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Drake's Rakes #2
Never a Gentleman
HE HIDES HIS TRUE COLORS . . .
Miss Grace Fairchild is under no illusions about her charms. Painfully plain, she is a soldier's daughter who has spent her life being useful, not learning the treacherous ways of the ton. She may have been caught in a scandal with society's favorite rogue, but how can she marry him when it means losing herself?
WHILE SHE HIDES HER TRUE SELF . . .
Diccan Hilliard doesn't know which of his enemies drugged him and dumped him in Grace's bed, but he does know the outcome. He and Grace must marry. To his surprise, a wild, heady passion flares between them. Yet Diccan is trapped in a deadly game of intrigue Grace knows nothing about. Will his lies destroy Grace just as he realizes how desperately he needs her? And how can he hope for a future with her, when an old enemy has set his murderous sights on them both?
Miss Grace Fairchild is under no illusions about her charms. Painfully plain, she is a soldier's daughter who has spent her life being useful, not learning the treacherous ways of the ton. She may have been caught in a scandal with society's favorite rogue, but how can she marry him when it means losing herself?
WHILE SHE HIDES HER TRUE SELF . . .
Diccan Hilliard doesn't know which of his enemies drugged him and dumped him in Grace's bed, but he does know the outcome. He and Grace must marry. To his surprise, a wild, heady passion flares between them. Yet Diccan is trapped in a deadly game of intrigue Grace knows nothing about. Will his lies destroy Grace just as he realizes how desperately he needs her? And how can he hope for a future with her, when an old enemy has set his murderous sights on them both?
433 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published April 1, 2011
72 people are currently reading
2759 people want to read
About the author
Eileen Dreyer
74 books768 followersNew York Times bestselling, award-winning author Eileen Dreyer, known as Kathleen Korbel to her Silhouette readers, has published 28 romance novels, 8 medico-forensic suspenses, and 7 short stories.
2012 sees Eileen enjoying critical acclaim for her first foray into historical romance, the Drake's Rakes series, which follow the lives of a group of British aristocrats who are willing to sacrifice everything to keep their country safe. After publication of the first trilogy in the series, she has just signed for the next trilogy, following the graduates of the aptly named Last Chance Academy, who each finds herself crossing swords with Drake's Rakes. Eileen spent time not only in England and Italy, but India to research the series (it's a filthy job, but somebody has to do it).
A retired trauma nurse, Eileen lives in her native St. Louis with her husband, children, and large and noisy Irish family, of which she is the reluctant matriarch. She has animals but refuses to subject them to the limelight.
Dreyer won her first publishing award in 1987, being named the best new Contemporary Romance Author by RT Bookclub. Since that time she has also garnered not only five other writing awards from RT, but five RITA Awards from Romance Writers of America, which secures her only the fourth place in the Romance Writers of America prestigious Hall of Fame. Since extending her reach to suspense, she has also garnered a coveted Anthony Award nomination.
A frequent speaker at conferences, she maintains membership in Romance Writers of America, Sisters in Crime, Mystery Writers of America, and, just in case things go wrong, Emergency Nurses Association and International Association of Forensic Nurses.
Eileen is an addicted traveler, having sung in some of the best Irish pubs in the world, and admits she sees research as a handy way to salve her insatiable curiosity. She counts film producers, police detectives and Olympic athletes as some of her sources and friends. She's also trained in forensic nursing and death investigation, although she doesn't see herself actively working in the field, unless this writing thing doesn't pan out.
Get in touch: eileendreyer@eileendreyer.com
2012 sees Eileen enjoying critical acclaim for her first foray into historical romance, the Drake's Rakes series, which follow the lives of a group of British aristocrats who are willing to sacrifice everything to keep their country safe. After publication of the first trilogy in the series, she has just signed for the next trilogy, following the graduates of the aptly named Last Chance Academy, who each finds herself crossing swords with Drake's Rakes. Eileen spent time not only in England and Italy, but India to research the series (it's a filthy job, but somebody has to do it).
A retired trauma nurse, Eileen lives in her native St. Louis with her husband, children, and large and noisy Irish family, of which she is the reluctant matriarch. She has animals but refuses to subject them to the limelight.
Dreyer won her first publishing award in 1987, being named the best new Contemporary Romance Author by RT Bookclub. Since that time she has also garnered not only five other writing awards from RT, but five RITA Awards from Romance Writers of America, which secures her only the fourth place in the Romance Writers of America prestigious Hall of Fame. Since extending her reach to suspense, she has also garnered a coveted Anthony Award nomination.
A frequent speaker at conferences, she maintains membership in Romance Writers of America, Sisters in Crime, Mystery Writers of America, and, just in case things go wrong, Emergency Nurses Association and International Association of Forensic Nurses.
Eileen is an addicted traveler, having sung in some of the best Irish pubs in the world, and admits she sees research as a handy way to salve her insatiable curiosity. She counts film producers, police detectives and Olympic athletes as some of her sources and friends. She's also trained in forensic nursing and death investigation, although she doesn't see herself actively working in the field, unless this writing thing doesn't pan out.
Get in touch: eileendreyer@eileendreyer.com
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April 9, 2012
So the author woke up one morning and realized she missed good old bodice rippers.
Instead of going to the library and satisfying her need with a good oldie she decided to introduce the new generations to old school plots with cheating,spays and a lovable but tough hero that is stuck with a plain Jane.
And oh joy! When she finished, us devoted fans had the charming experience of reading this peace of sh...shoes!
Look, we got a heroine! Ain't she cute? A ditzy heroine. Wait...how is she ditzy if we are told in the summary that she is a tough little army daughter?
Well her spine is just an illusion! She kind of wants her cheating but very handsome husband at any cost! Even by the cost of her pride. And integrity. And you know, life, friends or anything. Because he is handsome.
The heroine just mops all over the book and the reader about how -oh! He is so cruel but she loves him! (Why? He acts like a jerk and he cheats on her?! Did you have a lobotomy,woman?)
But she will not blame him. How could the hero love someone like her? She is plain. Horsefaced. And plain. And horsefaced. And plain. And horsefaced. And plain. And horsefaced. And plain. And horsefaced. But mostly she is plain and horsefaced.
After reading it many more times then repeated here I wanted to go out on the street laughing hysterically and telling people they are plainplainPLAIN!!! Like its a f....ing crime.
But the hero does care. He only has sex with other women because he wants to you know,protect her from the web of spies that surround him! Buahahaha! Those villains!
(Darling,I just tripped and my penis fell in to her vagina! Honest!)
But it all works nicely and the cheating is forgotten ,the hero and heroine in love, the main evil person discovered! Tada-da-duuum.
Why does the hero love her?
When did he fall in love?
(While she was plain or horsefaced? Maybe after tripping over his shoes and planting his penis in to an ex mistress?)
Not that it matters. This is a love story!
(Love? Where? Where? Did I miss it?)
So....why did I read this again? :confused face:
I know!
Uh....yeah. Sure I know.
I just don't want to tell you.
It's my secret.
(Doesn't my explanation sound as passable as the spying on his ex mistress?)
So,a plot. Where did it get lost while the author was writing this book?
Instead of going to the library and satisfying her need with a good oldie she decided to introduce the new generations to old school plots with cheating,spays and a lovable but tough hero that is stuck with a plain Jane.
And oh joy! When she finished, us devoted fans had the charming experience of reading this peace of sh...shoes!
Look, we got a heroine! Ain't she cute? A ditzy heroine. Wait...how is she ditzy if we are told in the summary that she is a tough little army daughter?
Well her spine is just an illusion! She kind of wants her cheating but very handsome husband at any cost! Even by the cost of her pride. And integrity. And you know, life, friends or anything. Because he is handsome.
The heroine just mops all over the book and the reader about how -oh! He is so cruel but she loves him! (Why? He acts like a jerk and he cheats on her?! Did you have a lobotomy,woman?)
But she will not blame him. How could the hero love someone like her? She is plain. Horsefaced. And plain. And horsefaced. And plain. And horsefaced. And plain. And horsefaced. And plain. And horsefaced. But mostly she is plain and horsefaced.
After reading it many more times then repeated here I wanted to go out on the street laughing hysterically and telling people they are plainplainPLAIN!!! Like its a f....ing crime.
But the hero does care. He only has sex with other women because he wants to you know,protect her from the web of spies that surround him! Buahahaha! Those villains!
(Darling,I just tripped and my penis fell in to her vagina! Honest!)
But it all works nicely and the cheating is forgotten ,the hero and heroine in love, the main evil person discovered! Tada-da-duuum.
Why does the hero love her?
When did he fall in love?
(While she was plain or horsefaced? Maybe after tripping over his shoes and planting his penis in to an ex mistress?)
Not that it matters. This is a love story!
(Love? Where? Where? Did I miss it?)
So....why did I read this again? :confused face:
I know!
Uh....yeah. Sure I know.
I just don't want to tell you.
It's my secret.
(Doesn't my explanation sound as passable as the spying on his ex mistress?)
So,a plot. Where did it get lost while the author was writing this book?
April 17, 2011
5 stars – Historical/Regency Romance
I’ve pondered my thoughts on this for a couple of days because my reactions to it were so strong that I’m still struggling to adequately express my feelings into a review. Not since Charlotte Featherstone’s Addicted and Sinful have I been so emotionally raw while/after reading a historical romance, and this definitely reminded me a little of those, at least in terms of evoking such powerful, conflicting responses.
It’s an unapologetically honest, emotionally devastating, lushly sensual, intense, heartbreaking, explosively passionate, and eloquently written Regency romance that challenged, slayed, and moved me, often all at the same time. There were moments that twisted my guts like a pretzel and had me shedding tears of anguish in sympathy with the heroine’s torment.
Without giving away too much of a spoiler, At times I wanted Grace to go all Stephen King Carrie on Diccan, the ton, and everyone else who had misjudged and mistreated her in life. But on the other hand, I often felt extreme frustration with Grace’s lowly opinion of herself and that she tolerated and perpetuated such abusive, cruel treatment and disdain from others. It’s not an easy read by any means, and there are facets that are very hard to digest, accept, and forgive, but I think the brutal honesty and realism is partly what makes this such an evocative, unforgettable read.
There are endless “marriage of convenience” stories and so often the road to love is, however romantic, much too idealistic, brief, and easy. Never a Gentleman is a much more candid depiction of how it would truly be for a notorious, attractive rake and spy who doesn’t desire marriage to find himself begrudgingly wedded to a plain, ungainly, physically disabled spinster. Although Diccan admires Grace, he still feels resentment for being forced by circumstances out of their control into a situation that interfered with his plans, risked his career, and stole his bachelor’s freedom. And bearing witness to Grace’s unremitting disappointments, unfulfilled desires, pain, and shame was so excruciatingly heartbreaking that there were moments when I had actual physical reactions as if I was suffering right along with her...with scalding hot tears running down my face, gut tightening, and heart racing and twisting in my chest.
Eileen Dreyer is a very talented author, and the crucial insight she gives into Diccan’s motives, reactions, and agonizing internal conflict is what kept me from outright throwing the book across the room on several occasions. And perhaps an even more astounding credit to the author is that I ultimately, reluctantly forgave and became slightly enamored of Diccan, which is no small feat, considering the utter hell he put Grace and me through. And the HEA was all the more satisfying and moving because it was hard-fought, beautiful, and genuine.
Never a Gentleman is a remarkable, poignant, and profound romance with intrigue and angst galore that really put me through the emotional cheese grater and necessitated wearing my big girl panties, but it’s also one that I won’t soon forget. Big 5 stars!
I’ve pondered my thoughts on this for a couple of days because my reactions to it were so strong that I’m still struggling to adequately express my feelings into a review. Not since Charlotte Featherstone’s Addicted and Sinful have I been so emotionally raw while/after reading a historical romance, and this definitely reminded me a little of those, at least in terms of evoking such powerful, conflicting responses.
It’s an unapologetically honest, emotionally devastating, lushly sensual, intense, heartbreaking, explosively passionate, and eloquently written Regency romance that challenged, slayed, and moved me, often all at the same time. There were moments that twisted my guts like a pretzel and had me shedding tears of anguish in sympathy with the heroine’s torment.
Without giving away too much of a spoiler, At times I wanted Grace to go all Stephen King Carrie on Diccan, the ton, and everyone else who had misjudged and mistreated her in life. But on the other hand, I often felt extreme frustration with Grace’s lowly opinion of herself and that she tolerated and perpetuated such abusive, cruel treatment and disdain from others. It’s not an easy read by any means, and there are facets that are very hard to digest, accept, and forgive, but I think the brutal honesty and realism is partly what makes this such an evocative, unforgettable read.
There are endless “marriage of convenience” stories and so often the road to love is, however romantic, much too idealistic, brief, and easy. Never a Gentleman is a much more candid depiction of how it would truly be for a notorious, attractive rake and spy who doesn’t desire marriage to find himself begrudgingly wedded to a plain, ungainly, physically disabled spinster. Although Diccan admires Grace, he still feels resentment for being forced by circumstances out of their control into a situation that interfered with his plans, risked his career, and stole his bachelor’s freedom. And bearing witness to Grace’s unremitting disappointments, unfulfilled desires, pain, and shame was so excruciatingly heartbreaking that there were moments when I had actual physical reactions as if I was suffering right along with her...with scalding hot tears running down my face, gut tightening, and heart racing and twisting in my chest.
Eileen Dreyer is a very talented author, and the crucial insight she gives into Diccan’s motives, reactions, and agonizing internal conflict is what kept me from outright throwing the book across the room on several occasions. And perhaps an even more astounding credit to the author is that I ultimately, reluctantly forgave and became slightly enamored of Diccan, which is no small feat, considering the utter hell he put Grace and me through. And the HEA was all the more satisfying and moving because it was hard-fought, beautiful, and genuine.
Never a Gentleman is a remarkable, poignant, and profound romance with intrigue and angst galore that really put me through the emotional cheese grater and necessitated wearing my big girl panties, but it’s also one that I won’t soon forget. Big 5 stars!
March 30, 2011
Page 242*… It’ll be a scene that I’ll always think of first when this book comes to mind. It’s the scene where any hope of a real relationship burned to cinder in my eyes and my stomach dropped through the floor. Not cool. Not cool at all.
What’s so bad about this scene is how much it blindsided me. I just did not see it coming. On page 231* I started to get a bad feeling, but before that? No. I knew that the intrigue had changed because a new character had come to town, but I still (naively) thought it was all an act. I mean, this is a Romance with a capital “R!” That’s what I get for making assumptions, eh? My heart ripped out of my chest and a sick feeling in my stomach.
I suppose it wouldn’t have been so bad if the author didn’t write so well. But she does, and I couldn’t help it, I was sucked in. I cared about these characters and was really looking forward to seeing it all work out. The author totally blew me away with her story and her characters in the first half. I don’t know why, but I wasn’t expecting the depth and complexity of character that I was presented here. It was a very welcome discovery.
Grace was a fabulous character. Her life and her fears and her strength were stunningly portrayed and I could feel her pain bleed through the pages in her moments of despair before she rebuilt herself into the perfect wife. The very fact that she never complained and never asked for sympathy made it impossible not to feel for her. She had no illusions about her looks or her attraction to the other sex so she never had the self confidence to demand more. More affection. More time. More respect. At times it was frustrating that she wouldn’t show more than just her shell and wouldn’t demand to be treated well, but I was willing to be patient because it was so understandable.
I really enjoyed the way this book began. It felt like it was two real people in a real situation. Diccan liked Grace, but he wasn’t attracted to her in the slightest. He was actually pretty horrified when he thought about their future together. That didn’t magically change. They had to make the effort to get to know one another. Slowly Diccan became attracted to her and actually enjoyed spending time with her.
The writing and depth of character reminded me of Meredith Duran—who I love—so I was pretty excited to see them resolve their differences. It was a bumpy road in the beginning, and they didn’t change their ways easily, but it wasn’t so bumpy that I doubted that things would work out between them. Due to circumstances Diccan couldn’t be open with Grace and couldn’t spend as much time with her as I was hoping he would, but when they were together I loved watching them slowly inch toward being a real, caring couple.
And then came page 242*.
That was the moment that the death knell sounded on my belief in their relationship. It was over for me. Even more than I do not like to read about cheating in the past in a Romance, I loathe reading about in graphic detail in the moment. That is not something that I can accept in a relationship, so all believability went out the window for me. I felt…depressed and sad and really, really, really angry. I suppose that’s a sign that the author did a good job sucking me in, but right about now I’m wishing she hadn’t. Especially since the cheating didn’t stop when she found out. It continued on well after that even though she knew about it and he knew she knew.
I ended up losing all respect for her character and it makes me sad. She was so strong and so likable that it was depressing to see her disregard Diccan’s cheating and disrespect and sleep with him with nary a protest, even after he told her that the home that she treasured wasn’t hers anymore, it was his. I pitied her and thought she was pathetic. Her actions twisted my original admiration of her until I almost hated her for being so weak.
Maybe I could have given this a higher grade if the end had at least tried to make up for what Grace went through. But it didn’t. Grace continued being weak and forgave him in no time at all. It was all just too easy and it made me mad.
I don’t think this book will bother everyone. I actually think it will garner quite a few fans, because from page 242* on the resemblance to Meredith Duran ceased and the resemblance to Sherry Thomas took its place. And there are quite a lot of Thomas fans out there, full of people who love “edgier” books. After reading some spoilers about the first book in this series, Barely a Lady, I have the feeling that Dreyer is doomed to be just like Sherry Thomas for me. Someone whose writing I love, but whose storylines I hate.
*It was that page number in the ARC.
Favorite Quote:
Review originally posted on Fiction Vixen.
What’s so bad about this scene is how much it blindsided me. I just did not see it coming. On page 231* I started to get a bad feeling, but before that? No. I knew that the intrigue had changed because a new character had come to town, but I still (naively) thought it was all an act. I mean, this is a Romance with a capital “R!” That’s what I get for making assumptions, eh? My heart ripped out of my chest and a sick feeling in my stomach.
I suppose it wouldn’t have been so bad if the author didn’t write so well. But she does, and I couldn’t help it, I was sucked in. I cared about these characters and was really looking forward to seeing it all work out. The author totally blew me away with her story and her characters in the first half. I don’t know why, but I wasn’t expecting the depth and complexity of character that I was presented here. It was a very welcome discovery.
Grace was a fabulous character. Her life and her fears and her strength were stunningly portrayed and I could feel her pain bleed through the pages in her moments of despair before she rebuilt herself into the perfect wife. The very fact that she never complained and never asked for sympathy made it impossible not to feel for her. She had no illusions about her looks or her attraction to the other sex so she never had the self confidence to demand more. More affection. More time. More respect. At times it was frustrating that she wouldn’t show more than just her shell and wouldn’t demand to be treated well, but I was willing to be patient because it was so understandable.
I really enjoyed the way this book began. It felt like it was two real people in a real situation. Diccan liked Grace, but he wasn’t attracted to her in the slightest. He was actually pretty horrified when he thought about their future together. That didn’t magically change. They had to make the effort to get to know one another. Slowly Diccan became attracted to her and actually enjoyed spending time with her.
The writing and depth of character reminded me of Meredith Duran—who I love—so I was pretty excited to see them resolve their differences. It was a bumpy road in the beginning, and they didn’t change their ways easily, but it wasn’t so bumpy that I doubted that things would work out between them. Due to circumstances Diccan couldn’t be open with Grace and couldn’t spend as much time with her as I was hoping he would, but when they were together I loved watching them slowly inch toward being a real, caring couple.
And then came page 242*.
That was the moment that the death knell sounded on my belief in their relationship. It was over for me. Even more than I do not like to read about cheating in the past in a Romance, I loathe reading about in graphic detail in the moment. That is not something that I can accept in a relationship, so all believability went out the window for me. I felt…depressed and sad and really, really, really angry. I suppose that’s a sign that the author did a good job sucking me in, but right about now I’m wishing she hadn’t. Especially since the cheating didn’t stop when she found out. It continued on well after that even though she knew about it and he knew she knew.
I ended up losing all respect for her character and it makes me sad. She was so strong and so likable that it was depressing to see her disregard Diccan’s cheating and disrespect and sleep with him with nary a protest, even after he told her that the home that she treasured wasn’t hers anymore, it was his. I pitied her and thought she was pathetic. Her actions twisted my original admiration of her until I almost hated her for being so weak.
Maybe I could have given this a higher grade if the end had at least tried to make up for what Grace went through. But it didn’t. Grace continued being weak and forgave him in no time at all. It was all just too easy and it made me mad.
I don’t think this book will bother everyone. I actually think it will garner quite a few fans, because from page 242* on the resemblance to Meredith Duran ceased and the resemblance to Sherry Thomas took its place. And there are quite a lot of Thomas fans out there, full of people who love “edgier” books. After reading some spoilers about the first book in this series, Barely a Lady, I have the feeling that Dreyer is doomed to be just like Sherry Thomas for me. Someone whose writing I love, but whose storylines I hate.
*It was that page number in the ARC.
Favorite Quote:
She found herself standing before the mirror above the little vanity staring at the ghost-pale woman who stared back and wondering whether she would ever find her way past what she was. A plain woman. A useful woman. A competent nurse and loyal friend. A woman who hungered for intensity and settled for silence.
Review originally posted on Fiction Vixen.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 6, 2014
Beware of the spoilers below, because I care so little about this story that I won't spend time skirting around the issue.
Dear HR Authors,
If you want to write a long-suffering martyr as your heroine, have at it. Torment that snowflake like you've never tormented before. But for the love of god, at least make the bitch interesting.
Yes, I get it. Grace is ugly. Her hair is colorless yet still vaguely red, she has a horse face, and her husband thinks she's unfortunately plain. On top of all that, though, SHE LURCHES.
Because that's necessary, apparently?
Grace's loins catch fire for the hero, Diccan, even though he treats her like shit and can't tell a real fire-crotch from a fake one.
They circle around each other like dumb animals. Diccan fucks her once and then never touches her again because he's deep undercover with a group of bad guys to save England or whatever. He can't tell Grace about this, of course.
And Diccan and his buddies are trying to figure out if a secret society bent on world domination is going to assassinate Wellington, because why NOT bring a real life hero into this clusterfuck?
But that's a red herring, I think, and the real nemesis turns out to be some chick who's been fucking just about all of Drake's Rakes. OK, just two so far, but the lady gets around. And of course, just in case Grace wasn't suffering enough, she ends up watching Diccan fuck the daylights out of the nefarious mistress. Fucks her for England, just like all the guys say. :P NATURALLY, SHE GETS TURNED ON BY IT.
I can't even think of a reason why these two assholes fall in love, to be honest. Grace is boring, and Diccan's a self-sabotaging, wangsty piece of shit. Cry me a river, woobies. All he has to do is TELL Grace what he's up to, and being the daughter of a committed military man, she would understand. Then he could hide her away until life is safe again, everyone could pretend she's the fugly wife he hid away for his own sanity and reputation, and this book wouldn't be a thing.
But that would be too fucking easy.
Diccan eventually has sex with Grace again because he just can't resist the lust any longer. Then Grace figures out that she's pregnant. Oh, joy! I'm sure these kids will have a totes normal and well-adjusted baby. Brilliant.
Oh, right, but this is Grace, so the fetus in her belly REALLY equals so much fucking poison, and she almost dies.
Shortly thereafter, Diccan and a bad guy (but not the elusive mistress) tumble out a window, and the bad guy dies. Diccan comes clean to Grace, and they're mutually in love, but then it turns out that they were never really married.
Which, like, holy fucking WASTE OF MY TIME. So Grace goes away because she thinks Diccan doesn't want to be strapped with an ugly wife, and Diccan lets her go because he feels guilty for being an atrociously bad husband.
However, they quickly reconcile, and Diccan finally realizes that Grace is a natural redhead, which turns him on more than all the nefarious mistresses in the world. Grace reveals that she's been dying her hair the color of NOTHING (apparently) because some vicar once told her it was the devil's color. And you know what? It doesn't even matter.
I'm just glad it's over.
For a better review, check out the one by Karla, who shouldered the burden of this tragic disappointment with me.
Chomp, Chomp!
-BAVR
Dear HR Authors,
If you want to write a long-suffering martyr as your heroine, have at it. Torment that snowflake like you've never tormented before. But for the love of god, at least make the bitch interesting.
Yes, I get it. Grace is ugly. Her hair is colorless yet still vaguely red, she has a horse face, and her husband thinks she's unfortunately plain. On top of all that, though, SHE LURCHES.
Because that's necessary, apparently?
Grace's loins catch fire for the hero, Diccan, even though he treats her like shit and can't tell a real fire-crotch from a fake one.
They circle around each other like dumb animals. Diccan fucks her once and then never touches her again because he's deep undercover with a group of bad guys to save England or whatever. He can't tell Grace about this, of course.
And Diccan and his buddies are trying to figure out if a secret society bent on world domination is going to assassinate Wellington, because why NOT bring a real life hero into this clusterfuck?
But that's a red herring, I think, and the real nemesis turns out to be some chick who's been fucking just about all of Drake's Rakes. OK, just two so far, but the lady gets around. And of course, just in case Grace wasn't suffering enough, she ends up watching Diccan fuck the daylights out of the nefarious mistress. Fucks her for England, just like all the guys say. :P NATURALLY, SHE GETS TURNED ON BY IT.
I can't even think of a reason why these two assholes fall in love, to be honest. Grace is boring, and Diccan's a self-sabotaging, wangsty piece of shit. Cry me a river, woobies. All he has to do is TELL Grace what he's up to, and being the daughter of a committed military man, she would understand. Then he could hide her away until life is safe again, everyone could pretend she's the fugly wife he hid away for his own sanity and reputation, and this book wouldn't be a thing.
But that would be too fucking easy.
Diccan eventually has sex with Grace again because he just can't resist the lust any longer. Then Grace figures out that she's pregnant. Oh, joy! I'm sure these kids will have a totes normal and well-adjusted baby. Brilliant.
Oh, right, but this is Grace, so the fetus in her belly REALLY equals so much fucking poison, and she almost dies.
Shortly thereafter, Diccan and a bad guy (but not the elusive mistress) tumble out a window, and the bad guy dies. Diccan comes clean to Grace, and they're mutually in love, but then it turns out that they were never really married.
Which, like, holy fucking WASTE OF MY TIME. So Grace goes away because she thinks Diccan doesn't want to be strapped with an ugly wife, and Diccan lets her go because he feels guilty for being an atrociously bad husband.
However, they quickly reconcile, and Diccan finally realizes that Grace is a natural redhead, which turns him on more than all the nefarious mistresses in the world. Grace reveals that she's been dying her hair the color of NOTHING (apparently) because some vicar once told her it was the devil's color. And you know what? It doesn't even matter.
I'm just glad it's over.
For a better review, check out the one by Karla, who shouldered the burden of this tragic disappointment with me.
Chomp, Chomp!
-BAVR
do-not-read
December 20, 2015Not only does the H cheat on the h (multiple times), but she also watches him have sex with another woman (the scene is played out for the reader in its entirety). Not only that, but while he's having sex with this other woman, he makes fun of the h's physical disability and has a good laugh with this OW. Later on, when the H confronts the h about having seen him, she asks him to do to her exactly what he did to his mistress (because she was super turned on, of course, instead of being repulsed and telling him to go diaf).
August 30, 2024
How to take a potential 5* book down to ludicrousness?
How to destroy the dignity and essence of an innocent and decent person - the h?
Read on.
I was so eager to get to book #2 as Grace completely captivated me in the first book. She is described as the plain amazon/Boadicea with a limp but has a quiet strength and fortitude that sets her apart. But my expectations were dashed quite cruelly. The first third is so promising that the later desecration of the book and the characters almost made me weep.
The problem with this author’s Hs (from this series at least) is that despite all the tears and misery, their grovel and sincerity seem doubtful. He seems too confident that she’ll take him back despite the fake(to me) diffidence he shows.
But can we blame him? She needs to respect herself more. She has such low self respect that no insult/humiliation is 'Enough!' for her.
Sad - as I saw her as my dream h.
How to destroy the dignity and essence of an innocent and decent person - the h?
Read on.
I was so eager to get to book #2 as Grace completely captivated me in the first book. She is described as the plain amazon/Boadicea with a limp but has a quiet strength and fortitude that sets her apart. But my expectations were dashed quite cruelly. The first third is so promising that the later desecration of the book and the characters almost made me weep.
The problem with this author’s Hs (from this series at least) is that despite all the tears and misery, their grovel and sincerity seem doubtful. He seems too confident that she’ll take him back despite the fake(to me) diffidence he shows.
But can we blame him? She needs to respect herself more. She has such low self respect that no insult/humiliation is 'Enough!' for her.
Sad - as I saw her as my dream h.
April 11, 2011
Eileen Dreyer is nostalgic for the 80s. Never a Gentleman channels the bodice-ripper romantic interest who heaps endless cruelty on an angelic, long-suffering heroine. Myself, I dislike Man as villain, Woman as martyr. I don't resent men or a man; I'm not an unappreciated wife. So I resent Dreyer's thoroughly Victorian suggestion that women-as-angels will always endure "base," hurtful men.
I disagree on all counts. Marriage isn't "to be borne"; women are not angels -a disservice to women vilified for disappointing unrealistic expectations and ultimately a denial of women's needs; and finally, men aren't any more "base" than women.
At least Dreyer's heroine Grace Fairchild isn't purely that Victorian creature: she is not asexual. Her normal awareness of her body was refreshing. No fountains here, just some uncomfortable squirming in a carriage. (A+ love scenes. No purple prose, a little edgy.)
All the same, Never a Gentleman, or How to Break a Woman Down 101 was depressing. Diccan Hilliard inflicts every abuse, except physical, on Grace. He cheats, but that's least in my eyes next to his deliberate (in fact, he thinks beforehand, "I have to hurt her again") withholding, belittlement or confiscation of anything important to Grace or her identity.
Diccan regrets this, but duty to country compels him to play douchebag in the sight of spies who will kill whomever he loves. Between public humiliations and abuses, he throws her small kindnesses that get her hopes up -and seeds love- only to HULKSMASH them again immediately.
In short, beloved-husband-as-tormentor's a poor choice. Big surprise.
Neither did the mediocre prose save Gentleman, even though we enjoy some insightful characterization and internal dialogue.
Too bad. If I wasn't sure of a repeat of abuse from the next book's love interest, I'd read Always a Temptress . I'm sure, however, that some external conflict will compel Harry Lidge to dredge up all of Kate's insecurities, secret dreams and that beloved photo album of her blind, cancer-ridden great-granny she's been hiding to belittle them for country, of course! He couldn't interrogate her any other way or in any lesser degree. Only personalized cruelty will do!
I disagree on all counts. Marriage isn't "to be borne"; women are not angels -a disservice to women vilified for disappointing unrealistic expectations and ultimately a denial of women's needs; and finally, men aren't any more "base" than women.
At least Dreyer's heroine Grace Fairchild isn't purely that Victorian creature: she is not asexual. Her normal awareness of her body was refreshing. No fountains here, just some uncomfortable squirming in a carriage. (A+ love scenes. No purple prose, a little edgy.)
All the same, Never a Gentleman, or How to Break a Woman Down 101 was depressing. Diccan Hilliard inflicts every abuse, except physical, on Grace. He cheats, but that's least in my eyes next to his deliberate (in fact, he thinks beforehand, "I have to hurt her again") withholding, belittlement or confiscation of anything important to Grace or her identity.
Diccan regrets this, but duty to country compels him to play douchebag in the sight of spies who will kill whomever he loves. Between public humiliations and abuses, he throws her small kindnesses that get her hopes up -and seeds love- only to HULKSMASH them again immediately.
"She might have withstood it better if she hadn't felt so blindsided. After all, she had just had the best two weeks of her life... She had thought he shared her hope for the future."Grace even stops eating and endangers her unborn child at one point in bodice-ripper fashion. No soap opera shoutfests though. This was more quiet, suburban psychological torture.
In short, beloved-husband-as-tormentor's a poor choice. Big surprise.
Neither did the mediocre prose save Gentleman, even though we enjoy some insightful characterization and internal dialogue.
Too bad. If I wasn't sure of a repeat of abuse from the next book's love interest, I'd read Always a Temptress . I'm sure, however, that some external conflict will compel Harry Lidge to dredge up all of Kate's insecurities, secret dreams and that beloved photo album of her blind, cancer-ridden great-granny she's been hiding to belittle them for country, of course! He couldn't interrogate her any other way or in any lesser degree. Only personalized cruelty will do!
July 12, 2020
3.5 stars
I am in the minority - I liked it. The H is a picture of sartorial perfection and the h is very plain and almost emphasizes it because of growing up following the drum - her father is a legendary war hero and her mother left when she was 7. Growing up in the middle of army men, the h is unconventional, a caring and wonderful person, with talents not learned in a ballroom.
In this book, the h suffers emotionally - I almost cried a couple of times. That is how well the author wrote about the h, her circumstances, etc. I actually felt her pain. Yes, the H did not deserve her. But, the scenes in which the H thinks she may die, I do know that he was not shallow in his feelings. It did take him a while though.
So far, in most of Dreyer's Drake's Rakes series, the H's are spies and their duty to country reminds me in some ways to Red Sparrow. They will use any means, even if they find it pleasurable (sarcasm), to uncover secrets for their government
The angst is good. My one beef (and why I deducted stars) is that the H's (while enduring emotional suffering) do not grovel or grovel enough in comparison to the h's suffering. I said this in my review of book 1 and I repeat it here.
While reading this one, it kept reminding me of another book I have re-read many times (and also in the minority about liking it.) Finally, I figured it out. An Arranged Marriage While not exactly the same, it is similar.
I have the next 2 books in the series and marked them next up. Book 3 h has been in both books 1 and 2. Can't wait.
I am in the minority - I liked it. The H is a picture of sartorial perfection and the h is very plain and almost emphasizes it because of growing up following the drum - her father is a legendary war hero and her mother left when she was 7. Growing up in the middle of army men, the h is unconventional, a caring and wonderful person, with talents not learned in a ballroom.
In this book, the h suffers emotionally - I almost cried a couple of times. That is how well the author wrote about the h, her circumstances, etc. I actually felt her pain. Yes, the H did not deserve her. But, the scenes in which the H thinks she may die, I do know that he was not shallow in his feelings. It did take him a while though.
So far, in most of Dreyer's Drake's Rakes series, the H's are spies and their duty to country reminds me in some ways to Red Sparrow. They will use any means, even if they find it pleasurable (sarcasm), to uncover secrets for their government
The angst is good. My one beef (and why I deducted stars) is that the H's (while enduring emotional suffering) do not grovel or grovel enough in comparison to the h's suffering. I said this in my review of book 1 and I repeat it here.
While reading this one, it kept reminding me of another book I have re-read many times (and also in the minority about liking it.) Finally, I figured it out. An Arranged Marriage While not exactly the same, it is similar.
I have the next 2 books in the series and marked them next up. Book 3 h has been in both books 1 and 2. Can't wait.
April 8, 2011
I went from being so excited that the next book in this series was out (I thoroughly enjoyed Barely a Lady) to being very nervous when I saw so many negative reviews. Plus, I read some of the spoilers (I just can't help myself) and knew about "the scene." I don't typically approve of what happens in "the scene" either, but I have to say I disagree with those negative reviews. I do agree with those that say it was awful; it was and my heart bled/ached for Grace (and I wanted to do some serious bodily harm to Diccan). However, it didn't stop me from loving this book, which for me is due to Eileen Dreyer being an excellent writer. I don't tend to be a black & white person - I do believe there can be gray areas in life and what Diccan did fell into a gray area (sorry, no tomatoes please!). I really felt Diccan had his reasons for doing what he did and they were sufficiently explained. I don't want to give too much away, but I did feel his torment when his viewpoints were given (which thank goodness we were given his POV in this book otherwise, I would have hated him). Diccan was torn from what started out as his obligation to Grace, but which quickly turned to respect, admiration and finally love. When Grace falls ill, his reaction was priceless in my opinion.
Anyways, hopefully I haven't given away too much. If you are considering reading this book please be forewarned this is not a feel good romance. It's angsty, edgy and full of torment. It also features a wallflower heroine who has been made to expect nothing from life but spinsterhood. She has no hope for anything more and the one time she does hope, she's severely letdown.
I absolutely loved it! I love it when characters like the heroine get their HEA - it just seems so much more deserved. Can not wait for Kate's story next!!
Anyways, hopefully I haven't given away too much. If you are considering reading this book please be forewarned this is not a feel good romance. It's angsty, edgy and full of torment. It also features a wallflower heroine who has been made to expect nothing from life but spinsterhood. She has no hope for anything more and the one time she does hope, she's severely letdown.
I absolutely loved it! I love it when characters like the heroine get their HEA - it just seems so much more deserved. Can not wait for Kate's story next!!
August 11, 2017
One of the worst cheating hero books and a doormat female lead!
March 22, 2011
I received this book for free through Goodreads.
I wanted to like this book. It had potential. What made me dislike it? The constant reminder that Grace was ugly. I have read many a romance novel where the heroine was a plain wallflower. Usually she blossoms into something more. I kept waiting for that moment when we would see that her inner beauty had finally shone through. It never really happened for me. I mean, people felt sorry for the man because his wife was so ugly. Even in the end when Diccan was supposedly bursting with prde for her on his wedding day. He still thinks of her as having a plain and ugly face.
Also, I agree with everyone else. Diccan was a cheating piece of scum. Not only that, but Grace watched him in the act! Am I suppose to believe that a strong independent solider's daughter would just stand and watch her husband cheat on her. And she did nothing. We kept getting told how ugly the poor girl was. Then, we also have to try and like her when she turns out to be a pathetic push over.
Hero, fail.
Heroine, fail.
I wanted to like this book. It had potential. What made me dislike it? The constant reminder that Grace was ugly. I have read many a romance novel where the heroine was a plain wallflower. Usually she blossoms into something more. I kept waiting for that moment when we would see that her inner beauty had finally shone through. It never really happened for me. I mean, people felt sorry for the man because his wife was so ugly. Even in the end when Diccan was supposedly bursting with prde for her on his wedding day. He still thinks of her as having a plain and ugly face.
Also, I agree with everyone else. Diccan was a cheating piece of scum. Not only that, but Grace watched him in the act! Am I suppose to believe that a strong independent solider's daughter would just stand and watch her husband cheat on her. And she did nothing. We kept getting told how ugly the poor girl was. Then, we also have to try and like her when she turns out to be a pathetic push over.
Hero, fail.
Heroine, fail.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 7, 2013
This book doesn't belong in a romance category. I read 56% of the book and I finally had it. To begin with, I felt like I was re-reading The Arranged Marriage by Jo Beverly published in 1991. Both books are absolutely terrible.
I will never read another book by this author.
I will never read another book by this author.
May 18, 2011
THIS BOOK PISSED ME OFF! Then it made me smile, then it pissed me off so bad I wanted to rip someones head off, and then I smiled again and then I cried. I had so many different emotions that I gave it 5 stars.
This was my first read of Eileen Dreyer. It want be my last. The heroine was "the bomb".
This was my first read of Eileen Dreyer. It want be my last. The heroine was "the bomb".
March 17, 2011
SPOILER ALERT!! I work at a bookstore and we received this book from the publisher to review. I am a huge fan of historical romance novels. So I picked it up; biggest mistake!! This book started out well. The author is very good. Her writing style is wonderful. But the characters sucked! I hated Diccan. He was an a$*hole! I felt sorry for Grace that she got stuck with him. There was no saving grace for Diccan ;) He cheats on her repeatedly and she's such an idiot that she still loves him. He never fully explains himself to her. She almost gets killed because of this guy and nothing happens to this undeserving bastard!! He still gets the girl in the end. UGH it would've been much better had he died, at least she would've had a chance to be with someone who would appreciate her.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 19, 2011
I hate that GR doesn't allow for half stars. This is a 4.5 for me, not 4 nor 5 either. Still, the ending was just my cuppa, emotional, angsty, heartwrenching and I liked the heroes, especially the heroine so much I decided to round it to 5 stars.
The hero is part of an English spy group, called Drake's Rakes. After a meeting with an informant and while on his way back to London to report, he's drugged along with the heroine and put in the same bed where they're soon discovered by a dozen ton members. So, a marriage of convenience is mandatory.
The hero, Diccan, is one of the most popular men of the ton; tall, handsome, stylish, suave, he's the man everyone tries to follow. The heroine Grace on the other hand, is 6 feet tall, thin and straight as a board, with a bad leg; she's considered the most 'unfortunate' spinster in England. So, a lot of eyes are on this wedding and all of them see it as a joke. No one is expecting Diccan to stay true to his wife and soon enough, Diccan proves them right.
There are many reviews out there for this one and I believe most if not all of them address the main issue of this book, so I guess it's not a spoiler anymore. However, since some people don't want to read any hint about the book's plot, I'm using the new spoiler brackets. So, if you already know what the big fuss is you may read on, since nothing else is revealed. If not, then this is the time to leave the boat!
I read in a review, that Grace was a weak heroine; I didn't see that. On the contrary, she's one of my favorite heroines ever. She knew what she wanted, how much of what she wanted could she get and set to get it, without whinning or wallowing. She knew when to step back and listen to the voice of reason and when not to. She knew her husband enough, even after he hurt her, to not believe everything she heard about him. She got in a marriage she didn't want to and tried to make the best of it without hysterics or temper tantrums as many romance heroines are prone to do. I loved her for that.
The one thing I didn't like was a couple of stupid plot turns/scenes. There really is no other word than 'stupid' to describe them. They made no sense, didn't fit with the heroes' personalities, and only served the plot's and author's convenience. I wish the author had found another way to handle those issues. And I have to say that if Marcus Drake, as head of Drake Rake's is set up for a next book, Ms Dreyer is doing a piss poor job of setting him up; he hasn't made ONE right decision in the whole book.
In the end though, I liked the author's writing style and the heroes too much to let these 'stupid' scenes destroy my appreciation of the story. I loved it and look forward to more books my Eileen Dreyer.
The hero is part of an English spy group, called Drake's Rakes. After a meeting with an informant and while on his way back to London to report, he's drugged along with the heroine and put in the same bed where they're soon discovered by a dozen ton members. So, a marriage of convenience is mandatory.
The hero, Diccan, is one of the most popular men of the ton; tall, handsome, stylish, suave, he's the man everyone tries to follow. The heroine Grace on the other hand, is 6 feet tall, thin and straight as a board, with a bad leg; she's considered the most 'unfortunate' spinster in England. So, a lot of eyes are on this wedding and all of them see it as a joke. No one is expecting Diccan to stay true to his wife and soon enough, Diccan proves them right.
There are many reviews out there for this one and I believe most if not all of them address the main issue of this book, so I guess it's not a spoiler anymore. However, since some people don't want to read any hint about the book's plot, I'm using the new spoiler brackets. So, if you already know what the big fuss is you may read on, since nothing else is revealed. If not, then this is the time to leave the boat!
I read in a review, that Grace was a weak heroine; I didn't see that. On the contrary, she's one of my favorite heroines ever. She knew what she wanted, how much of what she wanted could she get and set to get it, without whinning or wallowing. She knew when to step back and listen to the voice of reason and when not to. She knew her husband enough, even after he hurt her, to not believe everything she heard about him. She got in a marriage she didn't want to and tried to make the best of it without hysterics or temper tantrums as many romance heroines are prone to do. I loved her for that.
The one thing I didn't like was a couple of stupid plot turns/scenes. There really is no other word than 'stupid' to describe them. They made no sense, didn't fit with the heroes' personalities, and only served the plot's and author's convenience. I wish the author had found another way to handle those issues. And I have to say that if Marcus Drake, as head of Drake Rake's is set up for a next book, Ms Dreyer is doing a piss poor job of setting him up; he hasn't made ONE right decision in the whole book.
In the end though, I liked the author's writing style and the heroes too much to let these 'stupid' scenes destroy my appreciation of the story. I loved it and look forward to more books my Eileen Dreyer.
April 19, 2011
It really bothers me to give this book such a low rating, but this kind of book isn't my style. I've seen many fantastic reviews of this book, I think it's one of those books that you either absolutely love or hate. Possibly the problem for me was that it was packaged as a mainstream historical romance. When I pick up a book like this, I want to read about two characters who love and respect each other. I also don't want to worry about disturbing bedroom scenes. This book broke both of those rules.
Grace was such a sad character with no self esteem, and she didn't make progress towards building her self worth. I have no problems with characters who are at a bad place in their lives or who have low self esteem, but they gain more self worth as the story goes on. These stories are inspiring to me. But Grace was painful to read about. For instance, in one scene, all Diccan did was enter the room and look at her. The thoughts that went through her head were along the lines of 'why does he hate me?' 'I can tell he hates my dress' and 'He thinks I'm so ugly.' (these are not exact quotes, they are what I remember). She got all of this from one look. I would sure hate to live inside her mind. How she reacts to "the scene" only reinforces how little she loves herself, and I hate to see women having to read about this. As a woman, I want to read about women being strong, or learning to be strong, and not blindly 'putting up with' and embracing a man who treats them terribly.
I hate giving negative reviews, but that's how strongly I felt about this book. I have seen fantastic reviews of this, so I know some people are loving it, and I'm glad they are able to see it from a different place that I can. I just have a problem with the lack of love and respect that the characters have for each other and for themselves, as well as the poor attitude towards women.
book sent by publisher in exchange for an honest review
reviewed for http://inthehammockblog.blogspot.com
Grace was such a sad character with no self esteem, and she didn't make progress towards building her self worth. I have no problems with characters who are at a bad place in their lives or who have low self esteem, but they gain more self worth as the story goes on. These stories are inspiring to me. But Grace was painful to read about. For instance, in one scene, all Diccan did was enter the room and look at her. The thoughts that went through her head were along the lines of 'why does he hate me?' 'I can tell he hates my dress' and 'He thinks I'm so ugly.' (these are not exact quotes, they are what I remember). She got all of this from one look. I would sure hate to live inside her mind. How she reacts to "the scene" only reinforces how little she loves herself, and I hate to see women having to read about this. As a woman, I want to read about women being strong, or learning to be strong, and not blindly 'putting up with' and embracing a man who treats them terribly.
I hate giving negative reviews, but that's how strongly I felt about this book. I have seen fantastic reviews of this, so I know some people are loving it, and I'm glad they are able to see it from a different place that I can. I just have a problem with the lack of love and respect that the characters have for each other and for themselves, as well as the poor attitude towards women.
book sent by publisher in exchange for an honest review
reviewed for http://inthehammockblog.blogspot.com
April 10, 2014
B-L-O-O-D-Y BLOODY HELL!!!
I knew I shouldn't have read it, saw the reviews still I tried to read and now I wanna hit myself on the head again and again :(
I simply cannot bear cheating arrgghhh *pulling my hair out*
The guy is a scumbag, B/F a$$hole *punch him hard*
Why why whyyyy??? Somehow such plots and characters are written with such DEPTH that they leave me traumatized forever! AND why does the cheating part has to be done in such graphic detail and she was watching it ALL!!!
I still cannot forget that scene from Sherry Thomas's 'not quite a husband', also from 'The marriage bed' &'the elusive wife' and now this..IT FEELS SO REAL *SOBS*
She still forgives that douchebag and accepts his proposal..In the end when she was dressed in a red saree for her wedding made me visualize her as..
Well anyways,Eileen Dreyer does know how to write that's why it has such a profound effect!!
I knew I shouldn't have read it, saw the reviews still I tried to read and now I wanna hit myself on the head again and again :(
I simply cannot bear cheating arrgghhh *pulling my hair out*
The guy is a scumbag, B/F a$$hole *punch him hard*
Why why whyyyy??? Somehow such plots and characters are written with such DEPTH that they leave me traumatized forever! AND why does the cheating part has to be done in such graphic detail and she was watching it ALL!!!
I still cannot forget that scene from Sherry Thomas's 'not quite a husband', also from 'The marriage bed' &'the elusive wife' and now this..IT FEELS SO REAL *SOBS*
She still forgives that douchebag and accepts his proposal..In the end when she was dressed in a red saree for her wedding made me visualize her as..
Well anyways,Eileen Dreyer does know how to write that's why it has such a profound effect!!
January 17, 2021
Aptly named book and the second one that has a hero that has to lie back and think of England as he cheats on his wife, the heroine.
I should have taken heed to Preeti's review.
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
I should have taken heed to Preeti's review.
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
April 8, 2018
WTF moment!
December 2, 2011
This left me with so much anger uuuurrggg...........wanted to beat the crap out of Diccan till there's not a single bone left unbroken in his body.will not go into any more details cause then there's no stopping for me with my curses
IMO Grace was not a normal woman "what wife gets aroused looking at Hubby-Mistress having sex" and then asking hubby "do the things you did to your mistress" ?but must say she never broke down after suffering so much from childhood till now never once did she break down.
other 1/2 for the mystery
I will say Ignore it
IMO Grace was not a normal woman "what wife gets aroused looking at Hubby-Mistress having sex" and then asking hubby "do the things you did to your mistress" ?but must say she never broke down after suffering so much from childhood till now never once did she break down.
other 1/2 for the mystery
I will say Ignore it
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 9, 2020
If you were to judge a book by its cover, this might look a generic story about a hot military/secret gov't man forced to marry a plain Jane. I'm not really into Plain Jane or Spinster Heroines unless they are the eccentric or confident subtype - I find the shy or insecure heroines a little bit boring to read since they rarely propel the action, but I loved Miss Grace Fairchild and the perfect society rake, Diccan Hilliard!
Grace is a soldier's daughter. She never learned how to be coy but she does know how to be useful on a military campsite and endear herself to the men by being useful, helpful, and simply kind. After her father has passed, she has plans to make a real home, unpack all her beautiful treasures she collected on her military travels all around the world, and start to build a community in her little neck of the woods. She's super tall and doesn't dress well so she's written off romance completely in her life. However, she is caught in bed with Diccan Hilliard one day and oops they have to get married!
It looks like they were both drugged on a scheme to discredit Diccan which means even though they both don't want to get married to each other, they have to or else Diccan's reputation will suffer, and of course, god forbid a man should have aspersions on his reputation for a few months or so!
The first thing that endeared me to Grace was how she found Diccan attractive and she was excited, scared, nervous about being his wife. She knows that she is not the wife he wanted, and she knows she will come to hate this marriage too, but also she's looking forward to the marriage bed, and she is not a quitter! She'll make the best of her bad situation.
The steam is so good. It reminds me of Lisa Kleypas' sexier works where the characters either rip each other's clothes off every other moment they are together or they are each thinking about it in the middle of a normal conversation. That doesn't mean Never A Gentleman has a lot of bedroom scenes. There's really only like 2 (3 if you count Diccan's liaison) but the 2 (or 3 if you are counting it) that are there are so memorable you don't really need more, to be honest.
Diccan, meanwhile, is a popular society rake who has perfected his role superbly that many think he is just a suave ornament. Grace has an inkling of Diccan's true nature - not as superficial, a bit more caring- than others might be able to see. Diccan is a very honest hero - he's not attracted to Grace at all at first, and it is doubly ironic for him because he loves redheads because he thinks they are like fiery and he likes that in women, but Grace's red hair is a bit colourless just like her and her grey dresses. He doesn't really see Grace's natural talents and skills. And of course there is an explanation about her dull hair colour!
Eileen Dreyer does a wonderful job of showing how Grace can sparkle in her natural environment but can have no place in the glittery cold Ton where all they can see is a woman with a limp and a bad sense of dress. I've read many romances where the heroine basically is perfect at everything - she charms everyone and is in her natural element everywhere.
The perfect heroine is not annoying per se, but actually boring because there is no conflict arc for her. Grace is very fascinating. I loved learning her journey to be a Ton lady, the sacrifices she has to make and the dubious rewards she gets in return: 1 moment where Diccan is nice to her/kisses her vs. 10000x moments of micro-aggressions and banal aristocratic cruelty.
This makes Never A Gentleman a painful romance to read and it's also an ironic title. Diccan is considered the perfect gentleman but we see that his behaviour when he acts like the perfect gentleman (stopping Grace's interesting conversations about harem women, not letting her decorate the London townhouse to her taste but to a mutual boring IKEA version that they both don't care for, or telling her she has no property or rights now) is not very kind or considerate of Grace.
If you enjoy masochism, I think this book plays with that tension of heroine humiliation. It's not the type of humiliation where the hero makes the heroine his serf, but it's the type of micro-aggressions and banal asides that truly hurt and dig in. Diccan is very cruel in his words to Grace. He's not simply threatening physical punishments and violence upon her but inflicting emotional wounds on her. And he's doing it in a way where he's mean from a passionless place. The reader knows Diccan is conflicted but Diccan is such a credible liar that Grace believes in his hoax, so the reader also feels Diccan doesn't care about Grace at all.
I find Diccan a different hero than most physically violent heroes or overbearing/controlling due tocontrol issues heroes. You can't write him off as someone who is rude because he doesn't know how to integrate his emotions or talk about them, or work through his mommy/daddy issues. He's being cruel to be kind.
Diccan does not give good grovel, which is unfortunate, but I was able to easily accept the reason he had to be cruel to Grace. I don't know about you but the whole "I have to sleep with the Frenchwoman for the flag" and "I have to pretend I don't love my wife when I am falling in love with her to protect her" worked for me??
It allowed me to rationalize Diccan's behaviour while enjoying the melodrama that ensued because I. LOVED. EVERY. NASTY. BIT. OF. IT. I was so impressed by every graphic detail when Grace peeps through the hole in the wall. We really went there. And I thought Lady Gallant by Suzanne Robinson was nasty...
And Grace does get her own. She's a crack shot who singlehandedly stops a highway robbery and nabs the Surgeon too!
Dreyer does a lot of build-up for Harry and Kate's own romance - there's a bag of skeletons there - so I'm hoping it's good. I'm hoping this whole series lives up to Never A Gentleman!
If you are looking for a hot military/secret gov't man paired up with a Plain Jane, this is a great, fun, and sexy story!
Grace is a soldier's daughter. She never learned how to be coy but she does know how to be useful on a military campsite and endear herself to the men by being useful, helpful, and simply kind. After her father has passed, she has plans to make a real home, unpack all her beautiful treasures she collected on her military travels all around the world, and start to build a community in her little neck of the woods. She's super tall and doesn't dress well so she's written off romance completely in her life. However, she is caught in bed with Diccan Hilliard one day and oops they have to get married!
It looks like they were both drugged on a scheme to discredit Diccan which means even though they both don't want to get married to each other, they have to or else Diccan's reputation will suffer, and of course, god forbid a man should have aspersions on his reputation for a few months or so!
The first thing that endeared me to Grace was how she found Diccan attractive and she was excited, scared, nervous about being his wife. She knows that she is not the wife he wanted, and she knows she will come to hate this marriage too, but also she's looking forward to the marriage bed, and she is not a quitter! She'll make the best of her bad situation.
The steam is so good. It reminds me of Lisa Kleypas' sexier works where the characters either rip each other's clothes off every other moment they are together or they are each thinking about it in the middle of a normal conversation. That doesn't mean Never A Gentleman has a lot of bedroom scenes. There's really only like 2 (3 if you count Diccan's liaison) but the 2 (or 3 if you are counting it) that are there are so memorable you don't really need more, to be honest.
Diccan, meanwhile, is a popular society rake who has perfected his role superbly that many think he is just a suave ornament. Grace has an inkling of Diccan's true nature - not as superficial, a bit more caring- than others might be able to see. Diccan is a very honest hero - he's not attracted to Grace at all at first, and it is doubly ironic for him because he loves redheads because he thinks they are like fiery and he likes that in women, but Grace's red hair is a bit colourless just like her and her grey dresses. He doesn't really see Grace's natural talents and skills. And of course there is an explanation about her dull hair colour!
Eileen Dreyer does a wonderful job of showing how Grace can sparkle in her natural environment but can have no place in the glittery cold Ton where all they can see is a woman with a limp and a bad sense of dress. I've read many romances where the heroine basically is perfect at everything - she charms everyone and is in her natural element everywhere.
The perfect heroine is not annoying per se, but actually boring because there is no conflict arc for her. Grace is very fascinating. I loved learning her journey to be a Ton lady, the sacrifices she has to make and the dubious rewards she gets in return: 1 moment where Diccan is nice to her/kisses her vs. 10000x moments of micro-aggressions and banal aristocratic cruelty.
This makes Never A Gentleman a painful romance to read and it's also an ironic title. Diccan is considered the perfect gentleman but we see that his behaviour when he acts like the perfect gentleman (stopping Grace's interesting conversations about harem women, not letting her decorate the London townhouse to her taste but to a mutual boring IKEA version that they both don't care for, or telling her she has no property or rights now) is not very kind or considerate of Grace.
If you enjoy masochism, I think this book plays with that tension of heroine humiliation. It's not the type of humiliation where the hero makes the heroine his serf, but it's the type of micro-aggressions and banal asides that truly hurt and dig in. Diccan is very cruel in his words to Grace. He's not simply threatening physical punishments and violence upon her but inflicting emotional wounds on her. And he's doing it in a way where he's mean from a passionless place. The reader knows Diccan is conflicted but Diccan is such a credible liar that Grace believes in his hoax, so the reader also feels Diccan doesn't care about Grace at all.
I find Diccan a different hero than most physically violent heroes or overbearing/controlling due tocontrol issues heroes. You can't write him off as someone who is rude because he doesn't know how to integrate his emotions or talk about them, or work through his mommy/daddy issues. He's being cruel to be kind.
Diccan does not give good grovel, which is unfortunate, but I was able to easily accept the reason he had to be cruel to Grace. I don't know about you but the whole "I have to sleep with the Frenchwoman for the flag" and "I have to pretend I don't love my wife when I am falling in love with her to protect her" worked for me??
It allowed me to rationalize Diccan's behaviour while enjoying the melodrama that ensued because I. LOVED. EVERY. NASTY. BIT. OF. IT. I was so impressed by every graphic detail when Grace peeps through the hole in the wall. We really went there. And I thought Lady Gallant by Suzanne Robinson was nasty...
And Grace does get her own. She's a crack shot who singlehandedly stops a highway robbery and nabs the Surgeon too!
Dreyer does a lot of build-up for Harry and Kate's own romance - there's a bag of skeletons there - so I'm hoping it's good. I'm hoping this whole series lives up to Never A Gentleman!
If you are looking for a hot military/secret gov't man paired up with a Plain Jane, this is a great, fun, and sexy story!
November 17, 2017
1 Stars. Big time cheating. Awful hero. Great writing tho.
August 9, 2023
Do Not Read My Review If You Have Triggers From Suicide. Please, I mean this as a serious warning. I reference it in my review several times and realize that it's not something some readers are comfortable with.
The authorial manipulation with this book was something to behold, my friends.
I do NOT know how this author looks at herself in the mirror after writing this heroine. The hate for her just oozes out all over the pages. Too bad, I love this trope. I mean, I eat it with a spoon and ask for more. But when all you can do is roll your eyes and keep looking at the train wreck?
Seriously, the heroine should've taken one of her guns and just blown her head off. Preferably in front of Diccan (stupid name, although it does rhyme with Wiccan) so he could sob in his head some more. This was pure tripe, not good writing or storytelling. I felt nothing for either of them except curiosity about how much lower either one of them could make her feel. "The Grace". Grace, snort, was her name supposed to mirror her personality? Even if you go along with the gist of this "story", she'll be forever the pathetic loser in her circle of "friends". "Good 'ol Grace, she got Diccan, and he feels awful for the horror he put her through. I mean the Poisoning!! gasp! she thought she was preggers!! gasp!! poor old Grace got her reward, a beautiful Diccan." Sorry, no dic is worth that and eventually you just start hating her, too. Sorry, this book was just a diccan too far for me. Hell, I'd have liked it if she did die, I'd have at least felt like her MARTYR act was rewarded with.........heaven? If this had happened in real life, this woman would be in a mental institution. When I read a romance I put myself in the heroines place. But when I was looking up ways for her to commit suicide without bothering Diccan? I knew then that I'd jumped the shark. There's good angst and horror story angst. Guess which one this fell into? Ugh, I need to stop using "quotes" and sorry. But it is sorry. Sorry, I used sorry again.
I know this is a negative review, but I've read Jo Beverly's book An Arranged Marriage, which this one really did rip off, but the writing conveyed so much more depth to the characters and the hero really did regret it. I mean, anyone can say they regret what they've done, but it takes a talented author to actually make a story and hero this awful be redeemed. Not the case here. This was all authorial manipulation by making the heroine the bag of poo on fire that got stomped on by the Diccan. That's the only way this book can make you feel anything. I like more than just abject misery and feeling sorry for a character to my reads.
Read, it, you'll see ~ but I wouldn't pay for it. I checked mine out at the library. I got this sucker out of my house pronto, the bad juju was infecting my cat. Sorry for any misspelled words and bad grammar. I just couldn't be bothered to edit, I mean, Grace'll forgive me.
The authorial manipulation with this book was something to behold, my friends.
I do NOT know how this author looks at herself in the mirror after writing this heroine. The hate for her just oozes out all over the pages. Too bad, I love this trope. I mean, I eat it with a spoon and ask for more. But when all you can do is roll your eyes and keep looking at the train wreck?
Seriously, the heroine should've taken one of her guns and just blown her head off. Preferably in front of Diccan (stupid name, although it does rhyme with Wiccan) so he could sob in his head some more. This was pure tripe, not good writing or storytelling. I felt nothing for either of them except curiosity about how much lower either one of them could make her feel. "The Grace". Grace, snort, was her name supposed to mirror her personality? Even if you go along with the gist of this "story", she'll be forever the pathetic loser in her circle of "friends". "Good 'ol Grace, she got Diccan, and he feels awful for the horror he put her through. I mean the Poisoning!! gasp! she thought she was preggers!! gasp!! poor old Grace got her reward, a beautiful Diccan." Sorry, no dic is worth that and eventually you just start hating her, too. Sorry, this book was just a diccan too far for me. Hell, I'd have liked it if she did die, I'd have at least felt like her MARTYR act was rewarded with.........heaven? If this had happened in real life, this woman would be in a mental institution. When I read a romance I put myself in the heroines place. But when I was looking up ways for her to commit suicide without bothering Diccan? I knew then that I'd jumped the shark. There's good angst and horror story angst. Guess which one this fell into? Ugh, I need to stop using "quotes" and sorry. But it is sorry. Sorry, I used sorry again.
I know this is a negative review, but I've read Jo Beverly's book An Arranged Marriage, which this one really did rip off, but the writing conveyed so much more depth to the characters and the hero really did regret it. I mean, anyone can say they regret what they've done, but it takes a talented author to actually make a story and hero this awful be redeemed. Not the case here. This was all authorial manipulation by making the heroine the bag of poo on fire that got stomped on by the Diccan. That's the only way this book can make you feel anything. I like more than just abject misery and feeling sorry for a character to my reads.
Read, it, you'll see ~ but I wouldn't pay for it. I checked mine out at the library. I got this sucker out of my house pronto, the bad juju was infecting my cat. Sorry for any misspelled words and bad grammar. I just couldn't be bothered to edit, I mean, Grace'll forgive me.
August 4, 2013
The writing style is great but the plot silly and the leading couple makes me want to bash my head in to stop the sheer pain of having to read about their idiocy. I finished this book out of sheer 'surely this can't keep going this way and the Goddess of Common Sense will bless one or both of these idiots?' but alas no. About the best I can say about this pairing is that at least by hooking up they won't inflict themselves on normal people.
Heroine redefines doormat. I am surprised the author did not name her Griselda. Hero spends 80% of the book being an unmitigated, horrifying bastard to her in every possible way and yet all she can do is luuuuurve him. Granted, he is doing it to protect her life and for Mother England, but she doesn't know that! (And even if she does, surely that would give a sane woman some pause but not her - if you expect any grovelling or even more than a five word apology from the hero, think again - he doesn't need to, not with Griselda).
I think I finally threw up my arms (or maybe just threw up) at the scene where
Ummmmm. UMMMMMMM. The psychiatric ward is that way!
(I don't even care if heroes in romances have sex with other ladies - I adore both Charlotte Featherstone's Sinful and Jo Beverley's Arranged Marriage and in both of them heroes do the sleeping with others after falling for heroine thing (for reasons of extreme dysfunction in the former and patriotism in the latter) but this is a whole other level of psycho.
I wasn't particularly keen on the hero either, but that was mainly because he was never given a chance to repent and grovel properly and to suffer because heroine wouldn't let her precious husband suffer one second of even mild discomfort.
Short version - there are plenty of regency romances out there involving marriages of convenience turning to love or spies that will not make you want to tear out your hair and then stuff it down this couple's empty heads. Stick to those. Actually, Beverley's Arranged Marriage covers a very similar plot - couple forced to marry to save the lady's honor, husband is spying and has to sleep with another lady as part of spying duties, while falling for his wife who he has to keep away from his spying life - but does that in a perfectly amazing way, making Nicholas/Eleanor one of my all time favorite couples in the process.
This - I wish I could unwind the clock and unread this mess.
Heroine redefines doormat. I am surprised the author did not name her Griselda. Hero spends 80% of the book being an unmitigated, horrifying bastard to her in every possible way and yet all she can do is luuuuurve him. Granted, he is doing it to protect her life and for Mother England, but she doesn't know that! (And even if she does, surely that would give a sane woman some pause but not her - if you expect any grovelling or even more than a five word apology from the hero, think again - he doesn't need to, not with Griselda).
I think I finally threw up my arms (or maybe just threw up) at the scene where
Ummmmm. UMMMMMMM. The psychiatric ward is that way!
(I don't even care if heroes in romances have sex with other ladies - I adore both Charlotte Featherstone's Sinful and Jo Beverley's Arranged Marriage and in both of them heroes do the sleeping with others after falling for heroine thing (for reasons of extreme dysfunction in the former and patriotism in the latter) but this is a whole other level of psycho.
I wasn't particularly keen on the hero either, but that was mainly because he was never given a chance to repent and grovel properly and to suffer because heroine wouldn't let her precious husband suffer one second of even mild discomfort.
Short version - there are plenty of regency romances out there involving marriages of convenience turning to love or spies that will not make you want to tear out your hair and then stuff it down this couple's empty heads. Stick to those. Actually, Beverley's Arranged Marriage covers a very similar plot - couple forced to marry to save the lady's honor, husband is spying and has to sleep with another lady as part of spying duties, while falling for his wife who he has to keep away from his spying life - but does that in a perfectly amazing way, making Nicholas/Eleanor one of my all time favorite couples in the process.
This - I wish I could unwind the clock and unread this mess.
April 18, 2011
This book had such potential and it was so well written that I almost feel bad giving it two stars..almost.
What I am sorry about that there are very good parts that should have stuck on my mind after finishing this book... but nooooooo....what is stuck on my mind is the horrible cheating scenes that the author felt necessary to torture us - the poor readers - with. Believe me, the heroine didn't suffer as much as we did...in fact she was aroused by seeing her husband with another woman !!! what the hell was that?
How can any sane woman still love her husband after all the cheating, insults and bad treatment? Why did she love him in the first place? Just because he is good looking?
I don't think just because Grace was plain she should be also a doormat. And what makes me more angry that in the end he didn't apologize enough, he didn't even try to explain his actions and how bad he felt doing them. Why should he? Grace the Saint forgive and forget in an eye blink.
Also I just didn't get the end. What was Daiccan's father role in all of this exactly? I felt his involvement was somehow forced.
Any how, I have to admit that the book really captured me and I couldn't put it down, I just wish that the second half of it was as good as the first.
What I am sorry about that there are very good parts that should have stuck on my mind after finishing this book... but nooooooo....what is stuck on my mind is the horrible cheating scenes that the author felt necessary to torture us - the poor readers - with. Believe me, the heroine didn't suffer as much as we did...in fact she was aroused by seeing her husband with another woman !!! what the hell was that?
How can any sane woman still love her husband after all the cheating, insults and bad treatment? Why did she love him in the first place? Just because he is good looking?
I don't think just because Grace was plain she should be also a doormat. And what makes me more angry that in the end he didn't apologize enough, he didn't even try to explain his actions and how bad he felt doing them. Why should he? Grace the Saint forgive and forget in an eye blink.
Also I just didn't get the end. What was Daiccan's father role in all of this exactly? I felt his involvement was somehow forced.
Any how, I have to admit that the book really captured me and I couldn't put it down, I just wish that the second half of it was as good as the first.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 15, 2011
This is a Quickie Review. For the full review, please visit The Romanceaholic.
Good Lord, talk about being torn on a rating! This book was incredible, even with its flaws. This is my first Eileen Dreyer novel, but I have to say that if this is indicative of her writing style, it will not be my last.
Deliciously angsty, mildly kinky, and full of intrigue, this book literally grabbed ahold of me and refused to let go.
This is not a lighthearted “marriage of convenience” story by any stretch of the imagination. The hero is incredibly cruel to the heroine to the point of mental abuse, despite the fact that he has (what is in his mind at least) very good justification for doing so, and there is a plethora of angst to be had. However, despite the fact that it is practically painful to read at times due to the angst, it is so incredibly well-written that you cannot help but finish it even as you’re mentally plotting Diccan’s demise.
Despite the explicit infidelity, which is one of my pet peeves, I still say that this was an incredibly enjoyable, and ultimately satisfying read. 4/5 Stars
Good Lord, talk about being torn on a rating! This book was incredible, even with its flaws. This is my first Eileen Dreyer novel, but I have to say that if this is indicative of her writing style, it will not be my last.
Deliciously angsty, mildly kinky, and full of intrigue, this book literally grabbed ahold of me and refused to let go.
This is not a lighthearted “marriage of convenience” story by any stretch of the imagination. The hero is incredibly cruel to the heroine to the point of mental abuse, despite the fact that he has (what is in his mind at least) very good justification for doing so, and there is a plethora of angst to be had. However, despite the fact that it is practically painful to read at times due to the angst, it is so incredibly well-written that you cannot help but finish it even as you’re mentally plotting Diccan’s demise.
Despite the explicit infidelity, which is one of my pet peeves, I still say that this was an incredibly enjoyable, and ultimately satisfying read. 4/5 Stars
February 2, 2025
Ugh. So fucking problematic, especially given this was not a bodice ripper from the 80s/90s. The heroine is SO good though, and there is an actual plot, and the secondary characterizations are awesome.
I just hate hate hate the whole ohhh-sorry-I-had-to-fuck-someone-else-for-my-country thing, particularly the degree to which it’s forced into the heroine’s face here. So needlessly cruel as portrayed. Also: his fetish annoys the shit out of me. She deserves so much better.
3.5 stars Wavering on whether to round up or down, because I hated it as much as I loved it.
I just hate hate hate the whole ohhh-sorry-I-had-to-fuck-someone-else-for-my-country thing, particularly the degree to which it’s forced into the heroine’s face here. So needlessly cruel as portrayed. Also: his fetish annoys the shit out of me. She deserves so much better.
3.5 stars Wavering on whether to round up or down, because I hated it as much as I loved it.
avoid
April 1, 2011**Little note to self - DON'T BUY THIS BOOK!! ***
cheating
April 3, 2019UNSAFE
UNSAFE
How come this is even labeled as a romance?
I won't ever read.
UNSAFE
How come this is even labeled as a romance?
I won't ever read.
February 18, 2012
My Synopis:
Grace Fairchild is a respectable spinster. She has traveled the world and seen things no woman should ever witness. Grace was raised by her father, who was a soldier during the Waterloo wars. She'll never be considered the reigning beauty of the ton nor is she their favorite. Grace is very plain, thin, extremely tall, and has one lame leg. She does have the devotion of her friends, the soldiers she befriended during her days marching with her father and her staff. All of them adore and dote on her because Grace has spent her life always taking care of others. Since Grace made her appearance in the ton she has been drawn to Diccan Hilliard. He is everything she is not. He's adored, charming, handsome and full of confidence. Never in a millions years would Grace have thought she'd end up marrying Diccan.
Diccan Hilliard was on his way to London to impart some very vital information to his fellow Drake's Rakes. These are the only men he'd trust with this information since they are trying to uncover the culprits behind the planned assassination of Wellington. So Diccan is shocked and appalled to find himself naked and in bed with a very naked Grace as well. At first Diccan insults Grace by accusing her of trapping him into marriage. Diccan quickly realizes that he's been set up by the enemies to discredit his reputation by having it looked as if he'd debauched one of respectable virgin miss of society. Diccan is not happy about having to offer marriage to Grace but to save them both he will. With him leading a dangerous life as a spy for England having a wife and an unwanted wife at that is the last thing Diccan needs.
Can these two find love out of a rocky start to a marriage that neither really wanted? Will they even have a chance, with conspiracies, danger, spies, old mistresses, a savage killer on the loose and horrible in-laws lurking around the corner?
WARNING: THERE BE MAJOR SPOILERS AHEAD. STOP NOW IF YOU DON'T LIKE SPOILERS.
My Thought:
Wow where to begin? Seriously this book had me running through a myriad of emotions. My emotions were up and down and all over the place! It ranged from pity, loving it, disliking it, sadness, intense ache in my chest, happy, hate, frustration and WTF! Mrs. Dreyer had me turning the pages even when I was disgusted and didn't think I'd want to continue. I had to find out how she was going to make me believe in Grace and Diccan's happily ever.
The first half of this book was promising. Their marriage had a rocky start. Diccan, respects and likes Grace but he’s not attracted to her. At first I couldn’t see how the author was going to convince me that Diccan would be interested in Grace ever sexually since he didn’t have nice things to say about Grace physical wise in his head. He even dreads having to bed her to consummate the marriage. Mrs. Dreyer does do a good job of showing how Diccan starts to notice the non-physical aspects of Grace. The conversations they have, the horse riding in the park and her kindness. Through Diccan’s inner thoughts on these discovery of Grace’s other attributes I began to have hope for these two.
Then the middle was like WHAM! Seriously WTF just happened here folks? I kept thinking seriously, really, why? All this is explained below.
Grace is plain, horsey face, pale, drab...etc! This was brought up over and over in the book. You couldn't read a page where, we the readers aren't reminded about how Grace is not even remotely attractive. It felt like the author hated the character of Grace or something! Poor girl couldn't catch a break because not only is she plain on top of that she has a lame leg and is tall. I liked Grace's character overall. She is a very likable person. I found myself cheering for her during the times she stood up for herself. She tried to make the best of an unplanned marriage. She gave Diccan all she had and lost herself in the process. Even as she lost herself that bit of Grace was still there and I kept waiting for her to give Diccan the ass whupping he deserves. It never came! Grace is put through hell in this book. I mean how much heartache and devastation could one person go through.
As for Diccan wow I’m still not sure what to think of him. I should hate him but I don’t. I think Dreyer does a good job of giving Diccan's POV so even during the times where he's a big time jerk I knew he regretted. Not that him regretting all his insults, cheating and indifference made it ok but at least I knew he was feeling some kind of remorse. Diccan and the Drake's Rake explained all the things he did emotionally to her as it's all for the good of Grace and protecting her from the enemies trying to destroy him and England. There is a plot to ruin him and he is forced to befriend the bad guys which include his old mistress. An old mistress that he sleeps with in order to get intel from her. Not once but he sleeps with her throughout the book. He and his fellow Drake’s Rake keep the ladies in this book in the dark instead of warning them about all the danger surrounding them. The guys seriously were idiots for doing this. All the heartache Diccan causes Grace could have been avoided if he’d tell her what was going on IMO.
In the end I think more groveling could have been done! Grace forgave Diccan too easily. Yea..yea..all he did was for the greater good of England…blah..blah!
So with all this said I still liked the book. I know you are probably confused because I’m confused myself..lol! I think the writing is suburb. This book literally put me through an emotional ringer! Believe me, I felt some strong emotions. The insults and having to be cold hearted and such would have been ok and I could have dealt with that. The cheating is what gets to me and makes me frustrated with the book. I will give her next book a chance because the hero and heroine in the 3rd book caught my attention in this book. The fact that this authors writing and storyline for all is flaws in the middle was suburb. I still found myself turning the pages and engrossed. I still found myself caring about both the hero and the heroine! All this earns Dreyer another chance from me. I won’t quit her yet and hope that the 3rd book won’t involve any cheating heroes again.
Grace Fairchild is a respectable spinster. She has traveled the world and seen things no woman should ever witness. Grace was raised by her father, who was a soldier during the Waterloo wars. She'll never be considered the reigning beauty of the ton nor is she their favorite. Grace is very plain, thin, extremely tall, and has one lame leg. She does have the devotion of her friends, the soldiers she befriended during her days marching with her father and her staff. All of them adore and dote on her because Grace has spent her life always taking care of others. Since Grace made her appearance in the ton she has been drawn to Diccan Hilliard. He is everything she is not. He's adored, charming, handsome and full of confidence. Never in a millions years would Grace have thought she'd end up marrying Diccan.
Diccan Hilliard was on his way to London to impart some very vital information to his fellow Drake's Rakes. These are the only men he'd trust with this information since they are trying to uncover the culprits behind the planned assassination of Wellington. So Diccan is shocked and appalled to find himself naked and in bed with a very naked Grace as well. At first Diccan insults Grace by accusing her of trapping him into marriage. Diccan quickly realizes that he's been set up by the enemies to discredit his reputation by having it looked as if he'd debauched one of respectable virgin miss of society. Diccan is not happy about having to offer marriage to Grace but to save them both he will. With him leading a dangerous life as a spy for England having a wife and an unwanted wife at that is the last thing Diccan needs.
Can these two find love out of a rocky start to a marriage that neither really wanted? Will they even have a chance, with conspiracies, danger, spies, old mistresses, a savage killer on the loose and horrible in-laws lurking around the corner?
WARNING: THERE BE MAJOR SPOILERS AHEAD. STOP NOW IF YOU DON'T LIKE SPOILERS.
My Thought:
Wow where to begin? Seriously this book had me running through a myriad of emotions. My emotions were up and down and all over the place! It ranged from pity, loving it, disliking it, sadness, intense ache in my chest, happy, hate, frustration and WTF! Mrs. Dreyer had me turning the pages even when I was disgusted and didn't think I'd want to continue. I had to find out how she was going to make me believe in Grace and Diccan's happily ever.
The first half of this book was promising. Their marriage had a rocky start. Diccan, respects and likes Grace but he’s not attracted to her. At first I couldn’t see how the author was going to convince me that Diccan would be interested in Grace ever sexually since he didn’t have nice things to say about Grace physical wise in his head. He even dreads having to bed her to consummate the marriage. Mrs. Dreyer does do a good job of showing how Diccan starts to notice the non-physical aspects of Grace. The conversations they have, the horse riding in the park and her kindness. Through Diccan’s inner thoughts on these discovery of Grace’s other attributes I began to have hope for these two.
Then the middle was like WHAM! Seriously WTF just happened here folks? I kept thinking seriously, really, why? All this is explained below.
Grace is plain, horsey face, pale, drab...etc! This was brought up over and over in the book. You couldn't read a page where, we the readers aren't reminded about how Grace is not even remotely attractive. It felt like the author hated the character of Grace or something! Poor girl couldn't catch a break because not only is she plain on top of that she has a lame leg and is tall. I liked Grace's character overall. She is a very likable person. I found myself cheering for her during the times she stood up for herself. She tried to make the best of an unplanned marriage. She gave Diccan all she had and lost herself in the process. Even as she lost herself that bit of Grace was still there and I kept waiting for her to give Diccan the ass whupping he deserves. It never came! Grace is put through hell in this book. I mean how much heartache and devastation could one person go through.
As for Diccan wow I’m still not sure what to think of him. I should hate him but I don’t. I think Dreyer does a good job of giving Diccan's POV so even during the times where he's a big time jerk I knew he regretted. Not that him regretting all his insults, cheating and indifference made it ok but at least I knew he was feeling some kind of remorse. Diccan and the Drake's Rake explained all the things he did emotionally to her as it's all for the good of Grace and protecting her from the enemies trying to destroy him and England. There is a plot to ruin him and he is forced to befriend the bad guys which include his old mistress. An old mistress that he sleeps with in order to get intel from her. Not once but he sleeps with her throughout the book. He and his fellow Drake’s Rake keep the ladies in this book in the dark instead of warning them about all the danger surrounding them. The guys seriously were idiots for doing this. All the heartache Diccan causes Grace could have been avoided if he’d tell her what was going on IMO.
In the end I think more groveling could have been done! Grace forgave Diccan too easily. Yea..yea..all he did was for the greater good of England…blah..blah!
So with all this said I still liked the book. I know you are probably confused because I’m confused myself..lol! I think the writing is suburb. This book literally put me through an emotional ringer! Believe me, I felt some strong emotions. The insults and having to be cold hearted and such would have been ok and I could have dealt with that. The cheating is what gets to me and makes me frustrated with the book. I will give her next book a chance because the hero and heroine in the 3rd book caught my attention in this book. The fact that this authors writing and storyline for all is flaws in the middle was suburb. I still found myself turning the pages and engrossed. I still found myself caring about both the hero and the heroine! All this earns Dreyer another chance from me. I won’t quit her yet and hope that the 3rd book won’t involve any cheating heroes again.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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