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My Darling Caroline
Caroline Grayson is a brilliant, independent nineteenth-century woman whose true passion is botany. Denied her dreams of studying at Oxford University because of her gender, she is also prevented from putting her auxiliary plan of attending New York University into action when her father compels her to marry the mysterious and sullen earl of Weymerth, Brent Ravenscroft. They both enter into the marriage with visions of personal gain. Brent wants to get his horses back from Caroline's father, who bought his estate while he was away at war. Caroline wants to annul the marriage, thus gaining the freedom to sail to the U.S. and achieve her dream of becoming a world-class botanist. But their hearts have other ideas. Caroline gradually realizes that her husband means as much to her as her flowers and that his unconventional respect for her intelligence represents a form of freedom her peers can only vaguely imagine.
383 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 1, 1998
44 people are currently reading
1217 people want to read
About the author
Adele Ashworth
11 books240 followersAdele Budnick was born in 1963. She has always felt she's led a rather dull life on her road to becoming a romance author. Unfortunately, she's also often been wrong.
From the first time she stepped onstage to sing Petula Clark's "Downtown" for a crowd (at the age of three in a Juarez, Mexico, hotel restaurant, dancing on the table at the urging of the Spanish-speaking waitresses), she knew she was destined to be a singer. Her first miscalculation.
At the age of six, as she watched one of the Apollo rockets take off on live Saturday-morning television, interrupting the most important TV shows of the decade—The Monkeys and Scooby-Doo—she decided she would become a diplomat. Much to her mother's chagrin, Adele was caught in a heated discussion with a telephone operator who insisted it simply wasn't possible to put a six-year-old child through to President Nixon at the White House just to make a complaint about important programming interruption. Diplomacy clearly wasn't for her.
In elementary school, Adele, being a voracious reader, decided she would be a defense attorney just like Nancy Drew's father. (One knew at any age that one couldn't make a living simply by being a mystery solver like Nancy, but solving crimes as an attorney seemed practical.) After three years of knowing she was destined for Harvard Law School, Adele finished every published Nancy Drew novel (53 of them at the time) and moved on to reading romance. Thus ended her dreams of solving crimes. The idea of law school seemed far less enjoyable after immersing herself in Victoria Holt at the age of twelve.
The Song Bird Years
Adele continued to pursue her singing into her teen years, deciding she was either going to be an editorial reader for a publishing company (because all she loved to do was read) or a Singing Superstar. She figured becoming a Superstar was probably an easier goal to achieve, and so, between reading romances (and in the late 70s there were very few to read), she practiced her art, training her developing coloratura soprano voice with private lessons from one of the best operatic instructors in the city of Albuquerque. Through numerous All-State Choir rehearsals, Jr. and High School choir practice, and various musical productions, she knew she was destined for stardom.
And then at the age of fifteen, her private vocal instructor told her the cold, hard facts: To really make it as a Broadway Singing Superstar, one not only has to read music well, but be able to act and dance and live on pennies. Adele does not dance (unless you count nightclubs in college and that time in Mexico when she was three…) and the "living on pennies" bit seemed highly questionable. Since her acting and music reading talents were also suspect, she decided Broadway might not be for her. Reality sure can be a shocker.
On the Career Path
In college as a journalism major (only because she had to major in something that might get her a paying job), she continued to pursue private vocal instruction with the University of Utah's finest, while performing in various musicals and college recitals. Having directed her through the lead in Cinderella, her drama teacher urged her to try out for local beauty—ahem—scholarship pageants. That was it. Adele was destined to be a singing, reading, reporting, Miss America.
Unfortunately, reality struck again. Not only was Adele a bit lacking in genius (to put it bluntly), being five feet and two inches tall, and possessing quite possibly the shortest legs in the history of womanhood left Adele doing well in talent portions of the contests, but lacking other…necessary attributes. Aside from being crowned Miss Sandy City and Miss Salt Lake County, the pageant thing never went anywhere. Alas, the Singing Beauty Queen future was out.
But Adele worked very hard at her favorite pastime and, by her senior year in college, she'd read just about every Kathleen E. Woodiwiss, Victoria Holt, Shirley Busbee, Laurie McBain,
From the first time she stepped onstage to sing Petula Clark's "Downtown" for a crowd (at the age of three in a Juarez, Mexico, hotel restaurant, dancing on the table at the urging of the Spanish-speaking waitresses), she knew she was destined to be a singer. Her first miscalculation.
At the age of six, as she watched one of the Apollo rockets take off on live Saturday-morning television, interrupting the most important TV shows of the decade—The Monkeys and Scooby-Doo—she decided she would become a diplomat. Much to her mother's chagrin, Adele was caught in a heated discussion with a telephone operator who insisted it simply wasn't possible to put a six-year-old child through to President Nixon at the White House just to make a complaint about important programming interruption. Diplomacy clearly wasn't for her.
In elementary school, Adele, being a voracious reader, decided she would be a defense attorney just like Nancy Drew's father. (One knew at any age that one couldn't make a living simply by being a mystery solver like Nancy, but solving crimes as an attorney seemed practical.) After three years of knowing she was destined for Harvard Law School, Adele finished every published Nancy Drew novel (53 of them at the time) and moved on to reading romance. Thus ended her dreams of solving crimes. The idea of law school seemed far less enjoyable after immersing herself in Victoria Holt at the age of twelve.
The Song Bird Years
Adele continued to pursue her singing into her teen years, deciding she was either going to be an editorial reader for a publishing company (because all she loved to do was read) or a Singing Superstar. She figured becoming a Superstar was probably an easier goal to achieve, and so, between reading romances (and in the late 70s there were very few to read), she practiced her art, training her developing coloratura soprano voice with private lessons from one of the best operatic instructors in the city of Albuquerque. Through numerous All-State Choir rehearsals, Jr. and High School choir practice, and various musical productions, she knew she was destined for stardom.
And then at the age of fifteen, her private vocal instructor told her the cold, hard facts: To really make it as a Broadway Singing Superstar, one not only has to read music well, but be able to act and dance and live on pennies. Adele does not dance (unless you count nightclubs in college and that time in Mexico when she was three…) and the "living on pennies" bit seemed highly questionable. Since her acting and music reading talents were also suspect, she decided Broadway might not be for her. Reality sure can be a shocker.
On the Career Path
In college as a journalism major (only because she had to major in something that might get her a paying job), she continued to pursue private vocal instruction with the University of Utah's finest, while performing in various musicals and college recitals. Having directed her through the lead in Cinderella, her drama teacher urged her to try out for local beauty—ahem—scholarship pageants. That was it. Adele was destined to be a singing, reading, reporting, Miss America.
Unfortunately, reality struck again. Not only was Adele a bit lacking in genius (to put it bluntly), being five feet and two inches tall, and possessing quite possibly the shortest legs in the history of womanhood left Adele doing well in talent portions of the contests, but lacking other…necessary attributes. Aside from being crowned Miss Sandy City and Miss Salt Lake County, the pageant thing never went anywhere. Alas, the Singing Beauty Queen future was out.
But Adele worked very hard at her favorite pastime and, by her senior year in college, she'd read just about every Kathleen E. Woodiwiss, Victoria Holt, Shirley Busbee, Laurie McBain,
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 133 reviews
March 6, 2020
The great reviews drew me to this book.
But although I found it to be nice, okay, even sweet at times, there's nothing that lifts it much beyond the ordinary.
*Spoilers*
Likable
The mcs are are well matched.
The just back from war and PTSD suffering H - who oscillates between being an enlightened, almost feminist guy and a thin skinned, insulting and judgemental jerk and the plain, actually-a-genius h make for a cute pair.
They slowly and surely grow as a couple without too many hiccups. Only their well kept secrets are ticking bombs that can and do rip them apart.
The h is not just your average bluestocking but a Mensa level genius, a female Gregor Mendel who grows and breeds flowering plants. I liked her but some of her choices are not well explained.
Her elder sister clears so many things at the end - for the H and the reader. I liked her dressing down the H.
Not so much
Unlike many, I was okay with the H's illegitimate daughter. Only she came out as a shock and Yes, the H has to be 'applauded' for accepting her but still I disliked that she's mostly left to the servants to be reared. Kudos to the h for trying to better her life but I don't think I read her being given a room inside the house. I hope I'm wrong.
The h's 'secret' is a bit ott and comparably more unforgivable.
He had no right to take a higher moral ground.
Then those inner and outer monologues at the end are tedious and yawny. Especially the uncle's and the father's. Jane, the sister nailed it though.
But although I found it to be nice, okay, even sweet at times, there's nothing that lifts it much beyond the ordinary.
*Spoilers*
Likable
The mcs are are well matched.
The just back from war and PTSD suffering H - who oscillates between being an enlightened, almost feminist guy and a thin skinned, insulting and judgemental jerk and the plain, actually-a-genius h make for a cute pair.
They slowly and surely grow as a couple without too many hiccups. Only their well kept secrets are ticking bombs that can and do rip them apart.
The h is not just your average bluestocking but a Mensa level genius, a female Gregor Mendel who grows and breeds flowering plants. I liked her but some of her choices are not well explained.
Her elder sister clears so many things at the end - for the H and the reader. I liked her dressing down the H.
Not so much
Unlike many, I was okay with the H's illegitimate daughter. Only she came out as a shock and Yes, the H has to be 'applauded' for accepting her but still I disliked that she's mostly left to the servants to be reared. Kudos to the h for trying to better her life but I don't think I read her being given a room inside the house. I hope I'm wrong.
The h's 'secret' is a bit ott and comparably more unforgivable.
He had no right to take a higher moral ground.
Then those inner and outer monologues at the end are tedious and yawny. Especially the uncle's and the father's. Jane, the sister nailed it though.
July 13, 2015
DNF.
Normally, I don't rate DNFs, but if I don't rate it, then future potential readers won't be aware of the sheer wrongness of this novel.
Before their arranged marriage, the hero makes big deal out of the heroine's virginity. Then says, he has to marry her whether she is ruined or not. And that if she is pregnant with a child from another man, they would have to dispose of the child after his/her birth.
Meanwhile, he has a daughter from a French courtesan, which he does not disclose to the heroine before marrying her. A daughter he treats like less than a human being. Why can't he have housed her. I don't care that he says that she is wild. She is a child and she is treated really poorly.
The heroine also sees the child and says, get rid of her (although in her favour, she didn't know that the child was her husband's) but regardless, you don't get rid off children.
I don't care that if later on in the book the heroine treats the child better or the hero finally treats her like his daughter. If this happened now, I would call the police and have the father arrested for neglect.
Normally, I don't rate DNFs, but if I don't rate it, then future potential readers won't be aware of the sheer wrongness of this novel.
Before their arranged marriage, the hero makes big deal out of the heroine's virginity. Then says, he has to marry her whether she is ruined or not. And that if she is pregnant with a child from another man, they would have to dispose of the child after his/her birth.
Meanwhile, he has a daughter from a French courtesan, which he does not disclose to the heroine before marrying her. A daughter he treats like less than a human being. Why can't he have housed her. I don't care that he says that she is wild. She is a child and she is treated really poorly.
The heroine also sees the child and says, get rid of her (although in her favour, she didn't know that the child was her husband's) but regardless, you don't get rid off children.
I don't care that if later on in the book the heroine treats the child better or the hero finally treats her like his daughter. If this happened now, I would call the police and have the father arrested for neglect.
September 5, 2019
Nuestra reseña del #RitaAdele en A la cama con... un libro
Una lectura agradable que en la parte final se estropea.
Una lectura agradable que en la parte final se estropea.
May 19, 2010
I love Adele Ashworth's books. Why are they out of print? I just finished Winter Garden, which is arguably one of the best ever written, and now I can't decide which one I like better. I'd like to own both, but you better get out your wallet...they are BOTH out of print...aghhh!
My Darling Caroline is a book about Caroline Grayson, a positively brilliant mathematician and botanist who has experienced much prejudice and shunning based on her gender. She is forced into an arranged marriage with Brent Ravenscroft, but has no intention of staying married. She plans to have the marriage anulled so that she can travel to America and study her botany abroad. She didn't plan on falling in love with her husband.
Brent Ravenscroft is a man of true worth. He respects Caroline's intelligence, makes no secret of his desire for her, and is forth right. He is so appealing in many different ways, I had to keep myself from sighing in many of the things he says to Caroline throughout the book.
The characters make this book.....as was the case with Winter Garden. Ashworth throws in some secondary characters and some villains for good measure, but they are not needed. The main couple is so strongly characterized and portrayed that you will not forget them. The love scenes are erotic, yet emotional....a difficult thing to do well. Ashworth excels at this.
Find this book (along with Winter Garden). You will be engrossed, hooked, and then in the spot I'm in....how can I get my hands on a copy at a reasonable price?
My Darling Caroline is a book about Caroline Grayson, a positively brilliant mathematician and botanist who has experienced much prejudice and shunning based on her gender. She is forced into an arranged marriage with Brent Ravenscroft, but has no intention of staying married. She plans to have the marriage anulled so that she can travel to America and study her botany abroad. She didn't plan on falling in love with her husband.
Brent Ravenscroft is a man of true worth. He respects Caroline's intelligence, makes no secret of his desire for her, and is forth right. He is so appealing in many different ways, I had to keep myself from sighing in many of the things he says to Caroline throughout the book.
The characters make this book.....as was the case with Winter Garden. Ashworth throws in some secondary characters and some villains for good measure, but they are not needed. The main couple is so strongly characterized and portrayed that you will not forget them. The love scenes are erotic, yet emotional....a difficult thing to do well. Ashworth excels at this.
Find this book (along with Winter Garden). You will be engrossed, hooked, and then in the spot I'm in....how can I get my hands on a copy at a reasonable price?
October 26, 2011
Caroline was a born genius which during the time frame of this story was one of the worst things that could happen to a woman. She wanted to study at university, but of course that wasn't accepted for a woman. She was a botanist and a natural mathematician. All her life though she was the odd one with no friends or suitors. Here 4 sisters were blonde, blue eyed and beautiful while she was brown haired and brown eyed and thought to be plain.
When Lord (Brent) Ravenscroft comes to her father to buy back his precious horses that his cousin had sold out from under him while away at war, her father will only give them back if he marries Caroline.
So a marriage of convenience takes place, he does not want a wife. He does not trust any woman as he has just had awful experiences with them. When he gets Caroline to his stripped down home (again thanks to his cousin) he expects her to cry or throw a fit, but she casually accepts. He also excepts his illegitimate daughter, who is said to be wild and have something not right about her, but Caroline discovers she is deaf and goes about helping her to understand. Brent definitely desires his new wife and is seeing her as no one ever has. He respects her and intelligence and that alone brings her to start caring for him.
Caroline agreed to this marriage but in her minds plans she intends to not consume the marriage, get an annulment, then move to America to go to college. The thing is, she starts to fall for Brent and his little daughter.
What I just loved about this story, is how they slowly fell for each other. I loved Brent's attempts at seduction, even though he was very forthright. They each had secrets they kept from each other and you saw the whole big misunderstanding coming, but it wasn't cringe worthy like so many other stories.
“Sometimes, my darling Caroline, when I can’t take the want any longer; I go and look at you. Did you know that? I stand by your bedside and watch you sleeping by moonlight, your angelic face draped in shadows, so lovely, so peaceful, and I wonder if you’re dreaming about me.”
“You deserve a husband who wants you, Caroline, just as you are, and you know I do. But as much as I need you, I don’t want you if you’re here right now from a feeling of guilt, or pity, or some odd sense of self-righteousness or duty.” He abruptly glanced down once again to his brandy. “Because I also believe, even with my numerous faults, that I deserve a wife who wants me in return, just as I am. Anything less isn’t worth the pain.”
May 9, 2022
DNF at 38%.
The only good thing I can say about this book is the author's easy-to-read writing style (hence the 1 star). Other than that, the characterisations were contradictory, and the plot was all over the place.
The cons:
1) The hero is a spy, but he's blunt, and he's no good with talking to women (where's the suaveness and the charisma? How the hell did he become a spy in the first place with the essential characteristics missing?)
2) He supposedly loved his love-child (he mentioned that she was the reason he was still alive) but let her run wild all over his estate (she is thought to be mentally incapacitated).
3) The FMC is a genius in mathematics and science, especially botany. She is a miracle worker as well. She knew instantly that the child was deaf instead of mentally incapacitated, and she went on to tutor her to speak. The FMC didn't have the proper training to speak of, and she wrought all this miracle within a few short weeks. This is an impossible plot device to sell. I've seen the movie, The Miracle Worker, about the life of Hellen Keller and Anne Sullivan. I mean, the struggle to teach a person who is deaf and blind practically since birth. Hellen Keller was successful because she was partially blind herself.
4) Using the word 'sexy'. I cringed every time I came across this word. There was no way that this word was used during that period.
So, I decided to save my time by DNFing. I'm surprised that this book received a DIK status on Allaboutromance.com (generally, I agree with most of their DIK books, but there have been a couple of duds. Overall, it's a great site for book recs. I came across a couple of gems from this site). I understand that this was a debut novel, but I couldn't recommend it besides the writing style. I'm not sure if her other books are any better. Maybe I'm not the intended audience.
The only good thing I can say about this book is the author's easy-to-read writing style (hence the 1 star). Other than that, the characterisations were contradictory, and the plot was all over the place.
The cons:
1) The hero is a spy, but he's blunt, and he's no good with talking to women (where's the suaveness and the charisma? How the hell did he become a spy in the first place with the essential characteristics missing?)
2) He supposedly loved his love-child (he mentioned that she was the reason he was still alive) but let her run wild all over his estate (she is thought to be mentally incapacitated).
3) The FMC is a genius in mathematics and science, especially botany. She is a miracle worker as well. She knew instantly that the child was deaf instead of mentally incapacitated, and she went on to tutor her to speak. The FMC didn't have the proper training to speak of, and she wrought all this miracle within a few short weeks. This is an impossible plot device to sell. I've seen the movie, The Miracle Worker, about the life of Hellen Keller and Anne Sullivan. I mean, the struggle to teach a person who is deaf and blind practically since birth. Hellen Keller was successful because she was partially blind herself.
4) Using the word 'sexy'. I cringed every time I came across this word. There was no way that this word was used during that period.
So, I decided to save my time by DNFing. I'm surprised that this book received a DIK status on Allaboutromance.com (generally, I agree with most of their DIK books, but there have been a couple of duds. Overall, it's a great site for book recs. I came across a couple of gems from this site). I understand that this was a debut novel, but I couldn't recommend it besides the writing style. I'm not sure if her other books are any better. Maybe I'm not the intended audience.
March 7, 2015
It was perfect for me.My Darling Caroline is one of the best books I have read in months, wonderfully written, emotionally satisfying book with characters I cared a lot about.
There were quite a few moments I found myself laughing out loud or tearing up while reading.
if you like good writing, great characterizations, and like slow building relationship , then you will definitely love this book.
This is definately a keeper..
There were quite a few moments I found myself laughing out loud or tearing up while reading.
if you like good writing, great characterizations, and like slow building relationship , then you will definitely love this book.
This is definately a keeper..
April 25, 2013
Oh. My. God. A romance novel where the tragic misunderstandings MAKE SENSE within the framework of the plot and characters!?! Be still my heart!
Seriously though, this is a fantastic marriage2true love story. The attraction and affection between the characters makes sense and you just can't stop rooting for them. Every mistake they make makes sense for their personalities. Strong female character, strong male character, and a simply wonderful story. Highly recommend.
Oh, and it doesn't hurt that the author managed to remind me of my favourite romcom of all time (Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi) with the last scene before the epilogue.
Seriously though, this is a fantastic marriage2true love story. The attraction and affection between the characters makes sense and you just can't stop rooting for them. Every mistake they make makes sense for their personalities. Strong female character, strong male character, and a simply wonderful story. Highly recommend.
Oh, and it doesn't hurt that the author managed to remind me of my favourite romcom of all time (Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi) with the last scene before the epilogue.
June 2, 2016
I felt betrayed because the hero had an illegitimate daughter who was 4 years old and got married without telling the heroine about his daughter.
The book blurb didn't mention this and I usually avoid books with kids.
I kept reading anyway but I didn't feel any romance between the hero and heroine. I gave up about halfway through.
The book blurb didn't mention this and I usually avoid books with kids.
I kept reading anyway but I didn't feel any romance between the hero and heroine. I gave up about halfway through.
September 10, 2015
Do you ever feel like you can't wait to get home and snuggle into bed and read your book? You look forward to it all day long at work, and think of the characters and what is going to happen next? That's how I felt about this romance. This book was recommended to me from a friend at LibraryThing who said it was her favorite romance novel and I really wasn't sure what to expect. Set during the Regency period in England, I thought it would be another steamy type of regency romance, lightweight and frothy - but I was so wrong. Yes, it was steamy at times, but this was a thinking woman's historical romance. It makes you think and the plot was complex. At times, I thought it was a bit too coincidental or convoluted, but by the end, it all made sense and it was a perfect epilogue. I loved this book!
Caroline is a botanist, she breeds roses and dreams of one day traveling to America to study at Columbia University to live her life long dream. She is gifted with a natural genius for numbers, doing complex computations in her head, but this kind of talent only gets her odd looks during the time and age of which she lives. Her father marries her off to an arrogant, yet strangely gaunt and desperate nobleman. Caroline has no intention of remaining married to him, planning to run off to America and pursue her dream of studying botany and getting an annulment.
She and her new husband, Brent, are distant with one another at first, but he is attracted to her and the build up to consummating their marriage is sexy and evocative. She, a 26 year old virgin tells him he will not be her first and he believes her. But, on their wedding night she boldy informs him that she cannot bed him. He respects her wishes but little does he believe she means she will never bed him! He is drawn to her dark good looks and - intelligence. He soon sees for himself that she is different from other girls. He respects her aptitude with numbers and immediately puts her in charge of his finances. Theirs is a marriage of convenience but he is determined to seduce her by any means he can think of.
Caroline comes across at first as selfish with her own intentions. Even though she is beginning to like her new husband, and his deaf illegitimate daughter that she takes under her wing and becomes mother to, she still plans on leaving them. I had a hard time with this concept, and I was glad to see at one point in the book, Brent points this out to her, how selfish she is. Even though she is extremely bright and intelligent, she can be glaringly dense in some matters - likes others feelings and learning to recognize what makes one truly happy. Fortunately, over time, Caroline cannot stay immune to his charms and she finds her desire to leave him for America less and less appealing until eventually she gives the idea up altogether. But, once Brent finds out what she intended to do, all hell breaks loose!
All the characters in this romance are complex and not what they seem on the surface - there are many layers to them, with underlying scars or tortured wartime nightmares. At first Brent seems like some obnoxious earl, but as we get to know him, he is so much more and we grow to love him and his interesting history. I don't want to give too much away, but he's not your typical alpha male, larger than life romantic hero, he has much more depth to him, and it's moving to read what he says aloud, when he finally gives in to his feelings and wants to let Caroline know how he really feels about her. I really loved their courtship and relationship together.
The main theme running throughout the story is one of women and how unfair the world was to them during this period. It was simply a man's world back then. Someone like Caroline faced many obstacles to be able to become a botanist - it would have been virtualy unheard of and impossible for her to achieve her dream in real life outside a romance novel. Intelligent women were not treated seriously by most men and this is driven home in the story. Caroline respresented the women of the day, and Brent supported her, going against the typical male stereotype of keeping the little woman in her place, born to marry, have babies and tend their flower gardens.
There is much, much more to this book than I've described. Some other plotlines are that Brent has a few secrets from his past we want to know about, he also has a nemesis from France who is stalking him, waiting to kill him, and Brent must come to terms with his sister from America who has returned to reconcile with him. But, the main plot is how he and Caroline grow to care for one another. What starts out as an awkward arranged marriage truly becomes a meeting of the minds; they are ideal for one another.
Do yourself a favor and read this book, it was interesting and well written, except for Brent's constant use of the word sexy, which I thought sounded a bit too modern for a Regency, but I still enjoyed it very much. I intend to read more by this author in the future!
4.5/5
Caroline is a botanist, she breeds roses and dreams of one day traveling to America to study at Columbia University to live her life long dream. She is gifted with a natural genius for numbers, doing complex computations in her head, but this kind of talent only gets her odd looks during the time and age of which she lives. Her father marries her off to an arrogant, yet strangely gaunt and desperate nobleman. Caroline has no intention of remaining married to him, planning to run off to America and pursue her dream of studying botany and getting an annulment.
She and her new husband, Brent, are distant with one another at first, but he is attracted to her and the build up to consummating their marriage is sexy and evocative. She, a 26 year old virgin tells him he will not be her first and he believes her. But, on their wedding night she boldy informs him that she cannot bed him. He respects her wishes but little does he believe she means she will never bed him! He is drawn to her dark good looks and - intelligence. He soon sees for himself that she is different from other girls. He respects her aptitude with numbers and immediately puts her in charge of his finances. Theirs is a marriage of convenience but he is determined to seduce her by any means he can think of.
Caroline comes across at first as selfish with her own intentions. Even though she is beginning to like her new husband, and his deaf illegitimate daughter that she takes under her wing and becomes mother to, she still plans on leaving them. I had a hard time with this concept, and I was glad to see at one point in the book, Brent points this out to her, how selfish she is. Even though she is extremely bright and intelligent, she can be glaringly dense in some matters - likes others feelings and learning to recognize what makes one truly happy. Fortunately, over time, Caroline cannot stay immune to his charms and she finds her desire to leave him for America less and less appealing until eventually she gives the idea up altogether. But, once Brent finds out what she intended to do, all hell breaks loose!
All the characters in this romance are complex and not what they seem on the surface - there are many layers to them, with underlying scars or tortured wartime nightmares. At first Brent seems like some obnoxious earl, but as we get to know him, he is so much more and we grow to love him and his interesting history. I don't want to give too much away, but he's not your typical alpha male, larger than life romantic hero, he has much more depth to him, and it's moving to read what he says aloud, when he finally gives in to his feelings and wants to let Caroline know how he really feels about her. I really loved their courtship and relationship together.
The main theme running throughout the story is one of women and how unfair the world was to them during this period. It was simply a man's world back then. Someone like Caroline faced many obstacles to be able to become a botanist - it would have been virtualy unheard of and impossible for her to achieve her dream in real life outside a romance novel. Intelligent women were not treated seriously by most men and this is driven home in the story. Caroline respresented the women of the day, and Brent supported her, going against the typical male stereotype of keeping the little woman in her place, born to marry, have babies and tend their flower gardens.
There is much, much more to this book than I've described. Some other plotlines are that Brent has a few secrets from his past we want to know about, he also has a nemesis from France who is stalking him, waiting to kill him, and Brent must come to terms with his sister from America who has returned to reconcile with him. But, the main plot is how he and Caroline grow to care for one another. What starts out as an awkward arranged marriage truly becomes a meeting of the minds; they are ideal for one another.
Do yourself a favor and read this book, it was interesting and well written, except for Brent's constant use of the word sexy, which I thought sounded a bit too modern for a Regency, but I still enjoyed it very much. I intend to read more by this author in the future!
4.5/5
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 25, 2015
★★½
This story picks up a lot of issues, but fails to do enough justice to them all. Caroline is passionate about botany and has tried to do numerous researches on plants. But being a woman, she gains neither a proper education nor any recognition for her efforts. She is eventually married off to an earl, Brent.
Brent is a typical tortured hero who suffers from not only PTSD due to war, but has also been hurt deeply by his own mother and sister. He is initially distrustful of Caroline. There’s a continuous tug of control between Brent and Caroline and I liked that Caroline refuses to be daunted.
What I didn’t like is that neither is all that truthful to each other. Brent comes out as too stubborn and controllable because of his insecurities, while Caroline keeps making plans to leave him and go to America; they are all hiding their own agendas. The author later adds a heart to heart conversation between Brent and his sister, and all of a sudden they are pouring their heart out to each other. Needless to say, I believe the author bit off more than she could chew.
This story picks up a lot of issues, but fails to do enough justice to them all. Caroline is passionate about botany and has tried to do numerous researches on plants. But being a woman, she gains neither a proper education nor any recognition for her efforts. She is eventually married off to an earl, Brent.
Brent is a typical tortured hero who suffers from not only PTSD due to war, but has also been hurt deeply by his own mother and sister. He is initially distrustful of Caroline. There’s a continuous tug of control between Brent and Caroline and I liked that Caroline refuses to be daunted.
What I didn’t like is that neither is all that truthful to each other. Brent comes out as too stubborn and controllable because of his insecurities, while Caroline keeps making plans to leave him and go to America; they are all hiding their own agendas. The author later adds a heart to heart conversation between Brent and his sister, and all of a sudden they are pouring their heart out to each other. Needless to say, I believe the author bit off more than she could chew.
November 28, 2010
This book was different from the typical historical romance. Caroline is clearly brilliant, and there is more than just the usual frustration with gender roles; it is outright bitterness that her intellect will never be acknowledged. Brent is just as strong as other heros, but he has a much softer side that isn't usually so exposed early on. He has a heightened sense of self, and his willingness to share that with Caroline make her attempts to push him away that much more frustrating. But Caroline can't help but admire and respect him, which later becomes affection and then love. But the question remains...is love worth giving up your dreams? Or does it only change them, and allow room for growth? Great book, I'll have to look into her other titles!
February 22, 2019
DNF 68%...and I enjoy this writer...but coming off another stupendous series, the tameness of this historical dragggggged. The h annoyed the shit outta me too - who cares about going to school for flowers and plants and your frickin’ lawn lady, hire a gardener.
August 28, 2011
Summary:
I like Brent - he's just the kind of tortured hero that drives me to read their stories. After all the horror of his childhood and later the war he deserves his HEA. He's incredibly patient and gentle when it comes to Caroline, even though sometimes she doesn't deserve it. Of course, there was a scene at the end when he was cruel to her, but it didn't bother me much - mostly because by that time Caroline managed to annoy me.
Caroline is an incredibly smart woman who was never allowed to shine. Most people saw her intellect as a threat, but not Brent - he was proud of her. I mostly didn't like her - . She didn't deserve him.
There was a bit too much angst and drama in the book for my taste (especially in the end), that and Caroline was the reason for the rating.
Rating:
3.5 stars
No man's darling . . .
One by one, Lady Caroline Grayson watched her four sisters celebrate their betrothals, truly sure that marriage was not in her future—and perfectly pleased with that fact. Or so she thought.
Brent Ravenscroft, Earl of Weymerth, nearly gave his life for the Crown. He returned to England a hero with no intention of taking a bride, certain his brusque demeanor would intimidate any young ladies drawn to his good looks—or so he thought.
Bound by a business transaction, Caroline and Brent begin life as husband and wife. Utterly determined not to fall for each other, they stubbornly ignore the sparks flying between them and keep secrets at every turn. They would resist the lure of love—and the pleasures of the marriage bed—forever . . . or so they thought.
I like Brent - he's just the kind of tortured hero that drives me to read their stories. After all the horror of his childhood and later the war he deserves his HEA. He's incredibly patient and gentle when it comes to Caroline, even though sometimes she doesn't deserve it. Of course, there was a scene at the end when he was cruel to her, but it didn't bother me much - mostly because by that time Caroline managed to annoy me.
Caroline is an incredibly smart woman who was never allowed to shine. Most people saw her intellect as a threat, but not Brent - he was proud of her. I mostly didn't like her - . She didn't deserve him.
There was a bit too much angst and drama in the book for my taste (especially in the end), that and Caroline was the reason for the rating.
Rating:
3.5 stars
June 17, 2010
My Darling Caroline is a darling of a romance. Complex characters as well as a deeply layered story. Although towards the end I was thinking things were wrapping up a bit to conveniently in the end it all came together perfectly.
Caroline is an interesting heroine she is a brilliant woman born with a gift for numbers and a love of botany. She is married off to Brent our hero who does not wish for a wife but is immediately attracted to Caroline. Both find that they are falling in love but who will put pride and dreams aside and reveal true feelings first?
I found Caroline's story transcends time. We find that although she is exceptionally talented the consensus is that woman should be married and having babies.
As woman we may have found some equality but woman today still are pushing the glass ceiling so to speak. Equal pay for equal jobs regardless of gender. Can you have it all? Do it all? The struggle is still upon us.
Sensuality, heart breaking tenderness as well as angst and jealousy.
Deep family connections are at the heart of this and Carolines work with her daughter is so touching.
I highly recommend this one. Give it a whirl I'm sure you will find it a pleasure.
Caroline is an interesting heroine she is a brilliant woman born with a gift for numbers and a love of botany. She is married off to Brent our hero who does not wish for a wife but is immediately attracted to Caroline. Both find that they are falling in love but who will put pride and dreams aside and reveal true feelings first?
I found Caroline's story transcends time. We find that although she is exceptionally talented the consensus is that woman should be married and having babies.
As woman we may have found some equality but woman today still are pushing the glass ceiling so to speak. Equal pay for equal jobs regardless of gender. Can you have it all? Do it all? The struggle is still upon us.
Sensuality, heart breaking tenderness as well as angst and jealousy.
Deep family connections are at the heart of this and Carolines work with her daughter is so touching.
I highly recommend this one. Give it a whirl I'm sure you will find it a pleasure.
November 26, 2023
Moved
It's been a long time since I last wrote a book review for Amazon/Goodreads. I am an avid and voracious reader. I love romance and have been lost in the world of historical romance for quite awhile now.
I am a generous rater because the entertainment for the money is a tremendous deal. I respect our glorious storytellers. So often, lost in my world of romance I assign either a 4 or 5 and move on to the next book. (If it is not up to par...A rare 3.)
I say all this as a preface, because while I am certain many can find fault with storyline, plot points, or character development, if that is what you are intent on noticing, this read is written so well with dialogue and description, all the technicalities fell away. I was transported and moved.
I was moved to tears.
Tears of grief.
Tears of joy.
Reading this story...the fundamental goodness of life and the belief in a wondrous amazing God who is busy at work helping us all recognize Him/Her/Them in the redeeming infinite strength and power of Love of which romantic/erotic love is but a part, (yet,It is definitely a part) of this , the Force of Creation...this was reaffirmed for me with each tear drop.
Thank you, dear author.
It's been a long time since I last wrote a book review for Amazon/Goodreads. I am an avid and voracious reader. I love romance and have been lost in the world of historical romance for quite awhile now.
I am a generous rater because the entertainment for the money is a tremendous deal. I respect our glorious storytellers. So often, lost in my world of romance I assign either a 4 or 5 and move on to the next book. (If it is not up to par...A rare 3.)
I say all this as a preface, because while I am certain many can find fault with storyline, plot points, or character development, if that is what you are intent on noticing, this read is written so well with dialogue and description, all the technicalities fell away. I was transported and moved.
I was moved to tears.
Tears of grief.
Tears of joy.
Reading this story...the fundamental goodness of life and the belief in a wondrous amazing God who is busy at work helping us all recognize Him/Her/Them in the redeeming infinite strength and power of Love of which romantic/erotic love is but a part, (yet,It is definitely a part) of this , the Force of Creation...this was reaffirmed for me with each tear drop.
Thank you, dear author.
January 29, 2023
There are so many reasons why this book should not have worked for me but it did and I really enjoyed it.
So many secrets and so much misunderstanding and miscommunication!! I didn’t understand a lot of the decisions made by the MMC throughout - and his overall reasoning about various things never really ever made sense to me (even when they were explained). Why choose not to tell his new wife he had an illegitimate daughter at home?!! Why ignore his only sister for so long? Why refuse to tell his wife he loves her? Why ban her from the greenhouse she loves so much? I also could’ve done without the evil lurking villain (added nothing to the story, in my mind).
So many secrets and so much misunderstanding and miscommunication!! I didn’t understand a lot of the decisions made by the MMC throughout - and his overall reasoning about various things never really ever made sense to me (even when they were explained). Why choose not to tell his new wife he had an illegitimate daughter at home?!! Why ignore his only sister for so long? Why refuse to tell his wife he loves her? Why ban her from the greenhouse she loves so much? I also could’ve done without the evil lurking villain (added nothing to the story, in my mind).
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 23, 2019
Romance storico leggero leggero e con una protagonista molto particolare, molto poco credibile per l'epoca, ma che mi è comunque piaciuto.
Quando non si ha la concentrazione necessaria per affrontare letture più impegnative questo tipo di lettura è l'ideale per rilassarsi, sempre che piaccia il genere.
Come ho già detto la vicenda è altamente improbabile, la figlia di un barone che nell'Inghilterra del 1815 non vuole sposarsi e sogna di andare a studiare in America per diventare una botanica costretta dal padre a sposarsi con un conte, naturalmente affascinante, anche lui costretto con il ricatto, per non parlare poi delle due rivelazioni finali che sono la fiera dell'assurdo per coincidenze e credibilità.
Ma ho già detto che nonostante tutto mi è piaciuto?
Forse perchè Brent e Caroline sono due bei personaggi, coerenti nei loro comportamenti e la storia è coinvolgente. O forse perchè era da un bel po' di tempo che non leggevo un romance storico.
Quando non si ha la concentrazione necessaria per affrontare letture più impegnative questo tipo di lettura è l'ideale per rilassarsi, sempre che piaccia il genere.
Come ho già detto la vicenda è altamente improbabile, la figlia di un barone che nell'Inghilterra del 1815 non vuole sposarsi e sogna di andare a studiare in America per diventare una botanica costretta dal padre a sposarsi con un conte, naturalmente affascinante, anche lui costretto con il ricatto, per non parlare poi delle due rivelazioni finali che sono la fiera dell'assurdo per coincidenze e credibilità.
Ma ho già detto che nonostante tutto mi è piaciuto?
Forse perchè Brent e Caroline sono due bei personaggi, coerenti nei loro comportamenti e la storia è coinvolgente. O forse perchè era da un bel po' di tempo che non leggevo un romance storico.
January 1, 2022
Safety : hero is heroine’s one and only.
H had only two previous lovers before the h, he had an illegitimate daughter with a French courtesan 4 years before he married/met the h. The daughter was deaf and mute.
H had only two previous lovers before the h, he had an illegitimate daughter with a French courtesan 4 years before he married/met the h. The daughter was deaf and mute.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 21, 2011
BookBuyingAddict for my Blog
Well Brent is a hero you lust after, then you love him, then you hate him, then you want to kick him in the nut sack, repeatedly, then you love him and want to do anything for him.... "Oh, Brent, please take me now!!!"
Caroline is a Botanist, she is some what of a Genius at breeding flowers, and mathematics. But alas, she is a woman and it's not acceptable to have breasts and brains back then. Caroline is one of five blonde delicate daughters, and she's the only brunette and the only un-married one, who dreams of leaving to New York to study further in her field. But Dad has different plans, and more or less sells her to Brent, so they get married, and the sexual tensions starts to build.
Brent is very intense, with his shocking honesty and blatant desires pushing Caroline to rise up and verbally spar with him, proves she is certainly not push over. This intensity only makes it juicier and only adds to the tension between them as she is not just going to lie down and take it. (pardon the pun)
I didn't connect as much with Brent and Caroline as I have with previous couples, but that doesn't mean they weren't great. The chemistry was great and the sex was hot, but I think Brent repeated telling Caroline that he will never love her, kind of made me raise my armour around him, and so I never quite warmed..
I will say that when Brent discovers what Caroline had planned to do, which was leave him, the serve he gives her, is without a doubt the most heart wrenching, hurtful and cold I have read, it was fantastic!! Oh he is such a bastard to her, stomping all over her heart with his big muddy boots. When she is realistically 90% innocent and only 10% guilty, but he won't even let her get a word in.
I think this made it difficult for me to actually forgive Brent, to be honest I was actually reading it thinking "I would tell him to go and f*#@ himself!!"... I guess I was a little more hurt by Brent, than Caroline was.
Anyway, personal feelings aside, Caroline remains a strong heroine despite being married off to a complete stranger, her life plans and ambitions thrown away and then inevitably falling in love with him.
The ending was great though, and Brent definitely earns his points back, but I can't help but feel that Caroline should have kicked Brent in the nut sack, at least once..!! he deserved it, trust me!
Well Brent is a hero you lust after, then you love him, then you hate him, then you want to kick him in the nut sack, repeatedly, then you love him and want to do anything for him.... "Oh, Brent, please take me now!!!"
Caroline is a Botanist, she is some what of a Genius at breeding flowers, and mathematics. But alas, she is a woman and it's not acceptable to have breasts and brains back then. Caroline is one of five blonde delicate daughters, and she's the only brunette and the only un-married one, who dreams of leaving to New York to study further in her field. But Dad has different plans, and more or less sells her to Brent, so they get married, and the sexual tensions starts to build.
Brent is very intense, with his shocking honesty and blatant desires pushing Caroline to rise up and verbally spar with him, proves she is certainly not push over. This intensity only makes it juicier and only adds to the tension between them as she is not just going to lie down and take it. (pardon the pun)
I didn't connect as much with Brent and Caroline as I have with previous couples, but that doesn't mean they weren't great. The chemistry was great and the sex was hot, but I think Brent repeated telling Caroline that he will never love her, kind of made me raise my armour around him, and so I never quite warmed..
I will say that when Brent discovers what Caroline had planned to do, which was leave him, the serve he gives her, is without a doubt the most heart wrenching, hurtful and cold I have read, it was fantastic!! Oh he is such a bastard to her, stomping all over her heart with his big muddy boots. When she is realistically 90% innocent and only 10% guilty, but he won't even let her get a word in.
I think this made it difficult for me to actually forgive Brent, to be honest I was actually reading it thinking "I would tell him to go and f*#@ himself!!"... I guess I was a little more hurt by Brent, than Caroline was.
Anyway, personal feelings aside, Caroline remains a strong heroine despite being married off to a complete stranger, her life plans and ambitions thrown away and then inevitably falling in love with him.
The ending was great though, and Brent definitely earns his points back, but I can't help but feel that Caroline should have kicked Brent in the nut sack, at least once..!! he deserved it, trust me!
October 21, 2011
One of the best books I’ve ever read! Brilliant plot and brilliant writing indeed.
Updated 25/10/2011
This book has made a list to be one of my favourite books! So overall, the story is lovely and darling indeed. Caroline is a kind and gentle woman regardless of her dream to become renowned botanist. I loved her especially when she teaches her deaf daughter to learn sign language, her presence makes Brent and her sister finally fond with each other again after years in resentment, and her love towards Brent and their daughter, she determines to leave her dream rather than leaving her beloved ones. As for Brent, I loved him because he’s mesmerized and intrigued with Caroline’s intelligence. He trusts her with his financial and defends her when her brother-in-laws insult her cleverness.
Best of all is Caroline’s sister. Without her and slight co-operation from their father, Caroline wouldn’t meet and love Brent. It is perfect because everything’s finally made sense at the end of the book!
Updated 25/10/2011
This book has made a list to be one of my favourite books! So overall, the story is lovely and darling indeed. Caroline is a kind and gentle woman regardless of her dream to become renowned botanist. I loved her especially when she teaches her deaf daughter to learn sign language, her presence makes Brent and her sister finally fond with each other again after years in resentment, and her love towards Brent and their daughter, she determines to leave her dream rather than leaving her beloved ones. As for Brent, I loved him because he’s mesmerized and intrigued with Caroline’s intelligence. He trusts her with his financial and defends her when her brother-in-laws insult her cleverness.
Best of all is Caroline’s sister. Without her and slight co-operation from their father, Caroline wouldn’t meet and love Brent. It is perfect because everything’s finally made sense at the end of the book!
July 26, 2015
My second "new" writer is Adele Ashworth. This book was written in 1998 and is the 4th book I have read by this author. I had 2 on my TBR pile and decided to read all my "A" books this summer. Well I loved the 2 on my shelf, found the other 2 in the series, and went and ordered other books from the library. I only found this one, but I will keep looking. Her heroine is a genius, who was just looked upon as odd. I do not want to give anything away, but this book has the BEST epilogue ever!! The hero is another tortured soul, who is saved by the love of a woman, but it takes his sister and her sister to point this out to him. A lovely, lovely ending. If you can find this book, read it. I also think there is a sequel about one of the characters and I am going to search it out. I will not be happy until I find all of her books!!
June 24, 2011
Adored it to the max!!! What makes Adele Ashworth's novel so yummy are the wonderful hero and heroine. The heroine is strong willed. She is forced into an arranged marriage with Brent Ravenscroft. She never realized that her body, soul and mind attracted strong to her husband.
Brent is a good man and respects Caroline's intelligence. I loved how he confesses to everyone that his wife was brilliant.
Better get out your wallet before this novel out of print ;-)
Brent is a good man and respects Caroline's intelligence. I loved how he confesses to everyone that his wife was brilliant.
Better get out your wallet before this novel out of print ;-)
August 8, 2011
This book was painful. Erratic behaviour from both H&h, offensive, cruel and implausible seductions, historical inaccuracies so large you could drive a barouche through them. I couldn't finish it - the romance was stilted, the writing poor and the back story so laughably plotted, it made my teeth ache. It felt like some sort of a horrid throwback and I'm glad I only borrowed it from the library, rather than paying good money for it.
October 18, 2010
My Darling Caroline has interesting and deep characters, which I liked. What I didn't liked to was the endless misunderstandings the two leads had throughout the book. One good conversation and all this crap would have been fine. A decent book, but not a keeper for me.
July 20, 2022
Va de un matrimonio forzado entre lady Caroline Grayson, dedicada a la botánica, y Brent, aristócrata arruinado. Cada uno de ellos tiene sus razones para casarse, y guarda sus secretos. Brent es el típico héroe que según la escena dices, nena no sé cómo no caes rendida por sus huesos y al siguiente momento lo que te pasa por la cabeza es pero qué desconsiderado e impresentable, tía lárgate YA. Tampoco es que Caroline sea Miss Simpatía. Algunas cosas se explican por la tragedia de estar separada del conocimiento debido a que eres mujer; pero a veces me resultaba una ofendidita insufrible. Y luego, ¡mi kriptonita! ¡¡Aparece una criatura!!
Un libro raro. Tenía muchas cosas para que me gustasen, pero no acabé de conectar… Ni tampoco de desconectar, porque lo mismo una escena me encantaba que a la siguiente deseaba tirar el libro al jardín y que aparecieran todos los gatos del vecindario para mordisquearlo.
Crítica más extensa, en mi blog.
Un libro raro. Tenía muchas cosas para que me gustasen, pero no acabé de conectar… Ni tampoco de desconectar, porque lo mismo una escena me encantaba que a la siguiente deseaba tirar el libro al jardín y que aparecieran todos los gatos del vecindario para mordisquearlo.
Crítica más extensa, en mi blog.
August 22, 2020
Lady Caroline-mathematical smarts and self taught botanist who dreams to study with the greats, but is foiled by her sex. She has goals and will achieve them, but doesn’t factor falling in love and actually explaining why she wants to leave.
Brent Ravenscroft-an Earl who has nothing to show when he returned from war because a cousin sold his inheritance away. Brent is pretty progressive...except when he can’t let his own demons go and let’s his fear over rule better judgement.
Brent and Caroline are a well-matched pair who could have gotten along quite well if they’d communicated to one another. There’s a lot happening in this book besides a marriage of convenience, emotional baggage, and of course double standards galore, but I think it held up decently well with its feminist vibes.
Brent Ravenscroft-an Earl who has nothing to show when he returned from war because a cousin sold his inheritance away. Brent is pretty progressive...except when he can’t let his own demons go and let’s his fear over rule better judgement.
Brent and Caroline are a well-matched pair who could have gotten along quite well if they’d communicated to one another. There’s a lot happening in this book besides a marriage of convenience, emotional baggage, and of course double standards galore, but I think it held up decently well with its feminist vibes.
September 21, 2022
Look she's a good writer but honestly could give no fucks about plants haha.
July 12, 2013
What a darling book!
Este é o segundo livro da Adele Ashworth que leio. O primeiro, eu gostei, mas ele não conquistou meu coração, não como My Darling Caroline!
O tema de casamento por conveniência é super comum nos romances históricos e por esse motivo os livros com esse mote acabam por cair na mesmice, mas quando o autor sabe combinar esse tema a personagens com grande personalidade e profundidade, tudo fica bem diferente!
A história aqui é o seguinte. Caroline é um gênio. Sim ela é incrivelmente inteligente, e para nós que sabemos exatamente como a sociedade inglesa reagia a mulheres que sabiam um pouco mais além roupas, bailes e jóias, nós já podemos imaginar como era a vida de Caroline. Ela é tão brilhante, que às vezes até seus pais não sabiam o que fazer com ela, mas acima de tudo isso eles e a sua família em geral, a amavam incondicionalmente. Caroline se dedicou aos estudos da botânica e tentou ir a Oxford, mas claro não conseguiu por ser mulher. Ela tenta sua última chance na América, se passando por homem, e recebe um convite para estudar na Universidade de Columbia. Tudo estaria perfeito na vida dela, a partir daí, mas o seu pai tinha outros planos para ela.
Seu pai, através de uma chantagem, casa ela com o Conde de Weymerth, Brent. E ele só aceita, porque enquanto ele estava na guerra, seu primo vendeu tudo o que tinha de valor em sua casa, inclusive seus adorados cavalos, e são com esses cavalos que o pai de Caroline consegue sua barganha.
Eu esqueci de comentar que Caroline é a comum em uma família de beldades. Enquanto as outras são altas, loiras e de olhos azuis, ela é pequenina, de cabelos escuros e olhos castanhos. E também vale muito ressaltar que Caroline tem muito mais em seu caráter do que eu citei acima, muitas dores escondidas. Só quis ressaltar a sua paixão pela botânica, pq isso é que vai impulsioná-la a várias ações durante a trama.
Brent é lindo, TDB, muito inteligente e muito complexo. Ele é um homem que viveu os horrores da guerra e também guarda muito de uma difícil infância. Os dois tem um passado muito forte intricados em suas vidas. Nenhuma de suas ações são deliberadas, tudo tem um porquê.
Quando Brent volta da guerra, tudo o que ele quer é ir para o seu amado lar, mas o encontra acabado e ainda é forçado a se casar com uma mulher que ele não queria. Ele tinha tudo para ser o pior marido do mundo, não? Sim, mas ele não o faz.
Eles se casam (e olha que isso tudo acontece nos dois primeiros capítulos!) e Brent se mostra absurdamente paciente, e atencioso com Caroline, ele não trata ela como uma tonta e a reconhece por sua inteligência. A atração entre os dois é forte e muito bem trabalhada durante doa a história. Enquanto Brent tenta atraí-la a sua cama, os dois vão ficando íntimos, revelando aos poucos seus segredos e se apaixonando.
Agora esse se apaixonar é tão difícil e complicado para ambos. Um dos motivos que Caroline não quer se entregar ao marido é para conseguir uma anulação, assim ela ficaria livre para estudar em Columbia. Mas seu amor pelos estudos seria maior que o amor que ela encontrou com Brent? E pensem bem, é a chance dela para um sonho de uma vida toda!
E ele, que foi enganado e traído por todas as mulheres que ele conhecia (e tem tanto mais nesse ponto aqui, que eu não posso dizer, senão acaba coma surpresa!!), poderá amar sem reservas???
Adele faz um EXCELENTE trabalho minha gente! Eu li em um dia, não consegui largar. É uma história tocante, envolvente, sexy e super romântica!!
Ainda tem um cara que quer matar Brent.. isso adiciona mais tensão a trama, mas nem era necessário, só eles dois já é mais que suficiente! O final do livro é pra deixar o coração na mão! Quase que não dá certo.. tantas mentiras, tantas coisas não ditas... E quando tudo não tem mais jeito, Adele faz sua mágica e amarra tudo, gente! São tantas revelações!!!Ah, vocês tem que ler! Eu super recomendo!!
Este é o segundo livro da Adele Ashworth que leio. O primeiro, eu gostei, mas ele não conquistou meu coração, não como My Darling Caroline!
O tema de casamento por conveniência é super comum nos romances históricos e por esse motivo os livros com esse mote acabam por cair na mesmice, mas quando o autor sabe combinar esse tema a personagens com grande personalidade e profundidade, tudo fica bem diferente!
A história aqui é o seguinte. Caroline é um gênio. Sim ela é incrivelmente inteligente, e para nós que sabemos exatamente como a sociedade inglesa reagia a mulheres que sabiam um pouco mais além roupas, bailes e jóias, nós já podemos imaginar como era a vida de Caroline. Ela é tão brilhante, que às vezes até seus pais não sabiam o que fazer com ela, mas acima de tudo isso eles e a sua família em geral, a amavam incondicionalmente. Caroline se dedicou aos estudos da botânica e tentou ir a Oxford, mas claro não conseguiu por ser mulher. Ela tenta sua última chance na América, se passando por homem, e recebe um convite para estudar na Universidade de Columbia. Tudo estaria perfeito na vida dela, a partir daí, mas o seu pai tinha outros planos para ela.
Seu pai, através de uma chantagem, casa ela com o Conde de Weymerth, Brent. E ele só aceita, porque enquanto ele estava na guerra, seu primo vendeu tudo o que tinha de valor em sua casa, inclusive seus adorados cavalos, e são com esses cavalos que o pai de Caroline consegue sua barganha.
Eu esqueci de comentar que Caroline é a comum em uma família de beldades. Enquanto as outras são altas, loiras e de olhos azuis, ela é pequenina, de cabelos escuros e olhos castanhos. E também vale muito ressaltar que Caroline tem muito mais em seu caráter do que eu citei acima, muitas dores escondidas. Só quis ressaltar a sua paixão pela botânica, pq isso é que vai impulsioná-la a várias ações durante a trama.
Brent é lindo, TDB, muito inteligente e muito complexo. Ele é um homem que viveu os horrores da guerra e também guarda muito de uma difícil infância. Os dois tem um passado muito forte intricados em suas vidas. Nenhuma de suas ações são deliberadas, tudo tem um porquê.
Quando Brent volta da guerra, tudo o que ele quer é ir para o seu amado lar, mas o encontra acabado e ainda é forçado a se casar com uma mulher que ele não queria. Ele tinha tudo para ser o pior marido do mundo, não? Sim, mas ele não o faz.
Eles se casam (e olha que isso tudo acontece nos dois primeiros capítulos!) e Brent se mostra absurdamente paciente, e atencioso com Caroline, ele não trata ela como uma tonta e a reconhece por sua inteligência. A atração entre os dois é forte e muito bem trabalhada durante doa a história. Enquanto Brent tenta atraí-la a sua cama, os dois vão ficando íntimos, revelando aos poucos seus segredos e se apaixonando.
Agora esse se apaixonar é tão difícil e complicado para ambos. Um dos motivos que Caroline não quer se entregar ao marido é para conseguir uma anulação, assim ela ficaria livre para estudar em Columbia. Mas seu amor pelos estudos seria maior que o amor que ela encontrou com Brent? E pensem bem, é a chance dela para um sonho de uma vida toda!
E ele, que foi enganado e traído por todas as mulheres que ele conhecia (e tem tanto mais nesse ponto aqui, que eu não posso dizer, senão acaba coma surpresa!!), poderá amar sem reservas???
Adele faz um EXCELENTE trabalho minha gente! Eu li em um dia, não consegui largar. É uma história tocante, envolvente, sexy e super romântica!!
Ainda tem um cara que quer matar Brent.. isso adiciona mais tensão a trama, mas nem era necessário, só eles dois já é mais que suficiente! O final do livro é pra deixar o coração na mão! Quase que não dá certo.. tantas mentiras, tantas coisas não ditas... E quando tudo não tem mais jeito, Adele faz sua mágica e amarra tudo, gente! São tantas revelações!!!Ah, vocês tem que ler! Eu super recomendo!!
April 12, 2021
It is contrived and convoluted, but enjoyable still.
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