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C Series #2
The Choice
In this eagerly awaited follow-up to The Cad, a poor but beautiful woman comes of age in post-Napoleonic England and is pursued by three devilishly persuasive suitors. After mastering the technique of resisting unwanted embraces, this headstrong woman may fall in love yet.
352 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published July 7, 1999
24 people are currently reading
164 people want to read
About the author
Edith Layton
80 books103 followersEdith Layton wrote her first novel when she was ten. She bought a marbleized notebook and set out to write a story that would fit between its covers. Now, an award-winning author with more than thirty novels and numerous novellas to her credit, her criteria have changed. The story has to fit the reader as well as between the covers.
Graduating from Hunter College in New York City with a degree in creative writing and theater, Edith worked for various media, including a radio station and a major motion picture company. She married and went to suburbia, where she was fruitful and multiplied to the tune of three children. Her eldest, Michael, is a social worker and artist in NYC. Adam is a writer and performer on NPR's Wait, Wait, Don't Tell Me. Daughter Susie is a professional writer, comedian and performer who works in television.
Publishers Weekly called Edith Layton "one of romance's most gifted writers." Layton has enthralled readers and critics with books that capture the spirit of historically distant places and peoples. "What I've found," she says, "is that life was very different in every era, but that love and love of life is always the same."
Layton won an RT Book Reviews Career Achievement award for the Historical genre in 2003 and a Reviewers' Choice award for her book The Conquest in 2001. Amazon.com's top reviewer called Layton's Alas, My Love (April 2005, Avon Books), "a wonderful historical." And her recent release, Bride Enchanted, is a Romantic Times 2007 Reviewers' Choice Award Nominee.
Edith Layton lived on Long Island where she devoted time as a volunteer for the North Shore Animal League , the world's largest no-kill pet rescue and adoption organization. Her dog Daisy --adopted herself from a shelter-- is just one member of Layton's household menagerie.
Edith Layton passed away on June 1, 2009 from ovarian cancer.
Graduating from Hunter College in New York City with a degree in creative writing and theater, Edith worked for various media, including a radio station and a major motion picture company. She married and went to suburbia, where she was fruitful and multiplied to the tune of three children. Her eldest, Michael, is a social worker and artist in NYC. Adam is a writer and performer on NPR's Wait, Wait, Don't Tell Me. Daughter Susie is a professional writer, comedian and performer who works in television.
Publishers Weekly called Edith Layton "one of romance's most gifted writers." Layton has enthralled readers and critics with books that capture the spirit of historically distant places and peoples. "What I've found," she says, "is that life was very different in every era, but that love and love of life is always the same."
Layton won an RT Book Reviews Career Achievement award for the Historical genre in 2003 and a Reviewers' Choice award for her book The Conquest in 2001. Amazon.com's top reviewer called Layton's Alas, My Love (April 2005, Avon Books), "a wonderful historical." And her recent release, Bride Enchanted, is a Romantic Times 2007 Reviewers' Choice Award Nominee.
Edith Layton lived on Long Island where she devoted time as a volunteer for the North Shore Animal League , the world's largest no-kill pet rescue and adoption organization. Her dog Daisy --adopted herself from a shelter-- is just one member of Layton's household menagerie.
Edith Layton passed away on June 1, 2009 from ovarian cancer.
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Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
July 13, 2010
The second in a series by Edith Layton, THE CHOICE follows THE CAD. Damon had made his monies overseas in America and has finally returned home. Considered one of the catches of the season he is now looking for a wife. Caught defending Miss Gillian 'Gilly' Giles he tries to save her reputation and tells the ton that they are engaged. Though they barely know each other and initially believe the farce will end, Damon realizes he couldn't do any better. Gilly, on the other hand, has no appetite for marriage and only continues the charade because she believes it will end without the engagement being followed up.
Little do either realize how their feelings will change. This is a sweet romance with a hero that most women would cherish. Gilly has loved the Earl of Drummond since she was twelve. He returns after being gone for some time to find that Gilly is now grown up and realizes he cares for her deeply. Another character, Lord Wycoff, has also developed a fondness for her and wants her at his side. Finding things have always come easily to him, Damon knows that he has to earn Gilly's love and so he perseveres. The question is, who will win her love?
This is one of those rare times when the hero loves completely before the heroine knows what she wants. Ms. Layton does a great job of making the reader care about the characters of the story, both good and bad. You will want to know what happens to the others when you finish the narrative. Both fascinating and enjoyable, be prepared to make time to read this wonderful regency. You will be glad you did.
Little do either realize how their feelings will change. This is a sweet romance with a hero that most women would cherish. Gilly has loved the Earl of Drummond since she was twelve. He returns after being gone for some time to find that Gilly is now grown up and realizes he cares for her deeply. Another character, Lord Wycoff, has also developed a fondness for her and wants her at his side. Finding things have always come easily to him, Damon knows that he has to earn Gilly's love and so he perseveres. The question is, who will win her love?
This is one of those rare times when the hero loves completely before the heroine knows what she wants. Ms. Layton does a great job of making the reader care about the characters of the story, both good and bad. You will want to know what happens to the others when you finish the narrative. Both fascinating and enjoyable, be prepared to make time to read this wonderful regency. You will be glad you did.
September 29, 2014
We first met the heroine of this novel, Gilly Giles, in The CadThe Cad - Edith Layton. She was the streetwise orphan girl who tried to give her younger sister a better life.
In this one, it is years later and she is ostensibly the ward of Ewan, Viscount Sinclair and his wife Bridget. Although she is respectable because of this and has entree into society, her lack of family and mysterious background doesn't exactly make her completely eligible.
And Gilly herself is very aware that her hard-scrabble background and trauma in her past separates her from other ladies. She has very much internalized this so despite the urgings of her guardians, she doesn't think she is worthy of the a good match.
Into this comes Damon Ryder, a gentleman but not of the nobility. After a spurned suitor attempts to besmirch Gilly's name, Damon -- having witnessed the spurning -- takes it upon himself to rescue her good name and claim they are engaged to be married.
As a set up this is textbook historical romance. They pretend to be engaged only to fall in love by the end and become really engaged and get married. This really is the basic plot of this book. But Layton adds some flair to it.
You see Damon falls in love with Gilly rather early. His feelings become very transparent to both himself and to the reader. And also to Gilly although she keeps herself in denial. Her doubts about her worthiness are one barrier she keeps between herself and Damon but there is another. She is desperately in love with another man.
As I was reading and watching Gilly and Damon's relationship blossom I was rooting madly for him. Although I have read lots of romances and understand that I have enjoyed tons of heroes and heroines, every once in awhile one just jumps out of the pack and makes an impression. The author does something with them that makes you just really, really like them. Layton does that with Damon in this book. He is what back in my old neighborhood we would call 'good people'. It is a high compliment.
Gilly however was a bit more problematic. On the one hand I understood her struggle and her doubts and the unease she felt about the whole thing. She simply was not as committed as Damon or knowledgeable about her feelings. She was still in a 'this is just make believe' stage while also denying that she was developing real feelings for him.
But on the other hand, I started to get a bit impatient with her. And I really shouldn't have because the writing for her made sense. But I was totally on Team Damon at this point.
Even as I wishing good luck to Damon on in his quest to win his lady, I was waiting for the other shoe to drop -- for him to finally realize that all is not right with Gilly. When the man for whom Gilly is pining makes an appearance, the story takes on a bit of an angsty tone. But it was deftly wrought. Damon starts to notice Gilly's behavior toward the other guy. Some of the glow starts to dim out of him. I wanted to hug him.
I liked this book more than I did The Cad - Edith Layton. The romantic conflict was first rate, the balance of humor and angst was perfect. All the characters were well drawn and perfectly deployed. And I am thinking that Layton has a particular brilliance in crafting the 'hardened roué with a heart of gold' character because I have seen this character in her books before and she does him so well.
Really good book.
In this one, it is years later and she is ostensibly the ward of Ewan, Viscount Sinclair and his wife Bridget. Although she is respectable because of this and has entree into society, her lack of family and mysterious background doesn't exactly make her completely eligible.
And Gilly herself is very aware that her hard-scrabble background and trauma in her past separates her from other ladies. She has very much internalized this so despite the urgings of her guardians, she doesn't think she is worthy of the a good match.
Into this comes Damon Ryder, a gentleman but not of the nobility. After a spurned suitor attempts to besmirch Gilly's name, Damon -- having witnessed the spurning -- takes it upon himself to rescue her good name and claim they are engaged to be married.
As a set up this is textbook historical romance. They pretend to be engaged only to fall in love by the end and become really engaged and get married. This really is the basic plot of this book. But Layton adds some flair to it.
You see Damon falls in love with Gilly rather early. His feelings become very transparent to both himself and to the reader. And also to Gilly although she keeps herself in denial. Her doubts about her worthiness are one barrier she keeps between herself and Damon but there is another. She is desperately in love with another man.
As I was reading and watching Gilly and Damon's relationship blossom I was rooting madly for him. Although I have read lots of romances and understand that I have enjoyed tons of heroes and heroines, every once in awhile one just jumps out of the pack and makes an impression. The author does something with them that makes you just really, really like them. Layton does that with Damon in this book. He is what back in my old neighborhood we would call 'good people'. It is a high compliment.
Gilly however was a bit more problematic. On the one hand I understood her struggle and her doubts and the unease she felt about the whole thing. She simply was not as committed as Damon or knowledgeable about her feelings. She was still in a 'this is just make believe' stage while also denying that she was developing real feelings for him.
But on the other hand, I started to get a bit impatient with her. And I really shouldn't have because the writing for her made sense. But I was totally on Team Damon at this point.
Even as I wishing good luck to Damon on in his quest to win his lady, I was waiting for the other shoe to drop -- for him to finally realize that all is not right with Gilly. When the man for whom Gilly is pining makes an appearance, the story takes on a bit of an angsty tone. But it was deftly wrought. Damon starts to notice Gilly's behavior toward the other guy. Some of the glow starts to dim out of him. I wanted to hug him.
I liked this book more than I did The Cad - Edith Layton. The romantic conflict was first rate, the balance of humor and angst was perfect. All the characters were well drawn and perfectly deployed. And I am thinking that Layton has a particular brilliance in crafting the 'hardened roué with a heart of gold' character because I have seen this character in her books before and she does him so well.
Really good book.
October 9, 2023
What I like about the Layton books I've read so far is that the MC's have all been genuinely nice people. They are occasionally misguided, but they all seem to be trying to do the right thing. I know there are a couple of redemption stories later in the series, but it's so great to read about nice people being nice to each other and being good friends. Sometimes I get a little tired of revenge plots, or evil machinations or whatever. It's restful to read books like this.
November 18, 2021
In the first book of this series, Ewen Sinclair and his wife took two young sisters, Gillie and Betsy, into their home. The girls were orphans, living on the streets by their wits. Gillie, as the older child, dressed as a young lad, in order to stay safe(r) from men's advances.
It is years later and the two girls have grown up; Gillie is hoping for marriage but understands her choices will be few because of her lack of family and status (in spite of her dowery from Ewen Sinclair). Gillie lived as a male for several years and has keen insight into the devious thoughts of many men.
Gillie is accosted by one of those devious men at a party and she is in the process of tearing the miscreant apart when Damon Ryder interferes. He thinks he's saving Gillie but he's really saving the young man. When they get back into the ball, the miscreant has told lies about Gillie to all who would listen. However, Damon steps forward and claims a betrothal to Gillie.
He makes sure her guardian understands that he did it to save Gillie's name and that she may terminate the betrothal at her discretion. Damon, who is a self-made man (in America), has stopped off in London briefly before traveling to see his large family (he's the youngest).
While Damon is courting Gillie, the reader learns that Gillie has had a long-term passion for one of her guardian's relatives (who also taught her to become a young lady). When the Earl of Drummond arrives on the scene, things take a severe turn. This is a very involved plot; I grew impatient with the twists and turns. Actually, during the long courtship, I got bored. Once Drum arrived, I didn't really believe the complication. Overall score = G+.
The Cad Series
1. The Cad (1998)
** 2. The Choice (1999)
3. The Challenge (2000)
4. The Chance (2000)
5. The Conquest (2001)
6. To Wed a Stranger (2003)
7. To Tempt a Bride (2003)
It is years later and the two girls have grown up; Gillie is hoping for marriage but understands her choices will be few because of her lack of family and status (in spite of her dowery from Ewen Sinclair). Gillie lived as a male for several years and has keen insight into the devious thoughts of many men.
Gillie is accosted by one of those devious men at a party and she is in the process of tearing the miscreant apart when Damon Ryder interferes. He thinks he's saving Gillie but he's really saving the young man. When they get back into the ball, the miscreant has told lies about Gillie to all who would listen. However, Damon steps forward and claims a betrothal to Gillie.
He makes sure her guardian understands that he did it to save Gillie's name and that she may terminate the betrothal at her discretion. Damon, who is a self-made man (in America), has stopped off in London briefly before traveling to see his large family (he's the youngest).
While Damon is courting Gillie, the reader learns that Gillie has had a long-term passion for one of her guardian's relatives (who also taught her to become a young lady). When the Earl of Drummond arrives on the scene, things take a severe turn. This is a very involved plot; I grew impatient with the twists and turns. Actually, during the long courtship, I got bored. Once Drum arrived, I didn't really believe the complication. Overall score = G+.
The Cad Series
1. The Cad (1998)
** 2. The Choice (1999)
3. The Challenge (2000)
4. The Chance (2000)
5. The Conquest (2001)
6. To Wed a Stranger (2003)
7. To Tempt a Bride (2003)
August 23, 2020
*mild spoilers, only if you don't know who she ends up with*
Started off a little shaky.
Firstly, I know they were racist back then, and I certainly don't want any revisionist writing that implied they weren't. However, there were several *completely unnecessary to the plot* references to savages, red Indians, scalping, etc. comments that just made me cringe. The minus one star is for that.
Secondly, I'd already expected her to love Drum and usually prefer the plot lines of someone getting who they've been pining for. So I was expecting her to get engaged to Damon and for that to trigger Drum, and them have an HEA. I'm glad at least she didn't have to just pick Damon "give up her dreams with Drum" with no confrontation with him. Though I did feel like her decision was a little too quick, I can see how Layton felt that was the way to help her make the decision.
However, Layton won me over to Damon with his complete appreciation for her as she was, not as someone who had to be corrected/fixed, etc. He appreciation for her strength & independence. Also his willingness to step back if that's what she wanted and his ensuring he gave her what she needed.
I also enjoyed the Wycoff character as well - that he was able to be a true friend to her and she to him was a nice subplot.
There was a little bit too much of the "I'm not good enough for you" angst so I'm glad that was not the sole "problem" that had to be addressed. Or that Dearbourne or aunt Felicity didin't come back with some kidnap scheme. Her 'choice' between past dreams & present was much more interesting to me than some 'action' just to keep the plot going.
Started off a little shaky.
Firstly, I know they were racist back then, and I certainly don't want any revisionist writing that implied they weren't. However, there were several *completely unnecessary to the plot* references to savages, red Indians, scalping, etc. comments that just made me cringe. The minus one star is for that.
Secondly, I'd already expected her to love Drum and usually prefer the plot lines of someone getting who they've been pining for. So I was expecting her to get engaged to Damon and for that to trigger Drum, and them have an HEA. I'm glad at least she didn't have to just pick Damon "give up her dreams with Drum" with no confrontation with him. Though I did feel like her decision was a little too quick, I can see how Layton felt that was the way to help her make the decision.
However, Layton won me over to Damon with his complete appreciation for her as she was, not as someone who had to be corrected/fixed, etc. He appreciation for her strength & independence. Also his willingness to step back if that's what she wanted and his ensuring he gave her what she needed.
I also enjoyed the Wycoff character as well - that he was able to be a true friend to her and she to him was a nice subplot.
There was a little bit too much of the "I'm not good enough for you" angst so I'm glad that was not the sole "problem" that had to be addressed. Or that Dearbourne or aunt Felicity didin't come back with some kidnap scheme. Her 'choice' between past dreams & present was much more interesting to me than some 'action' just to keep the plot going.
May 5, 2021
Another unlikely scenario, but at least Ms. Layton puts the hero as just returning from a long stay in America, so that one can see that his views might have changed relative to his status and Gilly's. There is something to be said about the unlikelihood of someone like Damon ever coming into the orbit of someone like Gilly, as well, but Ms. Layton accomplishes this in a more sensible manner. Nevertheless, I put this one in the realm of fantasy, or at the very least, more likely to happen in America of the early 1800's than in England. Having said that, the book itself is delightful. I thoroughly enjoyed Gilly's refreshing and candid approach to life and everything that happens to her. One can easily see why she has so many friends. Damon also captures the imagination with his wild and creative resolution of problems. I recognized his luck and understood it completely and the way he felt about it. Ms. Layton has a talent for getting the reader inside her characters to feel what they are feeling, no mean accomplishment.
January 26, 2019
I'm glad to have finally started reading Edith Layton and I look forward to reading more. She introduced some characters who were so intriguing that I can't wait to read their books! I loved that the hero in this installment was only Alpha when he needed to be. And I appreciate that he wasn't a brooding hero who didn't know his feelings, I enjoyed that he knew what he wanted from almost the start. The heroine was original and entertaining and the supporting cast of characters were outlined well for their future stories.
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March 28, 2020Considering how little I enjoyed the first, I'm not sure how I even ended up attempting this. By accident, I guess.
April 18, 2020
While the C series is a bit dated when compared to modern romances, Gilly is still one of our favorite Edith Layton heroines.
August 6, 2023
I read the first book in the series and was not a fan but this is one of my favorite books ever! Really romantic and sweet. I loved Damon and Gilly. Highly recommended!!
October 13, 2024
Boring, ordinary.
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March 20, 2013Lord Raphael Dalton successfully fought against Napoleon's elite soldiers. However, his campaign on English soil to gain the regard of Lady Annabelle Wylde seems hopeless, as she loves another, the now married Damon Ryder. Worse yet, Rafe knows he acts like a puppy panting for a minor sign of affection from Annabelle, but he is only one of several suitors.
However, Rafe's efforts to win Annabelle's heart abruptly end when he finds himself forced to marry his friend's sister Brenna Ford to save her reputation. Brenna loves Rafe and he enjoys being with her as she brings him happiness and a reason to live. Brenna hopes that one day she can eventually win his heart from Annabelle although she believes that feat is an impossible task especially since Annabelle has plans for Rafe.
However, Rafe's efforts to win Annabelle's heart abruptly end when he finds himself forced to marry his friend's sister Brenna Ford to save her reputation. Brenna loves Rafe and he enjoys being with her as she brings him happiness and a reason to live. Brenna hopes that one day she can eventually win his heart from Annabelle although she believes that feat is an impossible task especially since Annabelle has plans for Rafe.
January 2, 2024
I just reread. It's a complicated plot which starts in the first book, The Cad. The initial read was sublime but EL tends toward extreme wordiness and telling to explain everything versus showing, and during the reread that got a little tiresome. I think the reason I really loved the book is the three male lead--Damon, Drummond, and Wycroft. Gilly, our heroine, is such an interesting character but much harder to portray, eg it's hard to feel how attractive she must really be in order to get these guys enraptured. Her background and how she's "accepted" into the haute ton also requires a serious suspension of disbelief. But still it's a lot of fun.
January 11, 2014
Can a girl who was born in the slums become a lady? And can she then marry a gentleman? Gilly finds herself forced to enter a betrothal of convenience, but her heart has always been set on someone else. When he turns up back in England she is forced to evaluate feelings she has always taken for granted.
The most interesting character for me though is Wycoff: not quite a villain, but not yet a hero, he has a lot of evaluating to do as well. There are questions still to be answered where he's concerned.
The most interesting character for me though is Wycoff: not quite a villain, but not yet a hero, he has a lot of evaluating to do as well. There are questions still to be answered where he's concerned.
February 12, 2013
Interesting premise and interesting first half, but got bogged down in the second half with everyone thinking and thinking and rethinking and changing their minds and justifying themselves to the others and on and on ...
February 8, 2013
A really great read! Plenty of drama to keep the story interesting. Very well paced and nice narrative. A really sweet story at points and at other parts gut wrenching. Can't wait for more of the series!
August 7, 2013
I liked this one a LOT better than the first, and it's unpredictability made it great. But I still wasn't drawn to it like other books. It was good, but not 5 stars good. And again somewhere between pg-13 and R.
February 2, 2016
This is a part of a series..the second book after The Cad..the characters were introduced in it..it's beautifully written..loved the hero and heroine and the conflict was so real for the heroine and beautifully resolved at the end.
September 14, 2010
Barely finished. Stupidest heroine ever.
August 4, 2012
Fun continuation of this book, enjoyable and not so self-evident. Looking forward to getting my hands on the rest of the series - I hope!
December 13, 2013
Also it is a good story; it is not my favorite in the author’s “C” series. I loved both “The Challenge” and “The Conquest”.
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews