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Necklace Trilogy #3
The Handmaiden's Necklace
Five years ago, Rafael, Duke of Sheffield, believed he was betrayed by the woman he loved and the pain haunts him still. When Rafe discovers that he was cruelly tricked and that Danielle Duval was never unfaithful, he's desperate to win her back. But Dani is already on a steamer bound for America to marry another man. Impulsively, Rafe follows her and, trapping her in a compromising situation, quickly makes her his wife.
Promising her that with time he can prove his love and win her trust, Rafe presents her with a stunning necklace rumored to hold great power. As much as Dani wants to believe it can right the wrongs of the past, she fears there is one truth it cannot conceal, a truth that could cost her this second chance with Rafe, the only man she has ever loved….
Promising her that with time he can prove his love and win her trust, Rafe presents her with a stunning necklace rumored to hold great power. As much as Dani wants to believe it can right the wrongs of the past, she fears there is one truth it cannot conceal, a truth that could cost her this second chance with Rafe, the only man she has ever loved….
416 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2006
101 people are currently reading
1039 people want to read
About the author
Kat Martin
189 books3,173 followersKathleen Kelly Martin (aka Kathy Lawrence, Kasey Mars)
Kathleen Kelly was born on 14 July 1947 in the Central Valley of California, USA. She obtained a degree in Anthropology and also studied History at the University of California in Santa Barbara. She was a real estate broker, when she met her future husband, Larry Jay Martin. A short time after the two became acquainted, Larry asked her to read an unpublished manuscript of an historical western he'd written. Kat fell in love with both the book and the author! Then, after doing some editing for him, she thought she'd try her own hand at writing. She moved on to become a full time writer.
Published since 1988, she signed her books with her married name, Kat Martin, but she also used two pseudonyms: Kathy Lawrence for a book in collaboration with her husband Larry Jay Martin, and Kasey Mars for her first contemporary romances. The New York Times bestselling writer, among her many awards, has won the prestigious RT Book Review Magazine Career Achievement Award. To date, Kat has over eleven million copies of her books in print. She has been published in seventeen foreign countries, including England, South Africa, Spain, Argentina, Germany, Italy, Greece, Norway, Sweden, Russia, Bulgaria, China, and Korea.
Currently residing with her husband, a Western-writer and photographer, in Missoula, Montana, USA. But when they are not writing, they also enjoy skiing and traveling, particularly to Europe.
"I've always loved books. I was an avid reader, with any number of my own stories rolling around in my head. Writing them down seemed a logical step."
"I love anything old," Kat says. "I love to travel and especially like to visit the places where my books are set. My husband and I often stay in out-of-the-way inns and houses built in times past. It's fun and it gives a wonderful sense of a by-gone era."
Kathleen Kelly was born on 14 July 1947 in the Central Valley of California, USA. She obtained a degree in Anthropology and also studied History at the University of California in Santa Barbara. She was a real estate broker, when she met her future husband, Larry Jay Martin. A short time after the two became acquainted, Larry asked her to read an unpublished manuscript of an historical western he'd written. Kat fell in love with both the book and the author! Then, after doing some editing for him, she thought she'd try her own hand at writing. She moved on to become a full time writer.
Published since 1988, she signed her books with her married name, Kat Martin, but she also used two pseudonyms: Kathy Lawrence for a book in collaboration with her husband Larry Jay Martin, and Kasey Mars for her first contemporary romances. The New York Times bestselling writer, among her many awards, has won the prestigious RT Book Review Magazine Career Achievement Award. To date, Kat has over eleven million copies of her books in print. She has been published in seventeen foreign countries, including England, South Africa, Spain, Argentina, Germany, Italy, Greece, Norway, Sweden, Russia, Bulgaria, China, and Korea.
Currently residing with her husband, a Western-writer and photographer, in Missoula, Montana, USA. But when they are not writing, they also enjoy skiing and traveling, particularly to Europe.
"I've always loved books. I was an avid reader, with any number of my own stories rolling around in my head. Writing them down seemed a logical step."
"I love anything old," Kat says. "I love to travel and especially like to visit the places where my books are set. My husband and I often stay in out-of-the-way inns and houses built in times past. It's fun and it gives a wonderful sense of a by-gone era."
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 110 reviews
November 23, 2020
Well written but the hero (yet ANOTHER Duke) is a real loser.
October 17, 2024
I get it. I get that when Rafe found Dani in a compromising position with another man, he blamed her and broke their engagement even though Rafe was set up and Dani was innocent. He ruined her and for five years she moldered in the country not daring to show her face in London society. He cut her and went on with his life, drinking and carousing to drown out his pain. He really did love her. She really did love him. I get that when by chance he sees her at the one ball she has attended for her aunt the fire of betrayal burned so bright he had to confront her. She was adamant that she did nothing wrong and her righteous anger gave him pause. He finally decided to find out what really happened.
By the time Rafe finds out the truth and imparts some long overdue justice Dani is on her way to America to wed another. What's a Duke to do? He takes the fastest ship to America with the hope of what? Apologizing? Winning her back? He said it was to make sure the man she was going to wed was worthy of her. He wasn't. Now what? Try to convince her he still wants to marry her. She's not at all receptive. Black mail her about The Scandal? That worked, but boy, is she pissed. So pissed she isn't going to tell him something he really should know before the marriage.
This Bride's Necklace that is supposed to bring the owner great joy or terrible tragedy isn't working out so well for Rafe and Dani and it only becomes more of a problem when they return to London. There is a whole lot to work out, and an attempted murderer to catch, before the necklace can deliver on the great joy.
By the time Rafe finds out the truth and imparts some long overdue justice Dani is on her way to America to wed another. What's a Duke to do? He takes the fastest ship to America with the hope of what? Apologizing? Winning her back? He said it was to make sure the man she was going to wed was worthy of her. He wasn't. Now what? Try to convince her he still wants to marry her. She's not at all receptive. Black mail her about The Scandal? That worked, but boy, is she pissed. So pissed she isn't going to tell him something he really should know before the marriage.
This Bride's Necklace that is supposed to bring the owner great joy or terrible tragedy isn't working out so well for Rafe and Dani and it only becomes more of a problem when they return to London. There is a whole lot to work out, and an attempted murderer to catch, before the necklace can deliver on the great joy.
February 23, 2018
Uhhhhh okay. The first paragraph in the synopsis barely is true. There was so much...too much going on in this book. Nothing had time to develop. Two boat trips, a lot of betrothals, 'I will not fall in love again'...but the person you loved didn't do anything wrong, loser, soo much necklace movement, two murder plots, buying ships from America....ahhhh just relax and streamline.
January 7, 2019
I actually tried the second book but I had to abandon it because I didn't see the correlation between revenge and seduction. I thought it was a bit forced. I should have taken that as warning.
I actually like the premise of this book. I was looking forward to a grovelling story. However, the writing wasn't good. It just isn't. I didn't like the romance. The characters had no depth. It was just not good and it all goes back to the writing. A lot of the events are contrived because I don't think the writing was up to par to tackle the issue of mending a broken love story.
The most complicated parts are dealt with in the easiest possible way. The other love interest, somehow, is a future adulterer who will treat her like a nurse maid. Her soon to be step children are spoiled brats. I mean, there isn't much of a challenge when it comes to winning her back. The issue raised is an interesting one. How does the hero win the heroine back after wronging her. It turns out, he does it in the most high handed manner in that he is saving her. I'm also not a fan of him just forgetting how much that event impacted her life. It is just all swept away as if it were nothing. He shows up one day and inserts himself in her life as if that was his natural place. It's just not good writing.
The other big conflict was her being barren. Surprise surprise, her womb is miraculously working again because of the necklace.
The story revolves around Rafe and Dani. They were engaged but Rafe broke it and ruined her in the process. He found a letter that was supposedly from Dani to his friend. The letter invited the friend over to her bed. Rafe stormed her bedroom and found said friend in said bed. He promptly broke off the engagement and ruined her reputation. She tried to explain the situation that she had no part in it. He didn't listen.
Years later, he meets her again and finally confronts her. Her indignant reaction prompts him to finally look in the matter. He hires an investigator who tells him that the lady was telling the truth. Rafe follows her to America to see if she was happy.
Somehow, her fiance is an ass and she somehow agreed to marry him. Conveniently for Rafe, the fiance was willing to tell this near stranger about his mistress and his habits when it comes to women.
Rafe forces Dani to marry him by blackmailing her about the scandal years ago. She agrees, they marry. There is thing about the necklace and how she gives it to someone else to use as passage back to England. She somehow lies about it to Rafe, nevermind the fact that at this point, she doesn't really think highly of him. I don't see why she had to lie about it other than it creates a convenient conflict for the story later on.
There is this conflict about people trying to kill Rafe and Dani. It was the marchioness. She was trying to get revenge for her son who Rafe crippled. Dani was abducted and Rafe saves her in time.
The book ended with Dani's womb being healed by the necklace. She is pregnant and she could give Rafe children.
I actually like the premise of this book. I was looking forward to a grovelling story. However, the writing wasn't good. It just isn't. I didn't like the romance. The characters had no depth. It was just not good and it all goes back to the writing. A lot of the events are contrived because I don't think the writing was up to par to tackle the issue of mending a broken love story.
The most complicated parts are dealt with in the easiest possible way. The other love interest, somehow, is a future adulterer who will treat her like a nurse maid. Her soon to be step children are spoiled brats. I mean, there isn't much of a challenge when it comes to winning her back. The issue raised is an interesting one. How does the hero win the heroine back after wronging her. It turns out, he does it in the most high handed manner in that he is saving her. I'm also not a fan of him just forgetting how much that event impacted her life. It is just all swept away as if it were nothing. He shows up one day and inserts himself in her life as if that was his natural place. It's just not good writing.
The other big conflict was her being barren. Surprise surprise, her womb is miraculously working again because of the necklace.
The story revolves around Rafe and Dani. They were engaged but Rafe broke it and ruined her in the process. He found a letter that was supposedly from Dani to his friend. The letter invited the friend over to her bed. Rafe stormed her bedroom and found said friend in said bed. He promptly broke off the engagement and ruined her reputation. She tried to explain the situation that she had no part in it. He didn't listen.
Years later, he meets her again and finally confronts her. Her indignant reaction prompts him to finally look in the matter. He hires an investigator who tells him that the lady was telling the truth. Rafe follows her to America to see if she was happy.
Somehow, her fiance is an ass and she somehow agreed to marry him. Conveniently for Rafe, the fiance was willing to tell this near stranger about his mistress and his habits when it comes to women.
Rafe forces Dani to marry him by blackmailing her about the scandal years ago. She agrees, they marry. There is thing about the necklace and how she gives it to someone else to use as passage back to England. She somehow lies about it to Rafe, nevermind the fact that at this point, she doesn't really think highly of him. I don't see why she had to lie about it other than it creates a convenient conflict for the story later on.
There is this conflict about people trying to kill Rafe and Dani. It was the marchioness. She was trying to get revenge for her son who Rafe crippled. Dani was abducted and Rafe saves her in time.
The book ended with Dani's womb being healed by the necklace. She is pregnant and she could give Rafe children.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 9, 2017
This is the third and final book in the Necklace Trilogy that revolves around an ancient necklace with its own folklore that it will do good things for those who have true hearts. I have not read the earlier books, which I regret because I felt like I didn't have the full story of the necklace. There were allusions to the necklace helping earlier couples in the series, so it made me curious about their stories. This is a second chance romance featuring current possessor of the necklace, Rafael - Duke of Sheffield. Rafael was given the necklace by his sister (I think?), who was a prior heroine in the series.
Five years ago, Rafael was in love with Danielle Duval, a red-haired beauty who loved him right back. But when a scandal tears them apart, Rafael becomes a bitter and angry duke and Dani retreats from society with a broken-heart. Fast forward five years and the two have an encounter that brings the scandal back to the front of everyone's minds, and drives Rafael to discover what actually happened. Our story bounces off from here.
I liked Rafael's character very much. I thought he acted carelessly five years ago and was the one in the wrong... however over the five years Rafael has matured and gotten a grip on his rage problems,. The only problem is that now he is bitter and jaded. But when Dani comes back to his life, Rafael seemed to redeem himself very easily. Danielle outright lied to Rafael, or omitted things she really should not have. Instead of coming clean, she waited until Rafael discovered the lie/omission and tried to do damage control. This was very annoying for me - I do not like deception in my romances, especially when they are very big deceptions.
There is a bit of suspense with the story as well, including some attempted murders and kidnapping. This aspect helped to advance the plot when I was annoyed at the romance. However my favorite aspect of the book did not involve the main characters. There is a side romance occurring between Dani's handmaid, Caro, and a handsome indentured servant, Robert. There was mystery and danger surrounding Robert's character as well, and I was more interested in the story of this couple than I was our main couple.
The performance by the narrator was okay, but it seemed to be more of a reading than a performance (if that makes sense). I enjoyed this story, but it wasn't a standout. I think if I had read the earlier books I may have been more invested in the characters and history of the necklace. So that's my fault.
I voluntarily reviewed an advanced copy of this audiobook that I received from the publisher, Tantor Audio.
February 15, 2022
everyone seems to be anti the hero but he was fine. got a magic dick too
December 14, 2010
Our hero decided that he was going to keep a confidence with a sleezy guy he just met and instead threatened to break a promise he made to the heroine, revealing a painful past that's all his fault anyway, because he knows better what will make her happy even if he has to do it against her will. I in turn decided to fling the book at the wall.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 27, 2022
A lot of reviews said the guy was a jerk. In the first 111 pages I thought he was ok. But then I got to page 112 and noped right out of there. I am not going to bother finishing it. I don't know why so many authors think abuse is romantic. It's not. Stop it.
February 6, 2025
I'm too tired of this series to finish the last review.
It's much like the other books in the series. It's OK.
It's much like the other books in the series. It's OK.
October 5, 2014
The necklace now passes to Rafe, Duke of Sheffield, the jaded friend of the gents in the previous books in the series. We learn that he's jaded because, years ago, he loved a woman and planned to marry her, but then one night he found her in bed with a friend of his. Now he's going to marry a nice, biddable, beddable girl he can't possibly care too deeply for.
And wouldn't you know it? That's when Danielle, his former fiance, who was pretty much exorcised from society after The Scandal, decides to show her face again. And she's still claiming she didn't do his friend.
Dani is in fact just doing a farewell tour of England, with all the tonnish hypocrites and fair-weather friends, people who wanted to be her best friends when they thought she was gonna be a duchess, then treated her like a turd in a punchbowl when Rafe dumped her. She's off to America, where she's going to marry a wealthy businessman she met when he recently visited England.
Rafe learns after she's left that, in fact, the woman he supposedly loved was telling the truth. The whole thing was a setup. After a duel with the cruel "friend" who staged the thing, Rafe decides to chase after Dani. He owes her an apology, if nothing else.
She's all
So he decides to make her happy by coercing her into marrying him—but of course he plans for the relationship to be loveless, cuz, y'know, love sucks. And men say that women are illogical.
Meanwhile, while in America, he's pulling double duty—he's been asked to find out about those newfangled American ships—the ones that are really nimble on the water and could be a b*tch to deal with if, say, Napoleon got hold of a fleet of them. Between his work for the Crown and various personal squabbles, he's accumulating enemies by the minute. A series of attempted murders, along with efforts to clear a friend of a crime he didn't commit keep the latter part of the story hopping, while secrets Dani's kept from him keep the relationship on the rocks. I liked this one, but I'm going to keep it at 3.5 stars—Kat Martin's written some others that really grabbed me, emotionally. This one had plenty of elements that resonated for me, and I did empathize with the characters, but I wasn't as fully engaged as I've been with some others.
And wouldn't you know it? That's when Danielle, his former fiance, who was pretty much exorcised from society after The Scandal, decides to show her face again. And she's still claiming she didn't do his friend.
Dani is in fact just doing a farewell tour of England, with all the tonnish hypocrites and fair-weather friends, people who wanted to be her best friends when they thought she was gonna be a duchess, then treated her like a turd in a punchbowl when Rafe dumped her. She's off to America, where she's going to marry a wealthy businessman she met when he recently visited England.
Rafe learns after she's left that, in fact, the woman he supposedly loved was telling the truth. The whole thing was a setup. After a duel with the cruel "friend" who staged the thing, Rafe decides to chase after Dani. He owes her an apology, if nothing else.
She's all
So he decides to make her happy by coercing her into marrying him—but of course he plans for the relationship to be loveless, cuz, y'know, love sucks. And men say that women are illogical.
Meanwhile, while in America, he's pulling double duty—he's been asked to find out about those newfangled American ships—the ones that are really nimble on the water and could be a b*tch to deal with if, say, Napoleon got hold of a fleet of them. Between his work for the Crown and various personal squabbles, he's accumulating enemies by the minute. A series of attempted murders, along with efforts to clear a friend of a crime he didn't commit keep the latter part of the story hopping, while secrets Dani's kept from him keep the relationship on the rocks. I liked this one, but I'm going to keep it at 3.5 stars—Kat Martin's written some others that really grabbed me, emotionally. This one had plenty of elements that resonated for me, and I did empathize with the characters, but I wasn't as fully engaged as I've been with some others.
December 8, 2018
Oh my god! I am so, so tired of being led into reading a book with a decent premise only to be abandoned by the author. Could these characters be any more stupid or contradictory? Could this plot have any bigger holes? Probably, but this was still an idiotic book.
H leaves h fives years ago because he thinks she cheated on him. Abandons her to be completely shunned by society. Then, he miraculously thinks, "Hey, I think I'll find out what REALLY happened that night." And, with a minimum of effort, the truth is discovered. Surprise, h was completely innocent.
Fast forward and the H decides he's going to "save" the h from entering a bad marriage, and BLACKMAILS her into marrying him because, of course, he knows what's best for her. The h is adamantly against marrying this man, or so she says. But if she REALLY didn't want to marry him, why would she not have told him that she was barren right off? I mean, he's a duke so that should have put him off pretty quickly. But, inexplicably, she doesn't use this smoking gun. Instead, she keeps a secret and then agonizes over it.
And then there's the way everything just falls into place. H is engaged to another woman but then father of the bride steps in and says, "My daughter's terrified of you and I think it would be best to break the engagement." Uhh... no. I don't care how unrealistic a plot is, it still needs to make some sort of sense. And ain't no papa in early 1800s going to voluntarily break his daughter's engagement with a f*cking duke.
Oh, and h's intended? Turns out he's a cheating douche with two monster children. How convenient. That way, she has few, if any qualms about breaking her engagement to him. Funny how that all worked out, huh?
I won't say anything else in case you still want to read the book. Fare you well on your journey into Idiocracy.
H leaves h fives years ago because he thinks she cheated on him. Abandons her to be completely shunned by society. Then, he miraculously thinks, "Hey, I think I'll find out what REALLY happened that night." And, with a minimum of effort, the truth is discovered. Surprise, h was completely innocent.
Fast forward and the H decides he's going to "save" the h from entering a bad marriage, and BLACKMAILS her into marrying him because, of course, he knows what's best for her. The h is adamantly against marrying this man, or so she says. But if she REALLY didn't want to marry him, why would she not have told him that she was barren right off? I mean, he's a duke so that should have put him off pretty quickly. But, inexplicably, she doesn't use this smoking gun. Instead, she keeps a secret and then agonizes over it.
And then there's the way everything just falls into place. H is engaged to another woman but then father of the bride steps in and says, "My daughter's terrified of you and I think it would be best to break the engagement." Uhh... no. I don't care how unrealistic a plot is, it still needs to make some sort of sense. And ain't no papa in early 1800s going to voluntarily break his daughter's engagement with a f*cking duke.
Oh, and h's intended? Turns out he's a cheating douche with two monster children. How convenient. That way, she has few, if any qualms about breaking her engagement to him. Funny how that all worked out, huh?
I won't say anything else in case you still want to read the book. Fare you well on your journey into Idiocracy.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 15, 2023
What is it about?
Five years ago, Dani and Rafe’s engagement was called off because Dani was seen in a room with a guy naked. Dani tried many times to explain, but Rafe didn’t listen, and this whole situation became a scandal. Five years later, Rafe hired an investigator to find the truth regarding the scandal, and at that time, Dani was headed to America to marry Robert, who has two kids and is a business-minded person. When Rafe found out the truth and that Dani was going to marry, he chased her to see if Robert was suitable for her and to apologize.
Here are my thoughts on the whole story.
I didn’t like how Rafael always thought of her sexually. I understand that he wants her, but based on the number of times it was mentioned, it seems like he only wants her body. Also, the fact that he blackmailed her so that Dani would break her engagement with Robert so he could have her instead makes me upset because I don’t like guys who force women into doing things they are not ready for. He's a jerk, period.
I have some issues with Dani. At first, I liked her for being strong and trying to move on from Rafael. But I immediately went mad because she had made a promise to Rafael not to lie again, but she lied again. I'm furious that she didn't tell him before their wedding. She was opposed to Rafael's marriage because he forced her to do so; she should have told him at the time that since the two of you were going to marry, it is expected that you'll have a baby, bruh. She left the house knowing that there was someone out there trying to kill her. Girl, didn’t they say that you should stay in the house? I'm done.
December 9, 2019
2.5 stars
A faintly boring historical romance. The characters' motivations are faulty half the times, the characters themselves are not exactly realistic, and the writing quality is less than average. The only thing that kept me reading to the end was the characters' emotions, even if the reasons for them didn't exactly gel.
Besides, there are two couples in the story, and their two separate plotlines. And the plotline of the couple who are NOT protagonists was much more interesting than the plotline of the hero and heroine. The author should've swapped the leads; it would've made a better story.
Not a writer for me, I fear.
A faintly boring historical romance. The characters' motivations are faulty half the times, the characters themselves are not exactly realistic, and the writing quality is less than average. The only thing that kept me reading to the end was the characters' emotions, even if the reasons for them didn't exactly gel.
Besides, there are two couples in the story, and their two separate plotlines. And the plotline of the couple who are NOT protagonists was much more interesting than the plotline of the hero and heroine. The author should've swapped the leads; it would've made a better story.
Not a writer for me, I fear.
September 10, 2010
Boring story and unlikeable heroine. Too predictable. No interesting character development.
I was so bored that I skimmed much of the book. I hated the heroine's actions and lies. I was not drawn to the hero. This was my first Kat Martin book and will probably be my last. Sexual content: moderate.
I was so bored that I skimmed much of the book. I hated the heroine's actions and lies. I was not drawn to the hero. This was my first Kat Martin book and will probably be my last. Sexual content: moderate.
December 20, 2013
Made me cry..very heart warming :)
February 3, 2017
i'm not a huge fan of martin's but since ive read the other 2 books in the series, i wanted to continue on.
i didn't like the preview to this book in the devil's necklace. and i pictured Danielle as a conniving harlot. so it was weird to have her actually be so different. i love when someone thinks they've been betrayed and they really haven't, though. so i was interested in reading this.
i really didn't like how they portrayed Rafael's fiancé in the preview. They’re making shy people out to be stupid. about her trembling hand, about how Raphael completely dwarfed her.
He walks away without responding to her.
This book is a cross between Again the Magic by lisa kleypas, and Almost Heaven by Judith mcnaught.
I didn’t like their first meeting, and that after 5 years, and their first meeting, he would question if she was telling the truth. I thought that would happen way later in the book.
You’re engaged and you went to a whore house? WTH! &im sick of hearing of cord and ethan’s past. We get it, they were hound dogs, now lets drop it.
Him and his friends all go to whore houses, and yet he talks of artie with disdain because he goes too, drinks, and gambles. You do all of the above, also.
This is happening wayyyy too soon! Why would the author write it this way? im thoroughly disappointed.
You’re a grown man. Of an impressive height and build. You confront a man who lied to you. And you slap his face with your gloves? punch his lights out!
Just like that, oliver tells rafe why he did it.
I understand the duel, but I cant believe he shot him and he wont be able to walk again. &”he felt no remorse.”
Im just not getting that sense of tragedy and lost time between the characters like I did in Almost Heaven. So, no, I don’t think the duel was right at all.
&he thinks his father would agree. Idk if he was trying to make himself feel good, but crippling someone is extreme.
“business always came first. At times it seemed to consume him.”
“Richard seemed so concerned w/her background.”
“Duke, meet Richard Clemmons.”
“my daughter is completely intimidated by you, and particularly frightened of sharing a bed with you.” Eww! You’re talking about your daughter. Did you guys discuss that together?
Great. His children are hellions. Of course it would work out this way. suddenly, Richard is actually a bad man. Which just sets things up perfectly.
Calling a gun a “piece” is so modern.
Even more convenient-richard has a mistress and plans to cheat on Danielle.
&stupid rafe would have cheated on mary rose. And admits it like there’s nothing in the world wrong with it.
“I was afraid you might not come.” She wouldn’t have, if he had really given her a choice.’ You could have simply not gone.
We don’t care about caroline. Why does she have her narrative in here?! I get they’re friends and that’s great, but shes a servant and they make her sound just like a lady.
Im surprised she gave in so easily. I get breaking your engagement to Richard off, but you don’t have to marry rafe.
And if you know he needs children-and you do. Every noble guy does-then you need to tell him you cant have them.
He hasn’t come to terms with the fact that she’s innocent in a good way. it happened suddenly. He hated her. Then suddenly felt bed. And is back to teasing her like nothing was wrong.
I HATE “at least being married to you will not be dull.” That’s so overdone.
You’ve called him Rafael from the start, even though you hated him. and yet on your wedding day, you call him Your Grace.
Caro was going to steal the necklace! Oh geez. You freakin gave her the necklace? Wth is wrong with you? When an author writes this crap, do they seriously think we agree?
‘before he’d met Danielle, he had slept with very few women. On his 18th bday, his best friend, cord Easton, had gifted him with a night at madame fontaneau’s house of pleasure. A few months l8r, he had taken a mistress, then later kept company with a countess whose husband suffered a failing memory.’
‘he had slept with countless women. From opera singers to the most sought-after courtesans, rafe knew the power of seduction.’
WE DON’T CARE.
‘undressed her with expert skill. She wondered how many times he had accomplished the task.’
I don’t understand in books where the guy betrayed the girls trust or hurt her deeply, he, instead of being humble and apologetic, decides to be demanding and persistent. You betrayed her. You didn’t believe her. You should be winning back her trust and feelings, not demanding things of her and acting like a jackass.
Im confused about the whole Robert accused of murder thing, but I skim and scan when they talk about him, so that’s most likely why. But I find it highly convenient that he’s become an earl.
You all of a sudden throw out an “a’tall” over 200 pgs in the book.
Omg. Im sick of caro moaning about Robert.
“I wish I could be a fly on the wall.” How modern!
You wish she had confided in you and trusted you about the necklace. But you didn’t trust her 5years ago. He really is stupid.
“into high gear.”
I cant believe his mother is that nosy and desperate for grandchildren that she would bring it up to Danielle.
She completely skipped over the stargazing thing.
Omg. Even more like Almost Heaven-they turn the ballroom into a conservatory/garden.
I hate when characters keep on saying the same thing-I should tell him about being barren, but never does.
We had to wait til he found out if she was innocent 5 yrs ago. And now we had to wait about the necklace. She should have ben honest there, too.
Things are so familiar, I feel like ive read this book before. because the author has ripped off other books. He makes her promise not to lie to him, but of course, she wont tell him about being barren.
Very convenient that caro is actually a gently bred woman. So she can end up with an earl.
I get Rafael is supposedly a caring person(which was surprising) but calling caro sweeting is taking it too far. You call your wife that. And you’ve never really bonded with caro before.
How can you keep repeating, chapter after chapter, how worried you are about rafe finding out you’re barren. FREAKIN SPIT IT OUT ALREADY. Wouldn’t you have rather told him before you started caring for him, rather than when you did? If he rejected you then, it wouldn’t hurt so much.
Everyone in this book is handsome. Rafe is handsome. Cord is handsome. Ethan is handsome. Artie is handsome. Robert is handsome. Even the doctor is handsome!
“helluva.” Really?
“he had promised himself he would take his ease with another woman, that it no longer mattered that he cleave only to her, since there would be no children from their union.” You *******! You said you’d never cheat on her. And now you find out you cant have kids, so you plan to get with someone else.
“I am no longer ill, Rafael…except with wanting you.” How corny and stupid.
How can a woman that’s supposed to be full of fire and fight, be so timid and stupid? get a backbone! She’s worrying why rafe is mad. And why he keeps staying away. &thinks he’s mad about how she acted in bed.
She skips things we want to hear, like the stargazing. And yet goes into agonizing detail every time Danielle gets dressed. She gets a message to meet rafe in the state room or w/e, and has to show the note to caro and go change. Find the right dress, put the necklace on. FAST FORWARD, I BEG YOU.
Of course rafe suddenly decides it doesn’t matter that they cant have kids.
And of course the carriage accident was on purpose.
I cant believe she actually thought rafe or his mom would try to kill her just because she cant have kids. Do I laugh? Do I throw the book across the room?
“iron this out.”
“I have no will where you are concerned, when the sight of your sweet body so heats my blood.” Gag.
“zeroed in.” wow, that doesn’t sound modern.
I hated how the ending was so rushed. This book was more about Robert and caro than the main characters. I wanted to hear more about their first meeting, and how exactly rafe was affected after he thought she betrayed him. they didn’t really talk about the past like they should have. & I got so sick of caro &Robert I wanted to scream. Im sure it was supposed to be romantic when hes professing his undying love and getting down on bended knee, but it was syrupy and corny to me. I wasn’t feeling it at all. And I was sick of caro &danielle’s little chats. I heaved a sigh every time caro entered the room and rolled my eyes when they always talked of Robert. BORING. And highly repetitive.
Of course she gets taken when she goes to the carriage. And her waking up after being shot was highly miraculous. &totally stupid. that happened way too close to the end, too.
I KNEW she would end up adopting those kids and then being able to have a baby. How freakin unrealistic. Idk why authors put problems in the way, then they’re going to be solved so easily. and so unrealistically.
The ending could have been a lot better. Kat Martin is an okay writer, but shes not funny.
i didn't like the preview to this book in the devil's necklace. and i pictured Danielle as a conniving harlot. so it was weird to have her actually be so different. i love when someone thinks they've been betrayed and they really haven't, though. so i was interested in reading this.
i really didn't like how they portrayed Rafael's fiancé in the preview. They’re making shy people out to be stupid. about her trembling hand, about how Raphael completely dwarfed her.
He walks away without responding to her.
This book is a cross between Again the Magic by lisa kleypas, and Almost Heaven by Judith mcnaught.
I didn’t like their first meeting, and that after 5 years, and their first meeting, he would question if she was telling the truth. I thought that would happen way later in the book.
You’re engaged and you went to a whore house? WTH! &im sick of hearing of cord and ethan’s past. We get it, they were hound dogs, now lets drop it.
Him and his friends all go to whore houses, and yet he talks of artie with disdain because he goes too, drinks, and gambles. You do all of the above, also.
This is happening wayyyy too soon! Why would the author write it this way? im thoroughly disappointed.
You’re a grown man. Of an impressive height and build. You confront a man who lied to you. And you slap his face with your gloves? punch his lights out!
Just like that, oliver tells rafe why he did it.
I understand the duel, but I cant believe he shot him and he wont be able to walk again. &”he felt no remorse.”
Im just not getting that sense of tragedy and lost time between the characters like I did in Almost Heaven. So, no, I don’t think the duel was right at all.
&he thinks his father would agree. Idk if he was trying to make himself feel good, but crippling someone is extreme.
“business always came first. At times it seemed to consume him.”
“Richard seemed so concerned w/her background.”
“Duke, meet Richard Clemmons.”
“my daughter is completely intimidated by you, and particularly frightened of sharing a bed with you.” Eww! You’re talking about your daughter. Did you guys discuss that together?
Great. His children are hellions. Of course it would work out this way. suddenly, Richard is actually a bad man. Which just sets things up perfectly.
Calling a gun a “piece” is so modern.
Even more convenient-richard has a mistress and plans to cheat on Danielle.
&stupid rafe would have cheated on mary rose. And admits it like there’s nothing in the world wrong with it.
“I was afraid you might not come.” She wouldn’t have, if he had really given her a choice.’ You could have simply not gone.
We don’t care about caroline. Why does she have her narrative in here?! I get they’re friends and that’s great, but shes a servant and they make her sound just like a lady.
Im surprised she gave in so easily. I get breaking your engagement to Richard off, but you don’t have to marry rafe.
And if you know he needs children-and you do. Every noble guy does-then you need to tell him you cant have them.
He hasn’t come to terms with the fact that she’s innocent in a good way. it happened suddenly. He hated her. Then suddenly felt bed. And is back to teasing her like nothing was wrong.
I HATE “at least being married to you will not be dull.” That’s so overdone.
You’ve called him Rafael from the start, even though you hated him. and yet on your wedding day, you call him Your Grace.
Caro was going to steal the necklace! Oh geez. You freakin gave her the necklace? Wth is wrong with you? When an author writes this crap, do they seriously think we agree?
‘before he’d met Danielle, he had slept with very few women. On his 18th bday, his best friend, cord Easton, had gifted him with a night at madame fontaneau’s house of pleasure. A few months l8r, he had taken a mistress, then later kept company with a countess whose husband suffered a failing memory.’
‘he had slept with countless women. From opera singers to the most sought-after courtesans, rafe knew the power of seduction.’
WE DON’T CARE.
‘undressed her with expert skill. She wondered how many times he had accomplished the task.’
I don’t understand in books where the guy betrayed the girls trust or hurt her deeply, he, instead of being humble and apologetic, decides to be demanding and persistent. You betrayed her. You didn’t believe her. You should be winning back her trust and feelings, not demanding things of her and acting like a jackass.
Im confused about the whole Robert accused of murder thing, but I skim and scan when they talk about him, so that’s most likely why. But I find it highly convenient that he’s become an earl.
You all of a sudden throw out an “a’tall” over 200 pgs in the book.
Omg. Im sick of caro moaning about Robert.
“I wish I could be a fly on the wall.” How modern!
You wish she had confided in you and trusted you about the necklace. But you didn’t trust her 5years ago. He really is stupid.
“into high gear.”
I cant believe his mother is that nosy and desperate for grandchildren that she would bring it up to Danielle.
She completely skipped over the stargazing thing.
Omg. Even more like Almost Heaven-they turn the ballroom into a conservatory/garden.
I hate when characters keep on saying the same thing-I should tell him about being barren, but never does.
We had to wait til he found out if she was innocent 5 yrs ago. And now we had to wait about the necklace. She should have ben honest there, too.
Things are so familiar, I feel like ive read this book before. because the author has ripped off other books. He makes her promise not to lie to him, but of course, she wont tell him about being barren.
Very convenient that caro is actually a gently bred woman. So she can end up with an earl.
I get Rafael is supposedly a caring person(which was surprising) but calling caro sweeting is taking it too far. You call your wife that. And you’ve never really bonded with caro before.
How can you keep repeating, chapter after chapter, how worried you are about rafe finding out you’re barren. FREAKIN SPIT IT OUT ALREADY. Wouldn’t you have rather told him before you started caring for him, rather than when you did? If he rejected you then, it wouldn’t hurt so much.
Everyone in this book is handsome. Rafe is handsome. Cord is handsome. Ethan is handsome. Artie is handsome. Robert is handsome. Even the doctor is handsome!
“helluva.” Really?
“he had promised himself he would take his ease with another woman, that it no longer mattered that he cleave only to her, since there would be no children from their union.” You *******! You said you’d never cheat on her. And now you find out you cant have kids, so you plan to get with someone else.
“I am no longer ill, Rafael…except with wanting you.” How corny and stupid.
How can a woman that’s supposed to be full of fire and fight, be so timid and stupid? get a backbone! She’s worrying why rafe is mad. And why he keeps staying away. &thinks he’s mad about how she acted in bed.
She skips things we want to hear, like the stargazing. And yet goes into agonizing detail every time Danielle gets dressed. She gets a message to meet rafe in the state room or w/e, and has to show the note to caro and go change. Find the right dress, put the necklace on. FAST FORWARD, I BEG YOU.
Of course rafe suddenly decides it doesn’t matter that they cant have kids.
And of course the carriage accident was on purpose.
I cant believe she actually thought rafe or his mom would try to kill her just because she cant have kids. Do I laugh? Do I throw the book across the room?
“iron this out.”
“I have no will where you are concerned, when the sight of your sweet body so heats my blood.” Gag.
“zeroed in.” wow, that doesn’t sound modern.
I hated how the ending was so rushed. This book was more about Robert and caro than the main characters. I wanted to hear more about their first meeting, and how exactly rafe was affected after he thought she betrayed him. they didn’t really talk about the past like they should have. & I got so sick of caro &Robert I wanted to scream. Im sure it was supposed to be romantic when hes professing his undying love and getting down on bended knee, but it was syrupy and corny to me. I wasn’t feeling it at all. And I was sick of caro &danielle’s little chats. I heaved a sigh every time caro entered the room and rolled my eyes when they always talked of Robert. BORING. And highly repetitive.
Of course she gets taken when she goes to the carriage. And her waking up after being shot was highly miraculous. &totally stupid. that happened way too close to the end, too.
I KNEW she would end up adopting those kids and then being able to have a baby. How freakin unrealistic. Idk why authors put problems in the way, then they’re going to be solved so easily. and so unrealistically.
The ending could have been a lot better. Kat Martin is an okay writer, but shes not funny.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 14, 2022
Ici nous sommes dans une trame assez classique. Des amoureux qu’un événement a séparé en installant l’inimitié entre les deux. Pourtant il subsiste quelque chose les liant.
Le héros masculin est assez simple, il s’est fourvoyé mais quand il prend conscience de son erreur rien ne l’arrêtera plus.
L’héroïne est quant à elle un peu passive et laisse les apparences jouer contre elle. J’aime les personnages forts et ceux-ci manquaient de corps.
L’intrigue était plaisante mais attendue, je n’ai pas vraiment eu d’effet de surprise durant ma lecture. Le rythme s’accélère un peu par moment.
J’ai aimé le détail du bijou qui favorise les couples ainsi que le couple secondaire qui se forme.
L’auteure a voulu jouer sur deux histoires qui s’entremêlent, ça fonctionne bien mais j’aurais préféré lire celle du couple secondaire.
En résumé une romance historique qui ne sort pas trop des sentiers battus et qui fait le job mais sans plus. Je ne me suis pas réellement senti d’empathie envers cette romance.
Le héros masculin est assez simple, il s’est fourvoyé mais quand il prend conscience de son erreur rien ne l’arrêtera plus.
L’héroïne est quant à elle un peu passive et laisse les apparences jouer contre elle. J’aime les personnages forts et ceux-ci manquaient de corps.
L’intrigue était plaisante mais attendue, je n’ai pas vraiment eu d’effet de surprise durant ma lecture. Le rythme s’accélère un peu par moment.
J’ai aimé le détail du bijou qui favorise les couples ainsi que le couple secondaire qui se forme.
L’auteure a voulu jouer sur deux histoires qui s’entremêlent, ça fonctionne bien mais j’aurais préféré lire celle du couple secondaire.
En résumé une romance historique qui ne sort pas trop des sentiers battus et qui fait le job mais sans plus. Je ne me suis pas réellement senti d’empathie envers cette romance.
May 24, 2023
Secrets and Lies
He believed a lie and broke their betrothal and her heart. She goes to America to marry another man when he discovers the truth and follows her. One more time the necklace rescues its owner but secrets interfere and the miracle doesn't come until many heartaches occur. Oh this is so good.
He believed a lie and broke their betrothal and her heart. She goes to America to marry another man when he discovers the truth and follows her. One more time the necklace rescues its owner but secrets interfere and the miracle doesn't come until many heartaches occur. Oh this is so good.
July 19, 2012
I greatly enjoyed this book. I had been wanting to read it for awhile, so I bought it one day on the Harlequin site along with a slew of other ebooks. It was few months before I actually read it though.
The premise is an interesting one. Rafe believes that his betrothed betrayed and he leaves her for five long years. When they meet again it's a function and they still have that undeniable attraction between them.
Unfortunately Dani has become engaged to an American business and she travels with her lady maid and her aunt to the country to marry him and of course Rafe follows her.
What I liked the most about this book was how realistic the characters seemed. Rafe and Dani shared a passion, but both were hesitant to fall in love with each other.
There were a few mysteries going on the book, if you can call them that. Maybe the correct word would be intrigues? There's a subplot with Dani's maid, Caro Loon and a man she originally meet in the Americas. I thought it was well done as well.
I wasn't aware that there were two previous books to this series. I usually try to start with the first book. I thoroughly enjoyed and I will be buying the other two books in the series. Look out for review of those.
The premise is an interesting one. Rafe believes that his betrothed betrayed and he leaves her for five long years. When they meet again it's a function and they still have that undeniable attraction between them.
Unfortunately Dani has become engaged to an American business and she travels with her lady maid and her aunt to the country to marry him and of course Rafe follows her.
What I liked the most about this book was how realistic the characters seemed. Rafe and Dani shared a passion, but both were hesitant to fall in love with each other.
There were a few mysteries going on the book, if you can call them that. Maybe the correct word would be intrigues? There's a subplot with Dani's maid, Caro Loon and a man she originally meet in the Americas. I thought it was well done as well.
I wasn't aware that there were two previous books to this series. I usually try to start with the first book. I thoroughly enjoyed and I will be buying the other two books in the series. Look out for review of those.
December 8, 2010
Love Kat's books!! She always has a lot going on in her books, page turners.
There are 3 bks to this Necklace story, but I missed one, which I will buy very soon.
Rafael, Duke of Sheffield, felt he was betrayed 5 yrs ago by a woman he loved with all of his heart . But Rafe finds out he was tricked into believing that Daniell Duval was unfaithful to him, but is it too late for him. She's now sailing on a ship to America to marry a wealthy American. Rafe sets out to find her and pressures her into marrying him, hoping that she will win his trust.
Rafe gives her a beautiful necklace, rumors say to hold great power. It can destroy or bring good to those who own it. Each still inlove with each other and falling more deeply, Dani still has a secret that she keeps from her love Rafe.
Read to find out more!!!!!!!! A Great read!
There are 3 bks to this Necklace story, but I missed one, which I will buy very soon.
Rafael, Duke of Sheffield, felt he was betrayed 5 yrs ago by a woman he loved with all of his heart . But Rafe finds out he was tricked into believing that Daniell Duval was unfaithful to him, but is it too late for him. She's now sailing on a ship to America to marry a wealthy American. Rafe sets out to find her and pressures her into marrying him, hoping that she will win his trust.
Rafe gives her a beautiful necklace, rumors say to hold great power. It can destroy or bring good to those who own it. Each still inlove with each other and falling more deeply, Dani still has a secret that she keeps from her love Rafe.
Read to find out more!!!!!!!! A Great read!
June 27, 2021
after reading almost half of the book I quitted, the plot was too stupid to believe. seriously, giving up a valuable family heirloom, and no less than a wedding gift which was worth a lot more than the intended debt, just because she couldn't bring herself to ask her aunt and her husband to be for their help?! Yeah, too stupid...
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 7, 2022
1.5 stars
Enjoyed how this began, how Rafael and Danielle already had history. The lengths Rafael went through to make it right. The rest was drawn out and predictable. Almost DNF several times. Their constant struggle to not fall in love with each other was eye-roll worthy. A little too smutty for my tastes. Overuse of the term “loins” and such lol.
Enjoyed how this began, how Rafael and Danielle already had history. The lengths Rafael went through to make it right. The rest was drawn out and predictable. Almost DNF several times. Their constant struggle to not fall in love with each other was eye-roll worthy. A little too smutty for my tastes. Overuse of the term “loins” and such lol.
November 12, 2015
Contrived
I wanted to finish the series. This one was just a bit much. Old love rekindled. Several obstacles overcame, but all forced and the biggest one so outrageous.....really not worth the read.
I wanted to finish the series. This one was just a bit much. Old love rekindled. Several obstacles overcame, but all forced and the biggest one so outrageous.....really not worth the read.
September 12, 2015
I'm enjoyed more of this book than the first two series. im so glad that the finale of trilogy had repaid the whole of trilogy.
July 5, 2020
I promised that if this book had the ending I feared it would, it would get two stars. And then it had that ending.
November 19, 2025
2 stars feels too generous, but here we are.
Five years of deliberate destruction wrapped up in one book. Rafe didnt just refuse to believe Dani was innocent when she tried explaining the scandal, he actively participated in ruining her reputation in front of all of society. She was literally exiled while he drank, caroused, and played the wounded duke. And then, after years of her living in disgrace because of his cruelty, he decides to blackmail her into marrying him. Romantic? More like predatory.
Dani. Bless her, I wanted to root for her. I genuinely did. At first, she seemed like she had actual spine, refusing to forgive him or fall into his arms just because he suddenly realized she was innocent. She rejected his marriage proposal because, shockingly, she didnt want to marry the man who destroyed her life. But then? Character assassination in real time. She doesn't tell him shes barren before the wedding despite knowing every noble needs an heir. She lies about the necklace despite promising not to lie. And worst of all, shes grateful for crumbs. Hes kidnapped her, blackmailed her, and she thanks him for basic decency like the first book.
Rafe is worse. He thought Dani was not innocent, encouraged society to shun her, and when he finally realizes shes innocent, his solution is to follow her across the Atlantic and force her into marriage. Not apologize earnestly. Not give her space. Not let her live her life in America. Blackmail her. Make her his wife whether she wants it or not. The man literally thinks his lust for her is love. Every chapter hes going on about her "luscious curves" and wanting her body while simultaneously acting like hes her savior.
What I liked: The last few chapters had some decent emotional beats. The secondary romance between Caro and Robert was actually more interesting than the main couple. Thats not a compliment.
What absolutely ruined me: The entire foundation of this relationship. Two people who can't communicate, one of them a manipulative coercer, and the other a liar pretending to have a backbone. The fact that her barrenness gets magically fixed at the end (because of course it does) so they can have a "real" happy ending. As if the actual emotional issues needed magic to solve.
Miss Martin threw in plot after plot 😂attempted murders, false accusations, a duel that crippled someone, political intrigue about American ships, but it all felt like noise drowning out how fundamentally toxic this romance is. The necklace is supposed to bring joy or tragedy, but honestly? It just collected dust while these two flailed around in their dysfunctional mess.
Tbh this book made me angrier than The Devil's Necklace, which is saying something. At least Grace was incompetent from the start. Dani actively chooses weakness despite having every reason not to. That's somehow worse.
Lastly, may this type of love never find me. Amen.
Five years of deliberate destruction wrapped up in one book. Rafe didnt just refuse to believe Dani was innocent when she tried explaining the scandal, he actively participated in ruining her reputation in front of all of society. She was literally exiled while he drank, caroused, and played the wounded duke. And then, after years of her living in disgrace because of his cruelty, he decides to blackmail her into marrying him. Romantic? More like predatory.
Dani. Bless her, I wanted to root for her. I genuinely did. At first, she seemed like she had actual spine, refusing to forgive him or fall into his arms just because he suddenly realized she was innocent. She rejected his marriage proposal because, shockingly, she didnt want to marry the man who destroyed her life. But then? Character assassination in real time. She doesn't tell him shes barren before the wedding despite knowing every noble needs an heir. She lies about the necklace despite promising not to lie. And worst of all, shes grateful for crumbs. Hes kidnapped her, blackmailed her, and she thanks him for basic decency like the first book.
Rafe is worse. He thought Dani was not innocent, encouraged society to shun her, and when he finally realizes shes innocent, his solution is to follow her across the Atlantic and force her into marriage. Not apologize earnestly. Not give her space. Not let her live her life in America. Blackmail her. Make her his wife whether she wants it or not. The man literally thinks his lust for her is love. Every chapter hes going on about her "luscious curves" and wanting her body while simultaneously acting like hes her savior.
What I liked: The last few chapters had some decent emotional beats. The secondary romance between Caro and Robert was actually more interesting than the main couple. Thats not a compliment.
What absolutely ruined me: The entire foundation of this relationship. Two people who can't communicate, one of them a manipulative coercer, and the other a liar pretending to have a backbone. The fact that her barrenness gets magically fixed at the end (because of course it does) so they can have a "real" happy ending. As if the actual emotional issues needed magic to solve.
Miss Martin threw in plot after plot 😂attempted murders, false accusations, a duel that crippled someone, political intrigue about American ships, but it all felt like noise drowning out how fundamentally toxic this romance is. The necklace is supposed to bring joy or tragedy, but honestly? It just collected dust while these two flailed around in their dysfunctional mess.
Tbh this book made me angrier than The Devil's Necklace, which is saying something. At least Grace was incompetent from the start. Dani actively chooses weakness despite having every reason not to. That's somehow worse.
Lastly, may this type of love never find me. Amen.
April 16, 2022
Je l'avoue depuis que j'ai vu la saison 2 des Chroniques des Bridgerton, j'ai une grosse envie de romances historiques. C'est pourquoi je me suis empressée de lire celle-ci. Ce livre est le troisième tome de la série Necklace Les différents tomes peuvent se lire indépendamment donc ne vous inquiétez pas. Si vous avez lu les tomes précédents, vous retrouvez certains des protagonistes d'avant mentionnés ou présents brièvement.
Kat Martin reste fidèle à sa plume aussi intense en émotions que légère. Nous avons une fluidité qui nous rend accro au livre. Je crois qu'entre ça et mon envie de romance historique, j'ai littéralement dévoré d'une traite ce livre qui fait mine de rien 400 et quelques pages.
Nous avons une intrigue classique pour une romance historique mais les thèmes sont très intéressants. On ne s'ennuie pas une seule seconde et on voyage entre l'Angleterre et les Etats-Unis. J'apprécie la présence d'une autre ville car cela renvoie au XIXe siècle dans lequel beaucoup d'anglais ont migré là-bas pour faire fortune ou construire une nouvelle vie.
Nous avons donc des protagonistes attachants et adorables. On s'attache immédiatement à eux et on est séduit par leur belle histoire d'amour qui a des hauts et des bas. On espère le happy end mais s'ils le désirent, ils vont devoir surmonter de nombreuses épreuves. Les personnages secondaires sont au rendez-vous.
Pour conclure, j'ai eu un coup de cœur pour cette romance historique. J'ai été contente de retrouver la plume de Kat Martin toujours aussi légère et intense en émotions. L'intrigue est certes classique mais j'ai adoré ses thèmes qui sont très intéressants et représentatifs de l'époque. Puis, j'ai été séduite par la belle histoire d'amour entre nos protagonistes. Ces derniers subliment l'histoire. Bref, nous avons une très belle romance historique. Je vous confirme que Kat Martin fait partie des références en romance historique.
February 5, 2023
1.5 rating
Disclaimer: I haven't read the previous books and I got this one as a gift.
The beginning of the book was pretty ok, I really like how Danielle and Rafael already have a past, but then it goes downhill. The characters are unrelatable and unlikeable; the only way I can describe Rafe is 'virile male' and 'ran-through', and Dani a red-haired Barbie doll with little thought and personality. The plot is very tepid too.
The abuse is rampant, it starts from page 100, picks up around 130, and just continues getting worse, with Rafe . I can very clearly see that the author wanted it to be smexy and hot and stuff since Dani is 'unsure whether she likes it' (a miserable failure, it wasn't executed well) but judging by the majority of reviews, we can all agree it's stomach-turning.
After the abuse died down and the two 'started falling in love', the plot grew even more boring and ridiculous, one plot hole after another, and nothing had time to develop. It's safe to assume the author was rushing to write the book and publish it. The writing is middle-school level.
Disclaimer: I haven't read the previous books and I got this one as a gift.
The beginning of the book was pretty ok, I really like how Danielle and Rafael already have a past, but then it goes downhill. The characters are unrelatable and unlikeable; the only way I can describe Rafe is 'virile male' and 'ran-through', and Dani a red-haired Barbie doll with little thought and personality. The plot is very tepid too.
The abuse is rampant, it starts from page 100, picks up around 130, and just continues getting worse, with Rafe . I can very clearly see that the author wanted it to be smexy and hot and stuff since Dani is 'unsure whether she likes it' (a miserable failure, it wasn't executed well) but judging by the majority of reviews, we can all agree it's stomach-turning.
After the abuse died down and the two 'started falling in love', the plot grew even more boring and ridiculous, one plot hole after another, and nothing had time to develop. It's safe to assume the author was rushing to write the book and publish it. The writing is middle-school level.
August 8, 2020
Good God, this book was everywhere. The characters had no actual depth, the heroine was just so blah and the hero equally so.
I may have been able to give it another half star if the whole Dani's secret thing hadnt been washed away the way it was. Dont get me wrong I love
I may have been able to give it another half star if the whole Dani's secret thing hadnt been washed away the way it was. Dont get me wrong I love
May 7, 2024
Rafe and Danielle's engagement ended 5 years ago in a disaster that left her shunned and abandoned.
Now she's trying to move on... and he won't let her.
He follows her across the Atlantic to America, blackmails her into jilting her new fiance, and coerces her into marrying him.
There's so many subplots and side characters that we are supposed to care about, but which I never did. There's the guy who plotted the heroines ruin the first time, the new fiance, the new fast clipper ships Napolean might buy, the duel, the heir, the brash American who tries to rape her, the other couple- a maid and a bastard, who isn't really a bastard, but an earl! Who was framed for murder and then became an endentured servant.... and none of those are the real villains! And of course she is barren so she tries to peave him - but wait!! A MIRACLE BABY!!!
Neither main character is very likable. He's entitled and bully, and she's weak willed, whiney, and a liar.
Neither is willing to acknowledge their feelings or communicate with each other, and the only connection they have is sex. This book is a mess.
Now she's trying to move on... and he won't let her.
He follows her across the Atlantic to America, blackmails her into jilting her new fiance, and coerces her into marrying him.
There's so many subplots and side characters that we are supposed to care about, but which I never did. There's the guy who plotted the heroines ruin the first time, the new fiance, the new fast clipper ships Napolean might buy, the duel, the heir, the brash American who tries to rape her, the other couple- a maid and a bastard, who isn't really a bastard, but an earl! Who was framed for murder and then became an endentured servant.... and none of those are the real villains! And of course she is barren so she tries to peave him - but wait!! A MIRACLE BABY!!!
Neither main character is very likable. He's entitled and bully, and she's weak willed, whiney, and a liar.
Neither is willing to acknowledge their feelings or communicate with each other, and the only connection they have is sex. This book is a mess.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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