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Somerhart #3
One Week As Lovers
Some Pleasures, Once Tasted...
Even after finding his betrothed in the arms of another man, Nicholas, the Viscount Lancaster, knows he must wed. Propriety and the dire state of his finances decrees it. At least a visit to his country estate provides relief from playing the role of loving fiance, as well as a surprising encounter with Cynthia Merrithorpe. Once his childhood companion, Cynthia has grown into a lovely, alluring woman one who's undertaken a daring ruse to avoid being sold into a miserable marriage.
Are Too Delicious To Forget...
When Nicholas left for London to assume his new title, Cynthia was forced to put aside her girlish infatuation. Now he's returned, more wickedly attractive than ever. And this time, Cynthia is determined to experience the pleasure she's dreamed of for so long. But with a man like Nicholas, seduction is only the beginning of a sensual journey that will tempt them both to defy convention, and uncover the very heart of desire...
Even after finding his betrothed in the arms of another man, Nicholas, the Viscount Lancaster, knows he must wed. Propriety and the dire state of his finances decrees it. At least a visit to his country estate provides relief from playing the role of loving fiance, as well as a surprising encounter with Cynthia Merrithorpe. Once his childhood companion, Cynthia has grown into a lovely, alluring woman one who's undertaken a daring ruse to avoid being sold into a miserable marriage.
Are Too Delicious To Forget...
When Nicholas left for London to assume his new title, Cynthia was forced to put aside her girlish infatuation. Now he's returned, more wickedly attractive than ever. And this time, Cynthia is determined to experience the pleasure she's dreamed of for so long. But with a man like Nicholas, seduction is only the beginning of a sensual journey that will tempt them both to defy convention, and uncover the very heart of desire...
353 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2009
57 people are currently reading
968 people want to read
About the author
Victoria Dahl
71 books2,005 followersI have my mother to thank for my passion for writing. My mom is an avid reader of popular fiction, and I began reading highly inappropriate books around the age of eleven, I think. (Thanks, Mom, for always leaving those delicious books strewn about!)
To Tempt a Scotsman, a Golden Heart winning historical, was my first published book. Here I am signing the cover! A Rake's Guide to Pleasure (which was excerpted at the back of Scotsman) is my second.
Due to my all-around goofiness, my agent suggested I also try my hand at a contemporary romantic comedy. Boy, is my agent smart! I had a great time writing Talk Me Down, the story of a young woman who goes back to her small hometown in Colorado and causes a huge stir with her secretive career and her burgeoning relationship with the chief of police. Not only did I have a great time writing it, but Tara Parsons at HQN liked it too! So if you like cold weather, hot sex and dirty jokes, be sure to check out Talk Me Down (out in January 2009).
Speaking of cold weather, my family and I live in a beautiful ski town in
Utah. No, I don't ski. I prefer to sit inside with a hot toddy and a good
book while the snow falls. It's especially beautiful to watch when from the inside!
I have a wonderful husband and children, and the house is kind of crowded, what with the dukes, Scotsmen, police chiefs, and naughty ladies running around, but my family is very understanding about my imaginary friends. Good thing, since they refuse to leave!
To Tempt a Scotsman, a Golden Heart winning historical, was my first published book. Here I am signing the cover! A Rake's Guide to Pleasure (which was excerpted at the back of Scotsman) is my second.
Due to my all-around goofiness, my agent suggested I also try my hand at a contemporary romantic comedy. Boy, is my agent smart! I had a great time writing Talk Me Down, the story of a young woman who goes back to her small hometown in Colorado and causes a huge stir with her secretive career and her burgeoning relationship with the chief of police. Not only did I have a great time writing it, but Tara Parsons at HQN liked it too! So if you like cold weather, hot sex and dirty jokes, be sure to check out Talk Me Down (out in January 2009).
Speaking of cold weather, my family and I live in a beautiful ski town in
Utah. No, I don't ski. I prefer to sit inside with a hot toddy and a good
book while the snow falls. It's especially beautiful to watch when from the inside!
I have a wonderful husband and children, and the house is kind of crowded, what with the dukes, Scotsmen, police chiefs, and naughty ladies running around, but my family is very understanding about my imaginary friends. Good thing, since they refuse to leave!
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 96 reviews
November 25, 2010
One Week as Lovers had the serious tone that I like in historical romance, with a tortured hero, and a heroine with enough depth to make for a satisfying read. My favorite aspect of this book, by far, was the hero. I really loved Nick. He was an incredibly sweet, loving guy, and very emotionally strong. I was impressed that he was able to survive such a horrible event in his past, and to become a relatively functional adult. He didn't turn into a hater or user like some men would have, given his background, nor did he become a perpetual victim.
I thought the contrast between Nick and Cynthia was very interesting. Nick should have been the hard, distant, and emotionally unavailable one, but Cynthia was, although what Nick suffered was much worse than what Cynthia endured. At times, Cynthia skirted the unlikeable heroine abyss, and nearly teetered over the edge. I could understand her fierce desire to be in control of her life, but it seemed almost a little selfish and off-putting at times. What redeemed her from being a heroine I did not like was the way she reached out to Nick and accepted his needs and him for who he was, even though what he had gone through might have disgusted some people, although it was not his fault. I liked her pragmatism, although it did come off as abrasive at times. I respected the fact that she wasn't deluded about her shortcomings. I also liked that she came to realize what she had almost turned her back on, and called herself on her actions. If Nick wasn't the steadfast hero that I loved him for being, she might have let a great love walk out of her life for good. Another aspect I appreciated about their relationship was that Nick loved Cynthia for the sometimes grumpy and abrasive person she was. It spoke to me, because that is huge part of loving someone in the real world, accepting them for who they are, good and bad.
I thought that Ms. Dahl did a great job of showing the growing intimacy between Nick and Cynthia, and how their friendship turned into a passionate love. The love scenes are pretty steamy and have an edge because of Nick's emotional issues, but they completely fit this story, and were very well-written.
I was satisfied with Ms. Dahl's ability to convey the Victorian period and to capture the almost gothic, and darker sensibilities of Victorian-set literature. Despite the fact that the cast of characters is very small, and the locations limited, it felt very authentic in the portrayal of Victorian England, and the mores of the characters were realistic.
I think Ms. Dahl is a good writer. I'm not 100% sold on her heroines, if they are all similar to Cynthia. I don't tend to like prickly, abrasive, reckless, and stubborn heroines that much, unless I can get inside their heads and come to understand them. Fortunately, I was able to gain some understanding of Cynthia, and that went a long way towards liking her for me. But I think Victoria Dahl writes a good, readable, emotional romance, so I'd read more of her books. And Nick is definitely a candidate for my favorite heroes list!
I thought the contrast between Nick and Cynthia was very interesting. Nick should have been the hard, distant, and emotionally unavailable one, but Cynthia was, although what Nick suffered was much worse than what Cynthia endured. At times, Cynthia skirted the unlikeable heroine abyss, and nearly teetered over the edge. I could understand her fierce desire to be in control of her life, but it seemed almost a little selfish and off-putting at times. What redeemed her from being a heroine I did not like was the way she reached out to Nick and accepted his needs and him for who he was, even though what he had gone through might have disgusted some people, although it was not his fault. I liked her pragmatism, although it did come off as abrasive at times. I respected the fact that she wasn't deluded about her shortcomings. I also liked that she came to realize what she had almost turned her back on, and called herself on her actions. If Nick wasn't the steadfast hero that I loved him for being, she might have let a great love walk out of her life for good. Another aspect I appreciated about their relationship was that Nick loved Cynthia for the sometimes grumpy and abrasive person she was. It spoke to me, because that is huge part of loving someone in the real world, accepting them for who they are, good and bad.
I thought that Ms. Dahl did a great job of showing the growing intimacy between Nick and Cynthia, and how their friendship turned into a passionate love. The love scenes are pretty steamy and have an edge because of Nick's emotional issues, but they completely fit this story, and were very well-written.
I was satisfied with Ms. Dahl's ability to convey the Victorian period and to capture the almost gothic, and darker sensibilities of Victorian-set literature. Despite the fact that the cast of characters is very small, and the locations limited, it felt very authentic in the portrayal of Victorian England, and the mores of the characters were realistic.
I think Ms. Dahl is a good writer. I'm not 100% sold on her heroines, if they are all similar to Cynthia. I don't tend to like prickly, abrasive, reckless, and stubborn heroines that much, unless I can get inside their heads and come to understand them. Fortunately, I was able to gain some understanding of Cynthia, and that went a long way towards liking her for me. But I think Victoria Dahl writes a good, readable, emotional romance, so I'd read more of her books. And Nick is definitely a candidate for my favorite heroes list!
July 12, 2010
One Week as Lovers really managed to surprise me. First of all, I hatehatehate tortured heroes. I'm probably in the minority, but I don't care. Horror stories about damaged men don't get my juices flowing...sue me. Anyway, I'm pretty sure that Nick (Viscount Lancaster) would be considered a tortured hero. He has certain issues about being touched during sex, because when he was a young man he was raped by this awful monster, Richmond.We are led to believe he tried to commit suicide because of it. This is where the first surprise came in. I really enjoyed the story. Normally, I don't want to read about this stuff in my romance novel. Not because I'm a truly heartless person, but because I read these silly things to escape, not to be reminded that there are horrible people out there just waiting to pounce on my children. However, Dahl managed to write about this subject in a way that kept me interested without totally turning my stomach sour. Maybe it was because so many of the romance writers depict male victims of rape as abusive, distant, and cold (not to say that isn't what happens in some cases), whereas Dahl made Nick a kind and generous person. At any rate, whatever she did worked for me.
I also loved Cynthia. She was spunky, funny, sexy, and she had been in love with Nick since they were children together. Her bastard step-father tried to force her to marry Richmond (yes, the same asshole who raped Nick) just to pay off his gambling debts. Here was the second surprise for me. Cyn doesn't just lay down and take it. She can tell that something is veryveryvery wrong with this guy, and she knows she will end up dead if she marries him. So what does she do? She fakes her own death. I immediately liked this girl.
Cyn and Nick are thrown back together when hears of her 'death' and decides to return to his boyhood home to pay his respects to her family. Also, he recently walked in on his fiancee doing the nasty with some other guy, so now seems like a good time to take a vacation. Poor guy, even though he doesn't love his fiancee, he still has to marry her because she is an heiress, and his family is in desperate need of the funds.
Unfortunately, Cyn has been using his home as her hideout...stay with me here...while she searches for this lost treasure that she read about in one of her old relative's diary. Ok. Yeah, that part was kinda cheesy. But I was still rooting for those two crazy kids to find it! If they just had the treasure then all of their problems would be solved, right? Cyn could pay off her step-father's debt, and Nick could afford to marry her and not the skanky heiress! Yay!
Alas, it was not to be. Oh, they found the treasure all right. But it wasn't nearly enough to help either one of them. Awwwww. So sad.
And here was where I was in for my final surprise. I feel I'm getting fairly well-versed in romance novels at this point, so I've heard the we-can't-marry-for-financial-reasons story line before. Usually, at the end of the book, the money falls out of the sky like manna from heaven. An old (but wealthy) uncle croaks and leaves his fortune to the impoverished (but titled) hero. Thereby affording him the chance to marry his true love. Or something of that nature. Like I said, Dahl surprised me. Viscount Lancaster did something that I have never seen before in a historical romance...he got a job! Alright, it wasn't like he decided to be a street sweeper, but I was still shocked. He called in a favor from the Duke of Somerhart (who some of you may remember from A Rake's Guide To Pleasure), and went to work for the duke's company.
See? Now, that was a happy ending. Why? 'Cause ya gotta love a man who can hold down a job.
I also loved Cynthia. She was spunky, funny, sexy, and she had been in love with Nick since they were children together. Her bastard step-father tried to force her to marry Richmond (yes, the same asshole who raped Nick) just to pay off his gambling debts. Here was the second surprise for me. Cyn doesn't just lay down and take it. She can tell that something is veryveryvery wrong with this guy, and she knows she will end up dead if she marries him. So what does she do? She fakes her own death. I immediately liked this girl.
Cyn and Nick are thrown back together when hears of her 'death' and decides to return to his boyhood home to pay his respects to her family. Also, he recently walked in on his fiancee doing the nasty with some other guy, so now seems like a good time to take a vacation. Poor guy, even though he doesn't love his fiancee, he still has to marry her because she is an heiress, and his family is in desperate need of the funds.
Unfortunately, Cyn has been using his home as her hideout...stay with me here...while she searches for this lost treasure that she read about in one of her old relative's diary. Ok. Yeah, that part was kinda cheesy. But I was still rooting for those two crazy kids to find it! If they just had the treasure then all of their problems would be solved, right? Cyn could pay off her step-father's debt, and Nick could afford to marry her and not the skanky heiress! Yay!
Alas, it was not to be. Oh, they found the treasure all right. But it wasn't nearly enough to help either one of them. Awwwww. So sad.
And here was where I was in for my final surprise. I feel I'm getting fairly well-versed in romance novels at this point, so I've heard the we-can't-marry-for-financial-reasons story line before. Usually, at the end of the book, the money falls out of the sky like manna from heaven. An old (but wealthy) uncle croaks and leaves his fortune to the impoverished (but titled) hero. Thereby affording him the chance to marry his true love. Or something of that nature. Like I said, Dahl surprised me. Viscount Lancaster did something that I have never seen before in a historical romance...he got a job! Alright, it wasn't like he decided to be a street sweeper, but I was still shocked. He called in a favor from the Duke of Somerhart (who some of you may remember from A Rake's Guide To Pleasure), and went to work for the duke's company.
See? Now, that was a happy ending. Why? 'Cause ya gotta love a man who can hold down a job.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 29, 2023
Read: 11/29/23
August 8, 2009
Dahl is fantastic, and though I love all her books, I love her historicals best because while they have a sense of humor, they take themselves seriously and don't shy away from darker emotions, vivid emotional and sexual scenes, and societal truths, and she does not take the easy way out re: plot resolution. This one is no exception. I'll be rereading repeatedly.
The best thing about Dahl's books is always her characterization. Her prose is lovely and stripped-down, no wasted words. Her plot structures and themes are a little flimsy sometimes (not a big problem for me). But the characters are so well drawn and she lets you into their heads and hearts so slowly over time that by the end of this novel, your heart will be breaking over Lancaster because you identify and because you adore him. You'll be cheering for and railing against Cynthia for her strength and her ability to stand on her own. It's clear as day why these characters are vital to each other's happiness.
The plot: Right before his wedding, right after finding out his fiancee doesn't want or like him, the charming and good-natured fortune-hunter Viscount Lancaster learns that his childhood best friend has killed herself. Lancaster returns to his childhood home, partly to mourn, mostly to get away from his fiancee and from society, which expects him to always be accommodating and smooth, especially right before his wedding. Keeping up his charm is wearing, especially in the face of what promises to be a disaster of a marriage. Cynthia, our heroine, is not pleased that he's returned: she faked her own death to avoid a disastrous marriage of her own and is hiding in his house.
I think one of the reasons I love this book is because of the gender switch of many of the personality characteristics found in traditional romances. The happy-go-lucky easy and relaxed one is the man, the stubborn sexual aggressor is the woman, she always drives the plot forward, he's generally reacting, and it always feels natural. I love that one of the themes is the danger of being too agreeable (another subject rarely touched on in romancelandia).
This one hasn't edged out "A Rake's Guide" as my favorite Dahl romance, but it runs a close second.
The best thing about Dahl's books is always her characterization. Her prose is lovely and stripped-down, no wasted words. Her plot structures and themes are a little flimsy sometimes (not a big problem for me). But the characters are so well drawn and she lets you into their heads and hearts so slowly over time that by the end of this novel, your heart will be breaking over Lancaster because you identify and because you adore him. You'll be cheering for and railing against Cynthia for her strength and her ability to stand on her own. It's clear as day why these characters are vital to each other's happiness.
The plot: Right before his wedding, right after finding out his fiancee doesn't want or like him, the charming and good-natured fortune-hunter Viscount Lancaster learns that his childhood best friend has killed herself. Lancaster returns to his childhood home, partly to mourn, mostly to get away from his fiancee and from society, which expects him to always be accommodating and smooth, especially right before his wedding. Keeping up his charm is wearing, especially in the face of what promises to be a disaster of a marriage. Cynthia, our heroine, is not pleased that he's returned: she faked her own death to avoid a disastrous marriage of her own and is hiding in his house.
I think one of the reasons I love this book is because of the gender switch of many of the personality characteristics found in traditional romances. The happy-go-lucky easy and relaxed one is the man, the stubborn sexual aggressor is the woman, she always drives the plot forward, he's generally reacting, and it always feels natural. I love that one of the themes is the danger of being too agreeable (another subject rarely touched on in romancelandia).
This one hasn't edged out "A Rake's Guide" as my favorite Dahl romance, but it runs a close second.
August 6, 2010
I LOVED this one. The heroine is straightforward, independent and earthy (some of her quips are priceless) and shows a whimsical confidence in herself and her plans. I also love that the hero's tragic past - I don't want to write a spoiler review and explain - is a central part of both the plot and also the romance, but is really well-handled. It's not dismissed in a chapter, nor overwhelming in an icky way (this IS a romance after all), but handled with courage and respect. Great story, well-written with two incredibly likeable protagonists. You just know you'd really like them if you met them. Pretty steamy too in a way which doesn't overwhelm, but is tasteful, and the ending is just perfect.
November 27, 2020
Unexpectedly, 'One week as lovers' proved to be quite entertaining and enjoyable. It had likeable characters and a well developed plot but the hero takes the cake for being the most lovable character. Nick was such a sweetheart🥰, he wasn't like those other heroes who are excessively cruel and selfish. He was caring, protective and just so adorable. I wanted to steal him for myself. 🤭
Cynthia was a realistically written character, she had flaws and a bit of a temper but that only made her more relateble and human.
Overall, a surprisingly delightful read... I'll surely try out more of this author's work💕.
October 10, 2009
Full Review Link
One Week as Lovers is the love story between two childhood friends, Nicholas, Viscount Lancaster and Cynthia, the girl next door. Cynthia has loved Nicholas forever but once the boy turned 15 his family moved to London and they haven’t seen each other in ages. Until Lancaster receives the news that Cynthia has died and he travels back. Cynthia of course, is not dead. She faked her suicide so that she could avoid getting married to the most awful man in existence (Richmond is his name , one that we do not want to repeat in this review.) – because her family is in serious debt and she is basically being sold to “that man”. Cynthia plans to hide (in Lancaster’s estate with the help of his housekeeper) until she finds her ancestor’s buried treasure (no, really) to buy her ticket to America.
When Lancaster comes back she hides in the attic and tries to send him away by pretending to be a ghost (which was hugely amusing) but he soon finds out the truth and his joy at her being alive is unbelievable. They quickly become friends again and of course, you know what happens next: they fall in love. Easily and smoothly.
But there is a catch: Lancaster is also poor. He needs to marry money and quick. His family depends on him and he already has a fiancée waiting for him to get married in a few weeks. This is cause for angst for the lovers and it is a real predicament with no easy way out.
On top of that, and the most important thing of all: Lancaster is damaged. Like, REALLY damaged. Traumatised by an event that took place when he was merely 15 (and why he went away and never came back) and caused a scar around his neck. I am not talking about a hero with say, “daddy issues” or a rake bored with life. Lancaster is severely injured down to the soul and once I learnt why and how he got the scars (the physical one and the emotional one), later in the book, I cried. It is serious stuff , dark and horrible, and it makes it even harder because Nick is just an amazing, adorable hero. Beta to the bone , easygoing; there is an early sequence when Cynthia muses about something Nick’s mother told her that everybody loved Nick because he was born with a gift to put people at ease and fill a room with joy. A joy that unfortunately, he is unable to feel. He must keep up the charade of being easygoing as to not let anyone discover what is really inside of him. And with Cyn, there is the beginning of healing.
She is a worthy heroine for Nick, who understand his problems and is able and willing to help. Her heart is as huge as his and you know, for once a cover manages to capture the essence of a couple – the embrace of the couple above is completely accurate – this is Nick and Cyn and please note, her smile: it’s like being at home. And you know, sometimes, it is easy to forget to root for a couple to the together when it comes to romance because we all know that the HEA is always going to be there in the end anyways but in One Week as Lovers, I was completely engrossed by this couple and I wanted them to be together so every much.
But even if their love is easy, their lives aren’t – and I was also appreciative of that fact that there is no miraculous ending for these two. The money problem is a real one and not easily fixed. And Nick is not entirely healed by the end of the book. Both problems will take time and that’s one of the reasons why One Week as Lovers is so good. But don’t get me wrong – this is not a doom and gloom book. It has serious issues and a dark streak but also light and humorous moments and dear lord, the sex scenes are both excellent and meaningful.
This is the book I have always known Victoria Dahl could write. I am a fan, a huge fan of both her historical and contemporary novels but in most of them, if not all there was a secondary plot that detracted from the romance. There is nothing like this in One Week as Lovers, as the attention is wholly invested in the two main characters and for that I am greatly grateful: because Lancaster is a character, a hero that deserves attention, your attention and anything you can give him.
He has captured my eye when he first appeared in A Rake’s Guide to Pleasure and he had a scar around his neck and I waited with anxiety for his story. And now, after One Week as Lovers, he has captured my heart.
One Week as Lovers is the love story between two childhood friends, Nicholas, Viscount Lancaster and Cynthia, the girl next door. Cynthia has loved Nicholas forever but once the boy turned 15 his family moved to London and they haven’t seen each other in ages. Until Lancaster receives the news that Cynthia has died and he travels back. Cynthia of course, is not dead. She faked her suicide so that she could avoid getting married to the most awful man in existence (Richmond is his name , one that we do not want to repeat in this review.) – because her family is in serious debt and she is basically being sold to “that man”. Cynthia plans to hide (in Lancaster’s estate with the help of his housekeeper) until she finds her ancestor’s buried treasure (no, really) to buy her ticket to America.
When Lancaster comes back she hides in the attic and tries to send him away by pretending to be a ghost (which was hugely amusing) but he soon finds out the truth and his joy at her being alive is unbelievable. They quickly become friends again and of course, you know what happens next: they fall in love. Easily and smoothly.
But there is a catch: Lancaster is also poor. He needs to marry money and quick. His family depends on him and he already has a fiancée waiting for him to get married in a few weeks. This is cause for angst for the lovers and it is a real predicament with no easy way out.
On top of that, and the most important thing of all: Lancaster is damaged. Like, REALLY damaged. Traumatised by an event that took place when he was merely 15 (and why he went away and never came back) and caused a scar around his neck. I am not talking about a hero with say, “daddy issues” or a rake bored with life. Lancaster is severely injured down to the soul and once I learnt why and how he got the scars (the physical one and the emotional one), later in the book, I cried. It is serious stuff , dark and horrible, and it makes it even harder because Nick is just an amazing, adorable hero. Beta to the bone , easygoing; there is an early sequence when Cynthia muses about something Nick’s mother told her that everybody loved Nick because he was born with a gift to put people at ease and fill a room with joy. A joy that unfortunately, he is unable to feel. He must keep up the charade of being easygoing as to not let anyone discover what is really inside of him. And with Cyn, there is the beginning of healing.
She is a worthy heroine for Nick, who understand his problems and is able and willing to help. Her heart is as huge as his and you know, for once a cover manages to capture the essence of a couple – the embrace of the couple above is completely accurate – this is Nick and Cyn and please note, her smile: it’s like being at home. And you know, sometimes, it is easy to forget to root for a couple to the together when it comes to romance because we all know that the HEA is always going to be there in the end anyways but in One Week as Lovers, I was completely engrossed by this couple and I wanted them to be together so every much.
But even if their love is easy, their lives aren’t – and I was also appreciative of that fact that there is no miraculous ending for these two. The money problem is a real one and not easily fixed. And Nick is not entirely healed by the end of the book. Both problems will take time and that’s one of the reasons why One Week as Lovers is so good. But don’t get me wrong – this is not a doom and gloom book. It has serious issues and a dark streak but also light and humorous moments and dear lord, the sex scenes are both excellent and meaningful.
This is the book I have always known Victoria Dahl could write. I am a fan, a huge fan of both her historical and contemporary novels but in most of them, if not all there was a secondary plot that detracted from the romance. There is nothing like this in One Week as Lovers, as the attention is wholly invested in the two main characters and for that I am greatly grateful: because Lancaster is a character, a hero that deserves attention, your attention and anything you can give him.
He has captured my eye when he first appeared in A Rake’s Guide to Pleasure and he had a scar around his neck and I waited with anxiety for his story. And now, after One Week as Lovers, he has captured my heart.
May 8, 2019
The more I think about it the more I wish I could have loved One Week As Lovers. It is a sweet vanilla read! But it’s missing that umami factor. Likeable but broke viscount Nick is about to be married to an heiress from the merchant class when he finds out Cynthia, a childhood friend, has passed away. He decides to visit his estate in the country to pay his respects. Cynthia is the funny one in the relationship, from bluntly stating that the flower in her possession has been plucked a long time ago to trying to convince a country lad that she is, indeed, a ghost. She’s the quirky, casual one while he’s aloof, a bit straight-edge.
One Week is a very simple plot, devoid of historical details, as it primarily centres around a secluded treasure hunt. It features a very unique and laudably so hero in Nick. One thing that is interesting is the accusation against Nick that he isn’t a real man. This is first an insult hurled by his fiance, for not working, that is brought up thematically throughout the book, significantly framing Nick’s traumatic background. Yet I don’t buy that was a real insult or valid reason for the fiancé to not respect Nick and it felt it was more to artificially illustrate a larger point about his character.
I’m not a historian but I’ve picked up enough from HRs that gentlemen are defined by their leisure. Lisa Kleypas’s Wallflower series is a good example that illustrates the class divide between noblemen by birth and rich men of common origins. That Nick's fiance would insult him for not having to work for a living and that Nick would not be bothered by having to work for a living is anachronistic to me, but this is a minor point I found frustrating in an otherwise enjoyable wallpaper read.
I remain super curious to read other works by Victoria Dahl and hope to be pleasantly surprised!
One Week is a very simple plot, devoid of historical details, as it primarily centres around a secluded treasure hunt. It features a very unique and laudably so hero in Nick. One thing that is interesting is the accusation against Nick that he isn’t a real man. This is first an insult hurled by his fiance, for not working, that is brought up thematically throughout the book, significantly framing Nick’s traumatic background. Yet I don’t buy that was a real insult or valid reason for the fiancé to not respect Nick and it felt it was more to artificially illustrate a larger point about his character.
I’m not a historian but I’ve picked up enough from HRs that gentlemen are defined by their leisure. Lisa Kleypas’s Wallflower series is a good example that illustrates the class divide between noblemen by birth and rich men of common origins. That Nick's fiance would insult him for not having to work for a living and that Nick would not be bothered by having to work for a living is anachronistic to me, but this is a minor point I found frustrating in an otherwise enjoyable wallpaper read.
I remain super curious to read other works by Victoria Dahl and hope to be pleasantly surprised!
April 8, 2013
I. Loved. This. Book! Set in the Victorian era, Nick, our hero, is a charming, titled fortune-hunter (I'd have loved the book for that already - how often do we have a fortune hunter hero?) who discovers that the heiress he is engaged to hates him and is sleeping with another, but he cannot afford to cancel the wedding. Instead, to clear his head, he travels to his remote Yorkshire estate, one he hasn't been to since he was 15. It is there he runs into our heroine, Cynthia, his childhood friend. Cynthia has faked suicide and hid in his empty house, in order to avoid marriage to a monster her family is trying to sell her to.
So, why did I love this book enough for it to get a separate post? It's an atmospheric Victorian that managed to keep my attention despite the stark setting and a very small cast of characters, but ultimately it's because I ended up borderline obsessed with Cynthia and Nick. Cynthia is a rare instanse of 'strong-willed and unconventional' done right - she is neither a raving lunatic nor a total bitch, the way too many romance authors tend to err, when they try to do strong willed and unconventional. She is the narrative driver of a lot of the story - it is her escape, her search for treasure, her wishes to be with Nick sexually - that drive the story. Not that Nick is a meek, put-upon hero. He is actually the main reason I love this book so. Dahl does something with a hero that I have rarely seen done in romances - under Nick's genuine charm and likeability lies a deeply broken person. But Dahl does the incredibly novel thing of giving her hero a horrific past and NOT turning him into the typical bitter/cold alpha that romance novels think goes with it. No, despite (or regardless) of his past, Nick is a genuinely nice, kind person who cares. People refer to him as 'easy' (as in easy-going and easy to please) and he views that easiness as a weakness and blames it for what happened in the past, but he never does suppress it.
In some ways, it's a gender roles reversal story - Cynthia the defiant and tough as nails, and Nick as a nice person capable of so much love.
It's just such a lovely lovely story. And it has the trope of slow healing through love (and sex) that I so adore in books, however little it might work in real life.
Plus, for once, a hero in debt in a period romance does something someone should have done 5000 books ago - he gets a job!!!! Bloody freaking finally.
So, why did I love this book enough for it to get a separate post? It's an atmospheric Victorian that managed to keep my attention despite the stark setting and a very small cast of characters, but ultimately it's because I ended up borderline obsessed with Cynthia and Nick. Cynthia is a rare instanse of 'strong-willed and unconventional' done right - she is neither a raving lunatic nor a total bitch, the way too many romance authors tend to err, when they try to do strong willed and unconventional. She is the narrative driver of a lot of the story - it is her escape, her search for treasure, her wishes to be with Nick sexually - that drive the story. Not that Nick is a meek, put-upon hero. He is actually the main reason I love this book so. Dahl does something with a hero that I have rarely seen done in romances - under Nick's genuine charm and likeability lies a deeply broken person. But Dahl does the incredibly novel thing of giving her hero a horrific past and NOT turning him into the typical bitter/cold alpha that romance novels think goes with it. No, despite (or regardless) of his past, Nick is a genuinely nice, kind person who cares. People refer to him as 'easy' (as in easy-going and easy to please) and he views that easiness as a weakness and blames it for what happened in the past, but he never does suppress it.
In some ways, it's a gender roles reversal story - Cynthia the defiant and tough as nails, and Nick as a nice person capable of so much love.
It's just such a lovely lovely story. And it has the trope of slow healing through love (and sex) that I so adore in books, however little it might work in real life.
Plus, for once, a hero in debt in a period romance does something someone should have done 5000 books ago - he gets a job!!!! Bloody freaking finally.
January 8, 2011
Nick is definitely one of the most likable heros I've ever read. I loved the sensitive vulnerability of his character. Definitely a re-read.
February 9, 2015
This was my first Victoria Dahl book.
I wasn’t overly impressed – I’ve read better historical romances, and authors like Lisa Kleypas and Julia Quinn remain among my favorite authors of the genre. ‘One Week as Lovers’ was just a little too hum-drum for me. The storyline is mediocre; so much is made of the fact that Nick and Cynthia grew up together, were childhood friends who drifted apart when Nick gained the title of ‘Viscount’. But I didn’t really feel the ‘connection’ between them – Dahl relied too heavily on Cynthia’s girlhood crush being the basis for her adult feelings.
The storyline is a bit all over the place as well. There were so many plot lines criss-crossing and starting/stopping; it was a little hard to get invested in any one. For one thing, Cynthia fakes her own death in the beginning to get out of a marriage contract. Nick discovers the ton woman he is engaged to has been cheating on him. Cynthia suspects that she has the map to buried pirate treasure – and when Nick comes to mourn Cynthia’s passing and he discovers she is in fact alive, they set out to locate the treasure trove.
And amidst all these storylines (enough for three separate books, at least) is something shady concerning Nick’s past, and a rumor that he tried to hang himself. This is actually the most intriguing storyline, and one that saves the book. When the truth about Nick is revealed it is an intense climax, heart-breaking and gut-wrenching.
I will say something for Dahl – she knows her way around a sex scene. Seriously good, smutty stuff.
He looked up for a moment as if startled, but she put her mouth on his and brought him back to her.
In the dark she could feel everything. In the dark it was just Nick and his taste and smell and touch. In the dark there was no fiancée and no scar around his neck and no ship to America.
I’ve read so many Victoria Dahl endorsements – first from Patti at ‘Book Addict’, and more recently from Mandi at ‘Smexy’. Having now had the pleasure of reading her ‘Tumble Creek’ series, I think Dahl’s strength lies in contemporary romance rather than historical.
I wasn’t overly impressed – I’ve read better historical romances, and authors like Lisa Kleypas and Julia Quinn remain among my favorite authors of the genre. ‘One Week as Lovers’ was just a little too hum-drum for me. The storyline is mediocre; so much is made of the fact that Nick and Cynthia grew up together, were childhood friends who drifted apart when Nick gained the title of ‘Viscount’. But I didn’t really feel the ‘connection’ between them – Dahl relied too heavily on Cynthia’s girlhood crush being the basis for her adult feelings.
The storyline is a bit all over the place as well. There were so many plot lines criss-crossing and starting/stopping; it was a little hard to get invested in any one. For one thing, Cynthia fakes her own death in the beginning to get out of a marriage contract. Nick discovers the ton woman he is engaged to has been cheating on him. Cynthia suspects that she has the map to buried pirate treasure – and when Nick comes to mourn Cynthia’s passing and he discovers she is in fact alive, they set out to locate the treasure trove.
And amidst all these storylines (enough for three separate books, at least) is something shady concerning Nick’s past, and a rumor that he tried to hang himself. This is actually the most intriguing storyline, and one that saves the book. When the truth about Nick is revealed it is an intense climax, heart-breaking and gut-wrenching.
I will say something for Dahl – she knows her way around a sex scene. Seriously good, smutty stuff.
He looked up for a moment as if startled, but she put her mouth on his and brought him back to her.
In the dark she could feel everything. In the dark it was just Nick and his taste and smell and touch. In the dark there was no fiancée and no scar around his neck and no ship to America.
I’ve read so many Victoria Dahl endorsements – first from Patti at ‘Book Addict’, and more recently from Mandi at ‘Smexy’. Having now had the pleasure of reading her ‘Tumble Creek’ series, I think Dahl’s strength lies in contemporary romance rather than historical.
March 24, 2013
Nick Lancaster, the impoverished viscount who helps the H/h in ARGTP, has finally found himself a fortune to marry. Unfortunately, the lady doesn’t like him—and he discovers that she does like her father’s man of business. Rather a lot.
And the worst of it is, he's going to have to put up with it. Without that money, his family is going to do a rather rapid swirl down the proverbial crapper. Nick’s having a tough time keeping up his trademark cheerful façade. When a letter arrives from the housekeeper at his boyhood home, informing him that his childhood friend, Cynthia Merrithorpe, has died, he impulsively heads home—to a house he hasn’t seen since… Well, since something awful happened.
He arrives to find his house is haunted by Cyn’s ghost. Only the ghost turns out to be quite alive. I’m giving nothing away by telling you that Cyn staged her death to avoid marrying a violent, evil man—a violent, evil man that Nick just happens to know too well.
A treasure hunt, a few painful revelations, and a decent twist--and the bad guy here is really awful. So 4 stars.
And the worst of it is, he's going to have to put up with it. Without that money, his family is going to do a rather rapid swirl down the proverbial crapper. Nick’s having a tough time keeping up his trademark cheerful façade. When a letter arrives from the housekeeper at his boyhood home, informing him that his childhood friend, Cynthia Merrithorpe, has died, he impulsively heads home—to a house he hasn’t seen since… Well, since something awful happened.
He arrives to find his house is haunted by Cyn’s ghost. Only the ghost turns out to be quite alive. I’m giving nothing away by telling you that Cyn staged her death to avoid marrying a violent, evil man—a violent, evil man that Nick just happens to know too well.
A treasure hunt, a few painful revelations, and a decent twist--and the bad guy here is really awful. So 4 stars.
June 17, 2010
Second book I've read by Dahl and she has yet to disappoint. I love, love, loved Cynthia's sense of humor and practicality with Nick's golden-boy charm mixed with a genuine heart of gold, excuse the expression. And while I liked this one more than A Rake's Guide to Pleasure, each was brought something different to the table. Definitely recommended for those who like well-written historical romances. ;)
September 16, 2009
Another good Dahl historical. Dahl tends to favor sex scenes with light bondage in them and that only bothered me because of the back story - the idea that previous sexual abuse caused/forgave that particular fetish. I guess in my mind, it wasn't nearly kinky enough to need to be explained. Some dudes just dig that.
January 29, 2023
3,75 stars
How this book is part of the same series as To Tempt a Scotsman and A Rake’s Guide to Pleasure is beyond me. How was this so much better?
I loved the childhood friends to lovers aspect of this a lot. It formed the basis of a little bit of the banter that they had going on. I even chuckled on a couple occasions. But it also tackled some pretty serious trauma and situations, and I really liked how it was handled.
I did need a little bit of character exploration to fall completely in love with the characters. I feel like there’s an improvement to be had there, but other than that: very hot, very cute. I liked it!
How this book is part of the same series as To Tempt a Scotsman and A Rake’s Guide to Pleasure is beyond me. How was this so much better?
I loved the childhood friends to lovers aspect of this a lot. It formed the basis of a little bit of the banter that they had going on. I even chuckled on a couple occasions. But it also tackled some pretty serious trauma and situations, and I really liked how it was handled.
I did need a little bit of character exploration to fall completely in love with the characters. I feel like there’s an improvement to be had there, but other than that: very hot, very cute. I liked it!
April 6, 2021
Content warnings:
Oh wow, this read.
When I first met Nick aka Lord Lancaster in A Rake's Guide To Pleasure, I thought he might be nothing more than a passing himbo, a friendly, handsome face who had no backstory. When the heroine of that book turns to him for help in a crucial moment, I worried for a moment that he would end up being a cad of some kind, a fairweather friend who proves worse than useless when needed. But he comes through, and overall from his presence in that book you would be safe to assume he's a charming young man whose only problem in life is that his inheritance doesn't come with the funds needed to actually maintain his family's needs.
But, oh. I don't know when Dahl came up with Nick's backstory, but we find out in this book that he's been through something very dark, and it's hurt him deeply. He's cultivated a public persona that is all things sparkle and light, and he doesn't let the pain he carries with him hurt anyone else. He is kind, and patient, and sweet, but these adjectives don't do justice to the intensity of his character. He is a genuinely good guy who hasn't let the trauma of his past turn him into a monster. Instead he's buried himself deep in a self-protective shell that he doesn't think he'll ever have to let anyone through.
Enter Cyn, his childhood friend who has been through some dark things of her own. But Cyn knew the boy he was before the event that changed his life, and she never treats him as anything but that boy. Because she's been in love with that boy basically since she met him, and when life reconnects them, they find everything in each other that they truly needed.
The early part of the book features some contrivances that might not appeal to everyone; ghost stuff and a treasure hunt. But I pushed through my impatience with those plot features because I was deep into Nick and Cyn's emotional journey, and because I had to know exactly what had happened to Nick. The details come late into the story, but they are clearly foreshadowed, so it was more like having my sinking suspicions confirmed rather than a surprise gut punch. Spoiler: .
I loved Cyn's determination, her boldness, her commitment to being the active agent in her life as much as circumstances would allow. I would say Nick needs her more than she needs him; she probably could have had a happy life even if he didn't come back into it. But when everything finally works out for them, it feels like a well-deserved happy ending for them both.
I was impressed that at the very end, we learn that Nick makes some social and financial sacrifices to find a way to be with Cyn and provide for his family. A compelling demonstration of how there's usually more than one way to solve a problem, no matter how long you've convinced yourself otherwise.
I didn't completely buy how easily Cyn understood what Nick needed from her in bed, but to be fair it came after a lot of well-sketched development.
Overall...I never feel comfortable recc'ing a book with this particular type of backstory to anyone. But I have to tell you all, I adored this book. The characters were sharp, smart, and funny. Their love was believable. Their chemistry was sizzling. Everything I want in a good read...with a surplus dose of traumatic backstory, but I think Dahl did a brilliant job of showing how someone's experiences make them who they are...and how new experiences can open the way for change.
Oh wow, this read.
When I first met Nick aka Lord Lancaster in A Rake's Guide To Pleasure, I thought he might be nothing more than a passing himbo, a friendly, handsome face who had no backstory. When the heroine of that book turns to him for help in a crucial moment, I worried for a moment that he would end up being a cad of some kind, a fairweather friend who proves worse than useless when needed. But he comes through, and overall from his presence in that book you would be safe to assume he's a charming young man whose only problem in life is that his inheritance doesn't come with the funds needed to actually maintain his family's needs.
But, oh. I don't know when Dahl came up with Nick's backstory, but we find out in this book that he's been through something very dark, and it's hurt him deeply. He's cultivated a public persona that is all things sparkle and light, and he doesn't let the pain he carries with him hurt anyone else. He is kind, and patient, and sweet, but these adjectives don't do justice to the intensity of his character. He is a genuinely good guy who hasn't let the trauma of his past turn him into a monster. Instead he's buried himself deep in a self-protective shell that he doesn't think he'll ever have to let anyone through.
Enter Cyn, his childhood friend who has been through some dark things of her own. But Cyn knew the boy he was before the event that changed his life, and she never treats him as anything but that boy. Because she's been in love with that boy basically since she met him, and when life reconnects them, they find everything in each other that they truly needed.
The early part of the book features some contrivances that might not appeal to everyone; ghost stuff and a treasure hunt. But I pushed through my impatience with those plot features because I was deep into Nick and Cyn's emotional journey, and because I had to know exactly what had happened to Nick. The details come late into the story, but they are clearly foreshadowed, so it was more like having my sinking suspicions confirmed rather than a surprise gut punch. Spoiler: .
I loved Cyn's determination, her boldness, her commitment to being the active agent in her life as much as circumstances would allow. I would say Nick needs her more than she needs him; she probably could have had a happy life even if he didn't come back into it. But when everything finally works out for them, it feels like a well-deserved happy ending for them both.
I was impressed that at the very end, we learn that Nick makes some social and financial sacrifices to find a way to be with Cyn and provide for his family. A compelling demonstration of how there's usually more than one way to solve a problem, no matter how long you've convinced yourself otherwise.
I didn't completely buy how easily Cyn understood what Nick needed from her in bed, but to be fair it came after a lot of well-sketched development.
Overall...I never feel comfortable recc'ing a book with this particular type of backstory to anyone. But I have to tell you all, I adored this book. The characters were sharp, smart, and funny. Their love was believable. Their chemistry was sizzling. Everything I want in a good read...with a surplus dose of traumatic backstory, but I think Dahl did a brilliant job of showing how someone's experiences make them who they are...and how new experiences can open the way for change.
May 2, 2014
I don't normally write reviews for reasons. Many reasons. One being that, while I enjoy reading and the whole process of embracing a story, I've never felt compelled to sit down and write out something explaining my love for it. Another is that, frankly, I'm too lazy.
But One Week As Lovers has seemed to break me.
This story.
This story was a huge surprise for me. I've never read Victoria Dahl and I came across this book while on a hunt for something new and different.
And boy did I get it.
The plot seemed simple enough: Childhood friends reunited years later after boy returns home when he believes that girl has died. The girl, however, has faked her death for reasons, and is on the hunt for treasure.
While the gist of the plot didn't necessarily pull me towards the book, I went for it anyway and I'm glad I did.
Because beyond the simplicity of the story, there's more; so much more. The characters are layered and more than one dimensional. The Hero and Heroine are so likeable on their own and around each other, and while there's angst (oh is there angst) it doesn't feel like something the author manufactured just to create unnecessary drama. There's no big misunderstanding; just two people who knew each other as children and who are fighting towards a better future, whether it be with or without each other.
This book is well written. The emotions and actions of the characters ring legit and so raw. Victoria Dahl manages to bring forth chemistry between Nick and Cynthia without having to flashback to their childhood together. Their scenes as adults, pulls you in, and their repertoire alone managed to show the reader how well these two vibe together naturally. You can picture how well they cared for each other as children and what their friendship had been without having to backtrack.
Cynthia is likeable. She's smart, she's sweet and she can hold her own. Nick is simply loveable. His anguish and struggle to overcome a difficult past made me sympathize with him, all while wanting to cry for him.
I found myself doing something I rarely do with HR, too. I found myself rooting for this couple until the very end. I wanted them to find their way to each other; I wanted them to overcome their obstacle of the financial problem and for them to get their HEA.
I wanted it by midbook.
But, in the end, I realized the story stayed true to what it was trying to say. Love isn't easy. Life isn't always a fairytale and sometimes things don't come as easily as we'd like. We have to work for it; have to find a way to overcome demons and whatever else seems to be tethering us to it, and simply move forward.
But One Week As Lovers has seemed to break me.
This story.
This story was a huge surprise for me. I've never read Victoria Dahl and I came across this book while on a hunt for something new and different.
And boy did I get it.
The plot seemed simple enough: Childhood friends reunited years later after boy returns home when he believes that girl has died. The girl, however, has faked her death for reasons, and is on the hunt for treasure.
While the gist of the plot didn't necessarily pull me towards the book, I went for it anyway and I'm glad I did.
Because beyond the simplicity of the story, there's more; so much more. The characters are layered and more than one dimensional. The Hero and Heroine are so likeable on their own and around each other, and while there's angst (oh is there angst) it doesn't feel like something the author manufactured just to create unnecessary drama. There's no big misunderstanding; just two people who knew each other as children and who are fighting towards a better future, whether it be with or without each other.
This book is well written. The emotions and actions of the characters ring legit and so raw. Victoria Dahl manages to bring forth chemistry between Nick and Cynthia without having to flashback to their childhood together. Their scenes as adults, pulls you in, and their repertoire alone managed to show the reader how well these two vibe together naturally. You can picture how well they cared for each other as children and what their friendship had been without having to backtrack.
Cynthia is likeable. She's smart, she's sweet and she can hold her own. Nick is simply loveable. His anguish and struggle to overcome a difficult past made me sympathize with him, all while wanting to cry for him.
I found myself doing something I rarely do with HR, too. I found myself rooting for this couple until the very end. I wanted them to find their way to each other; I wanted them to overcome their obstacle of the financial problem and for them to get their HEA.
I wanted it by midbook.
But, in the end, I realized the story stayed true to what it was trying to say. Love isn't easy. Life isn't always a fairytale and sometimes things don't come as easily as we'd like. We have to work for it; have to find a way to overcome demons and whatever else seems to be tethering us to it, and simply move forward.
August 19, 2011
I brought this book on a whim as it was selling cheaply on Amazon, I didn't expect too much from it, and just picked out out of my to read pile at random, but I am soooo pleased I did, I loved this book, I don't know if it's because I was expecting so little, or if I was in a particularly good frame of mind when I was reading it, but oh How I loved this book!!!
It wasn't until I've come to review the book I even realised it was part of a series - me being me of course ive started at number 3, but it made no difference to the book.
The story was beautiful - childhood best friends seperated as children by a horrific act that the heroine knows nothing about, leaving her broken hearted that the love of her younmg life has deserted her and leaving the Hero to start afresh in London with his family, never quite the same as he was when he left. -The pasts of the hero and the heroine come back to haunt them in so many different ways, both desperate to move on but neither sure just how to do that, until they are reunited as adults, brought back together by a series of events that no one would guess.
Their reunion finally leads to them both opening up, just a little at first, making the other fully aware that although they are now all grown up - the children they once were are still inside them, as is the friendship they had so many years before, when things were so simple. The adults they have grown into have anything but simple lives!
Im saying no more and im not going into the plot fully - Yes it is ( As almost all romance novels are ) written to a well known formula... but this books goes beyond the normal formula and makes itself much more!
This book gave me cold shivers and I only wish it could have been twice as long as it was, I didn't want the story to end, I wanted to know more and more about this couple and how they carried on through life, with the possibility of the past finally no longer taunting them I was left so sure that they would be happy together and that things given more time will only get better between them.
It wasn't until I've come to review the book I even realised it was part of a series - me being me of course ive started at number 3, but it made no difference to the book.
The story was beautiful - childhood best friends seperated as children by a horrific act that the heroine knows nothing about, leaving her broken hearted that the love of her younmg life has deserted her and leaving the Hero to start afresh in London with his family, never quite the same as he was when he left. -The pasts of the hero and the heroine come back to haunt them in so many different ways, both desperate to move on but neither sure just how to do that, until they are reunited as adults, brought back together by a series of events that no one would guess.
Their reunion finally leads to them both opening up, just a little at first, making the other fully aware that although they are now all grown up - the children they once were are still inside them, as is the friendship they had so many years before, when things were so simple. The adults they have grown into have anything but simple lives!
Im saying no more and im not going into the plot fully - Yes it is ( As almost all romance novels are ) written to a well known formula... but this books goes beyond the normal formula and makes itself much more!
This book gave me cold shivers and I only wish it could have been twice as long as it was, I didn't want the story to end, I wanted to know more and more about this couple and how they carried on through life, with the possibility of the past finally no longer taunting them I was left so sure that they would be happy together and that things given more time will only get better between them.
June 12, 2012
I finished this book last Monday, and I think I've decided that I liked it, but I had to overcome some reservations in order to reach that conclusion. I do recommend it as an interesting and somewhat edgy romance novel (that's an unusual word combination right there... when was the last time 'edgy' was associated with the romance genre?), but it's fairly intense and probably wouldn't suit everyone. I enjoy it when romance authors push the envelope with their characters and give them real problems to deal with. Dahl did that with both of her characters, particularly Lancaster, the male character. Part of the fun of the book is slowly uncovering all his issues (I felt like a total voyeur when I was reading this book, but it was very interesting to put together the puzzle of his behavior with the knowledge of what caused it), so I won't go into any of that. Suffice it to say that both characters are lugging around a metric-ton of baggage, yet the writing doesn't suffer from all of that emotional weight. The characters are well-written and their choices and actions make sense given their experiences.
Anyway, the only problem I had with the book was the sex scenes. I get it: if you have characters who have both suffered sexual trauma of some sort, you're going to end up with somewhat messed-up sex scenes. They make perfect sense, but that doesn't mean that I enjoyed reading them.
Anyway, the only problem I had with the book was the sex scenes. I get it: if you have characters who have both suffered sexual trauma of some sort, you're going to end up with somewhat messed-up sex scenes. They make perfect sense, but that doesn't mean that I enjoyed reading them.
August 11, 2009
This one is definitely going into my Top 10 So Far list.
I admit, it's my first foray into historical romance in at least a decade. I was inspired to pick it up by a review from the Book Smugglers blog, and I am so grateful.
(MINOR SPOILERS)
It was beautifully written, and had a sweet and satisfying love story that, while ending with the promise of an HEA, didn't tie it up in a neat little bow. They had to work for it.
I'll also admit to a weakness for damaged heroes (as my best friend, who's read all of my unpublished books, can attest to), and Nick certainly fit the bill, hurting hard beneath a jovial exterior.
Definitely recommend.
I admit, it's my first foray into historical romance in at least a decade. I was inspired to pick it up by a review from the Book Smugglers blog, and I am so grateful.
(MINOR SPOILERS)
It was beautifully written, and had a sweet and satisfying love story that, while ending with the promise of an HEA, didn't tie it up in a neat little bow. They had to work for it.
I'll also admit to a weakness for damaged heroes (as my best friend, who's read all of my unpublished books, can attest to), and Nick certainly fit the bill, hurting hard beneath a jovial exterior.
Definitely recommend.
December 25, 2015
Great story - angst, friendship, love, good mystery, great unexpected ending! I would have liked to have seen more of what happened in London at the very end, but the actual ending was great. Hero was definitely conflicted, had a horrible adolescent experience, but still was able to reconnect with his childhood friend. Heroine had nasty family and was in a very bad situation but took steps on her own to resolve her problem. She was smart, funny, irreverent, and aware enough to see and accept the changes in her childhood friend.
Well-written, the relationship was real and the secondary characters excellent. Loved Mrs. Pell, the housekeeper!
Well-written, the relationship was real and the secondary characters excellent. Loved Mrs. Pell, the housekeeper!
September 19, 2010
My first historical by Dahl and I definitely enjoyed it. This is not a straight-up bodice ripper. There are serious themes above and beyond the usual impoverished nobility or headstrong young noble girl (though that is also included). It also deals with abuse and the long-standing psychological trauma that results from it, not something commonly found in historical romances. But it was well-done. I appreciate that in many of Dahl's books, her characters are well-rounded and have considerable depth. It's easy to dig into these characters. I plan to read more of Dahl's historicals!
September 17, 2014
I usually love this author's books, but not always. This one kinda fell flat for me. The villains were too over the top. The ending was too drawn out and left the heroine hanging for too long. I appreciated the sentiment/logic behind it and all, but it still squashed the HEA for me. Maybe an epilogue would've helped? More indication that the hero ever thought of the heroine during the intervening years might have helped too?? There was plenty of reasons behind why it ended the way it did and I suspect that I just don't like the ultimate premise of the story.
August 30, 2010
Thios book had me laughing , crying , frustrated and it was a brilliant read, it a love story in general but tells of the darker side of life in the times and how love can over come all .
a must read for historical romance fans
a must read for historical romance fans
September 16, 2010
A fantastic read, sexy but also poignant, with a slightly different type of storyline and an unusual hero. He's strong and tormented but not an alpha jerk. Bravo!
He's also blond, which I'm into at the moment. :)
He's also blond, which I'm into at the moment. :)
February 12, 2022
Cyn was my favorite kind of heroine, determined, strong, stubborn, and smart. Nick is a great foil for her, trying to be honorable and proper and getting swept away by her instead. Their story was pretty good, the chemistry was perfection, and the writing itself was great.
September 28, 2009
I love that this story wasn't solved the easy (predictable) way that most romance novels favor.
Dahl continues to be fresh with prose that just trot along beautifully.
Dahl continues to be fresh with prose that just trot along beautifully.
January 2, 2012
4.5 stars
November 13, 2013
Painful dark subject matter saved from being too heavy by lovely, charming humorous dialogue between the leads.
May 2, 2020
Giving 3 stars because I didn’t finish. I didn’t like the heroine at all but some may relate.
Won’t read again.
Won’t read again.
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