick Witted Lady
Amnesia
English/Scottish
Loathe to Love
Family Curse
Magical Spells
Meddling Family
English Countryside
.
Whomp whomp. What a letdown ending for a, honestly, letdown of a series. Aside from book two, this series just didn't do it for me.
I had high hopes, I did. I'm not one to read HRs that involve curses and magic, but I was ready to deep dive into it. However, aside from the potential (?) curse and magical elements, this story flatloned at about 75%. It could have ended at least three times. But it wouldn't. The HEA just wouldn't come. And when it did, it was kind of just... meh. I did enjoy the MCs banter and found them to be likable characters. However, they became a touch annoying near the end. I was over it and started to skim the last 20% of the book.
Two minor secondary romances don't really add much to the plot but also don't distract. They are both pretty cute!
As for steam, Alexander uses alluded-to terms. Very low steam title.
.
Read as a physical copy and ebook.
Honest review left voluntarily.
.
Content Warning (may contain spoilers):
.
.
.
.
.
Many mentions of spouses who have passed away
Many mentions of family members who have passed away
July 4, 2024
3,5 stars
Yorum için: https://illekitap.blogspot.com/2024/0...
"Soruma henüz cevap alamadım, neden?"
"Çünkü yeşil gözlüsün," diye sertçe çıkıştı Oliver.
"Yapma ama, sebebinin bu olduğunu hiç..."
"Çünkü Kate ya da ismin her neyse..." duraksadı ve yüzüne bakabilmek için onu kendisine doğru çevirdi. "Çünkü ne zaman o yeşil gözlerine baksam, tuhaf bir hisse kapılıyorum..."
"Kaçınılmazlık gibi mi?" Tanrım, yoksa o da mı aynı şeyi hissediyordu?
"Evet! Hayır! Bilmiyorum. Muhtemelen. Ama şunu bil..." Parmağını genç kadının çenesini kaldırıp gözlerinin içine baktı. "Bir partide tanıştırılmış olsaydık ya da kalabalık bir dans pistinin farklı uçlarındayken göz göze gelmiş olsaydık ya da parkta yanımdan geçmiş olsaydın, o anda senin peşine düşerdim. Ayrıca söylemem gerekir ki uzun zamandır peşine düşmeyi isteyecek bir kadın görmedim."
*****
Genç kadın ondan uzaklaşıp yayı eline aldı. "İzin verirseniz, lordum, ok atmaya devam etmek istiyorum."
"Böyle bir yeteneğin ne zaman işe yarayacağı bilinmez," dedi Oliver suratsız bir şekilde.
"Hayır." Gözlerinin içine baktı. "Bilinmez. Seni vurmadan uzaklaş, Oliver."
"Bir erkeğe tokat atan kadından her şey beklenir."
"Şansını zorlamasan iyi edersin."
Oliver ona doğru eğildi, gerçekten hayatını riske atıp atmadığını merak ediyordu. "Doğru kadın için riske girmeye değeceğine eminim."
Yorum için: https://illekitap.blogspot.com/2024/0...
"Soruma henüz cevap alamadım, neden?"
"Çünkü yeşil gözlüsün," diye sertçe çıkıştı Oliver.
"Yapma ama, sebebinin bu olduğunu hiç..."
"Çünkü Kate ya da ismin her neyse..." duraksadı ve yüzüne bakabilmek için onu kendisine doğru çevirdi. "Çünkü ne zaman o yeşil gözlerine baksam, tuhaf bir hisse kapılıyorum..."
"Kaçınılmazlık gibi mi?" Tanrım, yoksa o da mı aynı şeyi hissediyordu?
"Evet! Hayır! Bilmiyorum. Muhtemelen. Ama şunu bil..." Parmağını genç kadının çenesini kaldırıp gözlerinin içine baktı. "Bir partide tanıştırılmış olsaydık ya da kalabalık bir dans pistinin farklı uçlarındayken göz göze gelmiş olsaydık ya da parkta yanımdan geçmiş olsaydın, o anda senin peşine düşerdim. Ayrıca söylemem gerekir ki uzun zamandır peşine düşmeyi isteyecek bir kadın görmedim."
*****
Genç kadın ondan uzaklaşıp yayı eline aldı. "İzin verirseniz, lordum, ok atmaya devam etmek istiyorum."
"Böyle bir yeteneğin ne zaman işe yarayacağı bilinmez," dedi Oliver suratsız bir şekilde.
"Hayır." Gözlerinin içine baktı. "Bilinmez. Seni vurmadan uzaklaş, Oliver."
"Bir erkeğe tokat atan kadından her şey beklenir."
"Şansını zorlamasan iyi edersin."
Oliver ona doğru eğildi, gerçekten hayatını riske atıp atmadığını merak ediyordu. "Doğru kadın için riske girmeye değeceğine eminim."
September 10, 2023
More like 4.5* I adored this book; giggled, kicked my feet. I love that this book ended with an epilogue that fast forwards to them finally sharing the drink. I loved this book!
April 14, 2021
To break a centuries-old curse, beautiful, headstrong Lady Kathleen MacDavid knows she must ignore every rule of propriety by seducing—and marrying—the Earl of Norcroft. So she sets off for London, braving scandal and ruin to achieve her goal . . . until a crazy bump on the head makes her forget nearly everything.
The thrill of winning a bet—that he'd be the last of his set to wed—hasn't eased the earl's pain of losing his friends to marriage. Still, he'd be willing to settle down if he could meet someone worthy of his love—and desire. But he has met no such woman, until Kathleen is brought to him. Suspicious of her motives, he's determined to resist her seductive ways. But sometimes even the most proper gentleman finds it expedient to act improperly . . .
I usually really like a good amnesia story, however, this one fell a little flat to me. Oliver was came off as wimpy and I did not like his chemistry with Kathleen.
The thrill of winning a bet—that he'd be the last of his set to wed—hasn't eased the earl's pain of losing his friends to marriage. Still, he'd be willing to settle down if he could meet someone worthy of his love—and desire. But he has met no such woman, until Kathleen is brought to him. Suspicious of her motives, he's determined to resist her seductive ways. But sometimes even the most proper gentleman finds it expedient to act improperly . . .
I usually really like a good amnesia story, however, this one fell a little flat to me. Oliver was came off as wimpy and I did not like his chemistry with Kathleen.
October 24, 2019
Sighhh....
The cover was so lovely, the main reason I gave it a star. That and the teeny bit of prologue that I thought was an exciting start that didn't really lived up to my expectation were the only thing that reminded me not to hurl this book to the wall.
The whole thing was so shallow for me. It's as if there's no other way for this story to reach the required book length that's why the main characters just bickered and talked nonsense.
I can't feel the connection and attraction that they instantly felt for each other and I most definitely don't buy the main issue that they had to go on about the majority of the time the H & h were together. The curse.
Grrr...this book was so frustratingly ridiculous. And the used of the words hard pressed and lofty were grating on my nerves.
The cover was so lovely, the main reason I gave it a star. That and the teeny bit of prologue that I thought was an exciting start that didn't really lived up to my expectation were the only thing that reminded me not to hurl this book to the wall.
The whole thing was so shallow for me. It's as if there's no other way for this story to reach the required book length that's why the main characters just bickered and talked nonsense.
I can't feel the connection and attraction that they instantly felt for each other and I most definitely don't buy the main issue that they had to go on about the majority of the time the H & h were together. The curse.
Grrr...this book was so frustratingly ridiculous. And the used of the words hard pressed and lofty were grating on my nerves.
June 1, 2017
This one from Victoria Alexander irrespective of the name and the cover pic was irresistibly sweet and humorous. God i don't remember having read any other book recently which has made me laugh outright so much. The dialogues between all the characters put a smile on my face. Each and every character instilled joy and happiness.
March 15, 2018
Love and magic
To break a 500 year old curse, two families who started the feud must end it or each family will die out. Magic, amnesia, a Duke's mother and a young lady's unusual relatives may finally convince a Duke to take a chance on love. A laugh out loud, funny different kind of romance.
To break a 500 year old curse, two families who started the feud must end it or each family will die out. Magic, amnesia, a Duke's mother and a young lady's unusual relatives may finally convince a Duke to take a chance on love. A laugh out loud, funny different kind of romance.
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