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Ruthless Lover
An indecent proposal!
Twenty-four hours after meeting the beautiful Lady Serana Flaxton, Nick Colterne proposed. To his chagrin, she refused…until he threatened to withhold financial aid from her family. Serena was furious-Nick may be the sexiest man she'd ever met, but she did not want to be married for her title and her ability to provide him with an heir! If he thought she would go willingly to his bed, he would have to think again! But it seemed that she'd challenged the wrong man….
189 pages, Paperback
First published October 1, 1992
8 people are currently reading
90 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
August 11, 2012
*Warning*
If you don't like the vicious "I love you, I hate you" and "I despise you but you set me on fire" go around in a book, avoid this one like the plague. Serena spends most of the book acting like she can't stand Nick. Since his arrogance was off-putting and his double standards about marital fidelity were infuriating, I could see why Serena was putting up barriers against him. On the other hand, he did have that male vitality and strength that makes for a compelling Harlequin Presents hero despite his arrogant ways.
I spent most of this book really disliking Nick. He seemed like a jerk to me. He was so assured of his place in the world, and he was pushy in a way I didn't like. I admit I do love a jealous/possessive hero, but in light of his numerous mistresses, really? Okay the end helped me to be okay with him, but I can't say why, because it's a spoiler.
If the dramatic back and forth in a romance book works for you, this one will do the trick. I do agree there was sizzling tension between Nick and Serena, very well written and culminating in a very sensual love scene.
1.5 hours of reading that were diverting, even if I was annoyed at the characters for a large deal of that time. I have to give this 3.5/5.0 stars because it was a fun read.
If you don't like the vicious "I love you, I hate you" and "I despise you but you set me on fire" go around in a book, avoid this one like the plague. Serena spends most of the book acting like she can't stand Nick. Since his arrogance was off-putting and his double standards about marital fidelity were infuriating, I could see why Serena was putting up barriers against him. On the other hand, he did have that male vitality and strength that makes for a compelling Harlequin Presents hero despite his arrogant ways.
I spent most of this book really disliking Nick. He seemed like a jerk to me. He was so assured of his place in the world, and he was pushy in a way I didn't like. I admit I do love a jealous/possessive hero, but in light of his numerous mistresses, really? Okay the end helped me to be okay with him, but I can't say why, because it's a spoiler.
If the dramatic back and forth in a romance book works for you, this one will do the trick. I do agree there was sizzling tension between Nick and Serena, very well written and culminating in a very sensual love scene.
1.5 hours of reading that were diverting, even if I was annoyed at the characters for a large deal of that time. I have to give this 3.5/5.0 stars because it was a fun read.
September 21, 2018
“I had to lie and pretend and hurt you. You were only twenty, and devastatingly beautiful. I was a very powerful man, head over heels in love with you. I was afraid you’d exercise that power over me. I couldn’t let you do it. I had to take the whip hand. I had to convince you that I would never, ever love you. Otherwise, you’d guess.”
That’s the reason why H was cruel to h.🙄
I don’t know why I’ve kept reading till the end. I love cruel heroes, I’m Margaret Pargeter and Yvonne Whittal fan but I didn’t like the MC. I didn’t feel their chemistry or love or angst and that’s the worst part. Why should I have read an oldie if not angst. And at the end, H said there was no mistress in 3 years they lived apart despite of his threats about bedding OW. Well, sen onu benim kulahima anlat pickurusu. (Tell it to the marines.)
That’s the reason why H was cruel to h.🙄
I don’t know why I’ve kept reading till the end. I love cruel heroes, I’m Margaret Pargeter and Yvonne Whittal fan but I didn’t like the MC. I didn’t feel their chemistry or love or angst and that’s the worst part. Why should I have read an oldie if not angst. And at the end, H said there was no mistress in 3 years they lived apart despite of his threats about bedding OW. Well, sen onu benim kulahima anlat pickurusu. (Tell it to the marines.)
July 20, 2019
"Ruthless Lover" is the story of Serena and Nick.
So I shouldn't have expected anything better with such a title. Hmmf.
The h and H have been married for three years, ever since the H blackmailed the h into it- saving her aristocrat family from ruin in lieu of her wedding him and providing him with heir. He was enchanted by her, she not so much. She pushes him away, and they lead separate lives for three years, while he hoes around.
So the good first- extremely smitten and crazy possessive hero. HOT lovemaking.
The rest of it is bad. The book is filled with the hero throwing OW on the h's face, her him getting jealous of every OM, all OM hitting on her, multiple rape threats and her literally cowering from fear of sexual violence, him being a horndog etc. Their sexual chemistry is sizzling, but the rest is discomforting. It was less love, more powerplay and submission.
Let's make one thing clear. Jealous/ obsessive hero= hot. Crazy/ psycho who threatens to rape= not. I don't care whatever the provocation was.
Meh.
Safe
2/5
So I shouldn't have expected anything better with such a title. Hmmf.
The h and H have been married for three years, ever since the H blackmailed the h into it- saving her aristocrat family from ruin in lieu of her wedding him and providing him with heir. He was enchanted by her, she not so much. She pushes him away, and they lead separate lives for three years, while he hoes around.
So the good first- extremely smitten and crazy possessive hero. HOT lovemaking.
The rest of it is bad. The book is filled with the hero throwing OW on the h's face, her him getting jealous of every OM, all OM hitting on her, multiple rape threats and her literally cowering from fear of sexual violence, him being a horndog etc. Their sexual chemistry is sizzling, but the rest is discomforting. It was less love, more powerplay and submission.
Let's make one thing clear. Jealous/ obsessive hero= hot. Crazy/ psycho who threatens to rape= not. I don't care whatever the provocation was.
Meh.
Safe
2/5
December 18, 2018
This is profoundly toxic. Don't read this book if cheating is an issue.
December 25, 2013
Heroine is a young beautiful heiress who in order to save her family from bankruptcy and ruin accepts to marry an American tycoon who is smitten with her.
Of course heroine doesn't know our hero is crazy about her. She thinks he only married her for her title and aristocratic origins. She rejects him on their wedding night he tells her he will keep mistresses and they are living separate lives for 3 years.
Story starts with hero visiting his estranged wife and demanding to finally have the wedding night she denied him three years ago.
This was a very passionate, angsty story full of sexual tension, jealousy and intense emotions. These two were fighting non stop but their chemistry was just sizzling and their love for each other was obvious. Gotta love a celibate, faithful possessive hero and a feisty but smitten heroine!
Of course heroine doesn't know our hero is crazy about her. She thinks he only married her for her title and aristocratic origins. She rejects him on their wedding night he tells her he will keep mistresses and they are living separate lives for 3 years.
Story starts with hero visiting his estranged wife and demanding to finally have the wedding night she denied him three years ago.
This was a very passionate, angsty story full of sexual tension, jealousy and intense emotions. These two were fighting non stop but their chemistry was just sizzling and their love for each other was obvious. Gotta love a celibate, faithful possessive hero and a feisty but smitten heroine!
June 26, 2012
NO NO NO!
Both the hero and heroine were annoying as heck. The heroine acting like a Victorian virgin then when she finally "got it" she almost knocked herself out from the power of her "O".
Hero was a jerk who mistreated staff and waiters.
I think this book was written either by Charlotte Lamb or one of her daughters. IIRC, both of Lamb's daughters tried their hand at romance writing.
Reasons you may or may not like this book:
1. Heroine was TSTL
2. Heroine was Victorian era virgin
3. Hero was rude
4. May/Dec romance
5. Hero made it seem like he had multiple mistresses.
Both the hero and heroine were annoying as heck. The heroine acting like a Victorian virgin then when she finally "got it" she almost knocked herself out from the power of her "O".
Hero was a jerk who mistreated staff and waiters.
I think this book was written either by Charlotte Lamb or one of her daughters. IIRC, both of Lamb's daughters tried their hand at romance writing.
Reasons you may or may not like this book:
1. Heroine was TSTL
2. Heroine was Victorian era virgin
3. Hero was rude
4. May/Dec romance
5. Hero made it seem like he had multiple mistresses.
August 30, 2015
I liked it. It was scary at time but always intense how he felt about her. He really was self centred but it worked for me. And honestly did she really think she could keep telling him off!! He is man! I will read it again. It's worth the read if you like the strong man innocent girl and passionate love. Make up your own mind however it was worth it for me to not take some of these reviews to seriously.
May 28, 2024
I probably need to re-read this one. I read it in april 2024 and a can`t for the life of me remember much of it.
December 31, 2024
They’re both nuts. He tells her that he wouldn’t have married her if she were short, fat and ugly. So his love is only based on her good looks? And it was annoying how many times the author reminds us how slim the h is, slender curves, a narrow waist and bla bla.
March 24, 2017
This is the book that encouraged me to read more of English romatic novels. :D
January 13, 2022
Apparently the author is Charlotte Lamb's daughter. The chemistry was sizzling hot and the H basically could have ended world drought with all the drooling he did around the h. The h does not mature much and spends the entire book alternatively dry humping the H in a frenzy of lust OR telling him she hates him and would rather die than sleep with him. The H and h were rather bickery and it got old towards the end - a never ending cycle of hurtful words to hide their true feelings. The H told her at one point that she was dishonorable because she reneged on their MOC deal of bearing an heir which was actually a well deserved jab. Honestly the h was super dumb as she literally fell in love with the H and his body the minute she saw him but then spends 3 years+ denying it.
The H was apparently celibate since he first saw her 3 years ago. The h is a virgin but has men falling at her feet wherever she goes - unfortunately she is also
A nice HEA. I wanted the h to grovel more actually. The H was way too patient with her but then again, why would you blackmail someone into marrying you, then "give them space" for 3 years, only to suddenly decide to give them the shock treatment into intimacy?
I noticed that Sarah Hollands books have this common theme of a hot, super successful millionaire H falling in instant lost/love with a siren, virginal h with some degree of red hair or green/cat eyes. All the Hs are super alpha and the h spend the books alternatively panting and denying that they want to sleep with the H lol.
The H was apparently celibate since he first saw her 3 years ago. The h is a virgin but has men falling at her feet wherever she goes - unfortunately she is also
A nice HEA. I wanted the h to grovel more actually. The H was way too patient with her but then again, why would you blackmail someone into marrying you, then "give them space" for 3 years, only to suddenly decide to give them the shock treatment into intimacy?
I noticed that Sarah Hollands books have this common theme of a hot, super successful millionaire H falling in instant lost/love with a siren, virginal h with some degree of red hair or green/cat eyes. All the Hs are super alpha and the h spend the books alternatively panting and denying that they want to sleep with the H lol.
December 17, 2018
I don’t think heroine’s situation was all that hopeless that she really had to marry the asshole if she supposedly didn’t want to. All the cliche thrill of the chase and “I love you but I hate you and am too stupid to verbalize my own emotions” at its best so nothing new here. Have to just admit that I liked the language not being totally illiterate and raw peasant style. Good little read if you’re in the mood for this kind of thing and looking to pass the time.
September 29, 2017
Ooops
The story was very odd. Why would you blackmail someone into marriage and then not see them for 3 years. The male character was a bully and the female alternated between feisty and doormat.
The story was very odd. Why would you blackmail someone into marriage and then not see them for 3 years. The male character was a bully and the female alternated between feisty and doormat.
February 20, 2021
3.5 stars
April 10, 2013
This book was annoying as heck. The hero and heroine kept playing the "I love you, I hate you" game through out the whole freaking book. The only redeeming quality was the chemistry between the characters.
May 20, 2019
An indecent proposal!
Twenty-four hours after meeting the beautiful Lady Serana Flaxton, Nick Colterne proposed. To his chagrin, she refused…until he threatened to withhold financial aid from her family. Serena was furious—Nick may be the sexiest man she'd ever met, but she did not want to be married for her title and her ability to provide him with an heir! If he thought she would go willingly to his bed, he would have to think again! But it seemed that she'd challenged the wrong man….
Twenty-four hours after meeting the beautiful Lady Serana Flaxton, Nick Colterne proposed. To his chagrin, she refused…until he threatened to withhold financial aid from her family. Serena was furious—Nick may be the sexiest man she'd ever met, but she did not want to be married for her title and her ability to provide him with an heir! If he thought she would go willingly to his bed, he would have to think again! But it seemed that she'd challenged the wrong man….
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March 25, 2019Amante Cruel / Amante Implacable (Versión)
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews