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Once an Angel
The last thing Justin Connor expected to find washed up on the wild shores of his island paradise was a young woman asleep on the sand, curled like a child beneath the moonlight. His peace is shattered by the mischievous creature with the wicked dimple and mysterious past.
Orphaned, cheated of her inheritance, Emily Claire Scarborough has sailed halfway around the world to find the man who promised her father he would take care of her, then abandoned her to an English boarding school. She is determined to make him pay for her years of loneliness--with nothing less than his heart.
Orphaned, cheated of her inheritance, Emily Claire Scarborough has sailed halfway around the world to find the man who promised her father he would take care of her, then abandoned her to an English boarding school. She is determined to make him pay for her years of loneliness--with nothing less than his heart.
405 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published March 1, 1993
79 people are currently reading
1223 people want to read
About the author
Teresa Medeiros
51 books2,581 followersNew York Times bestseller Teresa Medeiros wrote her first novel at the age of twenty-one and has since gone on to win the hearts of both readers and critics. All of her books have been national bestsellers, featured on the New York Times, USA Today and Publishers Weekly bestseller lists. She currently has over 10 million books in print.
She is a seven-time Rita finalist, two-time PRISM winner, and two-time recipient of the Waldenbooks Award for bestselling fiction.
GOODNIGHT TWEETHEART was released in January 2011 and her latest historical THE PLEASURE OF YOUR KISS is coming from Pocket Books in December 2011. Teresa lives in Kentucky with her husband and her cats, Buffy the Mouse Slayer and Willow Tum-Tum.
She is a seven-time Rita finalist, two-time PRISM winner, and two-time recipient of the Waldenbooks Award for bestselling fiction.
GOODNIGHT TWEETHEART was released in January 2011 and her latest historical THE PLEASURE OF YOUR KISS is coming from Pocket Books in December 2011. Teresa lives in Kentucky with her husband and her cats, Buffy the Mouse Slayer and Willow Tum-Tum.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 103 reviews
September 6, 2021
#RetoRita5 #RitaTere
2 Estrellitas, y una mas de lo que debería porque la primera mitad no estuvo muy mal y la autora es buena. Lo malo que ha tenido el libro es que se nota que es viejuno, lento y cansino y la trama vuelve a más de lo mismo sin crear nada interesante.
Elegí este libro para el Reto Rita 5 porque también me convenía para otros retos, pero quizás de haberlo sabido hubiese elegido otro de Teresa Medeiros. La autora es muy buena, pero tiene mejores libros que éste.
"Ojos de ángel" engaña con el título, porque si se refiere a ella, de ángel tiene poco, Emily es un demonio.
Lo interesante del libro fue la primera mitad, que tuvo una ambientación distinta, pues empieza en Nueva Zelanda a mediados del siglo XIX.
El protagonista, Justin Connor, es el heredero de un ducado, pero tuvo una mala relación con su padre y se asoció con unos amigos para viajar a Nueva Zelanda y explotar una mina de oro. Pero algo salió mal, una reyerta con los maoríes provocó que uno desapareciera y el otro, David, muriese. Pero David, antes de morir, le hizo prometer que cuidaría de su hija, Emily. Solo que Emily no es quien esperaba, Justin creía que era una niña, no una mujer.
Emily ha vivido siempre en Londres, en un miserable colegio para señoritas, donde sufrió una serie de malos tratos por parte de compañeras, la directora, etc. Pero todo es debido a su caracter endemoniado, pues Emily es malcarada, deslenguada y grosera, y ella misma se provoca todas sus desagradables situaciones.
La última de sus meteduras provoca su expulsión. Sí, su tutor sigue pagando la cuota del colegio, pero ni Emily ni la directora lo han conocido nunca y Emily ha crecido muy sola y sin cariño. El libro empieza cuando Emily es llevada a Nueva Zelanda en contra de su voluntad y abandonada en la orilla. Allí lo encontrará un misterioso y guapo hombre que la atrae mucho, pero Emily no imaginaba que ese hombre sería el ser mas odiado por ella, el amigo de su padre que nunca se ha dignado a conocerla o ir a por ella, si no que la dejó sola y abandonada.
El problema con Emily desde el principio, es que no le dice realmente quién es, y ello provocará una serie de situaciones desagradables que sólo la perjudican a ella. Y precisamente su obcecación hará que el libro se haga tan tedioso y repetitivo que no ves el final.
Sí, la primera mitad lo leí bastante bien, pero la segunda me ha costado un mundo y no me ha gustado nada. El romance de los protagonistas tampoco me ha convencido, tenemos un amor prohibido porque Justin es el tutor de Emily, pero se pasan todo el libro "ahora sí, ahora no", "ahora te quiero, ahora te odio". Vamos, un rollazo. Hace años el libro podría haber estado bien, pero con la oferta actual de otras novelas, mejor pasar de éste y buscar otros de la autora mucho mejores.
El libro se publicó en España en 2013 si no me equivoco, pero fue escrito hacia 1994. La literatura y el estilo de un escritor cambia mucho en veinte años, y me alegro que con Teresa Medeiros funcionara porque tiene libros posteriores muy buenos. Lo desafortunado es que la editorial apostara por ésta novela cuando hay mejores libros.
Solo espero que los pocos libros que me queda por leer de ella sean mejores, porque éste ha sido flojo, flojo.
2 Estrellitas, y una mas de lo que debería porque la primera mitad no estuvo muy mal y la autora es buena. Lo malo que ha tenido el libro es que se nota que es viejuno, lento y cansino y la trama vuelve a más de lo mismo sin crear nada interesante.
Elegí este libro para el Reto Rita 5 porque también me convenía para otros retos, pero quizás de haberlo sabido hubiese elegido otro de Teresa Medeiros. La autora es muy buena, pero tiene mejores libros que éste.
"Ojos de ángel" engaña con el título, porque si se refiere a ella, de ángel tiene poco, Emily es un demonio.
Lo interesante del libro fue la primera mitad, que tuvo una ambientación distinta, pues empieza en Nueva Zelanda a mediados del siglo XIX.
El protagonista, Justin Connor, es el heredero de un ducado, pero tuvo una mala relación con su padre y se asoció con unos amigos para viajar a Nueva Zelanda y explotar una mina de oro. Pero algo salió mal, una reyerta con los maoríes provocó que uno desapareciera y el otro, David, muriese. Pero David, antes de morir, le hizo prometer que cuidaría de su hija, Emily. Solo que Emily no es quien esperaba, Justin creía que era una niña, no una mujer.
Emily ha vivido siempre en Londres, en un miserable colegio para señoritas, donde sufrió una serie de malos tratos por parte de compañeras, la directora, etc. Pero todo es debido a su caracter endemoniado, pues Emily es malcarada, deslenguada y grosera, y ella misma se provoca todas sus desagradables situaciones.
La última de sus meteduras provoca su expulsión. Sí, su tutor sigue pagando la cuota del colegio, pero ni Emily ni la directora lo han conocido nunca y Emily ha crecido muy sola y sin cariño. El libro empieza cuando Emily es llevada a Nueva Zelanda en contra de su voluntad y abandonada en la orilla. Allí lo encontrará un misterioso y guapo hombre que la atrae mucho, pero Emily no imaginaba que ese hombre sería el ser mas odiado por ella, el amigo de su padre que nunca se ha dignado a conocerla o ir a por ella, si no que la dejó sola y abandonada.
El problema con Emily desde el principio, es que no le dice realmente quién es, y ello provocará una serie de situaciones desagradables que sólo la perjudican a ella. Y precisamente su obcecación hará que el libro se haga tan tedioso y repetitivo que no ves el final.
Sí, la primera mitad lo leí bastante bien, pero la segunda me ha costado un mundo y no me ha gustado nada. El romance de los protagonistas tampoco me ha convencido, tenemos un amor prohibido porque Justin es el tutor de Emily, pero se pasan todo el libro "ahora sí, ahora no", "ahora te quiero, ahora te odio". Vamos, un rollazo. Hace años el libro podría haber estado bien, pero con la oferta actual de otras novelas, mejor pasar de éste y buscar otros de la autora mucho mejores.
El libro se publicó en España en 2013 si no me equivoco, pero fue escrito hacia 1994. La literatura y el estilo de un escritor cambia mucho en veinte años, y me alegro que con Teresa Medeiros funcionara porque tiene libros posteriores muy buenos. Lo desafortunado es que la editorial apostara por ésta novela cuando hay mejores libros.
Solo espero que los pocos libros que me queda por leer de ella sean mejores, porque éste ha sido flojo, flojo.
March 23, 2022
Teresa Medeiros did it again.
I don't know if I've been generous on my ratings lately or I've been hitting some pretty good books, because I'm all for it!
What I love about this book (and also because I didn't expect it) is the New Zealand setting. It's quite refreshing compared to the normal ballroom/London-esque/English countryside settings.
Nevertheless, we can never have too much of good thing, as in the halfway mark, we're back to London. So, that was 'fun'. In this part, angst and my favourite trope came in play which is ✨forbidden relationship✨. Well, as forbidden as you can get in Victorian time because see, she's his ward and he's her guardian. And that's a big no-no for those genteel people.
All in all, I have a massive blast while reading this book. And for once, I was filled with excitement whenever I picked this book up during these two days. Hence, yes, definitely recommended.
I don't know if I've been generous on my ratings lately or I've been hitting some pretty good books, because I'm all for it!
What I love about this book (and also because I didn't expect it) is the New Zealand setting. It's quite refreshing compared to the normal ballroom/London-esque/English countryside settings.
Nevertheless, we can never have too much of good thing, as in the halfway mark, we're back to London. So, that was 'fun'. In this part, angst and my favourite trope came in play which is ✨forbidden relationship✨. Well, as forbidden as you can get in Victorian time because see, she's his ward and he's her guardian. And that's a big no-no for those genteel people.
All in all, I have a massive blast while reading this book. And for once, I was filled with excitement whenever I picked this book up during these two days. Hence, yes, definitely recommended.
May 3, 2018
A fun 3.5 stars.
The best bit about this one- most of it was set in new Zealand! That was a total surprise- and such a fun change from London ballrooms. And being married to a Kiwi, I appreciated the research TM did to get that part of the book quite authentic. One problem, however, was her fantasy that somehow NZ has a balmy, sub-tropical climate. It's often bloody freezing, so that had me a bit bemused :)
I have been on a bit of a TM binge, not having read any of her books before now. And I am often a bit conflicted. She creates very feisty, independent heroines who then, paradoxically, crumble super-fast under the power of the hero's questionable charm. And her heroes tend to be fairly man-whorish, which is getting a bit old for me these days. Also, they tend to be quite a bit older- so far, her heroines have been barely out of their teens.
But our hero here was really quite wonderful. He tried to do his best, cared about the people he had in his life, be they native Maori or his long-suffering "valet". He felt the weight of responsibility and assumed it without complaint. He was a very mature hero and I appreciated that in him.
Our heroine was a very crazy girl who had spent her ten years in school playing practical jokes on fellow students and still seemed incredibly juvenile. I think she was 18, so perhaps I can forgive her that. But sometimes her actions were really TSTL and I felt exasperated at her behaviour. Grow up, darling! I would think.
It was a very tempestuous on-off-on saga that crossed oceans and jumped from the Southern hemisphere to the north, then back again. (Conveniently scooting over the months each trip would take- whew!)
But it kept me interested and invested in the outcome. There were even a couple of parts where I laughed out loud- the heroine was so cheeky it was hilarious.
I quite like the writing style and I loved the differentness of the setting and even the characters.
A bit of fun, more than a bit of trauma and suffering, lots of drama, passion and sentiment, an exotic setting. Good way to spend an afternoon!
The best bit about this one- most of it was set in new Zealand! That was a total surprise- and such a fun change from London ballrooms. And being married to a Kiwi, I appreciated the research TM did to get that part of the book quite authentic. One problem, however, was her fantasy that somehow NZ has a balmy, sub-tropical climate. It's often bloody freezing, so that had me a bit bemused :)
I have been on a bit of a TM binge, not having read any of her books before now. And I am often a bit conflicted. She creates very feisty, independent heroines who then, paradoxically, crumble super-fast under the power of the hero's questionable charm. And her heroes tend to be fairly man-whorish, which is getting a bit old for me these days. Also, they tend to be quite a bit older- so far, her heroines have been barely out of their teens.
But our hero here was really quite wonderful. He tried to do his best, cared about the people he had in his life, be they native Maori or his long-suffering "valet". He felt the weight of responsibility and assumed it without complaint. He was a very mature hero and I appreciated that in him.
Our heroine was a very crazy girl who had spent her ten years in school playing practical jokes on fellow students and still seemed incredibly juvenile. I think she was 18, so perhaps I can forgive her that. But sometimes her actions were really TSTL and I felt exasperated at her behaviour. Grow up, darling! I would think.
It was a very tempestuous on-off-on saga that crossed oceans and jumped from the Southern hemisphere to the north, then back again. (Conveniently scooting over the months each trip would take- whew!)
But it kept me interested and invested in the outcome. There were even a couple of parts where I laughed out loud- the heroine was so cheeky it was hilarious.
I quite like the writing style and I loved the differentness of the setting and even the characters.
A bit of fun, more than a bit of trauma and suffering, lots of drama, passion and sentiment, an exotic setting. Good way to spend an afternoon!
June 30, 2014
Que conste que esta autora tiene libros que me encantan... pero este no me ha gustado nada, además es uno de sus antiguos... La historia de lo más tópica.
Lento, soso, los protagonistas no tienen chispa. Ella tiene un comportamiento nada acorde a la situación, no sé si alocado o catalogarla directamente de tonta e insentata, sin que me haya caído bien, la verdad.
Él, de lo más soso, por Dios... le falta un café.Algunos comportamientos acorde a la época en la que el libro fue escrito, y se nota
De los secundarios, a excepción del mayordomo, que creo que es el único personaje que me ha gustado, el resto no sé qué pintan en la historia... tiene tantos datos que faltan, que no pongo para no spoilear.. pero tan poca profundidad en la relación que éstas mantienen o han mantenido con el protagonista que aún estoy pensando si, sin ninguna intención, me he saltado algunas de las hojas de la novela.
Lo único, que al final, muuuuy al final, la historia se anima un poco y se pone "algo", solo algo, interesante.
No sé si es que ahora están publicando sus libros más antiguos, pero últimamente esta autora me está defraudando un poco
Lento, soso, los protagonistas no tienen chispa. Ella tiene un comportamiento nada acorde a la situación, no sé si alocado o catalogarla directamente de tonta e insentata, sin que me haya caído bien, la verdad.
Él, de lo más soso, por Dios... le falta un café.Algunos comportamientos acorde a la época en la que el libro fue escrito, y se nota
De los secundarios, a excepción del mayordomo, que creo que es el único personaje que me ha gustado, el resto no sé qué pintan en la historia... tiene tantos datos que faltan, que no pongo para no spoilear.. pero tan poca profundidad en la relación que éstas mantienen o han mantenido con el protagonista que aún estoy pensando si, sin ninguna intención, me he saltado algunas de las hojas de la novela.
Lo único, que al final, muuuuy al final, la historia se anima un poco y se pone "algo", solo algo, interesante.
No sé si es que ahora están publicando sus libros más antiguos, pero últimamente esta autora me está defraudando un poco
January 2, 2010
In a word... Amazing, Beautiful, Smart, Sexy and Funny as hell.... Okay that's 8 words.. But you get the point. I LOVED this book. Surprising as hell, not sure why. Other than I picked it up, expecting your typical, easy fun loving HR, and was pleasantly surprised with its depth and hypnotic writing. This book had me at "Hello".
Im a huge fan of several, no make that hundreds of HR novels, each in there own way are enjoyable escapes of the everyday. Every once in a while you find one, that genuinly tugs at the heart strings, and steals your breath.
It is of this Historical Romance Genre Fan's opinion, That Miss. Medeiros ranks up there with the likes of Judith McNaught, Diana Gabaldon, Amanda Quick etc, etc.
Bravo!!!
Im a huge fan of several, no make that hundreds of HR novels, each in there own way are enjoyable escapes of the everyday. Every once in a while you find one, that genuinly tugs at the heart strings, and steals your breath.
It is of this Historical Romance Genre Fan's opinion, That Miss. Medeiros ranks up there with the likes of Judith McNaught, Diana Gabaldon, Amanda Quick etc, etc.
Bravo!!!
September 7, 2021
Ha sido una lectura muy curiosa. Aunque sigo pensando que la autora escribe precioso y ha habido frases que me han dejado suspirando por lo bonitas que son y por el significado que encierran, en lo que a la trama se refiere me he sentido muy perdida; los personajes obran sin ton ni son, no he podido entender sus motivaciones, cada arranque me ha dejado a cuadros... no sé, a lo mejor y no era un buen momento para esta lectura, pero de hecho que volveré a leer a Medeiros porque otras de sus historias me han enamorado.
June 26, 2025
I think I liked this book, but I'm not 100% sure. First of all, I don't know if I just don't like age gaps, or if this age gap was extra uncomfortable. The ages of the heroine and hero were about 18 and maybe 31 or 32, respectively. They aren't uncommon ages for mc's in old-school romances, and it doesn't typically bother me in fiction, but it felt a little weird in this book. There were reminders throughout the book that the heroine was a little girl, or had recently been a little girl, and that the hero was supposed to be a bit a of father figure. That dynamic was present through the latter half of the book, and gave me a bit of an ick, yet I was still overall rooting for the hero and heroine to end up together.
Emily, the heroine, is the typical old-romance brat heroine that I typically hate. And I did really dislike her most of the time. There were few times that I felt sympathy for her, but I found her to be bratty, spiteful, bitter, and childish (which was probably the point, but I didn't like it). She does have some character growth, and is a bit bearable by the end, but I still found her annoying. And of course, she hate ruffles, corsets, and bustles, because the be a strong female character, you have to disparage traditional femininity.
Justin, the hero, has a very strong and masculine appearance, but is a sweet and sensitive musician, who we meet while he hunting for gold in New Zealand. I liked him. I liked him best in the first half of the book while they were in New Zealand. Is sensitivity does come across as being wishy-washy at times. He is a man written by woman though, and I really enjoyed him.
Despite some of my criticisms, this is a well-written book and a good story. I was engaged and entertained while reading this, which is always my main goal in any book I read.
Emily, the heroine, is the typical old-romance brat heroine that I typically hate. And I did really dislike her most of the time. There were few times that I felt sympathy for her, but I found her to be bratty, spiteful, bitter, and childish (which was probably the point, but I didn't like it). She does have some character growth, and is a bit bearable by the end, but I still found her annoying. And of course, she hate ruffles, corsets, and bustles, because the be a strong female character, you have to disparage traditional femininity.
Justin, the hero, has a very strong and masculine appearance, but is a sweet and sensitive musician, who we meet while he hunting for gold in New Zealand. I liked him. I liked him best in the first half of the book while they were in New Zealand. Is sensitivity does come across as being wishy-washy at times. He is a man written by woman though, and I really enjoyed him.
Despite some of my criticisms, this is a well-written book and a good story. I was engaged and entertained while reading this, which is always my main goal in any book I read.
July 18, 2019
A pesar de ese principio difícil de explicar la novela me ha gustado, quizás porque es rara y sus personajes son tan alocados. Esa rareza, esas cosas que no solemos encontrar en otras novelas de este género es lo que hace que me guste.
Reseña: https://oceanodelibros.blogspot.com/2...
Reseña: https://oceanodelibros.blogspot.com/2...
January 7, 2011
Medeiros is one of those authors that I discovered by sheer luck. I'd never read anything by her and just happened to take a chance on one of her books when I was shopping at a used-book store. And I was really glad that I did. YOURS UNTIL DAWN kept me up reading until dawn. ONE NIGHT OF SCANDAL was equally wonderful, and I don't even like gothic novels. CHARMING THE PRINCE was also very enjoyable, though not one that made it onto my keeper shelf, like the first two Medeiros books did.
So what happened in ONCE AN ANGEL? I could have sworn that somebody else wrote this book under the author's name, because it was terrible. The heroine was one of the most immature brats I've ever come across in romance, and I've been reading romance for 13 years now. However, the heroine wasn't my biggest complaint with this book. I couldn't stand the way the story seemed to be fueled by nothing but lust. Seriously, there is absolutely nothing else between them but flying hormones. When the heroine spends the first 100 pages completely naked (except for a coat that's been loaned to her and always seems to be falling off at strategic moments), something's not right. Couldn't the hero have loaned her a shirt and trousers? They hate each other, yet fall into bed so fast it made my head spin. Yech.
I'm not a prude, but this was just too much. The I-hate-you-but-oh-my-gosh-you're-so-hot-I-can't-keep-my-hands-off-you-I-have-to-have-you-now theme is tired, overdone, and a stupid one in the first place. Sex is not enough of a reason for me to cheer for a couple to be together. As if that's enough to build a lifetime on. I want ROMANCE in my romance novel, not mindless lust. Is that too much to ask?
And on another negative note, the relationship between hero and heroine seemed more like father-daughter than that of lovers. Double yech.
So what happened in ONCE AN ANGEL? I could have sworn that somebody else wrote this book under the author's name, because it was terrible. The heroine was one of the most immature brats I've ever come across in romance, and I've been reading romance for 13 years now. However, the heroine wasn't my biggest complaint with this book. I couldn't stand the way the story seemed to be fueled by nothing but lust. Seriously, there is absolutely nothing else between them but flying hormones. When the heroine spends the first 100 pages completely naked (except for a coat that's been loaned to her and always seems to be falling off at strategic moments), something's not right. Couldn't the hero have loaned her a shirt and trousers? They hate each other, yet fall into bed so fast it made my head spin. Yech.
I'm not a prude, but this was just too much. The I-hate-you-but-oh-my-gosh-you're-so-hot-I-can't-keep-my-hands-off-you-I-have-to-have-you-now theme is tired, overdone, and a stupid one in the first place. Sex is not enough of a reason for me to cheer for a couple to be together. As if that's enough to build a lifetime on. I want ROMANCE in my romance novel, not mindless lust. Is that too much to ask?
And on another negative note, the relationship between hero and heroine seemed more like father-daughter than that of lovers. Double yech.
November 11, 2011
I just couldn't finish the last chapters of the book because the plot was uneventful and dreary, but most of all because of the heroine. She was the most exasperatingly ill behaved heroine in my history of HR. A downright selfish attention seeker who doesn't have any self-respect whatsoever.
April 8, 2013
It pained me to give a 1-star to this book. I treasured Teresa Medeiros writings very much that I feel bad I have to rate this a 1-star.
This one is a reread for me. I cannot remember much on the story line, but I was thinking to give a second read just because I want to rekindle my memory so much.
Why this book does not work for me?
I love that the setting was in New Zealand. And how Emily found Justin was one of the wonderful moment, when they connect with each other at the island, and how I love Emily's innocence - even though the hero and heroine had a huge difference gap of 20 years. I love Part 1 of the book, actually - when they were building their dreams.
But after that, when the setting was switched back to England, everything fall apart. For one thing, I realised that when Justin suddenly know that Emily was actually the orphan that her father had asked Justin to look after, I found Emily behaviour was really childish (and this maybe in sync with her 18-year old thinking). It was just, she keep pushing for Justin proclaiming his love for her. Or when she realised Justin treated her like a child. The idea of Emily as someone innocent just evaporated, and I find her spoilt, childish and immature.
Yes, I know that Emily had a hard time at the orphanage. But suddenly, thrown in a world of luxury, she did not seem to mature enough and think or decide wisely. And when the problem of Justin cannot decide on what to do on you, you just ran to the nearest whore house. Yucks! Seriously immature.
As for Justin, I kind of hate him when he took liberties on Emily. He cannot make Emily his wife, and Emily seems content to be his 'mistress'. Oh my, what a low self esteem you have, Emily.
I was thinking that these 2 characters actually had a serious trust issue between each other.
And so, the climax (or the ending) just fall flat on me.
I will not read this book again.
This one is a reread for me. I cannot remember much on the story line, but I was thinking to give a second read just because I want to rekindle my memory so much.
Why this book does not work for me?
I love that the setting was in New Zealand. And how Emily found Justin was one of the wonderful moment, when they connect with each other at the island, and how I love Emily's innocence - even though the hero and heroine had a huge difference gap of 20 years. I love Part 1 of the book, actually - when they were building their dreams.
But after that, when the setting was switched back to England, everything fall apart. For one thing, I realised that when Justin suddenly know that Emily was actually the orphan that her father had asked Justin to look after, I found Emily behaviour was really childish (and this maybe in sync with her 18-year old thinking). It was just, she keep pushing for Justin proclaiming his love for her. Or when she realised Justin treated her like a child. The idea of Emily as someone innocent just evaporated, and I find her spoilt, childish and immature.
Yes, I know that Emily had a hard time at the orphanage. But suddenly, thrown in a world of luxury, she did not seem to mature enough and think or decide wisely. And when the problem of Justin cannot decide on what to do on you, you just ran to the nearest whore house. Yucks! Seriously immature.
As for Justin, I kind of hate him when he took liberties on Emily. He cannot make Emily his wife, and Emily seems content to be his 'mistress'. Oh my, what a low self esteem you have, Emily.
I was thinking that these 2 characters actually had a serious trust issue between each other.
And so, the climax (or the ending) just fall flat on me.
I will not read this book again.
March 27, 2020
No es una mala lectura, es entretenido y diferente en muchos sentidos empezando por la ambientación, que es lo que me atrajo la primera vez, y la gran diferencia de edad entre ambos protagonistas.
Sin embargo, lo que juega a su favor llega un punto que se convierte en su aspecto negativo. Pasan demasiadas cosas que se salen de la normalidad y que resultan, en cierta forma, ser demasiado. Lo mismo pasa con la gran diferencia de edad, es refrescante hasta que la protagonista parece no tener cerca de 20 años sino más bien cerca de 10. Menudos berrinches de niña pequeña e inmadura coge... Y sí, llega un punto que cansa lo poco que se para a pensar y lo aniñada que actúa.
Sin embargo, lo que juega a su favor llega un punto que se convierte en su aspecto negativo. Pasan demasiadas cosas que se salen de la normalidad y que resultan, en cierta forma, ser demasiado. Lo mismo pasa con la gran diferencia de edad, es refrescante hasta que la protagonista parece no tener cerca de 20 años sino más bien cerca de 10. Menudos berrinches de niña pequeña e inmadura coge... Y sí, llega un punto que cansa lo poco que se para a pensar y lo aniñada que actúa.
August 26, 2024
3.5 stars
January 19, 2018
This book is the OSRBC BotM for January 2018. I find Ms. Medeiros’ books are hit or miss for me; this one was a hit. I liked Emily Claire Scarborough, the spunky heroine, although she acted much too childish at times. She was very young, though, and had a very unpleasant childhood, so I can overlook that.
Justin Connor was an interesting hero. It’s revealed throughout the story that he didn’t get along with his father, a duke; that he is a genius at music - he hears melodies in his head all the time; and that he rejected his inheritance and left England for New Zealand with two friends/partners.
The first part, which was my favorite, is set in New Zealand. Emily realizes quite soon that Justin was her father‘s best friend, but she does not tell him who she is. She says her name is Emily Scarlet. Along with his valet, Penfeld, and the native Maori people, Justin has made a new life and family on the North Island. I really enjoyed the different setting, somewhere other than England or Scotland, delightful though they are. Justin and Emily get to know each other and acknowledge their attraction for each other. But Emily remains distrustful and continues to keep her identity a secret. And Justin is keeping a secret of his own.
In the second half, a messenger arrives to tell Justin that his father is dead, that he is the new duke, and that his mother needs him. Back in England, all of the secrets come out and Justin and Emily are forced to deal with all the hard stuff. Then the third partner returns and begins to tell Emily that Justin has been lying to her.
The resolution and ending is back in New Zealand once again.
This is definitely an old school book as far as the sex scenes are concerned – lots of throbbing members, nectar and dew. There were a few weird things left hanging, for example: Emily hears Justin reading the Bible to the Maoris and concludes that he is a missionary. But this is not really mentioned again except in passing. But mostly I really enjoyed it. I liked the H/h and there are some really good secondary characters. The heroine borders on TSTL at times but as I mentioned in this book,I can overlook that. 3.75 stars.
Justin Connor was an interesting hero. It’s revealed throughout the story that he didn’t get along with his father, a duke; that he is a genius at music - he hears melodies in his head all the time; and that he rejected his inheritance and left England for New Zealand with two friends/partners.
The first part, which was my favorite, is set in New Zealand. Emily realizes quite soon that Justin was her father‘s best friend, but she does not tell him who she is. She says her name is Emily Scarlet. Along with his valet, Penfeld, and the native Maori people, Justin has made a new life and family on the North Island. I really enjoyed the different setting, somewhere other than England or Scotland, delightful though they are. Justin and Emily get to know each other and acknowledge their attraction for each other. But Emily remains distrustful and continues to keep her identity a secret. And Justin is keeping a secret of his own.
In the second half, a messenger arrives to tell Justin that his father is dead, that he is the new duke, and that his mother needs him. Back in England, all of the secrets come out and Justin and Emily are forced to deal with all the hard stuff. Then the third partner returns and begins to tell Emily that Justin has been lying to her.
The resolution and ending is back in New Zealand once again.
This is definitely an old school book as far as the sex scenes are concerned – lots of throbbing members, nectar and dew. There were a few weird things left hanging, for example: Emily hears Justin reading the Bible to the Maoris and concludes that he is a missionary. But this is not really mentioned again except in passing. But mostly I really enjoyed it. I liked the H/h and there are some really good secondary characters. The heroine borders on TSTL at times but as I mentioned in this book,I can overlook that. 3.75 stars.
April 11, 2011
I was prepared to love this book, I really enjoy Teresa Medeiros but I was a little disappointed with this book.
This is the first h I would classify as TSTL. Through more than half the book Emily acts childish and spoiled, I just had no sympathy for her. I hated the way she acted like a child, pulling pranks being mean to everyone around her to get attention and then expects everyone to treat her like an adult. She was just too immature for me to relate to. She was finally able to turn things around but for me it was to late to really like her as a h.
This is the first h I would classify as TSTL. Through more than half the book Emily acts childish and spoiled, I just had no sympathy for her. I hated the way she acted like a child, pulling pranks being mean to everyone around her to get attention and then expects everyone to treat her like an adult. She was just too immature for me to relate to. She was finally able to turn things around but for me it was to late to really like her as a h.
November 30, 2016
Reseña completa: http://cazadorasdelromance.com/critic...
Sin chispa, no me gustó nada. Tanto los personajes como la trama carecen de sentido, tampoco puedo decir que sea mínimamente entretenido porque me aburrí desde el principio. De esos libros que habría dejado a medias.
Sin chispa, no me gustó nada. Tanto los personajes como la trama carecen de sentido, tampoco puedo decir que sea mínimamente entretenido porque me aburrí desde el principio. De esos libros que habría dejado a medias.
July 25, 2019
S E T T I N G :
New Zealand, 1865 / London — Regency
I loved the fact that unlike most historical romances this was set far away from the suffocating, glittering ball rooms of the London society. When I read this book, I wasn’t expecting it to be so informative and well researched. Fun Fact: Teresa’s husband is a Kiwi.
TROPE:
Older man/Younger woman
Ward/Guardian
Hero Stumbles Upon Heroine By Mistake
Innocent Heroine
Protagonist Fleeing from Crime Scene
PROTAGONISTS:
Justin Connor
Emily/Claire
“Stay with me…my sweet Clair, my love!”
Justin Connor—Once an Angel, Teresa Mederios
R A T I N G : 3/5
I originally gave this book 2 stars but that wasn’t nice to the nicest author out there who I think had just a bit of a bad luck with Once an Angel because in my opinion there were three things that could’ve totally made this book an instant hit;
• Plot potential, the scenery and the setting was unique
• Complex characters called for some amazing character development
• The plotline was could’ve been NOT dreary if handled with finesse which is TM’s Achilles Heel
So, it’s a solid 3 from me.
•• The story features one of my favourite tropes and that’s a older man/younger woman couple. I was a bit biased when I dived into this book because I’m a major Medeiros fan. I kind of adore her!
But as much as I liked this book, it was still a bit of a lacklustre, I’m sorry that it was but it is what it is AND I know why. The scenes in England were dreary and just…not appealing whereas the magical beaches of New Zealand, the fantastical gypsies and the rich culture—to die for.
Medeiros nailed it with her UNIQUE style of writing. No surprises there.
Moments between Justin and Claire were passionate, I liked them as a couple even though many people opposed the fact saying their relationship was more like a daddy/daughter’s—ehk, gross! But really—no.
As far as character development goes, I saw a lot of it in the main leads. By the end of the book I was just on the edge of my seat, the pages were few and the loose ends were many….so many. I was super anxious.
That’s what killed me off in the end, just a tiny bit tho. My worst nightmare—NO EPILOGUE. So that’s a warning.
•• Do I recommend it?
I mean, hell yes! Definitely. It’s by no means what one would call a bad book. It’s a solid 3 star enjoyable read. ♥️
“I hold dear to my heart the hope that someday,
in a better place than this we will be reunited…”
••• PLEASE follow my blog, blissfullybookedd.wordpress.com for more reviews, short stories & bookish love ♥️
December 29, 2024
I had previously read a book by this author (Yours Until Dawn) and I really liked it (to the point that I have recently re-read it). I have wanted to explore the author's back catalogue of work and needed a book that started with O for a reading challenge so it all worked out.
I did not like this book. I don't like to be harsh as I think anyone who has managed to write and publish a book has achieved so much, but I really, really did not like this. It is my worst read of the year.
I didn't like the characters. I didn't like the plot. I found the story either absurd or boring (but mostly both at the same time). The heroine was immature and there was a lolita like tone throughout. I don't care if it was 1800 - the "daddy" references just made me want to vomit. The plot was silly. The dialogue was silly. I am beyond disappointed as I really loved the previous book I read of this author. Not a good read to end the year.
Reading Challenge
Aussie Readers 2024 Annual Vowel Book Titles: November/December (Book Title contains all vowels - AEIOU) - Read books where the first letter of the title appears in pErsUAsIOn (O)
I did not like this book. I don't like to be harsh as I think anyone who has managed to write and publish a book has achieved so much, but I really, really did not like this. It is my worst read of the year.
I didn't like the characters. I didn't like the plot. I found the story either absurd or boring (but mostly both at the same time). The heroine was immature and there was a lolita like tone throughout. I don't care if it was 1800 - the "daddy" references just made me want to vomit. The plot was silly. The dialogue was silly. I am beyond disappointed as I really loved the previous book I read of this author. Not a good read to end the year.
Reading Challenge
Aussie Readers 2024 Annual Vowel Book Titles: November/December (Book Title contains all vowels - AEIOU) - Read books where the first letter of the title appears in pErsUAsIOn (O)
August 14, 2020
DNF @ 60%. 1.5 stars for imperialism/racism and unsettling amounts of lusting over women’s bodies.
Well this was not what I wanted at all. I really love the other Medeiros’ novel I’ve read, Yours Until Dawn, but this much earlier book doesn’t meet that level.
I was a bit put off by the colonialism/racism and open leering at women’s bodies in the initial chapters, but I bravely forged on, hoping it would improve. I love guardian/ward and deserted island stories, so I really wanted this one to work. It did not. (And I expect a certain amount of the hero wrestling with the taboo nature of falling in love with his ward - not related, of course - but this hero wasn’t too worried about it and immediately tries to grab her boobs after she washes up on shore after a shipwreck. And his behavior doesn’t get any less creepy from there on out. Ew)
I’m abandoning ship and leaving this.
Well this was not what I wanted at all. I really love the other Medeiros’ novel I’ve read, Yours Until Dawn, but this much earlier book doesn’t meet that level.
I was a bit put off by the colonialism/racism and open leering at women’s bodies in the initial chapters, but I bravely forged on, hoping it would improve. I love guardian/ward and deserted island stories, so I really wanted this one to work. It did not. (And I expect a certain amount of the hero wrestling with the taboo nature of falling in love with his ward - not related, of course - but this hero wasn’t too worried about it and immediately tries to grab her boobs after she washes up on shore after a shipwreck. And his behavior doesn’t get any less creepy from there on out. Ew)
I’m abandoning ship and leaving this.
June 17, 2023
Look..................... was it morally dubious most of the time? Absolutely. Was the last minute plot twist stupid? Duh. Was the female love interest an 1872 manic pixie dream girl? 100%. That being said I gobbled that shit up like there was no tomorrow. I swear I have good morals but I can't resist a sordid 90's romance novel, sue me.
January 31, 2020
La relación entre Emily y Justin nos hará pasar momentos de todo tipo, desde tristes hasta divertidos, ambos juntos son como una bomba de pasión reprimida a punto de estallar.
Reseña completa: https://atrapadaenunashojasdepapel.bl...
Reseña completa: https://atrapadaenunashojasdepapel.bl...
October 16, 2018
Lovely historical romance. I will read this author in the near future, for sure!
December 3, 2013
This book is a mess. It's The Littlest Princess meets a pervie uncle and all hell breaks loose from there. They're together, apart, together, apart, together, apart, together, apart, together, apart... until you just don't care anymore. It's like Brooke and Ridge on The Bold and the Beautiful. I haven't watched that show since my sister forced me to when we lived at home together 20 years ago but I can almost guarantee that Brooke and Ridge are still together, about to be together, or painfully apart right now.
****You may notice an uptick in the amount of romance I'm reading. There is a reason, and the reason is I'm researching romance. I've actually started publishing short romantic fiction (under a pen name, haha, you won't find me suckers) and they're doing pretty well. What I realized, however, is that I have very little practical knowledge about the romance genre so... I'm reading romance. I apologize if this breaks into your regularly scheduled reviews of post apocalyptic sci-fi fantasy high adventures but a girl has to do what a girl has to do.
Why am I writing romance you ask? It sells well. Aaaaaand as a novice writer it will allow me to cut my teeth on storytelling before breaking out the big guns of world building, massive character lists, and complicated and convoluted plots. ****
February 21, 2016
Seu pai lhe prometeu que ele cuidaria dela. Ela esperou 7 anos por ele. E agora, aos 18 anos, queria se vingar de seu tutor, Justin Connor. Cansada de esperar por ele, na escola para senhoritas, onde passara de aluna à indigente, Emily Claire Scarborough desejando tomar rédeas de sua vida, embarca num navio com rumo a Nova Zelandia em busca do seu odioso tutor e no caminho, por desentender-se com seus acompanhantes de viagem que desejavam fazer-lhe mal, é atirada no mar e aparece desnuda na praia na qual Justin se esconde para expurgar ou expiar seus pecados ou arrependimento pelo amigo e pai de Emily.
Com personagens imperfeitos, problemáticos e atormentados Teresa Medeiros escreve esta adorável história de amor de uma jovem por um homem mais velho atormentado pelo passado e herdeiro de um ducado que se esconde do mundo. Justin ao herdar o ducado, vai atrás de sua pupila, sem saber que já havia conhecido, pois Emily não conta quem ela é.
Ponto positivo: o mordomo que é um personagem caricato maravilhoso que torna esta leitura divertida.
Livro que me fez rir, chorar, sentir apreensiva e que simplesmente adorei. Mocinha cheia de vontades, corajosa, respondona que vai descobrir que a vingança tem dois lados e dos riscos que se corre por se apaixonar por alguém a quem só deseja o mau.
Com personagens imperfeitos, problemáticos e atormentados Teresa Medeiros escreve esta adorável história de amor de uma jovem por um homem mais velho atormentado pelo passado e herdeiro de um ducado que se esconde do mundo. Justin ao herdar o ducado, vai atrás de sua pupila, sem saber que já havia conhecido, pois Emily não conta quem ela é.
Ponto positivo: o mordomo que é um personagem caricato maravilhoso que torna esta leitura divertida.
Livro que me fez rir, chorar, sentir apreensiva e que simplesmente adorei. Mocinha cheia de vontades, corajosa, respondona que vai descobrir que a vingança tem dois lados e dos riscos que se corre por se apaixonar por alguém a quem só deseja o mau.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 13, 2010
This was the first book by Teresa Medeiros that I have read and I really loved it. Her characters are well written, feel like real people. This story was not one of the ususal regency type story lines. I loved all the scenes in New Zealand and the Maori natives. While the book isnt chalked full of love scenes, the ones that are there are done really well and are a real part of the story. The part of the story when Emily is in the school remindes me of the movie The Little Princess. She's forced to move up to the attic and work at the school when the money from her bennifactor drys up, I loved that movie when I was young and really enjoyed that part of the book. THANKS SHEL!
February 10, 2018
OMG! I seriously wanted to strangle the heroine. Once an Angel cannot be more true, cause she certainly wasn't an angel no more. She was, her childhood aside, a downright egoistic and horrible human being.
I was very disappointed since Teresa Medeiros book Yours Until Dawn is one of my favorite historical romances and I therefore had higher expectations of this book.
I was very disappointed since Teresa Medeiros book Yours Until Dawn is one of my favorite historical romances and I therefore had higher expectations of this book.
August 23, 2017
Weird. So many weird things in this novel. I was entertained for sure. But there was nothing at all historically accurate about this novel. So many things were out of place from photographs to cultural norms. The Hero and Heroine were also completely insane. After finishing this, I realized I had already read it in the past. There is no reason to read it again.
January 14, 2008
One of my all time favorites by Teresa Medeiros!!
April 30, 2012
Too ridiculous. The characterization of the Maoris is discriminatory and disrespectful.
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