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Dedication
French aristocrat Fabienne Argonac, a sophisticated patroness of the arts and the owner of a popular salon, begins corresponding with an author who has taken London by storm, which unexpectedly leads her back into the arms of the scoundrel who broke her heart when she was a naive young woman. Original.
224 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published September 6, 2005
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131 people want to read
About the author
Janet Mullany
19 books104 followersJanet Mullany was raised in England by half of an amateur string quartet and now lives near Washington, DC. Persecuted from an early age for reading too long in the bathroom, she still loves books and is an avid and eclectic reader. She has worked as an archaeologist, classical music radio announcer, arts publicist, and for a small press.
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
June 10, 2019
http://coffeeandink.dreamwidth.org/52...
Original version, review 11/6/2005:
Once Fabienne Craigmont and Adam Ashworth were lovers: she a French aristrocrat just escaped from the Reign of Terror and he a rakish young idealist who belonged to a society of aristocrats who believed in free love and the rights of man--but not, you know, any interference in their own property. Now, twenty years later, Adam is a conservative country gentleman distressed over his daughter's troubled marriage and Fabienne is a stylish widow and famous patroness of the arts. Fabienne begins a correspondence with Mrs. Ravenwood, the author of tremendously popular Gothic novels, and goes in search of her, only to find a very uneasy and elusive Adam; she immediately concludes Mrs. Ravenwood is his mistress. Her error is obvious, but the author does have some actual surprises in store.
It's the depth of the characterization that makes this different from other Regencies: Fabienne and Adam's marriages aren't just convenient background details, but are given real shape and form and weren't unhappy. The two read like real adults who left each other and led real lives. Fabienne's correspondence with Mrs. Ravenwood and later conversations with Adam are explicit, witty, and wise; Mullany has given thought to what would make a young debutante do something so unlikely, instead of simply relying on the conventions of the genre. And Adam's attempts to deal with his daughter are awkward, imperfect, and sometimes absolutely wrong-headed: he isn't a fantasy father, and he messes up.
This isn't a perfect book; it should have ended about three-quarters of the way through, after which the machinations of separation become increasingly improbable and ridiculous. After a certain point, Fabienne collapses and seems to spend most of the rest of the book in uncharacteristic tears, a grave disappointment after the sense and strength she'd shown earlier; Adam takes over the book, giving me the sense that the author had his character worked out much more thoroughly than Fabienne's. So: far from perfect. But it's one of the most unusual romance debuts I've seen in a long time.
Update, 4/20/2013:
The expanded version does still drag on the separation too long, but it greatly improves the balance of attention between Adam and Fabienne. It feels like the story of both of them, rather than the story of Adam and also Fabienne.
ETA, 4/22/2013: Forgot to say: Now that I've read Mullany's Forbidden Shores (as by Jane Lockwood), I'm disturbed that the only two gay/bisexual characters in her work are villains--and villains who attempt to punish the straight men they're in love with, often by using the women the straight guys love.
Original version, review 11/6/2005:
Once Fabienne Craigmont and Adam Ashworth were lovers: she a French aristrocrat just escaped from the Reign of Terror and he a rakish young idealist who belonged to a society of aristocrats who believed in free love and the rights of man--but not, you know, any interference in their own property. Now, twenty years later, Adam is a conservative country gentleman distressed over his daughter's troubled marriage and Fabienne is a stylish widow and famous patroness of the arts. Fabienne begins a correspondence with Mrs. Ravenwood, the author of tremendously popular Gothic novels, and goes in search of her, only to find a very uneasy and elusive Adam; she immediately concludes Mrs. Ravenwood is his mistress. Her error is obvious, but the author does have some actual surprises in store.
It's the depth of the characterization that makes this different from other Regencies: Fabienne and Adam's marriages aren't just convenient background details, but are given real shape and form and weren't unhappy. The two read like real adults who left each other and led real lives. Fabienne's correspondence with Mrs. Ravenwood and later conversations with Adam are explicit, witty, and wise; Mullany has given thought to what would make a young debutante do something so unlikely, instead of simply relying on the conventions of the genre. And Adam's attempts to deal with his daughter are awkward, imperfect, and sometimes absolutely wrong-headed: he isn't a fantasy father, and he messes up.
This isn't a perfect book; it should have ended about three-quarters of the way through, after which the machinations of separation become increasingly improbable and ridiculous. After a certain point, Fabienne collapses and seems to spend most of the rest of the book in uncharacteristic tears, a grave disappointment after the sense and strength she'd shown earlier; Adam takes over the book, giving me the sense that the author had his character worked out much more thoroughly than Fabienne's. So: far from perfect. But it's one of the most unusual romance debuts I've seen in a long time.
Update, 4/20/2013:
The expanded version does still drag on the separation too long, but it greatly improves the balance of attention between Adam and Fabienne. It feels like the story of both of them, rather than the story of Adam and also Fabienne.
ETA, 4/22/2013: Forgot to say: Now that I've read Mullany's Forbidden Shores (as by Jane Lockwood), I'm disturbed that the only two gay/bisexual characters in her work are villains--and villains who attempt to punish the straight men they're in love with, often by using the women the straight guys love.
February 7, 2008
I first heard of this story with great interest because it has an older couple as the h/h. Older than we usually see in historicals I mean. They even had a less than happy past together and I usually like those stories so I had great expectations.
I was however puzzled by how Mullany decides to reintroduce them to one another. The hero holds some knowledge from the heroine and that should have created an unbearable tension between them. That was what I was expecting but not what I felt. Maybe it's the secondary characters and stories that distract from the main relationship but it seemed to me they spent more time worrying about their relative's problems than thinking of their feelings for each other. Then when the truth is revealed they start discussing about how he gave her pleasure or not 20 years ago (??) and then he tells her he changed his will so she will receive half his fortune if she will assist his daughter if needed (??), wouldn't it be better to ask his son for that?
As soon as they were insulting each other they were also falling in each other's arms. It felt weird! They both moved on from their youthful romance to marry other people and seemingly to have a happy life but the truth is that it never felt to me that they had really moved on, especially Fabienne. This becomes even more obvious after another incident from the past is revealed wich brings them both some pain. And when the truth comes out still Fabienne takes too much time to accept her feelings for Adam.
In the end I was left dissatisfied with the story, I've read online how this book was originally bigger and later cut to fit the Signet line. Not sure if that would have solved all my problems but maybe I wouldn't have felt there were too many things in it.
Grade: C+
I was however puzzled by how Mullany decides to reintroduce them to one another. The hero holds some knowledge from the heroine and that should have created an unbearable tension between them. That was what I was expecting but not what I felt. Maybe it's the secondary characters and stories that distract from the main relationship but it seemed to me they spent more time worrying about their relative's problems than thinking of their feelings for each other. Then when the truth is revealed they start discussing about how he gave her pleasure or not 20 years ago (??) and then he tells her he changed his will so she will receive half his fortune if she will assist his daughter if needed (??), wouldn't it be better to ask his son for that?
As soon as they were insulting each other they were also falling in each other's arms. It felt weird! They both moved on from their youthful romance to marry other people and seemingly to have a happy life but the truth is that it never felt to me that they had really moved on, especially Fabienne. This becomes even more obvious after another incident from the past is revealed wich brings them both some pain. And when the truth comes out still Fabienne takes too much time to accept her feelings for Adam.
In the end I was left dissatisfied with the story, I've read online how this book was originally bigger and later cut to fit the Signet line. Not sure if that would have solved all my problems but maybe I wouldn't have felt there were too many things in it.
Grade: C+
September 2, 2012
I like the sound of this book from the blurb, and for the most part the concept works quite well. Where it stumbles for me is when a huge pet peeve of mine is shaken awake and is never put back to sleep until the very end.
Twenty years ago Adam and Fabienne were in love, but when they went their separate ways, a lot of hurt was left on both sides. Now they’re back in each other’s lives when Adam’s godson becomes enamored of Fabienne’s young artist, Elaine, whom she’s taken under her wing. From the moment they meet again, there’s an antagonism between them that comes to the fore due to the way things were left between them in the past, despite the attraction that is still there. They’re thrown together at every turn now, Fabienne not knowing she’s corresponding and also talking to her favorite author, Mrs. Ravenwood. Adam’s secret, successful writing career stems from stories he wove for his wife, Mags, as she lay dying. He’s worried about discovery of writing such effeminate books, and after they’ve exchanged letters, Adam tries to obtain his from Fabienne. She refuses, thus leading Adam to try everything to get his hands on them.
I like the idea of an older hero and heroine. Adam is in his early 40s and Fabienne her late 30s. They’ve both had satisfying lives they wouldn’t have had otherwise if they’d not parted years ago. Adam is even a grandfather. His son is currently at sea and his daughter, Barbara, is in an abusive marriage. He tries to help Babs the best he can, but eventually Captain Sanders discovers his wife’s whereabouts and comes to collect her and his children. Babs agrees to go with the man and Adam washes his hands of her. At least until she needs him again, but when that time comes, the situation has been taken out of hands by members of a secret organization he’d joined in his youth that is now coming back to haunt him. Fabienne also factors into that part of his life, wanting to know the identities of some of those members connected to her younger years, but Adam holds to his vows and refuses to give her any information.
What is interspersed in between all of this and other goings-on is what made the story drag for me. At every turn Adam and Fabienne are sniping at one another. Or Barbara and her father are arguing, tossing around blame about whatever subject. Or Elaine and Fabienne are going at it. There’s just too much antagonism throughout the book. I know that Adam and Fabienne have a lot to get through, but some of the issues that she throws at Adam, especially as often as she does, aren’t big enough problems to cause such a ruckus. Barbara has a grievance in the fact that her father still treats her as though she’s quite young, which is legitimate, but instead of talking to the man, she starts bickering, causing him to warn her of her place. This happens a number of times, and it’s not until Fabienne tells Barbara her father loves her that she begins to see things differently. And Elaine. Heavens, the girl should have more compassion, but she rails at Fabienne when some truths are finally revealed. All of this just goes on much too long, leaving very little time at the end for some good feelings and all that love that should have been used earlier in the book. I wanted to thump Fabienne upside the head for every time Adam had to say, “I beg your pardon,” along with giving her a courtly bow every time she took umbrage with something.
All that being said, there are some nice moments in the story. I like the sort of comedy of errors with the Mrs. Ravenwood persona. Both Adam and Fabienne make certain and erroneous assumptions about each other in this scenario, which lead to other issues for them later, and I was curious throughout how it would all resolve. I also like the story involving Elaine, though it would have been much better if her attitude had been different earlier rather than later. Adam is my favorite character. He’s a simple country gentleman who raises pigs, is now responsible, honorable and loyal, tries to take care of those who rely on him. In a twist that just doesn’t work for me, it’s Fabienne who is arrogant, taking lovers, and moving amid society. With her attitude through the book, she’s too haughty for me, but I know a lot of readers enjoy a heroine like her.
As far as the villain to tie up all the loose ends and solve the mystery, it’s actually a little too convenient, and the reason for all the heartache, I’m not sure I believe it totally. This is not your normal lightweight regency romance, but a good story if you don’t mind conflict constantly intruding.
See my complete review at http://www.goodbadandunread.com
Twenty years ago Adam and Fabienne were in love, but when they went their separate ways, a lot of hurt was left on both sides. Now they’re back in each other’s lives when Adam’s godson becomes enamored of Fabienne’s young artist, Elaine, whom she’s taken under her wing. From the moment they meet again, there’s an antagonism between them that comes to the fore due to the way things were left between them in the past, despite the attraction that is still there. They’re thrown together at every turn now, Fabienne not knowing she’s corresponding and also talking to her favorite author, Mrs. Ravenwood. Adam’s secret, successful writing career stems from stories he wove for his wife, Mags, as she lay dying. He’s worried about discovery of writing such effeminate books, and after they’ve exchanged letters, Adam tries to obtain his from Fabienne. She refuses, thus leading Adam to try everything to get his hands on them.
I like the idea of an older hero and heroine. Adam is in his early 40s and Fabienne her late 30s. They’ve both had satisfying lives they wouldn’t have had otherwise if they’d not parted years ago. Adam is even a grandfather. His son is currently at sea and his daughter, Barbara, is in an abusive marriage. He tries to help Babs the best he can, but eventually Captain Sanders discovers his wife’s whereabouts and comes to collect her and his children. Babs agrees to go with the man and Adam washes his hands of her. At least until she needs him again, but when that time comes, the situation has been taken out of hands by members of a secret organization he’d joined in his youth that is now coming back to haunt him. Fabienne also factors into that part of his life, wanting to know the identities of some of those members connected to her younger years, but Adam holds to his vows and refuses to give her any information.
What is interspersed in between all of this and other goings-on is what made the story drag for me. At every turn Adam and Fabienne are sniping at one another. Or Barbara and her father are arguing, tossing around blame about whatever subject. Or Elaine and Fabienne are going at it. There’s just too much antagonism throughout the book. I know that Adam and Fabienne have a lot to get through, but some of the issues that she throws at Adam, especially as often as she does, aren’t big enough problems to cause such a ruckus. Barbara has a grievance in the fact that her father still treats her as though she’s quite young, which is legitimate, but instead of talking to the man, she starts bickering, causing him to warn her of her place. This happens a number of times, and it’s not until Fabienne tells Barbara her father loves her that she begins to see things differently. And Elaine. Heavens, the girl should have more compassion, but she rails at Fabienne when some truths are finally revealed. All of this just goes on much too long, leaving very little time at the end for some good feelings and all that love that should have been used earlier in the book. I wanted to thump Fabienne upside the head for every time Adam had to say, “I beg your pardon,” along with giving her a courtly bow every time she took umbrage with something.
All that being said, there are some nice moments in the story. I like the sort of comedy of errors with the Mrs. Ravenwood persona. Both Adam and Fabienne make certain and erroneous assumptions about each other in this scenario, which lead to other issues for them later, and I was curious throughout how it would all resolve. I also like the story involving Elaine, though it would have been much better if her attitude had been different earlier rather than later. Adam is my favorite character. He’s a simple country gentleman who raises pigs, is now responsible, honorable and loyal, tries to take care of those who rely on him. In a twist that just doesn’t work for me, it’s Fabienne who is arrogant, taking lovers, and moving amid society. With her attitude through the book, she’s too haughty for me, but I know a lot of readers enjoy a heroine like her.
As far as the villain to tie up all the loose ends and solve the mystery, it’s actually a little too convenient, and the reason for all the heartache, I’m not sure I believe it totally. This is not your normal lightweight regency romance, but a good story if you don’t mind conflict constantly intruding.
See my complete review at http://www.goodbadandunread.com
April 6, 2024
Trigger warning of rape, spousal abuse.
I would have like an ending where the family was all together years later to see the HEA, but this ending kinda just stops and questions start forming. Like the child, boy or girl? What does Babs say or do when she’s introduced to her slightly older sister? And so forth.
I would have like an ending where the family was all together years later to see the HEA, but this ending kinda just stops and questions start forming. Like the child, boy or girl? What does Babs say or do when she’s introduced to her slightly older sister? And so forth.
December 11, 2017
I read the original Signet. I appreciate Janet Mullany's clever writing and deft dialogue. The denouement is, I think, self-consciously a little silly -- as this is her debut, the balance and mood become better aligned in subsequent novels.
December 22, 2013
http://blue-moon.fr/spip.php?article8867
Janet Mullany n’est pas une auteure comme les autres. Elle le prouve dans cet étonnant roman qui ne ressemble à rien de ce que vous pouvez avoir lu dans la romance historique. Elle reprend les thèmes, les explore totalement et invente sa propre histoire compliquée etinattendue. Cela peut surprendre mais à la fin, force est de constater qu’elle nous étonnée et plutôt ravie mais attention si vous cherchez quelque chose de classique. Cela ne l’est pas.
Cela commence vite avec l’âge de nos héros : Adam a quarante-trois ans et Fabienne trente-sept ans ; Tous deux sont entourés de jeunes gens. Adam a deux enfants et est même grand-père. Il coule de paisibles jours à la campagne en élevant des cochons et en écrivant des traités de mathématiques. Quant à Fabienne, elle est d’origine française et a pris sous sa protection une jeune femme, peintre. Ces deux là se connaissent bien, se sont connus vingt ans avant et ont partagé une brûlante liaison qui s’est mal terminé. Tous deux se pensent trahis par l’autre. En vingt ans, beaucoup de choses ont changé, ils ont vécu une vie pleine. Ils vont se retrouver face ) face à cause d’un concours de circonstances puisque le jeune pupille d’Adam est amoureux de la protégée de Fabienne. Si vous croyez deviner où va cette histoire vous vous trompez car Janet Mullany s’amuse follement à compliquer à loisir son histoire, ajoutant des intrigues dont elles entremêlent les fils avec une évidente jubilation. Cela donne un peu le vertige et elle en fait parfois un peu trop mais cela fonctionne, il faut bien le reconnaître.
Mais ce qui plait encore davantage c’est son évident refus de suivre les codes habituels. Adam et Fabienne sont parfaits dans leur genre. Adam a quelques problèmes avec son âge, avancé pour l’époque ! Cet homme atypique n’écrit en fait pas des traités très sérieux de mathématiques mais arrondit ses fins de mois en se faisant passer pour une femme auteure de romances un peu chaudes pour l’époque. Fabienne est d’ailleurs passionnée par cette femme au point de lui écrire des lettres pleine de confidences...Je n’en dis pas plus mais c’est une infime partie de ce qui se produit. Les réflexions amusantes sur l’âge d’Adam, bon grand-père dont tout le monde imagine la sexualité morte définitivement. Il y aussi leur passé respectif, touchant, bouleversant et inattendu car Janet Mullany nous réserve des surprises et des coups de théâtre à toutes les pages.
Leur entente est étonnante, les dialogues sont intelligents, les situations parfois abracadabrantes mais toujours avec une certaine logique. Ce roman est aussi classé dans les historiques sensuels, il faut relativiser mais il y a effectivement quelques scènes un peu plus osées.
Voilà donc une romance historique régence qui décoiffe qui réussit à être intelligente, originale sans pour autant oublier les codes de la romance. Si vous aimez le prévisible, fuyez à toute jambe, par contre !
Janet Mullany n’est pas une auteure comme les autres. Elle le prouve dans cet étonnant roman qui ne ressemble à rien de ce que vous pouvez avoir lu dans la romance historique. Elle reprend les thèmes, les explore totalement et invente sa propre histoire compliquée etinattendue. Cela peut surprendre mais à la fin, force est de constater qu’elle nous étonnée et plutôt ravie mais attention si vous cherchez quelque chose de classique. Cela ne l’est pas.
Cela commence vite avec l’âge de nos héros : Adam a quarante-trois ans et Fabienne trente-sept ans ; Tous deux sont entourés de jeunes gens. Adam a deux enfants et est même grand-père. Il coule de paisibles jours à la campagne en élevant des cochons et en écrivant des traités de mathématiques. Quant à Fabienne, elle est d’origine française et a pris sous sa protection une jeune femme, peintre. Ces deux là se connaissent bien, se sont connus vingt ans avant et ont partagé une brûlante liaison qui s’est mal terminé. Tous deux se pensent trahis par l’autre. En vingt ans, beaucoup de choses ont changé, ils ont vécu une vie pleine. Ils vont se retrouver face ) face à cause d’un concours de circonstances puisque le jeune pupille d’Adam est amoureux de la protégée de Fabienne. Si vous croyez deviner où va cette histoire vous vous trompez car Janet Mullany s’amuse follement à compliquer à loisir son histoire, ajoutant des intrigues dont elles entremêlent les fils avec une évidente jubilation. Cela donne un peu le vertige et elle en fait parfois un peu trop mais cela fonctionne, il faut bien le reconnaître.
Mais ce qui plait encore davantage c’est son évident refus de suivre les codes habituels. Adam et Fabienne sont parfaits dans leur genre. Adam a quelques problèmes avec son âge, avancé pour l’époque ! Cet homme atypique n’écrit en fait pas des traités très sérieux de mathématiques mais arrondit ses fins de mois en se faisant passer pour une femme auteure de romances un peu chaudes pour l’époque. Fabienne est d’ailleurs passionnée par cette femme au point de lui écrire des lettres pleine de confidences...Je n’en dis pas plus mais c’est une infime partie de ce qui se produit. Les réflexions amusantes sur l’âge d’Adam, bon grand-père dont tout le monde imagine la sexualité morte définitivement. Il y aussi leur passé respectif, touchant, bouleversant et inattendu car Janet Mullany nous réserve des surprises et des coups de théâtre à toutes les pages.
Leur entente est étonnante, les dialogues sont intelligents, les situations parfois abracadabrantes mais toujours avec une certaine logique. Ce roman est aussi classé dans les historiques sensuels, il faut relativiser mais il y a effectivement quelques scènes un peu plus osées.
Voilà donc une romance historique régence qui décoiffe qui réussit à être intelligente, originale sans pour autant oublier les codes de la romance. Si vous aimez le prévisible, fuyez à toute jambe, par contre !
September 23, 2014
Why I downloaded this book-
1. Hero is 43 and a grandfather (!)
2. heroine is 37
3. Bondage scene?! ( it was very tame)
4.H actually loved his first wife and hasn't had sex since she died (10 year)
5. It was free
I was somewhat startled that early in the book. The heroine actually has sex with a young lover who is not the Hero!
The convoluted plots twists resulted in a 2 star deduction.
1. Hero is 43 and a grandfather (!)
2. heroine is 37
3. Bondage scene?! ( it was very tame)
4.H actually loved his first wife and hasn't had sex since she died (10 year)
5. It was free
I was somewhat startled that early in the book. The heroine actually has sex with a young lover who is not the Hero!
The convoluted plots twists resulted in a 2 star deduction.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 30, 2008
The premise was really good, but the story went too fast and had too many things going on. And I hate to say it, I'm not sure I liked any of the characters. Might be a better book for a different reader, this one was not for me.
April 4, 2010
I have read much worse books but this one was bad in a particularly frustrating way. The way characters emote just does not seem to work for this reader. Characters seem to go from A to Z in any scene without the reader having a clue or it making any sense.
February 19, 2013
Older hero and heroine always gets my attention. It was a complex plot for the length of the book and therefore difficult to flesh out the main characters. Nevertheless, it was a fresh concept and I liked it.
October 7, 2014
"Dedication" was a well-written novel that kept my interest throughout. The love story made me feel both young and old at the same time. It's funny how that works out sometimes. I was expecting something a little more rougher along the edges but it was smoothed out well all around.
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August 30, 2015WHAT ARE YOUR LEAST FAVORITE ROMANCE NOVELS AND WHY DO YOU HATE THEM?
DEDICATION BY JANET MULLANY, BECAUSE I LOVED HER OTHER BOOKS AND WAS SURPRISED BY HOW CRAP HER FIRST ONE WAS. THE VILLAIN IS A CARTOONISHLY EVIL GAY MAN WHO WANTS TO RAPE THE HEROINE BECAUSE HE'S GAY FOR THE HERO. IDK.
DEDICATION BY JANET MULLANY, BECAUSE I LOVED HER OTHER BOOKS AND WAS SURPRISED BY HOW CRAP HER FIRST ONE WAS. THE VILLAIN IS A CARTOONISHLY EVIL GAY MAN WHO WANTS TO RAPE THE HEROINE BECAUSE HE'S GAY FOR THE HERO. IDK.
June 28, 2012
DNF - such a disappointment
September 30, 2015
The first half is excellent. The second half got dragged down with silly unnecessary drama. So on average 3 stars.
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews